KIHON

   Kihon means "basics," or "fundamentals." It is the term used to describe the practice and repetition of the basic techniques of karate. Kihon can be performed with footwork or from a stationary position. It can be performed individually or in large groups. Kihon can be considered as the alphabet of karate. By organizing various kihon techniques into sequences, kata are created*. When learning how to apply kihon techniques to another person, kumite is born. Since kihon is vital to the development of proper karate technique, Shotokan students spend a great deal of time trying to perfect it. Improve your kihon skills, and all other aspects of karate improve automatically. Kihon can be divided into 5 categories:
Outer Tension Stances
zenkutsu-dachi
kokutsu-dachi
kiba-dachi
fudo-dachi (sochin)
shiko-dachi

Inner Tension Stances
hangetsu-dachi
sanchin-dachi
nekoashi-dachi




Natural Stances
hachiji-dachi
uchi-hachiji-dachi        
musubi-dachi
heisoku-dachi
renoji-dachi
teinoji-dachi
heiko-dachi

Unstable Stances
ashi-dachi
tsuru-dachi (sagiashi)
kosa-dachi
hizakutsu-dachi
hiza-dachi
Roundhouse Strikes
kentsui-uchi
uraken-uchi
shuto-uchi
haito-uchi
teisho

Animal Strikes
keito
seiryuto
kakuto
kumade
washide


Smashing Techniques
empi-uchi (empi-ate)
hiza-tsuchi (hiza-ate)

*In actuality, kata preceded kihon. Kihon was developed as a means to facilitate the learning of movements of the kata, especially when teaching large groups of people.
Basic Closed-Hand Blocks
age-uke
soto-uke
gedan-barai
uchi-uke


Open-Hand Blocks
shuto-uke
tate shuto-uke 
kake-uke
haishu-uke
tsukami-uke (koko-uke)


Advanced Blocks
haiwan-uke
nagashi-uke
osae-uke
sukui-uke
maki-otoshi-uke



Double-Hand Blocks
morote-uke
kosa-uke (juji-uke)
kakewake-uke
manji-uke
bo-uke
awase-uke
hasami-uke
oshi-uke
Basic Punches
choku-zuki
oi-zuki        
gyaku-zuki
kisami-zuki


Advanced Punches
ura-zuki
age-zuki
kagi-zuki
mawashi-zuki
tate-zuki
uke-zuki

Double-Hand Punches
morote-zuki
yama-zuki
yumi-zuki
awase-zuki
heiko-zuki
hasami-zuki


Fore-Knuckle Punches
ippon-ken
nakadaka-ippon-ken
hiraken

Spear-Hand
ippon-nukite
nihon-nukite
tate-nukite (shihon-nukite)
hira-nukite (shihon-nukite)




Basic Kicks
mae-geri
yoko-geri-keage
yoko-geri-kekomi
mawashi-geri


Advanced Kicks
ushiro-geri
ura-mawashi-geri
mikazuki-geri
tobi-geri



Advanced Leg Attacks
fumikomi
ashi-barai
ashi-namigaeshi





Non-Traditional Kicks
ushiro-ura-mawashi-geri 
ura-mikazuki-geri
kagi-geri
otoshi-kakato-geri
tsumasaki-geri
sune-geri
kin-geri
naname-geri
TACHI
(STANCES)
UKE
(BLOCKS)
TSUKI
(PUNCHES)
KERI
(KICKS)
UCHI
(STRIKES)