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...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "J"
What Does Jodan Mean? Jodan jo·dan \ˈjō-ˈdän\ noun Definition: This is the third of the three heights in karate. Jodan refers to strikes aimed above the shoulders of an opponent. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "S"
What Does Seiza Mean? Seiza sei·za \ˈsā-zə\ noun Definition: This word literally means “proper sitting” and is one of the traditionally formal ways of sitting in Japan. The correct seiza position involves a person kneeling on the floor, folding their legs underneath...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "H"
What Does Hidari Mean? Hidari hi·da·ri \ˈhē-ˈdä-ˈrē\ noun Definition: This simply means “left” in karate. A left forward stance would be hidari zenkutsu dachi. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "T"
What Does Tonfa Mean? Tonfa ton·fa \ˈtȯn-ˈfə\ noun Definition: This is a weapon used by some karate practitioners; it is a stick with a perpendicular handle attached one-third of the way down. Its maximum length is about 20 inches, and it is usually made from red or...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Kihon Mean? Kihon ki·hon \ˈkē-ˈhȯŋ\ noun Definition: Refers to the foundations of Japanese martial arts, such as karate. It means “fundamentals” or “basics” in Japanese. Practitioners must master kihon in order to reach an advanced level, and it also helps...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "S"
What Does Shotokan Mean? Shotokan sho·to·kan \ˈshō-ˈtō-kän\ noun Definition: A karate style developed by Gichin Funakoshi that is credited with popularizing karate in the modern era. It is considered to be the most influential and traditional form of karate because it...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Kokutsu-Dachi Mean? Kokutsu-Dachi ko·ku·tsu·da·chi \ˈkō-ˈkü-ˈtsü-‘dȯ-ˈchē\ noun Definition: A back stance that involves bending the rear leg strongly at the knee. The karate style used dictates whether the front leg should be straight or slightly...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "G"
What Does Geri Mean? Geri ge·ri \ˈgā-ˈrē\ noun Definition: The term for karate kicks. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "B"
What Does Bo Staff Mean? Bo Staff bo·staff \ˈbō\ staf\ noun Definition: This is a long wooden stick that is usually 1.8 meters in length. Although pine wood and bamboo are sometimes used, hardwood such as red or white oak is the favored material for a bo staff. View...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "S"
What Does Soto Uke Mean? Soto Uke so·to u·ke \ˈsō-ˈtō\ ˈü-kā\ noun Definition: This is an outside block that deflects a strike across the attacker and away from the defender. Due to the angles involved in this type of block, it is best used to block strikes to the...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Kime Mean? Kime ki·me \ˈkē-mā\ noun Definition: This word has a different meaning depending on the martial art. In karate, it means power and/or focus. It comes from the Japanese verb kimeru, which means “to decide”. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Kumite Mean? Kumite ku·mi·te \ˈkü-ˈmē-ˈtā\ verb Definition: Karate sparring; its literal meaning is “meeting of the hands”. It is practiced as self-defense training and as a sport in its own right. There are kickboxing and full-contact forms of kumite...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "T"
What Does Tsuki Mean? Tsuki tsu·ki \ˈtsü-ˈkē\ noun Definition: Karate punching techniques. In karate, contact is made with the first two knuckles. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "K"
What Does Kizami Tsuki Mean? Kizami Tsuki ki·za·mi tsu·ki \ˈkē-zȯ-mē\ sü-kē\ noun Definition: A punch involving the lead arm; it should not be confused with a jabbing punch. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "G"
What Does Gyaku-Zuki Mean? Gyaku-Zuki gy·a·ku-zu·ki \gē-ˈȯ-ˈkü\ˈzü-ˈkē\ noun Definition: A reverse punch where the non-lead hand is used. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 1, 2014 | Blog, Karate Glossary, Karate Glossary "U"
What Does Uchi Mean? Uchi u·chi \ˈü-chē\ noun Definition: Another form of striking in karate. Uchi refers specifically to punches using a different technique to tsuki and may involve blows with the bottom or back of the fist. View More Karate Glossary Terms:...
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...
