COACHES' TIPS
PUNCHING & BLOCKING
The basic movements we'll be doing now
have verged away from the basic kumite patterns
and I'll show them to you now.
I'll show you "Sonoba-Tsuki".
The aim will be the height of the middle solar plexus.
You push out your elbow while pulling in the
side of your body and punch with a twist.
The opposite gesture from the punching-out gesture
is performed as you pull back to above the pelvis.
It's a gesture that you start and finish at the same time.
SONABA-TSUKI. ON THE SPOT PUNCH
OK, then, we'll go on to learn defensive skills.
With the upwards "Jodan Age Uke" motion
you twist your fists
and cross them in front of your face.
Your arms then move into the offensive
and defensive positions as they cross.
JODAN AGE UKE. UPPER RISING BLOCK
"Chudan Uchi Ude Uke".
You block so that the fist comes in
the central line of the body.
Then you block in the middle while snapping
your shoulders, elbow and wrist,
as if tracing a circle from outside.
CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE. INSIDE FOREARM BLOCK
Now for "Chudan Soto Ude Uke".
With the back of your wrist facing upwards,
you twist and your elbow move inwards from the line
of the body while the fist moves outwards.
This is how you block.
Similarly, you block so that the drawing back "Hikite"
and defensive "Ukete" moves take place simultaneously.
CHUDAN SOTO UDE UKE. MIDDLE OUTSIDE FOREARM BLOCK
Now for "Gedan-Barai".
You assume a pose above the shoulder
by the side of your ear.
While suddenly lowering your arms
with your elbows facing downwards,
you punch as you twist your fist.
GEDAN-BARAI. DOWN BLOCK
Now we'll do "Uraken Uchi".
This time, with the back of your hand facing upwards,
you twist it and finally raise your wrist.
You block in the upper face position and then punch.
URAKEN UCHI. BACK FIST STRIKE
Now for "Jodan Shuto-Uchi".
You turn horizontally from behind your right shoulder.
You then bend your thumb and put
together your other four fingers
so that there's no opening between them.
JODAN SHUTO-UCHI. UPPER KNIFE HAND STRIKE
Now for "Jodan Haito Uchi".
This time you put your thumb inside.
You then put your fingers together
in the same way as before and tighten your wrist.
JODAN HAITO UCHI. UPPER RIDGE HAND STRIKE