by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Kiba-Dachi Mean? Kiba-Dachi ki·ba·da·chi \ˈkē-bə-dä-chē\ noun Definition: This is occasionally called a straddle stance and involves keeping both feet wide and parallel, with a person’s weight kept low and central. The back should be straight and the feet...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "M"
What Does Mae Geri Kaege Mean? Mae Geri Kaege mae ge·ri ka·e·ge \ˈmā\ ˈgā-ˈrē\ ˈkȯ-ā-ˈdā\ noun Definition: This is known as a front snap kick. In karate, there is a snap kick (kaege) and a thrust kick (kekomi). A mae geri kaege involves using a snapping action from...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "U"
What Does Uchi Uke Mean? Uchi Uke u·chi u·ke \ˈü-chē\ ˈü-kā\ noun Definition: An inside hooking block used to deflect a strike away from the attacker and away from the defender. This is a good method of blocking for those seeking a counter attack. View More Karate...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Kendo Mean? Kendo ken·do \ˈken-(ˌ)dō\ noun Definition: This is known as “the way of the sword” and involves the use of bamboo swords and protective armor. It has had a major influence on modern karate despite the fact that few karateka ever practice it. View...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Karateka Mean? Karateka ka·ra·te·ka \kə-ˈrä-tē-kȯ\ noun Definition: The name given to someone who practices karate. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "M"
What Does Migi Mean? Migi mi·gi \ˈmē-gē\ adjective Definition: This simply means “right”. For example, a right forward stance would be migi zenkutsu dachi. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "U"
What Does Ushiro Geri Mean? Ushiro Geri u·shi·ro ge·ri \ˈü-shē-rō\ ˈgā-rē\ noun Definition: A form of back kick said to be the most devastating kick in karate. Advanced karateka will use a spinning variation of this kick, and the end result can be an exceptionally...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "M"
What Does Musubi-Dachi Mean? Musubi-Dachi mu·su·bi·da·chi \ˈmü-sü-bē\ ˈdȯ-ˈchē\ noun Definition: This is deemed to be an informal stance where the heels are kept together and toes are open at a 45-degree angle. It is the most common stance when it comes to performing...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "U"
What Does Uke Mean? Uke u·ke \ˈü-kā\ noun Definition: The name for a block in karate. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "O"
What Does Otagai ni Rei Mean? Otagai ni Rei o·ta·gai ni rei \’ō-tȯ-gī\ ‘nē\ ˈrā\ noun Definition: The term used for a bow in karate. It is traditional for students to bow to their sensei as a sign of respect. It is also traditional to bow to an opponent...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "D"
What Does Dojo Mean? Dojo do·jo \ˈdō-(ˌ)jō\ noun Definition: The formal gathering place for students of martial arts such as judo or karate. Dojo literally means “place of the way” in Japanese. A dojo is considered to be a special place and must be treated with...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "N"
What Does Nage Waza Mean? Nage Waza na·ge wa·za \ˈnä-gā\ ˈwä-zä\ noun Definition: Relates to a series of karate throwing techniques; the aim is to successfully throw an opponent to the ground. Unlike judo, karate throws are often practiced at a distance, as the aim of...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "Y"
What Does Yoko-Geri-Kekomi Mean? Yoko-Geri-Kekomi yo·ko ge·ri ke·ko·mi \’yō-kō\ ˈgā’rē\ ˈkē-kō-mē\ noun Definition: A linear thrusting kick that is normally used in Shotokan Karate. It is capable of delivering a blow of great force because it combines the...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "O"
What Does Obi Mean? Obi o·bi \ˈō-bē\ noun Definition: An obi is part of a Japanese martial arts exercise outfit and is basically a belt made from thick cotton. In karate, as in many martial arts, the obi signifies a person’s skill level. Typically, they will wear a...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "Y"
What Does Yoi Mean? Yoi yoi \ˈyȯi\ noun Definition: The name of the command used to signal the beginning of kata. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "O"
What Does Oi-Zuki Mean? Oi-Zuki oi·zu·ki \ˈȯi\ ˈzüˈkē\ noun Definition: A thrust punch where the lead hand is used. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "Z"
What Does Zanshin Mean? Zanshin zan·shin \ˈzȯn-shin\ noun Definition: Refers to a state of awareness in Japanese martial arts. It literally translates to “remaining mind”. In a number of martial arts, zanshin also refers to the body’s posture once a technique has...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Kiai Mean? Kiai ki·ai \ˈkē-ˈī\ noun Definition: A battle cry used by martial artists either before, during, or after performing a technique. It can also be a word used to describe fighting spirit. There are mental imagery techniques that ask students to...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "O"
What Does Oss Mean? Oss oss \’ōs\ noun Definition: This is generally deemed to be a respectful greeting or the understanding of a command given by a sensei. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Kamae Mean? Kamae ka·mae \ˈkȯ-ˈmā\ noun Definition: This word refers to posture in karate. It is differentiated from tachi, which means stance. While tachi refers to the body’s position from the waist down, kamae refers to the entire body’s posture and is...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "S"
What Does Sensei Mean? Sensei sen·sei \ˈsen-ˌsā\ noun Definition: This is the common name for a karate teacher. It means “person born before another” and is a title used as a mark of respect. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "C"
What Does Choku-Zuki Mean? Choku-Zuki cho·ku·zu·ki \ˈchō-ˈkü\ zü-ˈkē\ noun Definition: A straight punch. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "R"
What Does Ren Geri Mean? Ren Geri ren ge·ri \ˈren\ ˈgā-rē\ noun Definition: This is a generic term for the execution of consecutive kicks. It is also a term used for a double front snap kick where the karateka kicks off the front leg first. View More Karate Glossary...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "S"
What Does Sai Mean? Sai sai \ˈsī\ noun Definition: This is a weapon originally used by martial artists in Okinawa and comes in pairs. It is a pointed metal baton with a pair of yoku (curved prongs) protruding from the handle. Karate practitioners typically use a pair...
