Useful Karate Terminology
Karate Numbering
- Ichi
- Ni
- San
- Chi
- Go
- Roku
- Shichi
- Hachi
- Ku
- Ju
General terms used during class |
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Jodan |
Upper area (face) |
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Chudan |
Middle area (chest) |
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Gedan |
Lower area (stomach) |
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Kamae |
Combative posture |
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Hajime |
Begin |
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Seiza |
Sit down |
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Age |
Stand up |
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Yame |
Stop |
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Kime |
Focus |
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Rei |
Bow |
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Yoi |
Ready |
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Hidari |
Left |
|
Migi |
Right |
| Han | Half |
Karate Stances |
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|
Dachi |
Stance |
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Heisoku dachi |
Closed foot stance |
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Musubi dachi |
Heels together, feet apart |
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Heiko dachi |
Feet shoulder width apart |
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Hachiji dachi |
Natural stance, feet pointing slightly apart |
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Sanchin dachi |
Hour glass stance, small stance |
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Zenkutsu dachi |
Front, stretched stance |
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Shiku dachi |
Straddle leg stance |
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Nekoashi dachi |
Cat stance |
Hand Techniques
Blocks |
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Uke |
Block |
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Age uke |
Rising block |
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Chudan uke |
Chest block |
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Gedan barai |
Stomach block |
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Hiki uke |
Open hand chest block |
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Ko uke |
Wrist block |
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Mawashi uke |
Round house block |
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Udan uke |
Outside chest block |
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Gedan mawashi uke |
Outside chest block |
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Morote uke |
Double block (chest and stomach at the same time) |
PUNCHES |
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Zuki |
Punch |
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Choku zuki |
Straight punch |
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Ura zuki |
Short punch |
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Nihon zuki |
Double punch |
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Sanbon zuki |
Triple punch |
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Gyaku zuki |
Reverse punch |
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Oi zuki |
Lunge punch |
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Ura zuki |
Short punch |
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Kizama zuki |
Jab |
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Morote zuki |
Double punch |
STRIKES |
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|
Uchi |
Strikes |
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Empi uchi |
Elbow strike |
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Urachen uchi |
Back fist strike |
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Shuto uchi |
Knife hand strike |
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Nukite |
Finger strike |
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Tetsui uchi |
Hammer fist |
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Shotei uchi |
Palm heel strike |
FOOT TECHNIQUES |
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|
Geri |
Kick |
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Mae geri |
Front kick |
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Mawashi geri |
Round house kick |
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Yoku geri kekome |
Side thrust kick |
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Ushiro geri |
Back kick |
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Kansetsu geri |
Stamping kick |
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Hisa geri |
Knee kick |
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Ashibarai |
Foot sweep |
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Mae tobi geri |
Jumping front kick |
PRACTISE FIGHTING |
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Kumite |
Sparring (during a tournament) |
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Kihon ippon |
One step sparring |
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Randori |
Slow continuous sparring, emphasising technique |
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Jiyu kumite |
Hard and fast controlled freestyle fighting |
Supplementary Karate exercises |
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| Hojo undo, or supplementary exercises, use various training aids to develop and condition the body to improve self-defence techniques. | |
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Chishi |
Concrete or stone weight on a wooden handle |
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Nigri game |
Gripping jars |
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Makiwara |
A striking post with rubber padding |
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Kongoken |
Heavy rectangular hoop |