48 techniques of okinawa karate (part IV)

When someone tries to kick you, don't try to block it. Offence is best defense, so kick him into groins.

Kinteki geri is performed always with your front leg. It is fast and accurate, whipping kick.  Step a side and parry opponent’s kick with gedan haito uke.

Tips: Don’t try to use too much force, because that will slow down your kick. You don’t need too much force to kick someone in groin. You only have to be very quick and accurate.

Reference kata: Chinto, Anan

TOBI GERI
flying kick

Tobi geri is found in many forms of Okinawan karate. This is very effective technique. All kicking techniques of Okinawan karate are used below chest level. However, this kick is aimed to opponent head. You can use tobi geri when you are in corner or when your back is against a wall.

Tips: Technique is consisted of two front kicks. First kick is used as faint and as an effective way to cover long distance. Second kick is done in the air.

Reference kata: Kushanku, Chinto

GEDAN UCHI
knock out

This technique is part of prime sequence in kata Kushanku. Point here is to knock out opponent who is already on the ground. After throwing technique, finish with powerful strike to the face. Use your body weight to amplify power of the strike.

Tips: Your back should be always straight.

Reference kata: Kushanku

This is simple, but effective technique. When confronted with someone who is trying to grab you, quickly smash his ears with both palms. Opponent’s ear drums will be very hurt.

This technique is also illustrated in Bubishi.

Tips: Grab opponent’s hair and neck and throw him on the ground using head manipulation.

Reference kata: Seisan

This is very elbow smash variation.

Elbow strikes are very powerful. It is used to smash opponents face or to break his ribs.

Tips: You can smash his face with hiraken (front knuckles) or poke his eyes with kakushite (cranes beak). It is simple elbow comes up, then hiraken comes down. Uechi ryu uses this combination.

Reference kata: uechi seisan, sanseiru

Palm can be very useful when someone tries to grab you from behind. Simply, step a side and smash his groin with a palm. Use your other hand to soften his hold. This technique is also illustrated in Bubishi.

Tips: Instead of smashing, you can grab and tear attacker testicles.

Reference kata: Seisan, Kushanku

KINTEKI TSUKI
drop down and punch

Sometimes, when attacker tries to grab, punch or push you, quickly drop down on your knee and punch him into groin. This is true streetwise technique.  

Tips:  Use your other hand to protect your face against his punch or against knee.

Reference kata: Chinto

TEISHO UCHI
face slap

This technique is very basic in shorin ryu. Use your front hand to strike attacker face. Step a side (tenshin) into cat stance (neko ashi) and parry with your back hand.

Instead of palm, you can easily use knife hand (shuto) and strike his throat.

Tips: Continue with drop down (osoto gari) or with elbow lock.

Reference kata: Pasai

KINTEKI TSUKI II
grab and tear

You should always be aware of close distance. Attacker is usually always stronger then you and wrestling is his territory. In shorin ryu, you always avoid attacker’s attempts to grab you. However, sometimes you don’t have a choice. If this is a case, then you should try to grab attacker’s genitals so that he has to let you go.

Tips:  You can combine use of elbow or uraken with this technique.

Reference kata: Chinto, Pasai