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At Tower Shukokai we don't distinguish between "Karate", "Self Defence"and "Tournament". All karate training should be for the same aims. Hence our kata training is considered relevant for self defence, and our tournament work improves skills necessary for good karate, and so on. We spend a great deal of time working on excellence of execution of kata, and relevant, practical bunkai (applications).
 
We encourage the use of bags, focus mitts and impact shields to develop power, accuracy and technique.
Whilst tournament play is not to everyone's taste we encourage  our members to enter tournaments as a way of building confidence, overcoming self doubt, and testing ourselves against external standards.
 
Below you will see some Basic Techniques (Kihon Waza) along with some key pointers to best execution (Photographs by Olivia Skipper)



Lots of people ask questions about why we do "mokuso" or meditation before and after training. I found an excellent article by Tim Shaw on the Shikukai Wado site. Select the link below



How to tie the belt (Obi)
1. Find the middle and place against your middle
2. Cross ends right over left
3. Tuck the right end under BOTH strands and pull tight
4,5. Complete the knot tying left over right
6. Pull tight and allow ends to hang symmetrically


Maeken Tsuki - Lead Hand Punch



Gyaku Tsuki (Gyakuzuki)
 - Reverse Punch



Yoko Geri Kekomi (Sokuto Geri)
 - Side Thrust Kick



Oie Tsuki - Stepping Punch



Ushiro Geri - Back Kick



Shukokai "A" & "B" Combinations (English)
1A - Stepping punch to the face, thrust to the chest.
2A - Sliding reverse punch to the body, thrust to the chest.
3A - Sliding lead hand punch to the face, thrust to the chest

4A - Front kick to the body, right hand punch to the face, thrust to the body.
5A - Half a step, at the same time left hand thrust to the face, lead leg front kick, reverse punch to the face, thrust
to the body.
6A - Step back, right open hand block across the face, left reverse punch to the body, right
thrust to the chest

7A - Sliding back open left hand block down. Reverse punch to the body then right thrust to the body.
8A - Right open hand strike to the face in a lunging motion, allow right leg to follow, left hand punch to the body, right thrust to the body.

9A- Right leg sweep, right hand punch to the face, left hand reverse thrust to the body
10A – Body shift to the right (taisabaki), left hand block low-right hand block high, left hand hook under, right hand grabs the shoulder, right foot backwards reap, right hand punch down to the ground. Back to guard position.
1B - Change stance & guard on the spot, stepping punch, thrust to the body.

2B - Lunge punch, thrust to the body
3B - Step back right hand punch to the head, left hand thrust to the body.
4B - Right leg front kick, right hand one legged punch to the head, left hand
thrust to the body
5B - Lead leg front kick (no half step), stepping punch to the head, thrust to the body
6B - Slide back, lead open hand block across the face, reverse punch, thrust to the body.
7B - Left open hand downward block, step back, right open hand downward block, left hand punch, right hand thrust.
8B - Right open hand strike to the head, right front kick, left hand punch, right hand thrust.
9B - Half step, left hand punch (at the same time), left leg sweep, right hand punch, left hand thrust.
10B - Body shift to the right, high-low double block, hook left arm under leg, right hand grab shoulder, right back leg sweep, punch down, back to guard.



Top Ten HAoVs
The police have listed the most common Habitual Acts of Violence as reported by witnesses and victims. They are listed below. Our training takes these common assault into account and much of our bunkai training reflects this.
 
They are listed in frequency order.
1. One person pushes, hands to chest, which is normally followed by the pushee striking first, to the head.
2. A swinging punch to the head.
3. A front clothing grab, one handed, followed by punch to the head.
4. A front clothing grab, two hands, followed by a head butt.
5. A front clothing grab, two hands, followed by a knee to the groin.
6. A bottle, glass, or ashtray to the head.
7. A lashing kick to groin/lower legs.
8. A broken bottle/glass jabbed to face.
9. A slash with knife, most commonly a 3 to 4" lock blade knife or kitchen utility knife. (Apart from muggings, sexual assaults and gang violence, the hunting/combat type knife is seldom used)
10. A grappling style head lock.
 
(thanks to the Shikon forum for bringing these to our attention)
 


Body Parts as Karate Weapons