Basic Techniques

This section describes some basic movements that are used in Wado Ryu Karate. It does not contain an exhaustive list of techniques, but it provides an introduction to some of the most common moves.

Stances

Masuba Dachi – Formal Bowing Stance (Toes Open)

This is a rigid stance where you should keep your entire body straight, yet relaxed and not tense. Put your heels together with your toes pointed slightly out. Keep your hands held flat against your thighs. Keep your focus on the instructor or your partner.

Heiko Dachi – Ready Stance (Toes Parallel)

Left foot steps sideways, then right foot steps sideways, with the entire width of the stance being one 'foot length' apart (where foot size is dependent on the individual). When your second foot reaches its destination, your hands will simultaneously close into fists. Your weight should be balanced equally on both feet, and your feet should be parallel to each other. Extend your arms straight toward your hips and close your fists. Your fists should be directly in front of your pelvis about a fist's width from your body.

Zenkutsa Dachi – Forward Stance

To measure a 'Zen' stance, kneel down on one leg. Measure two fists and a thumb distance forward from the knee; then from that ending point, measure two fists and a thumb sideways. This ending position should be where your front-foot heel should be placed. Stand up; and bend your front knee forward; until it covers your foot to the point that you can not see your toes. Your shoulders should remain square; and your rear leg will be nearly locked out with your back foot pointing toward the front corner. Your belt-knot should be mostly forward; with a slight tendancy toward the corner. Your punching hand should be aimed at the solar plexus level, which is downard and inward on a slight diagonal. The foremost qualities of a 'Zen' stance is a long, low, stable stance that both builds leg strength and balance while maintaining a strong base and foundation.

Kiba Dachi – Parallel Horse Stance

Spread your feet about two shoulder widths apart and bend your knees to lower your pelvis. Keep your toes pointed forward with your feet parallel and your heels on the floor. Your body should be straight up, and your weight should be balanced equally on both feet. Pull your elbows back until your fists are at your solar plexus (upper abdominal) level, and keep your fists facing up. Be sure that your fists do not 'dangle' or are suspended in front of you. Your elbows should be retracted backwards to the point that the hammerfist part of your fist should be making contact with the upper side of your ribcage.

Strikes

Jun-tsuki – Forward Punch

Extend one fist straight out in front of your body. The fist should end up on the centerline of your body and not directly in front of your shoulder, which will cause it to be slightly downward and inward on the diagonal plane. As your fist is coming out during the punch it should rotate and end up facing downwards. This rotation allows the arm to move naturally and deliver more power. Once your punch has been extended, the shoulders should remain even and square; be sure not to allow the punching shoulder to extend forward.

Note: This technique can be done low (gedan jun-tsuki), at chest level (chudan jun-tsuki), or high (jodan jun-tsuki).

Hikite – Back Elbow Strike

Pull your elbow back sharply and bring your fist to your solar plexus level. Your fist should rotate during this move and finish facing up. This technique is used in combination with many strikes and blocks because while the forward arm is striking or blocking, the back arm and elbow can be used to strike as well. Also, this 'chambered' position allows the back arm to come out into other techniques with fluidity and power. Be sure your fist is contacting your ribcage and not independently suspended.

Kicks

Mae Geri – Front Kick

Raise the knee of the kicking leg into the 'chambered' position. Then snap the leg out and straighten it into the target, then snap it back into the chambered position. The striking surfaces for this kick is the ball of the foot (e.g., for a stomach strike).

Mae Ashi Geri – Roundhouse Kick

Pivot the base foot out to open the hips. Raise the knee of the kicking leg into the 'chambered' position. As the kick is being executed, rotate the leg 45° so that its approach is in a circular and not linear delivery (as opposed to the Mae Geri). As the kick arrives, straighten the leg and swing the foot around into the target so that the blow is delivered when the leg is fully extended. The striking surface for this kick is the instep. The hips must shift forward during this kick to generate maximum power. The goal of this kick is to deliver a blow from a 90° angle to the target. Once delivered, return the leg back to the 'chambered' position, and return the pivioted base foot back to its original position as the foot is returned to the ground.

Yoko Geri – Side Kick

Raise the knee of the kicking leg into the 'chambered' position. At execution, retract the knee of the kicking leg and bring the heel towards your hip. Torque the hips heavily as you raise your heel and aim the bottom of the heel at the target. Straigten the leg toward the target and drive the heel into it as you untorque your hips. The hips should rotate during the kick so that the toes of the supporting foot end up pointing 180° away from the target.

Blocks

Jodan Uke – High Block

Cross both arms in front of the body and bring the blocking arm upward in front of the face. The blocking arm should stop about one fist's distance above the top of the head with the forearm angling upward at about 45° and with the fist facing outward. While the blocking arm is moving, the back arm should be withdrawn into a hikite. The forearm of the blocking arm should be defending the entire head area. Immediately prior to the blocking arm reaching its position, it should do a quick rotation into place.

Soto Uke – Middle Block

Extend the blocking arm straight across the front of your body. Then pull the arm upward in front of your face until the forearm is in front of the shoulder and perpendicular to the floor. The fist should be facing back towards the shoulder. The blocking surface is the inner forearm bone. This can be used to defend against attacks to the face and upper body. The top of your fist should be even with the top of your head. Immediately prior to the blocking arm reaching its position, it should do a quick rotation into place.

Gedan Uke – Low Block

Raise the blocking arm toward the opposite shoulder with the fist facing toward the shoulder. Then sweep the blocking arm down and across the front of the body. Stop when the fist is at the center line of your body and your forearm is angling down at about 45°. The forearm should be defending the middle and lower sections of the body. The final position should be about one fist-width above and away from your knee. Immediately prior to the blocking arm reaching its position, it should do a quick rotation into place.