This push-pull effect adds more power to your punch when correctly timed. Step forward with the right leg at the same time and pull back your left hand to a ready position at your side. Stop just short of completely extending your elbow and do not lock it or you run the risk of injury. As you send the punch out, twist your hand so that the palm is facing down. To punch with the right hand, send your punch out from a cocked position at your side, palm up. To perform a straight punch, begin in a neutral stance. The straight punch is a favorite among karatekas and is incredibly powerful when done well. It holds a special spot in Karate, however, since Karate is seen as a very linear, almost choppy style. You’ll see it used in many styles of martial arts. The basic straight punch is one of the most used martial arts moves.

Now we’re ready to go over the basic karate moves step-by-step. When you punch, aim to strike with the large knuckles of the index and middle fingers. Your fist should be tight, with no gaps or slack in the fingers. However, both of these positions put you at a higher risk of breaking your thumb (not to mention they are a little uncomfortable). Some people will tell you to pull the thumb back and rest it on top of your curled index finger or even to tuck it inside the hand. It will rest on the flat spot between the middle and last finger joints. Fold your thumb down neatly over the top of your index and middle finger. It should be super tight, enough that the pads of your fingers nearly touch the joint at the base of your fingers. To make a fist, curl your fingers down until the tips of your fingers meet the palm of your hand.

After all, if you make a fist incorrectly and strike something, you run the risk of breaking one of the relatively delicate 27 bones in your hand or fingers. Make a Fistīefore we can get to punching, we’ve got to start with the most basic - making a fist. To that end, we’ll present the karate moves names in Japanese as well so you can start becoming familiar with them. Karate is just as much about training the mind as it is about training the body. It’s also important to learn the original names of the punches in Japanese. Everything in the art is built off the basic moves.

Before you can execute a cool karate move like the crane kick from The Karate Kid or perform complicated katas, you need to learn the most simple karate moves.

Karate techniques pdf