Category Archives: Karate

Kihon Gohon Kumite (5 Step Sparring)

Kihon Gohon Kumite or 5 Step Sparring is one of the first Kumite exercise practiced in Shotokan Karate. Although developed for the learning of the first techniques and the coordination of the movements, it remains very interesting to practice whatever the rank. The practice of this Kumite is fundamental for any Karateka. Sparring teaches students…
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Kihon Ippon Kumite

Kihon Ippon kumite – one step sparring, typically used for self-defence drills. Kihon Ippon Kumite is a very good tool to learn the feeling for distance and timing. Block and counter are to be executed immediately together as one sequence. This is a challenge and one will quickly realize that full concentration is necessary and…
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Shiko-dachi (Horse stance)

Yes, this is the painful one. You will learn more about your spirit and determination by the amount of time you can hold this stance, than just about anything else you will do in the dojo! It's another stance rarely found in Shōtōkan Karate. This is the classic Sumo stance, and if you watch the…
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Hangetsu-dachi (Half-moon stance)

Hengetsu Dachi, the stance found in the Karate Kata of Hangetsu. This stance is taught later on in a Karateka's journey, it is a much shorter stance and is more natural.  This stance is similar to the short stance of Sanchin Dachi only with a slightly wider feet position. The technique is known as the half moon stance due to…
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Fudo-dachi (Immovable stance)

Fudo Dachi (immovable stance). This is one of the more advanced Shotokan stances that is practiced in Shotokan Karate dojo. Start in Zenkutsu Dachi, and let the back knee bend while pushing it back so it is closer to being over the rear ankle. The front knee will cave in slightly to allow this to…
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Kiba-dachi (Straddle stance)

Kiba-dachi is used in the Shotokan katas. In terms of its combat usefulness, no stance provides greater sideways strength or worse frontal defence than this stance. People often describe this stance as strong to the side because its width enables it to resist force from the side. However, that is just a by-product of its…
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Kokutsu-dachi (back stance)

Kokutsu-dachi is another stance primarily used in the Shotokan katas. Often described as the opposite of Zenkutsu-dachi (Forward Stance), Kokustu-dachi is effective as a defensive stance, when it's often coupled with Shuto Uke (Knife-hand Block), as in kata Bassai Dai, and in that combination it's perhaps the most classical karate-looking posture of them all. However,…
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