| Soto uke, or outside forearm block is one of the | | | | the right side of the body, rotate the forearm |
| basic karate moves, in the karate dojo. A tricky | | | | strongly, so the finished arm position is the same |
| move to begin with because it contains both linear | | | | as explained in number 1. |
| and circular arm movements, this karate | | | | 6. As you perform number 5, pull the left hikite |
| technique should be first practiced in shizentai | | | | (pulling arm) strongly back. Be sure to keep the |
| (natural stance), with feet approximately shoulder | | | | elbow on line with the side of the body, as you |
| width apart and toes facing forward. | | | | pull the arm back. To make sure the elbow and |
| 1. The left blocking arms elbow is approximately a | | | | fist come back in a straight line, as soon as you |
| fist, to a fist and a half distance from the body. | | | | start the pull back, rotate the left hikite arm |
| There should be a 90 degree bend at the blocking | | | | clockwise, so the bottom of the fist faces down. |
| arms elbow. The fist of the blocking arm is | | | | As the hikite arm reaches the side of the body, |
| approximately shoulder height, shoulders down | | | | finish the rotation strongly, by rotating the |
| and relaxed, with the palm of the left fist, facing | | | | forearm, so the fist finishes palm up, elbow pulling |
| towards you. | | | | down slightly and with both shoulders square and |
| 2. The right hikite arm, should be placed at the | | | | relaxed. |
| bottom of the ribs on the right side of the body. | | | | Soto Uke Top Tips |
| The fist should be palm up, with the elbow pulling | | | | When you block, think forward, not around! |
| down slightly, both shoulders down and relaxed. | | | | The blocking arm should travel in more of a |
| Try not to let the elbow stick out, keep the | | | | straight line, from the high preparation point, to |
| elbow directly behind the fist. | | | | completion and not a sweeping arc. |
| 3. Extend the left forward, so the back of the fist | | | | Remember, the blocking part of the arm, is the |
| is pointing up, arm straight and fist directly in front | | | | inside of the forearm, not the edge of the arm! |
| of the left shoulder. This can also be done with | | | | In the finished blocking position, make sure you |
| the hand open and fingers stretching forward. | | | | can tighten all of your arm muscles properly, if |
| 4. At the same time the left arm stretches | | | | you cannot, your blocking arm will be to high, to |
| forward, lift the right elbow straight up from the | | | | far forward, or to far across the center of the |
| hikite position, as the elbow reaches shoulder | | | | body. |
| height, lift the right forearm and fist, so as the | | | | If you are learning karate at home, take these |
| fist is directly above the elbow, with the palm of | | | | karate moves a step at a time, start slowly, |
| the fist facing out to the right, now take the | | | | research and study karate resources, before |
| elbow as far behind you can, without feeling | | | | building up to full speed. |
| uncomfortable. In this position, the elbow should | | | | Soto uke is one of the first karate moves for |
| be at least shoulder height. | | | | beginners to practice. As always I recommend |
| 5. Now bring the blocking arm down and across to | | | | finding a good karate dojo that has a good sensei |
| the center of the body, the elbow takes a | | | | (teacher) and karate classes for all levels. |
| straight line from the high position to the finished | | | | Combining karate dojo practice with home |
| position. The blocking part of the arm, is the inside | | | | practice will ensure a fast progression to the |
| of the forearm, so as the blocking gets level with | | | | coveted black belt! |