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Learning Karate Shomen And Hanmi

For our online dojo members, there is a full instructional video at the bottom of this article and a sample clip for non dojo members..

When someone first starts karate, shomen and hanmi are explained early on. My karate instructor always explained hanmi and shomen as, Hanmi = side facing and Shomen = Square facing

Hanmi Side Facing

Shomen Square Facing

Some karate Sensei vary in the way they practice shomen and hanmi, so i can only explain the way i practice, so please, if you are new to karate, ask your sensei for an explanation of shomen and hanmi.

Initially, a beginner to karate will be told that hanmi (side facing), is used for the basic blocks and kizami zuki (jab punch) in front stance and shomen (square facing), is used for the two basic punches oi zuki (stepping punch) and gyaku zuki (reverse punch).

In a moment, I will explain a simple but effective exercise, but another great way to practice shomen and hanmi is by practicing the first shotokan karate kata, which is known by two names, Kihon kata or Taikyoku Shodan.

This karate kata only has two karate moves throughout the kata, they are oi zuki (stepping punch) and gedan barai (downward block). Both of these karate techniques are in zenkutsu dachi (front stance).

For all the oi zuki techniques, the body and hips are in the shomen or square facing position. For all the gedan barai techniques, the body and hips are in the hanmi or side facing position.

Shomen Hanmi Karate Exercise

First a basic explanation of this karate exercise, then a more detailed look at this important topic. We are going to use two basic shotokan karate techniques. Gedanbarai (downward block) and gyaku zuki (reverse punch).

1. Start with left leg in front, gedanbarai in zenkutsu dachi. Make sure the right hip and side of the body, are pulled back into the hanmi position.

2. Now deliver a right side gyaku zuki (reverse punch), make sure you finish in the shomen position, try not to over reach with the punching arm.

3. Whilst keeping the body square, lift the left fist to the right shoulder and perform a left arm gedan barai (downward block). As you block, pull the right hikite arm back strongly, use the right arm to pull the body and hips sharply back into the hanmi position, and use the right side of the body and hips, to drive the right arm back and left blocking arm forward.

Hanmi Shomen Advanced Explanation

From the gedan barai position

The body is in the hanmi position, right elbow pulled back and down, shoulders relaxed, right side of the body and hip, pulled back and down slightly.

Start the gyaku zuki (reverse punch) from the back leg, drive from the floor, then drive the right side of the body and hip, around and forward. Many karateka rotate the body around, but not forward, the hips and body must travel forward and around, or the reverse punch will be weak. Pull the left hikite arm back strongly.

Gyaku zuki (Reverse punch)

On completion of the reverse punch, kime (focus) strongly for a split second, with a strong feeling on the inside of the left thigh. This squeezing of the left inside thigh, may cause the left knee to come in slightly (see picture), this is ok, just try not to let the knee collapse completely inwards. The feeling should be that the inside of both thighs are pushing towards each other.

Kime! Be sure to focus the mind, body and breathing, exactly at the point of impact.

From the shomen square position, keep the body square, lift the left fist to the right shoulder in preparation for the gedan barai. Now as you perform the gedanbarai, pull the whole right side of the body, hip and thigh back, use the right hikite arm strongly, feel like you are pulling the right hip back with your right arm.

Here is a sample video clip, the full video is for our members only and can be found below this clip.

Karate And Will Power!

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.
Confucius

Kiba Dachi – Horse Riding Stance or Straddle Stance

Kiba Dachi

Here we will look at the shotokan stance, Kiba dachi (straddle stance).

Kiba dach is the same length as zenkutsu dachi, the hips should be the same height as zenkutsu dachi.

Kiba dachi has the feet in line, toes facing forward.

The knees should be bend naturally over the toes.

Try and roll the hips up, to help keep the back straight.

Kiba Dachi Incorrect

Kiba Dachi Correct

Try not to let the hips stick out, as this will cause you to lean forward (as in the picture), then when you try and straighten your back, tremendous pressure will be placed on the small of the back, so really try hard to roll the hips up.

Many karateka also make the mistake of pushing the knees out in kiba dachi, doing this, not only puts pressure on the knees, but will also put pressure on the ankles.

Kiba dachi is used in kihon (basics) practice when kicking yoko geri kekomi (side thrust kick) and yoko geri keage (side snap kick). Kiba dachi is also used in some of the early shotokan kata, specifically Heian Sandan and Heian Godan, but the real first major use of kiba dachi, is in the kata Tekki shodan.

With Tekki Shodan, many karateka go through this important karate kata, without using the hips properly, so when reaching 4th kyu, great emphasise should be put on using the hips correctly within Tekki shodan.

When learning karate at home, time should be taken with this stance, there will be more technical karate videos added to the karate dojo

Neko Ashi Dachi (Cat Stance) Shotokan Stances

Neko Ashi Dachi

Neko ashi dachi or cat stance, in shotokan karate, is normally first practiced in the shotokan karate kata, hangetsu (half moon). In the shotokan karate system, neko ashi dachi has 90 percent of the weight on the back leg, with the front leg barely touching the floor.

Neko Ashi Dachi

Standing with the feet side by side and slight apart, slide the left foot in front of the right, so as the heel of the left foot just goes past the toes of the right foot. Strongly bend the right leg, push the crown of the head up and roll the hips up, to keep the spine straight.

The front leg should be lightly touching the floor, there are two different ways to do this.

1. As in the picture. Ankle straight, toes pulled back, with the ball of the foot (koshi).

2. Again with the ankle straight, but this time, keeping the toes pointing and straight, just having the big toe lightly touching the karate dojo floor.

Some karate styles practice another version of neko ashi dachi, it has the same postioning but with the body weight on the front leg. Karate dojo will vary slightly in their teachings, but shotokan karate dojo, tend to remain the same, so if you are a shotokan karateka, this should be the way you practice, if you belong to another school, please check with your sensei.

Here is a link to all the basic shotokan stances and a video of neko ashi dachi.

Shotokan Stances Kokutsu Dachi Back Stance

Kokutsu dachi (back stance)

Many karateka find this stance the most difficult and out of all the shotokan karate stances, I also feel, this is the hardest to master. Kokutsu dachi should be roughly two shoulder lengths, front foot facing directly forward and back foot facing 90 degrees to the side. The front leg bent should not be locked straight, there should be slight bend, the back leg is bent heavily, but naturally, do not force the knee outwards. 70% of the weight should be on the back leg and 30% on the front and the heels should be in a straight line.

Kokutsu Dachi Incorrect

One of the most common problems with thia karate stance, is the hips sticking out as in this first picture.

Not only is this a poor stance, performing this karate stance like this, over many karate classes and years, can lead to lower back problems. As you can see in the picture, although i have my hips sticking out, my body is leaning forward. When people perform kokutsu dachi like this, they then try and straighten the back, which is when the problems can occur.

Kokutsu Dachi Correct

The hip of the back leg should be pushing 45% forward and the hips should be rolled up. Try and pull the front hip back and down.

Keep the back straight and once again, the back knee should not be forcing back, try and bend the knee naturally, but without the knee collapsing inwards.

This particular shotokan karate stance, although it is not one of the first practiced, it is only a matter of a few months, before this stance becomes widely practiced in your karate dojo. In our karate dojo, kokutsu dachi is used from the 9th kyu onwards.

Kokutsu Dachi Video

shotokan karate kata Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Hangetsu & Empi Kata

Empi Kata

Below are some short karate kata videos of the brown belt shotokan karate kata. These shotokan karate kata, do vary from dojo to dojo, but many shotokan dojo have these five kata within their sylabus. From the swift and flowing empi kata, to the slow and strong hangetsu kata. The shotokan kata video below show empi, hangetsu,bassai dai, kanku dai and jion kata. Fast and slow, there is also a bassai dai kata video tutorial that is available for our online karate dojo members, this video goes into great detail on every move of bassai dai.

The complete bassai dai tutorial video, is for our dojo members, but we have added the videos below, which show the brown belt kata, slow and fast.

shotokan karate kata Bassai Dai

shotokan karate kata Kanku Dai

shotokan karate kata Jion

shotokan karate kata Hangetsu

shotokan karate kata Empi

Shotokan karate The Basic Shotokan Stances

Here is an article on the basic shotokan stances, including a few more advanced karate stances. Karate stances form the foundation of your karate, if karateka focus on this area, strong karate is sure to develop. stances do vary from karate dojo to dojo, so please check with your sensei, before you start to practice.

The complete video is for our dojo members, but we have broken the video up below for our subscribers and visitors.

Heisoku Dachi

Heisoko Dachi

Heisoku dachi (informal stance feet together). This is a starting position for many of the more intermediate and advanced shotokan karate kata, some karate dojo also use this position to bow (rei).

Musubi Dachi

Musubi Dachi

Musubi dachi (informal stance toes out). this is where the majority of karate dojo perform the karate bow (rei).

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Heiko Dachi

Heiko dachi

Heiko dachi (parallel stance). Feet are between hip width and shoulder width, outside edges of both feet, are parallel and facing forward.

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Zenkutsu Dachi

Zenkutsu Dachi

Zenkutsu dachi (front stance). One of the first main shotokan stances that is practiced. The width of the stance varies from hip width, to shoulder width and approximately two shoulder widths in length. the weight is distributed 70% on the front leg and 30% on the back leg. Try and get both feet facing forward. Hips can be square (shomen) or side facing (hanmi).

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Kiba Dachi

Kiba Dachi

Kiba dachi (straddle stance). The stance is the same length as zenkutsu dachi, feet in line, toes facing forward. Naturally bend the knees over the feet and roll the hips up, to keep the back straight. Apart from Heisoko Dachi,Musubi Dach,kosa dachi, Heiko dachi, hangetsu dachi and sanchin dachi, the hip height and length of these basic shotokan stances, should be the same.

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Kokutsu Dachi

Kokutsu Dachi
Kokutsu dachi (back stance). Again, this stance should be approximately two shoulder lengths, feet at a 90 degree angle to eachother,front foot facing forward and the back foot pointing to the side. Front leg bent slightly, back leg bent heavily with 70% of the weight on the back leg and 30% on the front. The hip of the back leg should be pushing 45% forward and the hips should be rolled up. Try and pull the front hip back and down.

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Hangetsu Dachi

Hangetsu Dachi
Hangetsu dachi (Half moon stance).

Now there are some slight variations on this stance, so please check with your sensei. We practice this stance as slightly shorter than zenkutsu dachi. Width between hip and shoulder length. Feet turned in, so if you take a line from both of the big toes, the lines should cross at between five and six feet directly in front of you. This satnce is used extensively throughout the shotokan kata Hangetsu.

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Kosa Dachi

Kosa Dachi
Kosa dachi (crossed leg stance). This stance is used in several shotokan karate and in the ‘early years’, two of the heian kata series, heian yondan and heian godan, have this stance. Right foot flat, with the ball of the left foot place just to the right of the right heel. Knees and thighs should be pushed together for more stability. Bend the legs as much as possible, keeping the back straight, once again, roll the hips up to help keep the back straight.

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Fudo Dachi

Fudo Dachi
Fudo dachi (Immovable stance). Many karateka also refer to this stance as sochin dachi because it is used extensively in that particular shotokan kata. There are a few variations of fudo dachi, this is the version we practice. This stance is a combination of two stances, 1. Zenkutsu dachi and 2. Kiba dachi. The weight on this stance is heavily on the front leg. The front foot is facing directly forward and the back foot is turned 45 degrees forward. The front leg is in the zenkutsu dachi position and the back leg is in the kiba dachi position (as much as possible). Keep the back knee pushing out in this stance.

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Neko Ashi Dachi

Neko Ashi Dachi

Neko ashi dachi (Cat stance). The weight is 90% on the back leg. The heel of the front foot is only just in front of the toes of the back foot. The toes or ball of the foot is placed lightly on the floor. The back leg is strongly bent with the hips rolled up. The inside of the thighs should be tight, so as to stop the knees going out.

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Sanchin Dachi

Sanchin Dachi

Sanchin dachi (Hour glass stance). The weight is 50% on each leg. The heel of the front foot is only just in front of the toes of the back foot. The back foot is pointing forward. The front foot is turned inwards slightly. The knees should bend naturally over the big toes, with no outward or inward pressure. The inside, back of the thighs and buttocks should tighten, with the hips rolled up.

Jyu Ippon Kumite Basic Block and Counter Video

In shotokan karate dojo, Jyu ippon kumite is first practiced at 3rd kyu (brown belt) and there are a few different variations of jyu ippon kumite.

As with kihon ippon kumite, the attacks at first are announced. Jodan (upper level), Chudan (middle level),maegeri (front kick), yoko geri

Jyu Ippon Kumite

kekomi (side thrust kick), mawashi geri (round kick) and ushiro geri (back kick). Most shotokan karate dojo either attack just one of each attacks or two of each attack and counter with a multitude of different karate moves.

Jyu ippon kumite is about tai sabaki (body evasion), and as with all your karate kumite, ikken hissatsu (to finish with one blow), should be applied.

Lets have a look at some of the different variations of jyu ippon kumite, that are practiced in most shotokan karate dojo.

1. Stationary ~ Attacking and defending from a relaxed but stationary jyu kamae, using hikite on the attacks and defenses.

2. Stationary ~ Attacking and defending from a relaxed but stationary jyu kamae, without using hikite on the attacks and defenses.

3. Moving ~ Attacking and defending from a relaxed and moving jyu kamae, feinting and trying to trick your opponent into thinking you are attacking, when you are not, using hikite on the attacks and defenses.

4. Moving ~ Attacking and defending from a relaxed and moving jyu kamae, feinting and trying to trick your opponent into thinking you are attacking, when you are not, without using hikite on the attacks and defenses.

5. Attacker stays still after the attack and lets the defender deliver a strong counter.

6. Attacker immediately moves away from the attacker after the attack and makes it hard for the defender to deliver a strong counter.

Shotokan karate classes around the world probably practice a few other versions, but these are the most common.

The Jyu ippon kumite video below is a sample of the full tutorial inside our online dojo, it shows stationary attacks and defenses. We only have 1 jodan attack, 1 chudan attack, 1 mae geri attack, 1 yoko geri attack, 1 mawashi geri attack and 1 ushiro geri attack. The blocks and counters are very basic and we are applying tai sabaki and ikken hissatsu.

Yamanni Ryu Kobudo – Choun No Kon

Choun No Kon

Michael Stevenson of Zanshin MKD performing Choun no kon, a Yamani Ryu Bo kata. Yamani ryu is very flowing, unlike many bo styles, which are very strong and rigid. Yamanni ryu Bo has fast, rapid strikes, some high strikes for attacking people on horseback, many circular and linear strikes. Yamanni ryu is unlike any other Bo style, so if you are interested in kobudo, i urge you to check out the rare and beautiful Yamanni Ryu. Many karate masters use kobudo to improve their karate training, but that’s another article:). The video was filmed outside, appologies for the howling wind!

Learning Karate a Positive Attitude – Quote

Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.
Henry Ford

Not just in the karate dojo, but life in general. Be positive because you CAN do whatever you put your mind to!