Karate: Parts of the Body 1

Parts of the Body

Here are the terms used for the parts of the body which are frequently used in karate. Learn it by heart and with the help of the accompanying illustrations.

Seiken

This part of the fist is probably the most often used for attacks, so it should be utilized properly. Consider this-if your punch strong, it means that you are using your hand; you may turn your body to add some power from your back and hip muscles. You may also step forward to add speed to your body which is moving towards the target. If your wrist is weak, all this power will twist it, instead of going into the target. It is a common trauma.

To close the fist properly, start from the baby finger, then ring finger, and so on;the thumb is the last. The thumb should be on the side of the fist (approximately on top of the middle finger), NOT on top of the fist, covering the pointing finger. Beginners often get traumas when this rule is neglected.

The area used for the punch (the seiken) is circled in the following picture. It includes the knuckles the pointing and middle fingers.

Note that I am only listing the parts of the body here. Later, when I discuss particular techniques techniques, I will talk about additional details, such as concentration and relaxation, keeping the wrist aligned with the fist, and so on.

Uraken

The same part of the fist as above (the knuckles of the pointing fingers) is used in the ura punch. Ura means ''back or ''reversed''. You will see this term as part of many names in karate techniques.

Shuto

This part of the body is used both for blocks and attacks.

It is very important to know that the area you are supposed to use is NOT exactly the side of the palm, but slightly near the center of the palm. If you will feel the bone that connects your baby finger to the wrist. This bone is not protected by the muscles and can easily be broken if you try to use it. Now, move your finger half an inch towards the center of the palm. There you have a large muscle that will protect your bones, allowing you (practice required) to break objects and to block the hands or even the of your opponent.

Enhon Nukite

In this technique, we use the tips of the fingers. It is employed for ''paralyzing'' punches on soft tissues, like the muscles. Note that there are sensitive muscles in many ''bony'' areas; for example between the ribs and on the neck. Also, the technique can be used to attack the face. It is very dangerous if on the eye area. Thus, during competitions, its use is usually forbidden.

As with seiken, the thumb must be pressing against the center of the palm. NOT on top of it (not parallel with the other fingers). Otherwise, it can easily be damaged.

Karate: Parts of the Body 3

Tetsui

This is called ''the hammer''. For this technique, use the bottom part of the fist.

Koken

Close your hand as if you want to pick  up a small amount of salt or sand. Bend your wrist inwardly, as far as it normally bends. In this position, the hand become tense. The outside part of the wrist (where you would normally wear your wrist-watch) is used for blocks or for powerful ''breaking'' attacks.

Oyaubi Ken

The fist is closed with the end of the thumb pushing against the second knuckle of the pointing finger (from the inside). For the strike, the first knuckle of the thumb is used. This technique is very dangerous when used on the temple;so, it is forbidden to be used during competitions.

Keiko

Close your hand as if you want to pick up a small amount of salt or sand. The punch is delivered by the tip of the fingers. It can be either very fast, to produce a shock (as with attacking the face or the back of the hand); or (not very often) powerful, to penetrate the sensitive areas with soft tissues.

Haito

It is sometimes called ura shuto. The fingers are closed together, as in shuto, with thumb pressing against the middle part of the palm. The muscles between the thumb and the pointing finger are used for the strike.

Karate: Parts of the Body 2

Ipon Nukite

The use of this technique is the same as above. The technique is efficient for precise attacks against the ''vulnerable points''. It should be noted that as karate students are developing very strong muscles, their ''vulnerable points'' become less ''vulnerable,'' or at least most of them. Similarly, you will not see this technique very often in competitions.

Nihon Nukite

The pointing and middle fingers are used together. For this technique, it is especially important to make the hand ''solid,'' at least at the moment of contact.

Hiraken

You can use the second knuckles or a part of the palm (circled) to deliver a strike. The first form can be used both on soft tissues and (not that often) on the ribs. The second form is used for blocks and to deliver powerful ''shocking'' or ''breaking'' punches.

Haishu

The back of the hand is used both for blocks and attacks (as with the circular punch on the side of the head).

Shotei

This is the inside part of the palm, closer to the wrist. It is used for blocks and for attacks (as with the circular punch on the side of the head).

Karate: Parts of the Body 5

Nakajubi Ipon Ken


The second knuckle of the middle finger is used here. The thumb (the fingerprint area) presses against the first knuckle of the middle finger, creating the necessary support.

Usually, it is applied to the muscles of  an opponent; but it can also be used to break things as well. For this reason, it should not be used in karate class or at competitions, especially in the head (temple) area.

Hitosashi Ubi Ipon Ken










It employs as the same idea as above, but the pointing finger used here.


Hiji

This is the elbow area. Please note that the joint area of the elbow is very sensitive, so it can only be used for attacks on the soft areas, such as abdomen muscles. For ''breaking'' types of strikes, the next-to-elbow parts are used, where the bones can be conditioned and the muscles are shielding the bone.

Sune

This is the part of the leg which is used for blocks and attacks. It can conditioned to become much less sensitive to pain.

Chesoku

The toes are bent as far back as possible (practice helps). The area that is used for the strike is the part of the foot under the toes.

Haisoku

This is used for blocks and attacks. In many karate schools, you cannot use chesoku for kicks in the head (for safety reasons); thus, haisoku is used. Also, it is ideal when you don't have much room for movement, as the haisoku is aligned with the sune. So if your opponent is too close for you to kick with the foot, you can always use the sune area instead.

When you need to give a quick kick, this technique will give you some advantage, too.

Karate: Parts of the Body 4

Toho

The four fingers form a part of a semi-circle, while the thumb forms the other part of it. The area between the thumb and the pointing finger is used for the strike, usually in the throat area.

Kote

This is the part of the arm, on the side of the baby finger. It is used for blocks and sometimes for attacks. For this technique, as with the many others, the muscle is used rather than the bone.

When you use this area of your body for the first time, you feel pain. You also get bruises and bumps on the soft tissues of your arm. As time passes, your arm will become conditioned; so you will be able to block hands, legs, and even kicks without unpleasant side effects.

Hira Kote

The back of the arm is used for blocks attacks.

Ura Kote

This is the inside part of the arm. It is used blocks and sometimes for attacks.

Omote Kote

This is the part of arm on the side of the thumb. It used for blocks and attacks.

Karate: Parts of the Body 6

Sokuto

The foot is bent sideways to expose the side, between the heel and baby toe. The four toes are bent down, while the big toe is bent up. This position requires maximum concentration.

Kakato

This is the heel. To reduce the risk of traumas on this area, the angle of the foot should be as sharp as possible. Use your muscles to pull the toes towards the knee. There are some ligaments that go from the heel up. DO NOT USE THEM to deliver an attack. It will only cause you a lot of pain; and besides, it will not stop your opponent. Instead, use the heel itself. This part of your body is naturally conditioned, as we are always walking on it.

Teisoku

This area is used for blocks and trips. Keep in mind that when this is performed with enough power, the block can be considered an attack.

Hiza

This is the knee. As with the kakato, the angle should be as sharp as possible to make the kneecap solid. Still, the knee cap area can ONLY be used to attack abdominal muscles, as they are soft. If you want to attack, for example the opponent's forehead (assuming, he bends down), then you should use the area ABOVE the kneecap. You will not create any damage there, if you do.

Atama

The head can be used for blocks and for attacks, too. However, it is very important to know exactly which areas to use and how to concentrate. This technique can be learned by the book in its basic form (head to face attack on occasion in close range fights). But if you want to learn how to break wood with your head, you should find a teacher who will teach you how to do it properly.

Tsumasaku

The tips of the toes are used for attacks. However, due to the rate of difficulty in learning this technique, it is not recommended for beginners.

Parts of the Body in Karate