KARATE FRONT STANCE

(After starting from Chumbae stance), elbows are back and tucked in to sides, fists are on hips, and knuckles are forward (palms up). Step out to a front stance, left leg forward. To step forward, utilize a snake or “S” step: the back foot comes up to the front foot and then steps out to a front stance. (The back leg locks out, and the front leg is bent and aligned with the shoulder). Keep head level consistent; don’t bob up and down!!

KARATE BACK STANCE

(After starting from Chumbae stance), step to a back stance, left leg forward. The right fist covers the solar plexus while the left fist is held in a fighting posture, guarding the face. (Elbows are tucked). Step forward: the back foot slides to the front foot, and feet point straight ahead. The back foot turns out, and the right foot slides forward; hand positions switch. (Hand and foot positions are completed simultaneously).

To practice: Step forward across the mat (approximately 8 to 10 steps) and then step backward (for 2 to 5 minutes continuously).

KARATE DRILL for practicing: moving forward:

Chumbae, step to a front stance.

Shift to a back stance.

Shift forward to a front stance.

Step forward to a front stance, etcetera.

 
KARATE DRILL for practicing: moving backward:

Front stance, shift to a back stance.

Shift forward to a front stance.

Step back to a front stance.

Shift to a back stance, shift to a front

stance.

Step back to a front stance, etcetera.

BASIC RULES:

When stepping backwards in stances, the rear foot absorbs all the body weight as the front foot passes to the rear leg position.

When stepping forwards in stances, the opposite is true: the front foot absorbs all

the body weight as the back foot passes to the front leg position.

Regarding WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION/CHANGE:

From a front stance, pivot on the ball of the foot to a back stance; shift 75% of the body weight to the back leg, with hands in a fighting position. When shifting back to a front stance, 75% of the body weight is shifted to the front leg, with hips and shoulders forward and fists either on hips or delivering strikes.

 

 

KARATE STRADDLE LEG STANCE

(It is extremely helpful to practice straddle leg stances on a straight line, such as on a mat seam in the studio).

From Chumbae stance, align your right foot on the line, pull fists back to hips, and step forward with the left leg into a completed straddle leg stance position. To step again, still look forward (in the direction one is stepping), turn the front foot forward, and slide the back foot forward (foot to foot). With fists on hips, the back foot continues stepping forward. Keep shoulders and hips forward until the last moment, then torque into straddle leg position.

Remember: keep the knees bent and the head level. Also, check your stance; refer to the line after completing each step. Adjust your stance as necessary; feet should be evenly placed on the line. Practice moving forward and backward. Challenge yourself by striving for perfection!

KARATE SIDE PUNCH (STEPPING FORWARD)

From Chumbae stance, extend the right arm in front of the solar plexus and bring the left hand back to the hip. Step the left foot forward to a) a straddle leg stance; the left arm punches, focusing at shoulder level. b) To step forward: the front foot turns forward, pivot on the heel, and step foot to foot. c) Leave the hand out until the last moment; leave the back hand on the hip, then step through and torque into the punch.

SEDE PUNCH
 (STEPPING BACKWARD)

a) From a side punch position, eyes remain on the target. b) The front foot pulls back to a passing cat stance position and c) continues backwards to a straddle leg stance while punching with the opposite hand. Remember: stance, punch, and step lock out together. Use the reverse motion of the hand pulling back to the hip to get maximum snap and power.

KARATE BOTTOM FIST
 (STEPPING FORWARD)

a) From a side punch position and looking over the extended fist, the (hand on hip) b) striking hand folds on top, palm to ear. The opposite hand folds in a fist, palm down, under the top elbow. The rear foot slides up to the front foot as both pivot 90 degrees. Look over the shoulder of the striking arm. c) As the back foot steps through to a straddle leg stance, the right arm bottom fists the target at temple level (palm down) while the opposite fist simultaneously pulls back to the hip.

KARATE BOTTOM FIST
  (STEPPING BACKWARD)

The fold is the same as for stepping forward; a) the striking hand is on top. With the left leg forward, b) the front foot steps back to the rear foot; both feet are side by side. Look forward over the striking arm (—the same as the initial direction). c) The left foot continues to step back. and the strike and straddle leg stance lock out simultaneously. (The right arm strikes while the left arm pulls back to the hip).

Whenever stepping backward with hand techniques, the student is retreating but is striking forwards (in the same direction as when stepping forwards).

As with stepping forward and backward, when performing basic hand techniques and turning, always fold for the rear foot (since the rear foot ends forward).

And although many techniques are explained with the left leg forward, be sure to practice on both sides.

 
ADVANCING FROM CHUMBAE STANCE

STEPPING CENTER PUNCH

a) FOLD for a left center punch by extending the right fist in front of the solar plexus while the left fist pulls to the hip.

b) STEP forward with the left foot to a front stance while extending (punching with) the left arm in center punch position while the right fist pulls to the hip. (To continue stepping, the right leg steps forward and the right hand punches, etc.)

STEPPING REVERSE PUNCH

a) FOLD for a right reverse punch by extending the left fist in front of the solar plexus while the right fist pulls to the hip.

b) STEP forward with the left foot to a front stance while extending (punching with) the right arm in reverse punch position while the left fist pulls to the hip (—the opposite leg is stepping with the punch. To continue stepping, the right foot steps forward and the left hand punches, etc.)

KARATE SIDE PUNCH

 
a) FOLD for a left side punch by extending the right fist in front of the solar plexus while the left fist pulls to the hip.

b) STEP forward with the left foot to a straddle leg stance: extend the left arm in side punch position while the right fist pulls to the hip.

RULE for stepping with basic punches:

Do not start the punch until the moment before completing the stance, so that the punch and the stance lock out simultaneously.