The most common techniques in Wado Kai
These are some of the technique names you will hear regularly in class. Learning the name, the movement and the general purpose of each one helps students understand instruction more quickly and train with more confidence.
| Junzuki | Step forward into stance and punch. |
|---|---|
| Gyakuzuki | Reverse punch from the rear hand. |
| Junzuki No Tsukomi | Step forward and lunge punch to the head in a longer stance. |
| Gyakuzuki No Tsukomi | Reverse lunge punch low to the body in a wider stance. |
| Kette Junzuki | Front kick followed by forward punch. |
| Kette Gyakuzuki | Front kick followed by reverse punch. |
| Kette Junzuki No Tsukomi | Front kick followed by forward lunge punch to the head. |
| Kette Gyakuzuki No Tsukomi | Front kick followed by reverse lunge punch low to the body. |
| Mae-geri | Front kick. |
| Surikomi Mae-geri | One-step front kick. |
| Mawashi-geri Chudan | Roundhouse kick to body height. |
| Surikomi Mawashi-geri Chudan | One-step roundhouse kick to body height. |
| Mawashi-geri Jodan | Roundhouse kick to head height. |
| Surikomi Mawashi-geri Jodan | One-step roundhouse kick to head height. |
| Sokuto Gedan | Side kick to knee height. |
| Surikomi Sokuto Gedan | One-step side kick to knee height. |
| Sokuto Chudan | Side kick to body height. |
| Surikomi Sokuto Chudan | One-step side kick to body height. |
| Sokuto Jodan | Side kick to head height. |
| Surikomi Sokuto Jodan | One-step side kick to head height. |
| Ushiro-geri Chudan | Back kick to body height. |
| Ushiro Mawashi-geri Jodan | Reverse roundhouse kick to head height. |
| Surikomi Ushiro Mawashi-geri Jodan | One-step reverse roundhouse kick to head height. |
| Tobikomi-zuki | Slide in and punch to the head. |
| Nagashi-zuki | Slide forward, twist the body and punch to the head. |
Stances (Tachi-waza)
| Zenkutsu-dachi (Front Stance) | Around 70% weight on the front leg, back leg straight. Used for forward power in strikes and thrusts. |
|---|---|
| Shiko-dachi (Sumo Stance) | Wide and low with toes turned out. Strong for balance, grounded movement and powerful blocks. |
| Sanchin-dachi (Hourglass Stance) | Narrow and rooted with inward pressure through the legs. Builds tension, breathing control and internal strength. |
| Kokutsu-dachi (Back Stance) | Most of the weight on the back leg. Useful for defensive posture, strong blocking and quick counters. |
| Kiba-dachi (Horse Stance) | Wide with even weight and knees bent. A strong base for punches and lower-body stability. |
| Neko-ashi-dachi (Cat Stance) | Most of the weight on the back leg, front foot light. Good for mobility and fast defensive movement. |
| Hangetsu-dachi (Half-moon Stance) | An elongated rooted stance used for stability, tension and controlled power. |
| Kosa-dachi (Cross Stance) | A crossed-leg stance used in evasive movement and quick changes of direction. |
| Teiji-dachi (T-stance) | A more neutral transitional stance that balances readiness, defence and movement. |
| Fudo-dachi (Rooted Stance) | A stable, grounded stance between front and horse stance. Often used in stronger advanced movements. |
| Heisoku-dachi (Closed-toe Stance) | Feet together, used in formal opening and closing positions. |
| Musubi-dachi (Ready Stance) | Heels together, toes out. Used for bowing, ceremony and formal readiness. |
Strikes (Uchi-waza)
| Oi-zuki | Lead-hand straight punch to the body or head. |
|---|---|
| Gyaku-zuki | Rear-hand reverse punch, often used as a strong follow-up technique. |
| Uraken-uchi | Backfist strike, often delivered quickly to the face or temple. |
| Shuto-uchi | Knife-hand strike using the outer edge of the hand. |
| Tettsui-uchi | Hammer-fist strike using the bottom of the clenched fist. |
| Tate-zuki | Vertical punch used mainly at closer range. |
| Morote-zuki | Double punch delivered with both hands together. |
| Ago-uchi | Uppercut-style strike aimed upward, often to the chin or jaw. |
| Haito-uchi | Ridge-hand strike using the inside edge of the hand. |
| Empi-uchi | Elbow strike for close-range use. |
| Kentsui-uchi | Inverted hammer-fist strike. |
| Kizami-zuki | Quick jab from the lead hand. |
| Nukite | Spear-hand strike, usually to softer targets. |
| Mawashi-zuki | Hook punch delivered in a circular motion. |
| Shotei-uchi | Palm-heel strike using the base of the hand. |
Kicks (Geri-waza)
| Mae-geri | Front kick to the lower or middle targets. |
|---|---|
| Mawashi-geri | Roundhouse kick to the body, head or legs. |
| Sokuto-geri | Side kick using the blade of the foot. |
| Yoko-geri | Strong side kick, often using the heel. |
| Ushiro-geri | Back kick delivered straight behind the body. |
| Ushiro Mawashi-geri | Reverse roundhouse kick, usually to head height. |
| Hiza-geri | Knee strike for close-range use. |
| Gedan-barai (low sweep) | A sweeping kick used to disturb the opponent’s balance. |
| Ura-mawashi-geri | Hook-style kick using a circular reverse motion. |
| Fumikomi-geri | Downward stomp kick, often to the leg or foot. |
| Ashikubi-geri | Ankle-level kick used to disrupt or unbalance. |
| Tobi-geri | Jumping kick. |
| Gyaku-mawashi-geri | Spinning reverse roundhouse kick. |
| Kin-geri | Quick groin kick used in self-defense situations. |
| Tsuri-ashi-geri | Sliding kick used while covering distance. |
Blocks (Uke-waza)
| Jodan-uke | High block for protecting the head and upper body. |
|---|---|
| Gedan-barai | Downward sweeping block for low attacks. |
| Chudan-uke | Middle block for torso defence. |
| Soto-uke | Outside block moving from inside to outside. |
| Uchi-uke | Inside block moving from outside to inside. |
| Shuto-uke | Knife-hand block using the open hand. |
| Morote-uke | Reinforced block using support from the second hand. |
| Age-uke | Rising block for overhead or high attacks. |
| Nagashi-uke | Sweeping parry that redirects an attack rather than meeting it hard. |
| Kake-uke | Hooking block used to catch or control the attacking limb. |
| Teisho-uke | Palm-heel block using the open hand. |
| Kakiwake-uke | Wedge block using both arms to push outward. |
| Ude-uke | Forearm block used as a direct interception. |
| Haito-uke | Ridge-hand block using the thumb side of the hand. |
| Mawashi-uke | Circular block used to manage wider or flowing attacks. |
| Heiko-uke | Parallel two-arm block used against strong or broad attacks. |
| Sukui-uke | Scooping block used to lift or divert a lower attack. |
| Ura-uke | Inverted block used in tighter range situations. |
Sweeping Techniques (Ashi-barai)
| De-ashi-barai | A timed foot sweep aimed at the advancing foot. |
|---|---|
| Okuri-ashi-barai | A sliding sweep used while moving forward. |
| Harai-goshi | A hip throw combined with sweeping leg action. |
| Sasae-ashi | A supporting foot sweep that blocks and redirects balance. |
| Hiza-barai | A knee-level sweep used to break posture and balance. |
| Kouchi-gari | Minor inner reap targeting the inside of the leg. |
| Ouchi-gari | Major inner reap with stronger backward drive. |
| Uchimata-barai | Inner thigh sweep used at close range. |
| Soto-maki-komi | Outer winding sweep combined with turning body action. |
| Kani-basami | Scissor-leg takedown, considered advanced and higher risk. |
Kumite Techniques
| Jiyu Kumite | Free sparring using controlled technique, timing, distancing and awareness. |
|---|---|
| Yakusoku Kumite | Pre-arranged sparring used to build timing, technical understanding and response. |
| Ippon Kumite | One-step sparring where a single attack is defended and countered clearly. |
| Kihon Kumite | Basic structured sparring based on Wado-Ryu movement, evasion and counterattack. |
| Shiai Kumite | Tournament sparring under rules, focusing on scoring, timing and control. |
| Jiyu Ippon Kumite | Semi-free sparring where the attack is known but the counter is chosen more freely. |
Combination Techniques (Renraku-waza)
| Oi-zuki → Gyaku-zuki → Mawashi-geri | Lead punch, reverse punch and roundhouse kick in one flowing attack line. |
|---|---|
| Mae-geri → Kizami-zuki → Uraken-uchi | Front kick, jab and backfist to break rhythm and create openings. |
| Soto-uke → Gyaku-zuki → Hiza-geri | Outer block, reverse punch and knee strike for closer counter work. |
Observation Practice (Mitori Geiko)
Mitori Geiko means learning by watching carefully. It is useful when resting between drills, recovering from injury, or trying to improve technical understanding. Watching good karate closely helps students notice timing, posture, rhythm, distance and detail that can sometimes be missed in their own training.
Five Principles of Defense
| Nagasu | Flowing. Redirect the attack rather than trying to stop it head-on. |
|---|---|
| Inasu | Diverting. Adjust angle and body position so the attack is weakened or misses. |
| Noru | Riding. Move with the attack so its force is reduced and easier to control. |
| Irimi | Entering. Move into the opponent’s space to take control and counter quickly. |
| Kusemi | Evasion. Avoid the attack and answer from a safer, stronger angle. |
Self-Defense Applications
Against punches
Use body movement, blocks and counters to move off the line of attack and respond quickly with control.
Against grabs
Focus on breaking balance, escaping the grip and creating space to strike, control or disengage.
Against chokes
Use posture, hand control, strikes and body movement to break the choke quickly and regain safety.
Against weapon attacks
Advanced self-defense work focuses on evasion, awareness, control and escape. This should only be practised carefully under qualified instruction.
Against multiple attackers
The priorities are awareness, movement, positioning and finding a safe way out rather than staying engaged longer than necessary.