Hand Formations in Kata

My take on changing hand formations during kata, inspired by a discussion about the haito vs. haishu techniques in different versions of Naihanchi. Thanks to Ulf Karlsson Sensei for providing me with the arrows/polearms analogy earlier this year! Up until then, I didn't have a good analogy for it!

[Kitsaplorax]

I think that forms demonstrate and encode theories of motion in accordance with striking, avoiding, grappling, checking or escaping. That's how I learned forms.

[Craigster]

i really like your channel, i did traditional karate from 1976-2000 godan Naha-te and retired of hip replacement, but have started training again and you sir bring youthful passion as iam 64 years old keep up the good work

[geraldbeshears]

Using the "haishu" to GB20 with the knuckle of the middle finger (first knuckle on hand) after you have used a a trap and wrist press to break balance of attacker as he attempts to grab your front will get the job done! First, second and third movement of kata.

[paulvandergriff]

Why not just use edge of the hand (shuto) through the motion and when you "end the technique" you rotate the hand into a back hand (haishu). Or for the fun of it, rotate it through the back hand (haishu) to a ridge hand (haito). By applying a shuto through the motion of the technique it let's you get in the throat just fine. After going into the throat with a shuto, you manipulate the body and open the chin with haishu. And again for fun, keep rotating it into a haito lol.

Now no arguments and there are three techniques in one! 😁. Shuto, haishu, Haito!

[zzdoc]

Legel Sensei's analyses of execution with respect to application are extremely thoughtful. When learning kata or teaching same, it should be expected that truth to the form as expressed by a specific ryu-ha be established first. It is clear in his execution that his palm rotates from facing forward to facing up at the end of the movement as the forearm describes an arc of nearly 180 degrees with rotation and translation from the shoulder.

[davialmeida]

Well, Itosu just simplified the whole thing putting two movements into a single one: in the same movement can be there a downward haishu-uchi included in an outward haito-uke (same thing for the downward tettsui-uchi included in an outward uchi-uke). This way you can put into practice the maxims: "There is no 'sente' in karate", but "a defense is also an attack".