1. Sanjeev’s Karate Warm Up Exercises
These Karate warm up exercises will help you develop and strengthen muscles which are
important in executing Karate techniques and motions.
It is wise to practice these advanced calisthenics.
Push-ups, for instance, will help strengthen the legs and arms.
You should be able to do 15 or 25 pushups a day.
Moja Rone also suggests "Rabbit hopping", especially with your hands clasped behind your
back.
Leg Lifting
Place hands against a wall, lean your body forward and quickly lift the knee as high as you can.
After steady practice you will be able to lift it right to your upper chest!
Do 10 repetitions for each leg for starters, and increase the number of reps over time.
Punching a Bag
Punching the bag is an excellent way to sharpen your reflexes, and get more
steam into your overhead punches.
Keep slugging away according to the correct principles of Karate. However, for
the purposes of developing speed and stamina, it would not hurt if you got
yourself a good boxing training video, and practice boxing drills.
If you're doing this exercise to practice different punches, rather than
developing stamina, speed and coordination, then go right ahead. Practice the
one-knuckle, middle knuckle, knife hand, back of hand, clenched fist strokes. Dance around the
bag. Strike from awkward positions... have fun!

2. Push Ups
Push-Ups are one of the basic muscle strengthening exercises practiced by the United States
Marines, by tough Commando troops, by F.B.I, men and police trainees everywhere.
Push-Ups, too, should be practiced by the Karatekas in training every day! It's the ideal exercise
for the chest, arms, stomach, back, ankles, wrists!
Rabbit Hopping
Another good Karate Warm Up exercise for your legs is called Rabbit-Hopping. I'm sure the
Japanese has a more respectful term for this exercise... but this is what Moja Rone (bless his
soul) calls it. :-)
As the name implies, you hop around the room like a rabbit.
It sounds easy but once you try it, you'll wonder how rabbits do it so gracefully (and without
getting so tired!).
But don't despair! Keep trying it and you'll master it as well as Bugs Bunny.
This Karate warm up exercise strengthens muscles used in jumping and kicking.
Hop a few feet each day; then increase the distance until you can rabbit-hop about 75 feet!

3. Karate Warm Up Exercises
Karate warm up exercises are an integral part of
training.
This is true not only for Karate, but for all martial arts and fighting styles too.
Formally, these exercises were known as Calisthenics.
It is essential that you always warm up for at least 15 minutes before starting your practice.
These exercises are designed to strengthen and loosen your muscles.
You should loosen the body, indulge in arm stretching, back stretching, leg swinging, leg
stretching, leg spreading, trunk twisting, etc.
But even before you start stretching your limbs, twisting your neck, and bending your trunk,
you should increase your heart beat rate by doing some aerobic exercises.
Aerobic Exercises For Karate
Professional boxers in every weight division — from the lightweight division right
up to the heavyweight division — practice rope skipping before each training
session.
Rope skipping gives you endurance, increases your body coordination, and gives
speed to your feet.
One good thing about rope skipping is that you don't need expensive equipment to do it. If
you want to be fancy, of course, you can buy a state of the art skipping rope.
Nevertheless, you do not need to do so. A simple rope will do, as long as it is heavy enough
to jump with momentum (light ropes tend to be more difficult to handle).
And if you have never done any skipping, it is very easy to learn. Try one jump and when
you have gained confidence and perfection, attempt two jumps per revolution, until you get
several in a row.
Whenever you do this exercise, though, be mindful of doing it on a soft surface (on a rug,
carpet or mat), as this will reduce the impact on your knees.
Basic Karate Stretching Exercises
Forehead to Knee
Once you have increased your heart beat, you may
proceed to your Karate warming up/stretching exercises.

4. The first one consists of sitting on the ground, keeping your legs straight together, and
bending your upper body with the intention of touching your knees with your forehead.
Notice I've said "the intention". :-)
Not everyone is flexible enough to accomplish this exercise, especially when you first begin
to practice a martial art or any other sport.
Some would even dare say that some people are naturally too stiff to ever be able to touch
their knees with their foreheads... and that's fine too.
The objective of this karate warm up exercise is not to become a contortionist, but to
expand the range of limb movement to avoid injury later on.
One Leg Stretch
This is a relatively easy Karate warm up exercise to do. It's actually
not an original Karate exercise.
Many other sports encourage you to do it, as it accomplishes 2
things: First, it stregthens your quadriceps (your main leg muscles),
and second, it stretches your other leg muscles.
As you can see from the picture, the exercise consists of squatting on one leg as you stretch
the other leg on the side.
Be gentle. Don't bounce on your knee, but control your weight downwards. If you have
balance problems, you can use a chair to support yourself.
Leg Raise
The leg raise is yet another basic Karate warm up exercise, which consists of
"throwing" your leg upwards whilst keeping it straight.
Don't overdo it.
Rather than risking injury by overstretching yourself, gradually throw a kick
as high as you can without pain and discomfort.
This is not really a kick. It's a streching exercise.
Do a few repetitions for each leg (10 to 15 for starters).

5. Karate Blocks Part 1
There are many karate blocks, and rather than including too many of them into one single page, I
decided to break them down into small groups for your convenience, as I did not want to
overwhelm you with an information overload!
Karate Block Against a Right Hand Blow
You can parry a right cross, a roundhouse blow or a hook to the
chin by slashing up and at a sharp angle with the outer edge of
your hand.
In this way you are able to deflect the blow in mid-air.
You then follow thru with an offensive thrust of your own.
Karate Block Against a Straight Jab
To defend yourself against a straight jab, bend your body back and to
the side, away from the punch.
At the same time, parry with your open hand to catch your opponent's
fist.
This will take the steam out of his jab.
Karate Block Against an Upper Cut
Your opponent wants to end it quick.
He or she (yes, women can attack you too, and they can be very
lethal!) aiming at your chin ... a quick, clean knockout.
You have no time to lose, less time to think. Split-second action is
called for.
You have to defend yourself against an almost certain K.O.
Move your head to the right or away from the uppercut.
This will reduce the chances of a direct hit on the vulnerable part
of your chin.
At the same time slash downward with your hand or arm at your opponent's arm or wrist.
You have "caught" the blow on your arm, not the chin.
Block Against a High Straight Punch
A taller opponent may have lots of confidence, and may think that he can
take you on easily because he towers over you.

6. Let him try it. You are ready.
As he throws his punch, you bend your body back and to the side and parry the blow with your
open hand.
By doing this, you deflect the blow cleanly.
Next, you follow thru with an offensive thrust of your own and temporarely disable your
assailant.
More Karate Blocks.
Karate Blocks Part 2
These karate blocks include defenses against a left hook, a right fist, a low right hook, and a kick
to your groin.
Are these blocks complete self defense techniques? Hardly. Rather, think of them as small
building blocks in your martial arts arsenal.
With appropriate training and experience, these small building blocks will eventually integrate
into effective and automatic self defense techniques.
Karate Block Against a Left Hook
Picture this: Your opponent delivers a left hook—and it has your jaw
written on it.
But you can intercept the blow if your natural reflexes are sharpened and
honed by Karate practice and conditioning.
Remember, your first line of defense is your natural reflex.
As a serious student of Karate, you will be amazed how almost
automatically — as if your opponent's punch hit a radar warning screen
— you bend your head to the side and back and slash up and right at an
angle.
You have cushioned the blow with the side of your hand or forearm.
Karate Block Against a Right Fist
If an assailant uncorks a corking right towards you, you ward off
the blow by grasping his wrist with your left hand, or slashing up
and left and striking with the side of your hand or forearm.

7. Easy to do? Only if you practice a lot, and do some sparring.
Karate Block Against a Low Right Hook
There are times when your opponent tries to get you off guard when
attacking. So he feints with a high left, to throw you off guard, and
comes in with a low right hook.
This is a tough one to defend because you must outwit or anticipate
the strategy.
What should you do? Defend against the high left or the low right
hook?
An unwritten rule in Karate is to play it smart and safe . . . you defend against both blows!
Yes, as he feints with the left, you raise your right hand to cover your face.
When the "surprise" right comes your way, you slash down on his wrist with the outer edge of
your left hand, but hard!
Even if you can't stop both blows, you will have slowed down the impact at least.
Blocking a Kick to the Groin
Your opponent has a kick—and it's coming your way.
He sends a mean left foot to your groin.
How do you defend?
Quickly you swing the fist of your left hand diagonally downward to
deflect the kick.
Karate Blocks Part 3
This section includes karate blocks against: attacks to the face (the X block), 2 fisted attacks (the
Peek-a-boo block), blow to the ear, and back handed jabs.
Karate Block Against Attack to the Face

8. A very successful defense against an attack to the face or stomach is called the X-
Block.
You can block upwards against an attack, or downward to defend against a blow to
your groin.
The X-Block is so named because the arms form an X This is comparatively easy
to master.
Remember to leave your hands open. This gives you an opportunity to grasp your
opponent's wrist or thumbs in a counterattack.
Karate Defense Against Two Fisted Attack
Occasionally a foe might try to overpower you with a double fisted attack, or try to
grab your coat lapels and throw you to the ground. I really hate it when that
happens!
A good blocking technique against this aggression is called the Peek-A-Boo
defense.
You put up both fists in front of your face, knuckles pointed outward, elbows
should be pointed downward.
You peek over the fists. In this way, your adversary has a small, concentrated
target to shoot at. Yet you are able to observe his every move.
Karate Block Against a Blow to the Ear (The Hook Defense)
Your opponent throws a sharp overhead left to the side of your head.
A quick and easy karate block is called the "Hook Defense".
You bend your right elbow sharply and swing the forearm back with
your wrist almost cupping your ear.
You have successfully thwarted the overhead punch with your wrist.
You then seize your foe's upper sleeve and yank downward.
Follow thru with a left smash to the face or solar plexus.
Sweep Defense Against a Back Handed Jab
Here is a relatively easy defense that requires a minimum of
energy.
Your enemy tries to strike you with a back handed fist.
You quickly sweep aside the blow with your palm or wrist.

9. He's thrown off balance, and you're ready to throw him for a loop.
Karate Blocks Part 4
These karate blocks include defenses against attacks to the groin, leg attacks, general attacks and
against sneak attacks.
Sweep Down Defense Against Blow to Groin
You use this karate defense when your opponent tries to strike you in
the stomach or groin.
It is called the Sweep Down Block.
It is similar to the Sweep Defense mentioned previously except that
the opponent's hand is pressed or swept downward and away.
Scoop Karate Defense Against a Leg Attack
You face your opponent.
He (or she) sends a leg thrust toward your groin.
You use the Scoop Karate Defense to stop it.
Briefly, you scoop the leg in mid-air and jerk it up, away from the
target.
The enemy is thrown off balance.
Sleeve Defense Against a General Attack
When defending yourself, you must take every fair advantage at your
disposal.
That is not only a karate rule... it's a survival rule acknowledged by any
fighting system.
The Sleeve Karate Block is simple but an effective defensive
technique.
Seize your adversary's coat lapel, sleeve, tie, shirt, (ie. whatever you
can grab), and divert the full force of his/her thrust, thereby helping to

10. throw him/her off balance.
Punch Defense Against a General Attack
In the Punch Defense you kill two birds with one stone.
You defend against your opponent's blow, and you reciprocate with an
attack yourself.
With one movement you ward off the punch with the outside part of
your arm, and smack your foe on the jaw bone.
Heel of Palm Karate Block Against Sneak Attacks
Here you use the heel of your palm to block a sneak attack from a heel.
Usually the sudden attack is directed to your face or solar plexus.
Shift your palm from the side, downward or upward—but stop the
blow!
Karate Counter Attacks Part 1
Study these karate counter attacks carefully, and practice them till you feel confident of
your flow, speed and accuracy.
Low Right Counter Attack
Your opponent attacks with his left hand low.
You parry with your right hand and slash down and counterattack with
your arm or elbow tip to his nose.
1-2 Counter Attack

11. In this situation you face a crafty opponent.
He attempts a combination attack with a 1-2 of high left and low right
strokes.
You, in turn, counter with an upward slash with your left hand and a low slash
with the right hand.
Then you counterattack with a good swift kick to your opponent's shin or a
powerful slam on his foot.
High Left Counter Attack
Your assailant sends a high blow to the left side of your face.
You parry with the outer edge of your left hand and counter with a
knuckle jab to his adam's apple or stomach.
Knee Kick Karate Counter Attack
This karate counter attack is difficult to understand from the illustration
alone.
Figure this: Your opponent sends a swift knee kick toward your groin. Right?
Now, you defend yourself with the palm of your left hand.
You protect your vital area and push the knee across your body.
Then you counter with a move behind your opponent.
Grab his/her ear or hair and yank downward.
Then give him a swift kick into the back of his knee. This will cause him/her to collapse (if
you do it right!). Follow up with your favorite kick or any other escalation attack to ensure
he/she does not get up and retaliate.

12. Karate Counter Attacks Part 2
These karate counter attacks are not very difficult to master... with a lot of practice. With
appropriate supervision, you can train so that the techniques come up as second nature.
Foot Kick Counter Attack
Your combatant tries to kick you with his/her foot.
You defend by raising your leg up and kicking forward, thereby deflecting
his/her kick.
You counter attack with combinations of knife hand slashes to the face and
knuckle jabs to the groin.
Hand Crush Karate Counter Attack
In this situation your rival squeezes your hand like an ice crusher.
What do you do?
You dig into his/her hand with center knuckle and follow thru by twisting
his/her thumb back or slashing at his body.
Double Hand Counter Attack
Your opponent tries to overpower you by grabbing both of your hands.
You counter attack by kicking into his/her legs with the side of your shoe
and bring up both your hands, forcing your opponent's thumbs back.
Poking Counter Attack

13. You've met the poker.
He's the poker-faced wise guy who likes to poke you in the chest while driving home a
point.
You can cure him of his bad habit by grabbing his hand in both of yours and squeezing to
your chest.
Next, step back with one foot and bend over to force your opponent's hand back at the
wrist.
This is extremely painful to him.
Karate Counter Attack Techniques (Part 3)
These karate counter attack techniques can be useful in some close counter situations.
Karate Counter Attack for "Pushers"
How do you handle a person who pushes you on your chest?
This is one way to put a stop to them:
Clamp both hands on his hand and squeeze to your chest.
Then step back with one foot and lower your body.
Next, bring up your knee quickly and smash it into your opponent's face.

14. One Hand Counter Attack
And what if a person grabs one of your hands with both of his?
How do you free yourself?
One way to defend yourself is by kicking into his knee or thigh with the edge of your foot.
Kick hard!
This will distract him.
Make a fist with your free hand and wallop him on the chin.
Back of Head Counter Attack
And what if your assailant sneaks up behind you and arm-locks you around
your neck?
There are many self defense techniques you can apply for this situation.
One such technique in Karate consists of the following sequence of attacks:
First, strike knuckle jabs and stabs to his ribs.
At the same time kick with your legs and side of knee.
Next, loosen his grip and pull head away.
Counter attack by pulling his hair and striking other pressure points.
Of course, that will work if your opponent has hair! If not, grab the back of his collar.

15. Waist Squeeze Counter Attack
In this situation, your opponent grabs you around the waist.
You defend yourself by smashing your head back into opponent's mouth &
nose. It may hurt your head, but remember that your opponent's face is
more vulnerable than the back of your head (unless he/she is wearing a
helmet!).
For good measure, kick back with foot to your assailant's shin.
Then hand slash at his side and also twist your body to force your elbow
under his jaw.
Apply other strikes if necessary.
Karate Counter Attacks: Part 4
These Karate counter attacks include the "waist squeeze", "Arms Pinned", "Front Hair", and
"Rear Hair" techniques.
Waist Squeeze Counter Attack
In this situation, your opponent grabs you around the waist and tries to force
you down onto the floor.
Before your opponent makes you lose balance, you defend yourself by
smashing your head back into opponent's mouth & nose. (Ouch!)
For good measure, kick back with your foot to your assailant's shin.
Once free from the hold, hand slash at his side and also twist your body to
force your elbow under his jaw.
Then apply other attacks if necessary.
Arms Pinned Karate Counter Attack
What can you do if your opponent comes up from behind and pins your arms
and body?

16. One counter attack technique you could use consists of quickly snapping your head back,
smashing your opponent's nose and mouth.
Then you bring your hands together and push elbows up digging them into his body.
Contender elimitated!
Front Hair Counter Attack
For this exercise, your assailant grabs a lock of your hair (if you have
hair, that is...) and starts pulling.
You counter by squeezing his wrist, thereby stopping the hair pulling.
Then you knuckle jab his ribs and kick his shins.
Rear Hair Counter Attack
Your opponent tip-toes behind you and grabs your hair (again, that is,
if you have hair!).
To stop the hair pulling throw both your hands above your head and
grab his hand.
Follow thru with repeated smashes of the foot to opponent's shin or
down hard on his/her instep.
Hopefully, that will be the last time this ingrate will get into your hair!
Karate Counter Attacks: Part 5
More Karate Counter Attacks including: "hand vs hand", "head lock", "coat lapel", and "front
choke" counter attacks.
One Hand Vs One Hand Counter Attack
Your opponent grabs your right hand with his right hand. What do you
do to release yourself from his grip?
Give him a knife slash across the throat with your left hand. Be swift.
As his head snaps back pull your hand away and follow through with a
couple of kicks to his shins and knees to render him unable to fight any

17. longer.
Head Lock Counter Attack
In this Karate counter attack, your opponent rushes you and gets a head lock from the
front.
What do you do?
The first thing to do is ease the pain, so you tug on his shirt sleeve and pull it down.
Simultaneously, with your other free hand, you smash into his stomach, and kick with one
of your knees into his groin.
As your opponent's grip loosens, you free yourself and retaliate with a knife hand attack to
the throat.
Coat Lapel Counter Attack
Your opponent yanks on your coat lapel and is about to deliver a blow with his other hand.

18. Step back away from the intended punch, slash hand downward on opponent's forearm.
This will force him to relinquish his lapel grip.
Then give him a two-finger thrust to the eyes or knuckle jab to the Adam's apple. When
doing this, though, be careful not to break your own fingers by missing your opponent's
eyes and hitting his forehead.
An alternative to this ending could be simply punching your opponents nose with a frontal
fist punch.
Front Choke Counter Attack
Your opponent begins to choke you.
He's up close and his arms are best.
You slash down on his nerve centers in the forearms.
This will release the choke.
Now retaliate with combination of slashes and kicks to render him helpless.

19. Karate Counter Attacks: Part 6
These Karate counter attacks are the last 2 in this series, and include "Extended Front
Choke", and "Solar Plexus" Techniques.
Extended Front Choke Counter Attack
Another variation of the front choke counter attack is when an opponent attempts to choke
you and still keep his distance. His arms are straight out.
In this type of situations, you grasp each of his arms or his sleeve and pull in toward you to
help relieve the pressure.
Next, you smash his groin with an upward thrust of the knee.
Of course, if your opponent is still standing, you have to continue smashing away at vital
nerve centers to finish him off.
Solar Plexus Counter Attack
This technique is for situations when your assailant attempts to punch you in
the stomach.
One way to deal with this situation is by stepping in and thwart the blow
with a downward block.
Then you counter attack with a knee into his solar plexus as shown in the
illustration.

20. Karate Self Defense
Techniques
These street self defense techniques have been grouped into
categories according to the type of "situation" a person is
involved in.
The exercises cover a variety of situations ranging from
Karate defenses against hand and wrist grips by an assailant,
to responses against knife and gun attacks.
How Should You Use These Techniques?
I remember my childhood days when I use to get books about Karate from my local library,
read them, check out the pictures, and somehow practice them for half an hour or so.
In my young and naive mind, I had already learned how to defend myself should the need
arise.
As you may have guessed it... it didn't work quite the way I expected it.
A friendly poster in a forum reminded me of this not long ago, when he asked whether you
can learn Karate or any other self defense technique through a website or an ebook.
My answer to his question was "no".
There is simply no substitute for self defense classes, or proper self defense instruction.
Of course, if you have the foundations, you may expand your knowledge through books and
websites.
And if you are a beginner, books and websites may inspire you, or even help you expand on
your budding skills.

21. This website is designed as a reference resource for those interested in martial arts,
especially Karate.
Some of the situations for these techniques may look "too simple", and even ridiculous.
However, remember that the purpose of these exercises is to build skill upon skill to prepare
you for more complex and dangerous situations.
Finally, remember that reading these self defense techniques alone will not equip you to
fight effectively against a knife or a gun. For that you need lots of practice and experience.
Self Defense Techniques Against Grips and
Holds
These are 3 karate self defense techniques you can use against grips and holds.
These, of course, are not the only situations, nor the only techniques. There are many more
complex situations and ways of dealing with them. But these are 3 basic techniques you can
practice for the time being:
First Situation
You are walking down a dark street. A man creeps up behind you. He grabs your right hand,
pulls and twists it from behind in an attempt to get a strangle-hold on you.
HOW TO DEFEND: Swing the foot opposite the hand being held and attack his face with
smashing blows.
Second Situation
Your opponent walks close behind you, and suddenly pulls your right hand back and with
the same motion pushes your shoulder forward.

22. HOW TO DEFEND: Don't hesitate a moment. In this self defense technique you give him
the mule kick from the rear, right to his solar plexus.
This will loosen his grip and then you can either escape, or escalate your counter attack to
render him harmless.
Third Situation
Two men sneak up behind you. Each grabs a hand, pulls it back and pushes your shoulders
forward. What do you do?
HOW TO DEFEND: Attack one opponent with a rear mule kick. Attack second opponent
with elbow blow to ribs. Free your self and run for safety.

23. Self Defense Techniques
Against Knife Attacks
There are many self defense techniques against
knife attacks, but the most effective one is
avoiding engaging into a fight with somebody yielding a knife.
Let's be realistic here. If you think that a knife attack will be similar to the controlled
conditions in the following exercises, you are in for a deadly shock.
I am sorry to tell you this: don't be naive.
Even under controlled circumstances (with wooden knives, supervision, a non-threatening
training environment, etc), you can get hurt if you're not careful. Even more so in a real
knife attack situation.
I would personally never confront an aggressive person with a knife or a weapon... unless I
have no other alternative, that is.
The following self defense techniques are only devised to help you build certain skills that
you may use later on instinctively if the need arises.
But they're only basic techniques.
To have a real chance, you should practice more advanced knife attack self defense
techniques in a safe environment... And they do not necessarely come from Karate, but
from other fighting systems such as Kali, Ninjitsu (Ninjukai), JDK, and others.
If you're interested in exploring effective techniques against knife attacks, you should check
out a set of DVDs called The Knife Defense Fundamentals, and Advanced Knife Defense (A
new window will open). Both DVDs are sold either separately or together in a set.
In The Knife Defense Fundamentals (a new window will open), you learn how to:
Use stance and distance to your advantage,
Evade an attack,
Close the distance for a counter,
Change the line of attack,
Control the knife arm,
Reverse your opponents momentum,
Apply standing restraint and control locks,
Understand the principles of a knife attack and
Take an attacker to the ground where you can successfully, and
Immobilize your assailant.
In Advanced Knife Defense (a new window will open), you build on the basic techniques
onto a new level, learning:

24. Tactical analysis of direct, circular and divided force;
Vulnerabilities: where and when to attack;
Use of leverage to gain an advantage over a stronger attacker;
Takedowns to a restraint position on the ground;
Advanced wrist and arm locks;
Ground disarms including escapes from front, side and rear headlocks, chokes, front
and rear pins and arm locks;
Tactics to defuse threatening situations, and;
47 Sample practice scenarios with variations;
For now, here is a list of very basic Karate defenses against knife attacks:
First Situation
A person goes berserk and tries to attack you with a knife. He attempts to strike you from
an overhead position.
HOW TO DEFEND: As he plunges down, you leap off at a 45° angle, land on your left foot
and kick with your right foot at the assailant's knee.
This will throw him off stride.
Follow through with any of your Karate combinations, or even better, run away and find a
safe place.
Second Situation
A maniac tries to knife you in the stomach. What can you do?

25. HOW TO DEFEND: Fall forward to the floor diagonally and throw a roundhouse kick to the
nut's groin with your right foot.
This will make him double up with pain.
With the same leg you thrust at your opponent's knee joint, throw him to the ground and
disarm him.
Third Situation
This self defense techniques is for a situation where your opponent lounges a back handed
knife attack from across his body.
HOW TO DEFEND: Step in with your right foot and slash at his forearm with your right
hand.
Disarm him and strike at any nerve center.
Fourth Knife Attack Situation
And What if your opponent tries to hold you up with a knife?
More specifically, what do you do if he surprises you and holds the weapon against your
stomach.

26. HOW TO DEFEND: Make a motion with your right hand to distract his attention. Preferibly,
you should step back out of his range. But if you're cornered in, slash down with your left
hand.
You could grab your opponent's wrist. But in a real life situation, you run the risk of your
opponent pulling the knife towards him, and cutting your fingers, wrist, or hand.
Turn your body away from the knife and smash him in the Adam's apple.
Self Defense Techniques Against Club Attacks
Self defense techniques agaisnt club attacks rely on speed and skill.
When you have space around you, a good strategy is to move out of the range of your
assailant... for as long as you can.
However, when you are boxed in with no exit you should know how to attack in close
quarters, that is, as close to your opponent as you can.
That restricts the range and mobility of attackers with baseball bats and clubs to some
degree.
These are 4 basic self defense techniques against club attacks that you can practice:
First Situation
Your opponent tries to club you on the top of the head.

27. HOW TO DEFEND: Move quickly with your left hand and push against the elbow joint of the
attacking arm.
Next, move in fast and counter attack with the elbow with smashes to the face and kicks to
the groin.
Second Situation
An opponent tries to club you with a roundhouse swing.
HOW TO DEFEND: Block the blow with a knife hand defense against his forearm and with
your righthand deliver a stinging, smashing knife blow to your opponent's neck.
Third Situation
A man attempts to attack you with a backhanded swing of the club.

28. HOW TO DEFEND: Lean to the side to dodge the attack and then counter with a sweeping
roundhouse kick to the solar plexus or groin.
Fourth Situation
Your assailant tries a backhanded smash to your stomach with a club, stick or baseball bat.
HOW TO DEFEND: Fall forward diagonally and deliver a roundhouse kick to the stomach.
Self Defense Techniques Against Guns and
Pistols
These self defense techniques against guns and pistols are good to practice in a controlled
and save environment. Use a toy gun, though.
But I want to give you a word of caution: Unless you have mastered every phase
of Karate, or another martial art, you should not attempt to defend yourself
against a gun, pistol or knife threat.
Doing so may put your life at risk of injury or death.
My intention here is to show you 4 basic techniques to practice, but not to encourage an
amateur to take a foolish risk in a moment of extreme danger.
First Situation
In this situational drill, your assailant presses a pistol into your back.

29. HOW TO DEFEND: First, try to distract his attention with a slight, innocent movement of
your hand. Be careful, though. You don't want to startle him causing him to shoot you then
and there!
Then quick-as-a-flash, step back & slash downward against his gun hand. Smash away until
drops gun.
Second Situation
An opponent holds a pistol against the back of your head. Not a nice position to be in!
HOW TO DEFEND: In this self defense technique against guns, you also distract your
assailant's attention with nonchalant movement of the hand.
Then you quickly step back and slash across your rear, striking his wrist or forearm.
Next, turn your body away from the gun and smash opponent with Karate blows until he
crumbles.
Third Situation
In this situational drill your opponent presses a gun against your stomach.

30. HOW TO DEFEND: Slash downward on opponent's gun hand. Follow thru by grasping arm
and twisting it, forcing opponent to drop pistol. Then deliver repeated Karate blows.
Fourth Situation
In this last self defense technique against guns, your opponent holds a gun at the side of his
hips about a foot away from you. What do you do?
HOW TO DEFEND: Distract your opponent's attention with your hand.
As he looks up, slash left hand down and across, grab the gun, and deliver a punch to your
opponent's Adam's apple with right hand.

31. Self Defense Techniques For Women
Self defense techniques for women?
Times have changed quite a lot since Moja Rone wrote his Super Karate Made Easy book,
and now more and more women actively practice some sort of fighting system.
There are many women, indeed, who can be tougher than a man!
Whilst Karate does not distinguish between genders, not everyone practices Karate, another
fighting system, or even basic self defense techniques.
That's why I believe it is a good idea to include these 8 situational drills for women.
Now, practicing these drills won't make you a full fleshed karateka. And they are no
substitute for proper instruction by a qualified martial arts instructor, or a self defense class.
But, who knows? One day you may thank yourself for having studied and practiced these
drills, should the need arise.
Of course, if you really want to gain the confidence of truly knowing that you can react
assertively in any given situation, you should consider joining a self defense class, or even a
martial arts club.
Karate may be a starting point for you. If you're a woman, though, I would recommend you
consider learning BJJ (Brazilian Ju-Jitsu).
There is a reason for this: Many attacks against women end up on the ground. Karate may
help you in standing positions, but BJJ trains you on how to defend yourself once you're
down.
Believe me! This is an essential skill to have, as many assailants (and even professional
fighters) do not know what to do in ground fighting situations.
For the time being, though, consider at least studying the following self defense techniques.
First Situation
In the first women's self defense technique drill, an assailant tries to paw
and touch your body. What do you do?
This is what you do: Don't draw away.
Step closer to him, but stamp on his foot hard.
At the same time shove his chin back forcefully with the palm of hand
counter attack.

32. Second Situation
Ok. Now consider this self defense technique situation: You're sitting in a movie theatre.
The man next to you begins to feel your leg. How do you repell his unwelcome sexual
advance?
This is what you do: Jab your elbow sharply into his side. Another defense. Gently hold
and lift his hand.
He will think you are responding to his advances. Then using both your hands, yank his
thumb back as far as possible.
Third Situation
And what do you do if an attacker grabs your wrist?
This is what you do: Raise the captured arm as high as you can and follow thru with a
knee kick to his groin.
Fourth Situation
You're standing on a street corner waiting for a bus. It's a dark, foggy night. A man sneaks
up behind you and puts his arms around your chest. What can you do?

33. This is what you do: Grab his left wrist with your left hand and jab your right elbow into
his ribs.
If possible also try to stamp on his feet with your heel.
Fifth Situation
What can you do if a man tries to embrace you, pulls you close to his body
against your will?
This is what you do: Give him two-finger attack to his eyes.
With your left hand, apply the knife slash to his neck, and step on his feet as
hard as you can... then run!
Sixth Situation
And what if a man tries to kiss you in back of the neck against your will?
This is what you do: Snap his head back fast and apply an elbow thrust to
the rear toward his ribs.
And if he is your employer, you can sue him for sexual harassment, and
press charges against him for sexual assault.
Seventh Situation
In this self defense situation drill, a man tries to put hand around your waist. What do
you do?
This is what you do: Deliver a sharp side blow with your elbow.

34. Follow through with a knife slash to the neck.
Eight Situation
Finally, if a man tries to pull you close to him against your will, and yanks your
arm toward his body. What can you do?
This is what you do: You move in, but deliver a swift kick to his groin or genitals... and
then run to a safe place.
At the very least, I hope you don't ever have to use the above self defense techniques... But
if the need arises, I hope they become useful to you. I encourage you to take women's self
defense classes, to ensure you can protect yourself effectively.
Karate Techniques - How to get out of a bear hug.
Use the following karate techniques when:
Your attacker is facing you and grabbing you in a bear hug with your arms pinned.
Step 1: Pull your head back as far as you can
Step 2: Ram the top of your forehead into your attacker’s face
Step 3: As your attacker releases you, bring your knee sharply upward/forward into his
groin

35. How these karate techniques might work in
real life
Your name is Katie and you are at a friend’s party. Her
name is Linda and she is always a popular hostess for these
events because her house is enormous.
There are over 50 people at this particular party and you
don’t know very many of them. One young man introduced
himself to you earlier as Chad.
He has been trying to engage you in small talk all evening
but you aren’t really interested. When Linda begins giving a
house tour to some of her other guests you excuse yourself
to join them.
Chad follows you. Before you are aware of what is
happening, he has tugged you by the arm into one of the
bedrooms off the main hallway. He closes the door and draws you further into the room.
“Why don’t we continue our conversation where we won’t be interrupted?” he says. You pull
your arm away and try to move past him toward the door, calling out for Linda.
He blocks your path and grabs you in a bear hug with your arms pinned tightly to your
sides. “Come on, Katie! Don’t be shy.” He leans in toward you for a kiss.
Instinctively, you pull your head back out of range. You tuck your chin and jerk your upper
body forward - hitting Chad in the face with your forehead.
When he lets go of you to grab his face, you bring your knee up into his crotch. You are off
balance so it isn’t a hard blow; but it does the trick.
Chad is distracted by his bloody lip and aching groin long enough for you to run from the
room to find help.
Traditional Karate Equipment: Part 2
Traditional Karate Equipment, as we have already seen, can be ery simple to make by
yourself. These are more examples of simple training equipment you can add to your
training room.
Karate Striking Pole

36. You can build your own Karate Striking Pole.
It should stand about 6 feet high with Karate
straw pads, padded towels, or old pillows placed
at three heights—shin height, stomach height,
face height.
The striking pole is an ideal way to get the
"feel"of Karate techniques.
Also it will help you toughen and harden the skin
of your knuckles, elbows and feet.
You can practice all the striking methods previous described.
Karate Moving Ball Target
The purpose of this target is to sharpen the accuracy of your kicking.
You attach a small ball at the end of a rope & hang it from the ceiling.
Practice various Karate kicks and hand blows on the small ball.
Try to raise or lower the ball.
The theory behind this is simple.
If you can strike a small moving object, then you will find it easier to strike a larger object.
Karate Heavy Bag

37. You probably have an old laundry bag at home.
Fill it with old rags, straw, excelsior and pack it tight.
Suspend it from a rope.
You now have a good punching bag to practice various Karate
movements.
Having said that, however, if you're really serious about practicing
karate (or any other self defense system), you should really consider
buying a real punching bag. Preferibly, you should buy a large one
with an appropriate stand.
In Australia this can set you back a couple of hundred dollars, but
it's really worth it.
Hand Grip Fortifier
One of the best ways to strengthen the muscles of your hands, wrists
and forearms is by using your Hand Grip Fortifier daily.
You will develop a strong, vise-like grip in a matter of weeks—if you
practice on the Fortifier 10 minutes a day.
You have to be careful when using a Fortifier, as excessive use can
cause Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), which can translate into pain in
your forearms and elbows (Metacarpal Tunnel Syndrome). So,
practice with moderation.
Karate Practice Dummy
This is a life-size printed dummy with the major pressure targets and focal
nerve centers printed right on it.
Mount it on the wall or back of a door. Practice striking the pressure points on
your 6-ft. "opponent".
But there are other martial arts dummies you can use instead of this chart.
For instance, the Wing Chun wooden dummy (a new window showing you a
diagram to build your own will open) is perfect for practicing karate strikes on
simmulated human vulnerable points.

38. And whilst we're on the issue of Wing Chun wooden dummies, I also wanted to mention the
fact that there are many ingenious variations of this versatile training tool.
For instance, there is this video I saw online, where people from different martial arts do
amazing stuff with it.
Check this out: This is an alternative design for a Wing Chun wooden dummy:
Traditional Karate Defensive Stances
There is a number of traditional karate defensive stances that you should know.
Spring Attack
In this stance you are poised and alerted for any sneak attack by your enemy.
Suppose you're arguing with somebody. He/she may be bigger, taller, stronger
than you.
Naturally, when the verbal dispute becomes red-hot, tempers flare.
Your opponent feels superior, confident, cocksure.
As you stand there defending your rights, you must also anticipate his moves
and assume your Spring Attack Stance.
You pretend you are merely holding your fingers, but you are poised like a tiger for surprise
attacks from any direction.
Your striking arm is held stiff and your other hand grasps the fingers of the striking hand.
As you pull back with the second hand, you force the striking hand to snap forward.
This is like a coil spring being released.
It produces devastating effects!
Smash Attack Stance
You take this karate defensive stance when you believe your opponent is ready to
hit you.
You stand erect, turn to the side to give him a smaller target.
You form the "T" position.

39. You raise your right arm.
Your entire body is ready to defend any surprise attack.
You can slash with the hand, thrust upward with the knee, follow through with the clenched
fist.
In short, you can flail away in any direction.
Double Knife Stance
For this karate defensive stance, you stand straight, body rigid, face your opponent
at a slight angle.
Bend your knees slightly to give you leverage and balance.
Keep both arms straight up at the elbow, palms facing each other, but about 6 or 7
inches apart.
In this stance you can zoom your blows straight ahead, sidewards, down both
hands at a time in a double-barreled attack!
Side Knife Defense
Stand erect, body tense, face your opponent at a modified angle.
Bend knees slightly to give you proper balance and leverage.
Raise both arms in a horizontal position, about 6 or 7 inches apart.
This is an excellent defense, since you can block blows directed to your head with
one hand, and parry blows aimed at your mid-section with the other hand.
Body Shifting
In addition to stance and posture, body shifting comprises an important phase of Karate.
There are various forms of body shifting, each is primarily designed to throw your adversary
off balance, to thwart his blows, reduce his target, surprise, confuse and befuddle him.
Side Shift
Use this karate defensive stance when you want to shift your
entire body.

40. Your right foot is forward and your left is planted firmly to the rear.
You quickly shift position.
Snap your right leg back and your left leg moves forward.
Remember to keep the moving leg close to the inside to avoid exposing the groin to a blow.
Turnabout Shift
You are in a forward stance.
Move your rear foot sideways and pivot on the balls of the feet.
You have accomplished a full 180° turn.
The Turnabout Shift very often befuddles an opponent and throws him
off stride.
You can then plunge into the offense.
Cross Over Shift
When you are forced to vacate your position fast, the Crossover Shift is the right move.
You cross your right foot over the left quickly and then assume your fighting position.
Learn karate techniques to get away from an attacker
holding your shirt.
Use the following karate techniques when:
Your attacker is facing you and grabbing you by the front of your shirt.

41. 1. Lift your right arm up. (Look at the following karate
pictures).
2. Bring your forearm down onto your attacker’s arm at the
inside of his elbow joint. This will cause your attacker’s arm
to bend or collapse bringing his head toward you.
3. Straighten your arm out bringing the blade (the side) of your hand or wrist into your
attacker’s throat. Do this as his head is still moving toward you for maximum impact.
4. Shove your attacker away from you with both hands so you can get away.

42. How you might use these karate techniques
in real life
Your name is Ben and you are just getting out of a late showing of a newly released movie.
It is after 11:00 PM and the parking lot is pretty deserted. You look around as you walk to
your car but don’t notice anyone in the shadows.
You hit the button on your keychain and the lights on your vehicle flash as the door lock
pops up.
You are just reaching to open the car door when you are grabbed by both shoulders and
slammed forward against the side of the car. Your attacker pulls you away from the car and
spins you around.
He takes the lapels of your jacket in both hands and yells something you can’t understand.
You have dropped the car keys by this time so you point to where they are on the ground.
“You can have the car!” You say, “Just let me go.”

43. He begins to shake you violently and the smell of alcohol on his breath registers for the first
time. You bring both hands up and then drive your arm downward collapsing the drunk’s
elbow and causing him to bend suddenly forward.
You catch him in the throat with the side of your wrist and he begins to cough and choke.
Your assailant releases his grip due to your karate technique and you shove him away. He
staggers and falls to the ground.
You snatch up your car keys and lock yourself in the car. Your attacker begins moaning and
then starts shouting again and you are relieved to know that his windpipe is still intact.
You drive a couple of blocks away before dialing 911 to report the assault.
Karate Hand Strikes
Karate hand strikes are usually the first thing
beginners learn.
That's probably because of their simplicity of application, and easy reach to an opponent's
vulnerable parts.
To understand the importance of karate hand punches and attacks, it is first essential to
understand what this martial art is, and how it works.
Karate is the art of self-defense and counter attack without weapons. It is a Japanese word
and in its native language means literally "empty hands".
This art of self-defense may be defined as an application of anatomical knowledge to the
purpose of offense and defense.
Karate differs from wrestling in that it does not depend upon muscular strength. It differs
from the other forms of attack in that it uses no weapon.

44. Its feat consists in clutching or striking that part of an enemy's body as will make him
numb, and incapable of resistance. Its object is not to kill, but to incapacitate one for action
for the time being.
The size and weight of your opponent may be used against him.
Even a big 250-lb. (over 100 kg) brute can be toppled by a smaller, lighter man who
employs the principles of Karate.
A person who practices karate knows the pressure points and focal nerve centers of bigger,
heavier adversary, and strikes at these pressure point.
To quote from the Encyclopedia Brittanica:
"Several of these sensitive places, for instance the partially exposed nerve in the elbow
popularly known as the "funny-bone" and the complex of nerves over the stomach called
the solar plexus, are familiar to the European, but the ju-jitsu expert is acquainted with
many others which, when compressed struck or pinched, cause temporary paralysis of a
more or less complete nature....
Such places as the arm pit, the ankle and wrist bones, the tendon running downward from
the ear, the "Adam's apple," and the nerves of the upper arm....
In serious fighting almost any hold or attack is resorted to, and a broken or badly sprained
limb is the least that can befall the victim ..."
Sure, karate also uses a lot of kicks (leg work), but as a martial arts coleague and friend
pointed it out to me when I started learning martial arts: "why kick an opponent in the
head, when you can strike with your hands?"
The advice makes sense. The shortest distance between 2 points is a straight line. The
shortest way of hitting somebody's head, is by using your fists.
Now, let's see what karate hand strikes are available to you:
The Clenched Fist

45. The clenched fist is the most frequently used karate hand strike.
However, it can only be mastered after constant practice and training.
When properly executed toward the right pressure points, the this karate hand strike can
drop your opponent for the count of ten— and out! Do not be fooled into thinking that the
Karate Clenched Fist blow is as easy as it looks.
Be sure to study the illustrations.
Notice that the forearm and the knuckles form a perpendicular line.
Notice also that the front of the fist and the top knuckles form a 90° angle.
In order to carry the maximum striking power from your body, through your arm, and to
the fist, that line must be straight.
Even though your adversary is 50 lbs. heavier, 5 inches taller, with broad shoulders and a
Rock of Gibraltar stature, you can knock him out . . . perhaps with one smashing blow!
Karate Hand Attacks:
Using Your Knuckles
Karate hand attacks also use the knuckles to deliver painful blows to your opponents. But
you have to be smart about it, or you can injure yourself if you're not careful.
These hand strikes are very painful because of the physics involved in delivering the blow.
By hitting with your knuckles (especially in a soft target of your opponent's body), you
concentrate the force of your punch in a small area (your knuckles).

46. That is the same physics principle that allows you to cut something with a knife: the full
strength is concentrated in the sharp end of the blade.
Here are a few knuckle strikes you can practice:
[I will add internal links soon... bear with me... ;-) ]
One Knuckle
Middle Knuckle
Fore Knuckle Fist
Big Knuckles Forward
Big Knuckles Backward
One Knuckle Strike
Curl your hand into a fist.
Extend the knuckle of the forefinger out and hold it
down with the thumb.
Now watch that boorish boob knuckle down to YOU!
Use the One Knuckle attack to your opponent's eyes,
temple, or other vulnerable parts of the anatomy.
You can jab or dig with this attack.
The Middle Knuckle Strike
This is an adaptation of the One Knuckle karate hand
attack.
In this case, the middle or center knuckle carries the
brunt of the attack.
The hand is curled into a fist but the center knuckle is
extended.
The Foreknuckle Fist

47. For this karate hand attack you need to press your
fingers together with the thumb, but extend the
fore knuckle.
This striking method is particularly effective when
attacking between the nose and upper lip, the
temple or the stomach.
Big Knuckles Forward
The tips of the big knuckles are the main striking points for this
powerful karate hand attack.
You curl your hand into a fist. Overlap the fingers with the
thumb.
This type of blow is often a raking jab or hook.
Big Knuckles Backward
Here again the striking point of this karate strike is the tips of the
big knuckles.
However, the palm of your hand faces you. See illustration.
This blow is similar to a slap or grind.

48. Karate Hand Strikes and Fist Strikes
These are some more karate hand strikes and fist strikes you can add to your repertoire of
lethal blows:
Back Hand Lash
Side Hand Lash
Side Hand Hammer Blow
Bottom Fist, and
Back Fist
Back Hand Lash
When someone gets fresh or tries to bully
you and you give him the karate "back of
your hand", the poor guy might conceivably
land on his back!
The karate Back Hand Lash is one of the
earliest striking methods in the art of Karate,
dating back many centuries.

49. In the Back Hand Lash you keep the entire hand stiff as a board, fingers extended straight
out and close together.
Arm should remain stiff.
Use this blow in attacking the ribs or blocking an opponent's thrust.
Side Hand Lash
This is similar to the Knife Attack
except the inside or thumb area is
used.
The position is as follows:
Hand remains open. Fingers are
extended out and pressed close
together.
Use the Side Hand Lash in attacking
the ribs or face.
Side Hand Hammer Blow
This blow is facetiously called the "Hammer of Thor" because it
hits like thunder and can result in temporary sense loss and
paralysis.
You form a clenched fist. Keep arm straight up and rigid.
Then smash downward . . . and look out below!
Bottom Fist
You use this karate hand strike when
attacking hard surfaces, like the head,
elbow joint and also in blocking
opponent's blows.

50. This Karate striking point is very effective when you're faced with two opponents, one on
each side.
Smash both in the ribs simultaneously.
Before they can regain their com¬posure, you're free ... to fight another day.
Back Fist
The back fist is formed almost like
the clenched fist described
previously, except the striking force
is the area of the knuckles and back
of hand.
See illustration.
This method is used mainly for
blocking and in attacking your foe's
ribs and face.
Karate Wrist
Attacks
Karate wrist attacks can be surprisingly painful on those on the receiving end.
This is because this type of strikes target soft or vulnerable part of your opponent's body.
Study and practice these wrist strikes till you master them.
I have also included a couple of special hand strike for your consideration.
Back Wrist
Bent Wrist
Chicken Head Wrist
Outside Wrist
Shoulder Pinch
Heel of Palm
The Choker
Ox-Jaw Hand
Back Wrist
The joint at the back of wrist is the striking point of this blow.

51. With the palm facing you, curl your hand into a fist and bend it inward.
This is an effective defensive position and will thwart most of your foe's attacks.
Bent Wrist
A variation of the back wrist, except the
fingers and thumb droop downward and away
from you.
This is strictly a blocking position. Use it
accordingly.
Chicken Head Wrist
A good Karateka (a Karate practitioner)
must know not only offensive techniques
but defensive or blocking motions too.
Don't you go thinking that you'll be just
hitting people left, right and centre
without getting touched yourself. You'll
get hit. The question is really: how do
you react to an attack?
Often it is not necessary to repel a foe
with a swift, painful blow.
If a roughneck tries to push his blubbery
weight around, smart defensive tactics
might make him look awfully silly.

52. By adroitly blocking his blows, you can deflate any bag of wind.
The Chicken Head Wrist is an excellent blocking position and will make a "turkey" out of
many an opponent.
Use it often.
Karate Outside Wrist Attack
Did you ever knock on the front door, and not get an immediate
"who is it" from inside?
Then you pound with the side of a clenched fist.
If somebody's home, you can rest assured that knocking will bring
him a-running!
In Karate the Outside Wrist blow brings results too.
How do you perform this karate wrist attack? You simply strike
sharply with the outside edge of the wrist joint.
Be sure to keep arm rigid when delivering the blow.
You can hit downward, sideways, upward or forward.
The Outside Wrist motion can also be used defensively (as in a block) or offensively.
Shoulder Pinch
In a fight, if you can disarm your opponent, you need
not strike another blow. You've won the fight already.
In Karate a person's weapons are his/her hands, feet,
elbows and legs.
This is not a karate wrist attack technique, but I've
decided to include it in this section because it can prove
very useful in disarming your opponent... should you
need to resort to physical contact!
The purpose of the Shoulder Pinch is to immobilize your
opponent's arms and hands.
And if you can temporarily "paralyse" you're opponent's limbs, you're the winner!
You can apply the Shoulder Pinch two ways: from the front and from behind.

53. Just dig your thumb into the hollow under the collar bone; press your fingers into his back
and squeeze like an enthusiastic accordion player!
If done properly, your opponent will give up, and you'll be free to go.
Heel of Palm
The heel of palm strike is not a karate wrist attack, but one of the
last final karate strikes I wanted to include in this site for you.
The Heel of Palm is formed by arching the hand back, almost to a
90° angle.
The fingers should be bent and slightly spread.
Use this position when attacking the face, nose, chin or jaw.
The Choker
Use the Choker on any smart-aleck joker.
It will make him think twice and then turn the other way.
The striking point of this position is the area between the thumb
and forefinger.
Ox-Jaw
Hand
You can give any annoying "pain-in-the-
neck" a real pain in the neck for hours
with the Ox-Jaw Hand blow.

54. A swift smash to the neck or collar bone does the trick.
Just a word of caution here: Use this hand attack only in emergencies.
If you hit a person strong enough on the neck, you can cause serious injury, and you may
be criminally liable.
As usual, even if you know all the existing karate hand strikes and karate wrist attacks, the
best form of self defense is avoiding conflict.
Remember that at all times.
Karate Knee Techniques
Karate knee techniques are mainly used in close range attack to the
groin, thigh, solar plexus and chest.
You can strike in many directions: With the knee—up, down, sideways,
forward, inside and outside.
When size and weight are in your adversary's favor, you can use his
own superior weight and girth against him.
By using your knee movements wisely, by attacking his weakest
pressure points, a good small person can cut a big dude down to his
size with a few stinging knee smashes.
The Knee Smash
This is the most effective karate knee technique and can temporarily
disable an opponent.
Bend knee and bring up your leg. Point the knee toward your target.
Zero in! Smash upward!
Use the Knee Smash only when an emergency demands it.
It is so acutely painful that your opponent may double up in extreme
pain, then collapse.
If necessary, apply first aid immediately. Then call a doctor... But if you're in danger... leave
at once!

55. The Knee Side Smash
For this knee attack, you have to bend your knee and bring your leg
up.
Point the knee toward your target.
Hook the knee side to side.
A few Knee Side Smashes will convince your opponent that you ain't
fooling around!
The Knee Down Smash
Here is a knee strike that might pulverize your opponent.
Bend your knee and bring the leg up behind you.
Strike by dropping the knee straight down on your opponent like an
anchor plummeting into the open sea!

56. Karate Foot Techniques
You use karate foot techniques in close quarter fights, or to
free yourself from some locks that entrap you.
In Karate the heel can become a formidable striking point.
You can feint your opponent off guard with your hands and
elbows, then strike with the heel.
Use the heel movements to kick and stamp your opponent's
groin, solar plexus, instep, and even the jaw!
Check out these karate foot techniques:
Back Heel Stamp
Inside Heel Stamp
Outside Heel Stamp
Downward Heel Stamp
Back Heel Stamp
Raise foot slightly and point downward, bend knee forward.
Strike your opponent by stamping backward.

57. Inside Heel Stamp
Raise foot slightly and point the toes away from your body at 45°
angle.
Bend the knee forward.
Strike by swiftly stamping the inside of the heel to the rear.
Your opponent may not give you the stamp of approval for this
movement, but then you are not expecting it, are you?
Outside Heel Stamp
Raise foot slightly and angle the toes away from the body.
Bring knee forward.
Strike by suddenly stamping the outside of the heel to the side
or rear.
Downward Heel Stamp
Raise the knee upward about 18 inches with the toes slightly arched.
Strike by smashing straight down.
Stamp any heel with the heel stamp!

58. Karate Kicks
Karate kicks are, next to a karate chop, perhaps
the most widely known fighting technique in the
Western world.
Most self defense styles include a group of kicks in their repertoir. Karate is not the
exception.
Some kicks are spectacular, but more suitable for demonstrations than for self defense.
For instance, the spin kick is a beautiful kick to watch being executed, but it requires too
much space to be performed, and it leaves the fighter usually out of balance.
A roundhouse kick, on the other hand, is a basic kick that - if applied correctly to street
conditions - can get you out of trouble in times of need.
If you want to take your kicking skills to a higher level, improving your speed, power, timing
and accuracy, I recommend you get yourself a training DVD called Perfect Your Kyorugi
Kicking (a new window will open), by TKD Olympic Gold Medalist Lynnette Love.
Lynnette teaches you how to use small targets for sparring, giving you accurasy and control
over the point of contact and the strength excerted on your opponents.
No, this is not a Karate DVD, but let me assure you, there is a lot to learn from TKD.
For the time being, here is a list of simple karate kicks that you can use in case of
emergency.
Roundhouse Instep Kick
Forward Instep Karate Kick
The Mule Kick
Verticle Underfoot Stomp
Side Underfoot Stomp

59. Roundhouse Instep Kick
To perform this karate kick, you turn your body sideways away
from your opponent, as if you were off balance.
Raise leg high up and bend foot so that the curve of your instep
is parallel to the floor.
Strike your opponent by hooking the instep in a sweeping
horizontal hook.
This is especially effective in smashing at the groin.
Forward Instep Karate Kick
Raise the knee straight up with the toes pointing straight down and
close to you.
Strike by directing the instep forward or to the side, as the case may
be.
The forward instep smash is the coup d'etat when directed to the
groin in close range fighting.
But it should be used with extreme caution for it can seriously injure
your opponent, perhaps permanently.
The Mule Kick
In its execution the Mule Kick resembles the swift kick of a mule.
Raise your foot up under you and toward the rear.
Bend your body downward from the waist.
Then wham your opponent with a rear thrust, using the arch as the
striking point.
Verticle Underfoot Stomp

60. Bend the knee slightly up and forward.
Bring the foot back.
Toes pointing forward.
Strike by driving the heel straight back in a stomping or grinding
motion.
Side Underfoot Stomp
You turn your body to the side.
Raise the knee and foot to the rear.
Angle the toes toward the side.
Strike by stomping the arch back and up in a grand-ing motion.
Bottom of Foot Techniques
Karate is the art of self-defense with unarmed weapons.
No clubs, knives or pistols are used.
No sticks or baseball bats.
Your weapons are right on your person—the legs, arms, hands, head, elbow . . . and even
the feet—corns, calluses and all!
There are 3 different foot positions involved:
Ball of Foot Kick Downward Glide
Ball of Fool Rear Grind
Ball of Foot Straight

61. Ball of Foot Kick Downward Glide
Raise the foot high, bend the knee, curl toes upward as far as possible.
Strike by stamping ball of foot straight down in grinding fashion.
Ball of Fool Rear Grind
Raise the foot high, bend the knee so foot is horizontal to floor, curl
toes up so that the ball of foot is projected.
Strike by stamping ball of foot to the rear in grinding fashion.
Ball of Foot Straight
Bend the entire body slightly back with the weight on the left foot.

62. Raise the right foot up and back with knee only slightly bent. Curl the toes up.
Strike by smashing the ball of the foot straight ahead.
Just before finishing this section, I found this video clip demonstrating a fight between a
Karateka and what appears to be Kung Fu students practicing some sort of drunken style.
The point of including this video is to show you how Karate kicks can be effectively
performed against other fighters.
In this case, however, the Kung Fu opponents seem to lack the sparring experience
necessary to confront a trained Karateka. That is not to say that one style is better than
another, but it shows you karate kicks in action:

63. Traditional Karate
Equipment
Karate equipment does not have to be "high tech". In fact, you can actually make your own
karate training gear.
Of course, as you immerse yourself in your martial art or self defense training, you may
want to buy better training equipment. And that's fine too.
The important thing is that you must develop the latent strength in your fingers, knuckles,
hands, hand edges, feet, elbow, toes, etc.
These parts of your body are your weapons, and you must forge them on the anvil of
practice, training and self-discipline.
To attain the highest degree of proficiency in the art of Karate, you must practice diligently
regularly.
As usual, check with your instructor and your doctor to see if training with any particular
item is appropriate for your own circumstances.
Karate Sand and Gravel Box
The first item in the list of traditional karate equipment is the
sand and gravel box.
You can use any old wooden box in the cellar, or even a strong
plastic crate.
At the beginning, you should fill the box with rice.
The sand and gravel box will help strengthen your fingertips. This

64. is part of your hands conditioning process.
To train with it, you must thrust your hand into the box about 20 times daily.
Use both hands.
After a while, remove the rice and fill it with dirt.
Then as your hand becomes callused, remove the dirt and fill it with gravel.
After constant training the striking points will become less and less sensitive.
Karate Cement Blocks
You can easily buy two chipped cement blocks from your local
hardware store.
Set up the cement blocks in your backyard basement, or shed.
At first you should cover them with a thick blanket, or something
to cushom them. You don't want to break your hands with this
exercise. You want to gradually condition your hands.
They say "no pain, no gain". But it should really be "no brain, no
gain". What is the point of disfiguring your hands? Do this exercise properly, and you'll be
fine.
Pound away with the side of your hand, with your elbow and with your fist.
Do this about 15 times a day.
After a short period, remove a layer of the blanket; eventually, with time, you'll remove the
entire blanket.

65. Traditional Karate Stances
Traditional karate stances (postures) are the essential point of departure for launching or
repelling an attack.
You are able to face an opponent better when you adopt a proper Karate stance.
Here are a number of traditional stances that you can employ in specific circumstances.
The Natural Stance
In the natural stance you face your opponent "naturally". How's that for a
definition? :-)
Seriously, in this stance you keep your legs and shoulders relaxed, feet
together but poised for action.
Your weight is equally distributed on both limbs, keeping a balance, and
ready to spring to one side or another in case of an attack against you.
Spread Eagle Stance
In the Spread Eagle Stance, you spread your legs about 18 inches apart, toes
pointed outward a bit.

66. Keep legs straight and body relaxed.
You are poised now to spring into action.
Half Moon Stance
In stance, you plant your heels firmly on the floor, and point the toes
straight ahead and spread your legs far apart.
The knees should be bent outward slightly.
The muscles of the legs and the hips should be taut.
Weight should be equally distributed on both legs.
Forward Stance
Move either the left or right leg straight ahead about 18 inches.
Bend the knee slightly.
Move other leg back.
Both feet should be planted firmly on the floor.
Backward Stance
For this karate stance, you bend the rear knee and direct outward.
Move the other leg forward.
The weight is not evenly distributed in the backward stance.
Two-thirds of the weight should be on the rear leg.

67. One-third on the front leg.
This is a good stance to use in kicking, as it gives you proper leverage.
Cat Stance
In this karate stance you are poised like a cat on a hot tin roof ready to spring
into action.
Front left knee is projected, slight weight on the ball of the foot.
Heel is raised slightly from the floor.
The rear right foot remains backward and flat and bears most of the weight of
the body.
The back should remain rigid.