Shogun Karate Club

 Blocks are defensive techniques using the hands, legs, arms, or feet to redirect the energy of the attack away from its intended target.

 All blocks must be executed at the very start of the opponents attack using correct hip and fore arm rotation, elbow position, speed and power but most importantly of all the defender must be able to anticipate the attack in order to for the chosen block to be fully effective.

Punches (Tsuki)

 In Kihon most punches start from the hip and travel in a straight line, whilst the other arm recoils back to the hip in the reverse direction and twisting the wrist on contact aids focus and exhalation.

 Timing is vital if a punch leaves the waist too early it will only have a pushing effect and only be as strong as the weight and momentum of the student, conversely if it leaves the waist too late it will never gain enough impetus to have any effect.

 Correct execution of a punch hinges on correct route, speed and concentration of power.

Kicks (Keri)

Kicks use the whole of the body to the maximum, especially the hips. There are two main types of kicks, snap kicks that rely on snapping the leg straight from the knee and back again as fast as possible in a semi circular upwards motion this type of kick is the fastest of the two.

            Lifting the knee first and then trusting the leg out in a lateral motion execute thrust kicks, which do not possess the speed of snap kicks but instead utilise the hips to gain extra power making the kick slower but more powerful.

Strikes (Uchi or Ate)

Striking with the hands involves bending and straightening the arm and using the elbow as a pivot the fore arm moves quickly and vigorously in a semi circular motion making full use of the snap of the elbow.

     The elbow itself can be used as a strike by bending the arm fully and pointing the elbow at the target this is particularly useful when defending in close quarters when freedom of movement has been lost.