In one-step punching, two karate students are paired in a demonstration of defensive techniques. The student who is attacking steps forward into a right center punch; the student who is defending counters the punch and then follows up with a series of moves that could disable the opponent.

At lower belt ranks (purple through green /5th Gyp), all karate opponents come forward in a right hand attack. Commonly, the two students face each other in Chumbae stance, and the attacker folds for a left low block, steps back with his right foot to a front stance, blocks, and Ke-I’s, thus signaling that he is ready to attack. After the defender measures his distance, folds for his defense, and Ke-I’s, the attacker extends his left arm and steps forward into a right center punch (focused at the defender’s face, at the nerves below the nose and above the upper rip).

Karate students above the rank of white belt may Ke-l and then fold, or may fold and Ke-l simultaneously.

 At higher belt ranks (green /4th Gup through Black Belt), one-steps are divided into right and left hand attacks. In addition, the attacker steps back from Chumbae stance into a fighting stance (left leg forward for a right hand attack), extends the left arm, and steps forward into a right center punch (for a right hand attack). The reverse is true for a left hand attack.

After completion of the one-step, students should remain in their last karate stance and wait for the command (“perow”) by the instructor before returning to ready position (Chumbae stance). When practicing, be sure your partner has completed his technique before returning to Chumbae stance, so as to avoid injury.

When being judged in a karate test situation, if the defender misses his block (or doesn’t block properly), the one-step is automatically failed, regardless of the skill displayed on the follow-up techniques.

Timing, distance, focus, the sharpness, and the appropriateness of the moves are judged when the effectiveness of a one-step is considered.

Following are suggested one-steps at all karate belt levels. (At upper belt ranks, however, students may develop their own one-steps to reflect their personal styles and favorite techniques). Other one- steps learned in class should also be demonstrated.

The defender is responsible for the correct distance, timing, control, and execution IL of the technique.

The attacker is responsible for consistent stances, focused punches, and locked out stances and punches. In addition, the attacker must remain in position until the defender completes his techniques and the instructor commands the return to ready

position. The karate attacker then steps back to Chumbae stance.

HINTS:
  
1) In one-steps, Ke-l’s are permitted and encouraged at any time!!

2) To demonstrate power and control of a spinning bottom fist, focus over the opponent’s head.

3) In the one-step, be sure that the fist remains on the hip when throwing multiple kicks.

Whenever the karate instructor refers to a reverse technique (such as a reverse elbow, forearm, palm, etc.), employ the opposite hand to the foot that is forward (as in a reverse punch).