In Shotokan Karate, we have techniques that we call blocks.  Rising block, downward block, inward block and a few more.  While they can deflect an attack and allow for a follow up Strike, there are times when those same techniques can be used as strikes.

Stationary one step sparring

After our warm up, Sensei Noia had the Shodan’s partner up with a brown belt.  We both started in a front stance with one partner executing a Reverse Punch to the face and the other partner blocking with a rising block, alternating back and forth.  We did the same with a chudan reverse punch and an inward block.  Sensei had us pay extra attention to our hip action, opening the hips on the block and closing them on the punches.

Strike the focus mitt

Next, we each got our Focus Mitt and worked on inward strikes.  Yes, I said inward strike not inward block.  The first part of this drill was holding the focus mitt on one hand and striking with the other arm, then switch sides and work the technique with the other arm.

Part two of the drill was having your partner hold the focus mitt while the other hit it with the inward strike.  After that, we did the same but with a downward strike.  These techniques can be very powerful if you consider them as a strike and not a block.  I often tell the students in the classes I teach to think of these movements and strikes and you can easily see a difference in their power.

Kihon with strikes

After the focus mitt drills, we moved on to some kihon using the same techniques using the rising, inward and downward strikes and then another group of the same but adding a reverse punch.  The object of this drill was to make the three strikes as strong as the reverse punch that followed.  The timing was, complete the first strike and then do the reverse punch instead of the normal fast, weak block and hard punch.

All or nothing kata

The last part of the class was some kata training.  We started with Taikyoku Shodan executing the downward blocks as strikes.  After that, we picked a kata of our choice putting the same intensity of those strikes into all the techniques doing the kata three times making each one stronger than the last.  We finished up with an ugly but very powerful Tekki Shodan.  Timing didn’t matter, technique didn’t matter but as much power as possible was the goal and even though I am sure it didn’t look like the best kata, it did feel strong.

Class summary

• Stationary one step sparring
• Strike the focus mitt
• Kihon with strikes not blocks
• All or nothing kata