Tools Of Our Trade
If we consider the physical striking (atemi) elements of our karate is it obvious that certain methods are more ‘stable’ than others, an example is to strike with the finger tips to a persons jaw would be considered rather ineffective, and actually injure the fragile fingers.
Our classical hand and foot formations can be used with confidence assuming mild conditioning of those formations is carried out, often with the hanging sand bag and makiwara.
OFFENSIVE METHODS
Fist
12. Seiken, (Forefist)
Basic fist formation, striking with the index and middle finger top knuckles, ¾ rotation of hand is most common and demonstrated in kata. This technique is the basic fist method of karate. Whilst it can lead to another technque it is often used when all our force is required in one devastating blow.
13. Uraken (Back Fist)
Strike with back of the top knuckles of the index and middle finger. This technique can be considered a strike and often leads to another technique, it is used mainly to the side and in a downward fasion.
14. Tetsui (Hammer fist)
Strike with muscle at bottom of fist, the small knuckles are not supported well enough considering the power of this strike. This technique can be considered a strike and often leads to another technique, it is mainly used to the side and in a downward fasion.
15. Ipponken (Dragon Fist/Phoenix Eye fist)
Middle/Index finger knuckle used for striking vital points, an advance version of Seiken, this technique is used when looking to strike a vunerable area of the anatomy, often leading to another technique.
16. Hiraken (Leopard Fist)
Fingers half bent, strike with ridge of middle knuckles, thumb sits along side index finger to support, slight cup in hand. This technique gives good penetration and is used to soft areas of our target, it often leads to another technique.
5 Fist Methods
Open Hand
17. Nukite (Snake)
Small finger and index fingers cover in slightly over middle fingers, extended out, palm slightly cups. Thumb supports index finger. This technique is only used to soft target areas, mainly the throat.
18. Haito (Ridge)
Thumb folds under palm, strike with side of the top index finger knuckle. This striking technique is mainly delivered in a round fasion, striking to the temples.
19. Seiryuto (Ox Jaw)
Strike with lower side of the palm. This technique is often used to strike an opponent in the collar bone or neck.
20. Teisho (Palm)
Strike with bottom end of open palm. This technique is often used to strike the opponent on the nose or under the chin.
21. Koko (Tiger Claw)
As palm strike but strike with the five tips of fingers to ‘rip’ or grip after strike. This technique is often used to control an opponent after striking.
22. Washide (Eagle Hand)
Pecking strike. All fingers and thumb meet with fingers extended. This technique is used to strike the eyes and groin of an opponent in a round fasion.
6 Open Open Hand Methods
Just took this from my unfinished fundamental techniques guide used in my dojo.
Of course there are many, many more methods but these come first in my mind.
