| In the first article we described the arm positions | | | | 5. As you start the second half of the step, from |
| for shuto uke. In this article we are going to | | | | the half way point, keep your body weight over |
| explain stepping forward shuto uke (knife hand | | | | your back (left) leg. |
| block) in kokutsu dachi (back stance). | | | | 6. Still keep both feet facing forward as you |
| Although this is classed as a basic karate | | | | move through the here quarter stage of the step. |
| technique, most people find this difficult and | | | | At this point, start to block with the right arm and |
| uncomfortable. So we are going to break this | | | | pull the left hikite arm back. |
| step down, into small sections. | | | | 7. As the hikite arm pulls back, keep the palm |
| Get into the habit of breaking new karate moves | | | | facing down and as the blocking arm goes out, |
| down, they then become much easier to | | | | keep the palm facing towards you and the elbow |
| understand the small detail. | | | | down. The back of the blocking forearm, slides |
| Starting with the left leg in front. | | | | down the inside of the hikite arm. |
| 1. Start the step by driving the front (left) knee | | | | 8. As you land in the full kokutsu dachi (back |
| forward. Imagine someone has a hold of your left | | | | stance), sharply pivot on the left (back) foot, |
| wrist and they sharply pull you forward, so really | | | | turning your left foot and knee out to the side. |
| stretch the left arm forward, hand open, fingers | | | | 9. As you complete the arm movements, rotate |
| and wrist straight. | | | | both forearms sharply, so the palm of the hikite |
| 2. At the same time as you perform number 1. | | | | (left) arm, faces up and the palm of the blocking |
| Lift the right arm straight up from the stomach | | | | arm, faces to the inside and down slightly. |
| to the left shoulder. Keep the forearm close to | | | | 10. Both numbers 8 and 9, should be performed |
| the body as you lift the arm and keep the elbow | | | | at exactly the same time. |
| in the center of the chest. When the right hand | | | | 11. Breath in on the preparation and out on the |
| reaches the left shoulder (palm facing the neck), | | | | execution of the block. |
| the hand is open, fingers and wrist straight. | | | | Most karateka start practicing this particular |
| 3. The front knee and two arm movements | | | | karate technique, a few moths into their karate |
| above, should be done at exactly the same time. | | | | training. Of all the basic karate moves, this is one |
| As the above moves are executed, immediately | | | | of the hardest to master. Whether you are |
| start to step with the right leg, pushing the right | | | | attending a karate dojo, or learning karate at |
| side of the body forward. | | | | home, I recommend you break the techniques |
| 4. Keep the same height throughout the step, | | | | down and repeat again and again. Start slowly and |
| knees come close together at the half way point, | | | | gradually build up to maximum speed. |
| body square and both feet facing forward. | | | | |