Kihon are fundamentals. They are the building blocks which all Karate uses to build it’s fighting techniques. Students practice them both individually to reinforce proper form (structure) and in combinations to understand the unique transition principals between techniques. Some Karate schools use different terms for techniques so more than one Japanese term is listed for some of them. Some techniques use different terms depending on how the technique is used.
Many items on this site are performed and explained for people who have learning issues.
Individual Techniques (Waza)
Strikes
- Punch (Seiken Tsuki)
- Hammer Fist Strike (Tettsui Ken Uchi)
- Backfist Strike (Uraken Uchi)
- “U”-Punch (Yama Tsuki)
- Knifehand Strike (Shuto Uchi)
- Palm Heel Strike (Shotei Uchi/Teisho Uchi)
- Spear Hand Strike (Nukite Uchi)
- Rear Elbow Strike (Ushiro Empi Uchi/Ushiro Hiji Ate)
- Rising Elbow Strike (Age Empi Uchi/Age Hiji Ate)
- Roundhouse Elbow Strike (Mawashi Empi Uchi/Mawashi Hiji Ate)
- Side Elbow Strike (Yoko Empi Uchi/Yoko Hiji Ate)
- Dropping Elbow Strike (Otoshi Empi Uchi/Otoshi Hiji Ate)
Blocks
- Inside Blocks (Yoko Uchi/Yoko Uchi Uke/Soto Uke)
- High Block (Jodan Uke)
- Middle Outside Block (Yoko Uke/Chudan Yoko Uke)
- Low Block (Gedan Barai/Gedan Barai Uke)
- Palm Heel Block (ShoteiUke/Teisho Uke)
- Dropping Hammer Fist Block (Uchi Otoshi Uke)
- Knifehand Block (Shuto Uke)
- Low Knifehand Block (Gedan Shuto Barai)
- Grasping Block (Kakete Uke)
- Basic Roundhouse Block (Mawashi Uke)
- Advanced Roundhouse Block (Mawashi Uke)
- Supported Block (Morote Uke)
- Wedge Block (Kakiwake Uke)
Kicks
- Front Kick (Mae Geri)
- Side Snap Kick (Yoko Geri Keage)
- Back Kick (Ushiro Geri)
- Roundhouse Kick (Mawashi Geri)
- Crescent Kick (Mikazuki Geri)
- Outside Crescent Kick (Soto Mikazuki Geri)
- Side Thrust Kick (Yoko Geri Kekomi)
- Knee Breaking Kick (Kansetsu Geri)
- Shuffling Side Kick (Tsugi Ashi/Yoko Geri Kekomi)
- Skipping/Jumping Side Kick (Tobi Yoko Geri Kekomi)
Stances
- Attention & Ready Stances/Postures
- Front/Forward Stance (Zenkutsu Dachi)
- Half-Front Stance (Han Zenkutsu Dachi)
- Sumo Stance (Shiko Dachi)
- Cat Stance (Neko Ashi Dachi)
- Walking Stance (Ayumi Dachi)
- Crossed Leg Stance (Kosa Dachi/Bensoku Dachi)
- Crane Stance (Sagi Ashi Dachi/Tsuru Ashi Dachi)
- Pigeon-Toed Stance (Su Dachi)
Footwork
- Stepping (Ayumi Ashi)
- Sliding & Shuffling (Okuri Ashi/Tsugi Ashi)
- Short Springback
- Long Springback
- 90 Degree (Side) Pivot
- 180 Degree (Back) Pivot
- Turn Around In Place (Mawatte)
Falls/Rolls
Combinations (Renraku Waza)
Line Drills (Ido Kihon)
- 2 Basic Line Drills
- Middle Block, Front Kick, Punch
- Spinning Hammerfist Strike/Block (Tettsuken Uchi/Harai Uke)
- Low Block/Middle Block (Gedan Barai/Yoko Uke)
- Middle Block, Lunge Punch (Yoko Uke, Oi Tsuki)
- Outside Crescent Kick (Soto Mikazuki Geri)
- Low Knifehand Block (Gedan Shuto Uke)
- Grasping Block (Kakete Uke)
- Basic Roundhouse Block (Mawashi Uke)
- Crescent Kick/Side Kick, Punch
- Low Block, Reverse Punch (Gedan Barai, Gyaku Tsuki)
- Middle Block, Reverse Punch – Pigeon-Toed Stance (Yoko Uke, Gyaku Tsuki – Su Dachi)
- Advanced Roundhouse Block (Mawashi Uke)
- 2 Roundhouse Kicks & Reverse Punch (2 Mawashi Geri, Gyaku Tsuki)
- Roundhouse Kick, Front Kick, Reverse Punch (Mawashi Geri, Mae Geri, Gyaku Tsuki)
- Block, Knee Breaking Kick, Elbow Strike, Low Block, Reverse Punch
- Front Kick, Side Thrust Kick, Reverse Punch (Mae Geri, Yoko Geri Kekomi, Gyaku Tsuki)
- Sumo Stance, Inside Block, Backfist Strike, Reverse Punch (Shiko Dachi, Yoko Uchi, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku Tsuki)
Combination Sets (Stationary)