Half-Forward Stance

https://youtu.be/024NyXl26gU A Half-Forward Stance, or Han Zenkutsu Dachi (han means "half"), is shorter than a full Forward Stance. It is sometimes called a "Short Stance. " Some Karate styles will…

Front/Forward Stance

https://youtu.be/TtsKJ6rK1UQ This is a strong, aggressive stance that is basic to most styles of Karate. Zenkutsu Dachi, since it is long, is also low to the ground. Every time you…

Low Block

https://youtu.be/LO2UbrULbb8 The Low Block (Gedan Barai/Gedan Barai Uke) is a primary technique that has many applications. It can be defensive or an offensive technique. The technique starts with the blocking…

Backfist Strike

https://youtu.be/02iocjLgfpE The Backfist Strike (Uraken Uchi) is a common strike but it is not very powerful. It gets power from speed and snap of the wrist. The other hand usually…

Rising Elbow Strike

https://youtu.be/DDAZBXKXMr4 The Rising Elbow Strike (Age Empi Ate/Age Hiji Uchi) projects it's power more forward than upward. Like all elbow strikes, it is a close-range weapon and uses body motion…

Knifehand Strike

https://youtu.be/3Vh7vqFngIs The Knifehand Strike, or shuto uchi, is an easy and devastating strike in karate. This strike is done in a backhand fashion traveling across the body and out to…

Front Kick

https://youtu.be/GJObX4td9gQ The front kick (mae geri) is the most basic kick in karate. It is designed to be used against a target to the front of your body. Hit with…

Middle Outside Block

https://youtu.be/W7zYv4xqLUk The Yoko Uke, Outside Block, is a middle-level block used to protect the body. It "scoops" under an attack coming to the center line of the body. The key…