| Before trying to step forward in zenkutsu dachi | | | | whole body forward. Drive from the floor with |
| (front stance), be sure and understand the basic | | | | the left leg, continue driving the right side of the |
| elements of the karate front stance and they | | | | body forward, but keep the arm positions. |
| are, weight distribution, length, width and height. | | | | 5. At the three quarter point, the arms start to |
| We are not going to cover front stance in this | | | | move. Throw the right blocking arm around and |
| article, only stepping forward soto uke. | | | | forward, at the same time, strongly pull the left |
| Starting with the left leg in front and the arms in | | | | hikite (pulling arm) back. |
| the gedanbarai (downward block) position. | | | | 6. Remember! As you step forward, you are also |
| The first three points we cover in this article, | | | | to a lesser degree, driving the left side of the |
| should be performed at exactly the same time. | | | | body forward. Just before you land in zenkutsu |
| 1. Stretch the left arm forward, so the hand is | | | | dachi, continue driving the right side of the body |
| directly in front of the left shoulder. The left hand | | | | to the front, but sharply pull the left side of the |
| can be open, or closed into a fist, with the back | | | | body and hip back. |
| of the hand facing up. If the hand is open, stretch | | | | 7. Just as you land, finish the right arm block, |
| the fingers forward, keeping the wrist straight. | | | | complete the left hikite arm and the left and right |
| 2. Lift the right arm up and place behind the head | | | | side of the body should finish in the hanmi (side |
| on the right side of the body, without being to | | | | facing) position, with the head facing forward. |
| uncomfortable. The right elbow should be level or | | | | We covered the correct arm positions in the first |
| higher than the right shoulder, keep the palm of | | | | article of this series, 'Soto Uke (outside Forearm |
| the right fist facing away to the right of the body. | | | | Block) Part 1'. |
| The forearm should be vertical with the right fist | | | | Soto uke stepping Top Tips |
| above the right elbow. | | | | -Keep the whole movement smooth, start slowly |
| 3. Initiate the step by driving the left knee | | | | and gradually work up to maximum speed. |
| forward, the feeling should be as if someone is | | | | -Keep the body relaxed throughout the step. |
| pulling you forward by your left arm. Pull and push | | | | -Breathe in on the preparation and sharply out on |
| the right leg sharply forward, at the same time, | | | | the execution of the block. |
| there should be a strong feeling on the right side | | | | -Hide your breathing. |
| of the body, really try and push the right side of | | | | -Make sure you step in a straight line. |
| the body and leg forward. | | | | There are different versions of this karate |
| Try and keep the same height throughout the | | | | technique, so check with your karate sensei, |
| step. As you step forward with the right leg, at | | | | before practicing. Soto uke (outside forearm |
| the half way point, bring the knees slightly | | | | block) is one of the first karate moves practiced, |
| inwards, keeping the feet travelling in a straight | | | | when someone first attends karate classes. |
| line, so as the body travels straight forward and | | | | There are advanced versions of this block, but |
| not in, then out. | | | | described here is the basic version, that is |
| 4. From the half way point, the left leg drives the | | | | practiced in many shotokan karate dojo. |