48 techniques of okinawa karate (part V)

SOKUTO GERI
knee smash

This is pretty rare technique in Shorin ryu. However, it is not that much rare in Goju and Uechi school. Point here is to break opponent’s knee in close distance confrontation.

It is very important to use hikite (opposite pull with your arms) and to use whole body weight. This is pretty devastating technique. Even if you miss opponent's knee, you can smash his shin or foot.

Tips:  When executing sokuto don’t look down, because this will reveal your intention. Fix your eyes on opponent eyes.

Reference kata: Pasai, Anan, Sanseiryu

SOKUMEN GERI
spear leg

This technique was more widely used in old days. Toe tip is used as contact area when kicking into opponent’s abdomen.

Although sokumen geri looks not practical and painful, in fact is very effective. Of course, this kick is more dangerous when you have shoes on.

Tips: You can’t use same amount of power in sokumen geri as in simple mae geri. This is most common mistake. Instead of power, you should be very quick and accurate.

Refrence kata: Useishi, Chinto...

OLD MAN CARIES A FISH
juji uke

This elbow lock technique is part of kushanku kata. Movement in kata is displayed as jodan juji uke and turn. Similar drawing exists in Bubishi.

You can use this lock as defense against roundhouse punch or knife attack. It is very important to hold opponents arm very tight.

Tips: Instead of breaking his elbow, you can grab both his arms and throw him on head.

Reference kata: Kushanku

In ancient Okinawa karate shoken was most basic technique. However, today shoken is replaced by "simple fist"(sei-ken), because it is easier for beginners to learn.

Sho-ken is very painful when attacking opponent’s trunk. Sei-ken should be used when attacking opponent’s nose, but its effectiveness against opponent’s trunk is relatively small when compared with shoken.

Kyusho: throat, armpit, solar plexus, jugular junction, sternum (breast bone).

Tips: You don’t have to punch hard with shoken. Instead, you should focus more on fist rotation. With proper rotation you will generate tremendous power.

Reference kata: Seisan

This is one way to use shuto no kamae from kata kushanku - simple take down.

Use your front hand to parry opponent hand attack and seize it with your rear hand. Simultaneously strike his face with shuto and sweep his leg with your thigh.

Similar technique is shown in Bubishi. Like many techniques and variations in Okinawa karate this technique does not have a name, so I will use descriptive names from Bubishi and other Chinese manuscripts.

Tips: Strike to head is more like push.

Reference kata: kushanku

This is application from ryu no shita kamae - "Dragon tongue fighting posture" (kushanku).

When someone tries to grab and twist your arm, you should make sudden body turn and whip his face with "iron fist" (tetsui).

Tips: You have to be close to opponent, so that your tetsui can reach his face.

Reference kata: Seisan, Kushanku

CRANES BEAK
kakushiken

Finger tips can be very dangerous in self-defense. Although there are many finger techniques in Okinawa karate, uechi ryu kakushiken is one of my favorites. This poking technique is aimed at soft targets - eyes, neck, jugular junction

Tips:  You can also use this technique as defense against rear grab. This application is part of kata Seisan.

Reference kata: Sanseiru, Seisan

PREYING MANTIS
shukouken

This form is part of kata Anan (ryueiryu). It is also found in kata suparinpei.

This weapon is also known as "crane's head".

Tips: Use your rear hand to make joint lock technique and than smash his face.

Reference kata:
Anan, Superinpei

Tora guchi is very common technique in okinawa karate. It is always performed in neko-ashi dachi (cat stance). Point here is to use your hands in close distance confrontation to grab opponents throat or testicles. This is very effective response in close distance.

Tips: In kata technique is always performed slowely with lot of power. This isometric contraction of your muscles will strenghten your arms.

Reference kata: Seisan, Kushanku