BASIC COMBINATIONS AND SPARRING TECHNIQUES

COMB 404/405
Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced Shotokan Karate

Instructor
Eric Larson

CONTENTS

8th Kyu-Yellow

7th Kyu -Blue

6th Kyu-Green

5th Kyu-Purple

4th Kyu-Purple

3rd Kyu-Brown

2nd Kyu-Brown

1st Kyu-Brown

1st Dan-Black

OTHER PAGES

Course Syllabus

Introductory Information

Promotion Requirements

Ten No Kata

Basic Combinations and Sparring Techniques

Self-Defense

Kata

Karate Uniforms

Japanese Karate Terminology

Suggested Books and Videos

Karate Main Page

COMB 404/405

Home

NOTE: The following techniques are presented as information for students participating in Skyline College's COMB 404/405 Physical Education classes and are meant to be practiced under supervision. Neither the instructor nor the San Mateo County Community College District accepts or assumes any responsibility or liability for any personal injuries sustained by anyone as a result of the use or practice, outside of the supervised class, of any of the instructions and techniques contained here.

 

8th Kyu - White to Yellow Belt

 a. Basic Combinations:

Ten No Kata Omote and Ura (See separate sheet for instructions.)

 b. Basic Five-Step Sparring Techniques:

  1. From Ready Position (Yoi), attacker steps backward with right foot into left front stance with left downward block. Pause. Attacker steps forward with right foot and executes a right front lunge punch to the face. Defender steps back with right foot into left front stance and executes a left upper rising block. Continue for a total of five attacks and blocks. After the fifth block, defender executes a middle level reverse punch with kiai.
  2. Same as above, but attacker executes middle level front lunge punch to midsection. Defender blocks with outside-inward block.

NOTE: The following techniques will be practiced in class as time permits. The assignment of techniques to the various kyu levels is very arbitrary. Many of the techniques below are drawn from Nakayama's book, "Dynamic Karate."


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7th Kyu - Yellow to Blue Belt

 a. Basic Combinations:

1. Jab to Reverse Punch

From left downward block position, lunge forward with left (lead) hand jab to face; without stepping, execute right middle level reverse punch; recover in fighting position and continue.

2. Front Kick to Back-Fist Strike

From left downward block position, execute a right (rear) leg middle level front snap kick; drop foot into right front stance and without stepping execute right (lead) hand back-fist strike to face; recover in fighting position and continue.

 

b. One-Step Sparring Techniques:

Attacker begins in left front stance, downward block. Defender begins in yoi (ready position).
Attacker steps forward with attack as indicated.

Jodan (Upper Level):

1. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: Upper Block to Front Horizontal Elbow Strike.

Defender steps back with right foot, (left foot outside and behind attacker's right foot), left upper block; control attacker’s hand, right front (horizontal) elbow strike to body.

2. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: Upper Block to Round Kick.

Defender steps back with right foot, (left foot outside of attacker's right foot), left upper block; control attacking hand, right round-house kick to body.

Chudan (Middle Level):

3. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Outside-Inward Block to Back-Fist.

Defender steps back with right foot, (left foot outside of attacker’s right foot), left outside-inward block; left back-fist strike to face.

 4. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Inside-Outward Block to Jab.

Defender steps back with right foot, (left foot outside of attacker’s right foot), left inside-outward block; left jab to face.

Kicks (Mid to Low Level):

5. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Kick to Body.
Defense: Downward Block to Reverse Punch.

Defender steps back and to the right (at 45 degree angle to attack) with right foot, left downward block; right reverse punch to body.

6. Attack: Right Middle Level Side-Thrust Kick to Body.
Defense: Downward Hooking Block to Back-Fist Strike.

Defender steps back into side-facing horse stance with right foot, left outside-inward downward hooking block; left back-fist strike to face.
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6th Kyu - Blue to Green Belt

 a. Basic Combinations:

1. Outside-Inward Block to Side-Elbow Strike to Back-Fist Strike.

From left downward block position, step forward with right leg and execute right outside-inward middle-level block; shift to horse stance and execute a right middle level side-elbow strike by sliding forward; without stepping execute a right back-fist strike to face; recover in fighting position and continue.

2. Sword-Hand Block to Front Leg Front-Snap Kick to Reverse Punch

From left downward block position, step forward with right leg into back stance and execute right middle-level sword-hand block; execute right (lead) leg front snap kick; drop foot down into front stance and execute left middle level reverse punch; recover in fighting position and continue.

 b. One-Step Sparring Techniques:

Jodan (Upper Level):

1. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: Sweeping Sword-Hand Block to Sword-Hand Strike.

Defender steps back and out to right rear with right foot, (left foot outside of attacker's right foot), left upper level sweeping sword-hand block; pull down attacking hand, right sword-hand strike to side of neck (palm up).

2. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: Upper Block to Back-Fist Strike.

Defender steps back with right foot, (left foot inside attacker's right foot), left upper block; left back-fist strike to face.

Chudan (Middle Level):

3. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body
Defense: Hooking Block to Reverse Punch.

Defender steps back with right foot into back stance, leaning away, (left foot outside of attacker's right foot), hooking block and grab with left hand; right reverse punch to chin or body.

4. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body
Defense: Outside-Inward Block to Front Leg Side-Thrust Kick.

Defender steps back with right foot into back stance, left outside-inward block; grab attacker’s hand, left side-thrust kick to body.

Kicks (Mid to Low Level):

5. Attack: Right Middle Level Round Kick to Body.
Defense: Two-Level Block to Back-Fist Strike.

Defender steps forward with right foot, simultaneous right outside-inward block combined with left downward block; right back-fist strike to face.

6. Attack: Right Middle Level Side-Thrust Kick to Body.
Defense: Pressing-Palm Block to Side-Elbow Strike.

Defender steps back with right foot, left outside-inward pressing-palm block; shift to horse stance, slide forward with left side-elbow strike to body.
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 5th Kyu - Green to Purple Belt

 a. Basic Combinations:

1. Front-Snap Kick to Hook Kick to Side-Thrust Kick to Round Kick to Back Kick to Ridge-Hand Strike

From left downward block position, step forward with right leg and execute right middle level snap kick; stepping forward execute left middle level hook kick; stepping forward execute right middle level side-thrust kick; stepping forward execute left middle level round kick; pivoting execute right back kick to the front; drop foot and execute left upper level ridge-hand strike; recover in fighting position and continue.

2. Front Lunge Punch to Jab to Outside-Inward Block to Inside-Outward Block to Sword-hand Block

From left downward block position, step forward with right leg and execute right upper level front lunge punch; step back with right leg and execute left upper level jab; step forward with right leg and execute right outside- inward block; step back with right leg and execute left inside-outward block; step forward with right leg into back stance and execute right sword-hand block. Repeat on other side.

b. One-Step Sparring Techniques: 

Jodan (Upper Level):

1. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: Back-Arm Upper Block to Round Kick.

Defender steps back with right foot, (left foot outside and in front of attacker's right foot), right back-arm upper block; control attacking hand, right round kick to body.

2. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: Outside-Inward Forearm Block to Side-Elbow Strike

Defender steps back with left foot, (right foot opposite and equal to attacker's right foot), right outside-inward forearm block; slide in with right side-elbow strike to body.

Chudan (Middle Level):

3. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body
Defense: Dropping Block to Back-Fist Strike

Defender steps back with left foot, (right foot opposite attacker's right foot), right dropping block with forearm; right back-fist strike to chin.

4. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body
Defense: Rear Hand Sword-Hand Block to Knee Strike.

Defender steps forward with left foot, right (rear) sword-hand block; grab attacker’s hand, right knee strike to body.

Kicks (Mid to Low Level):

5. Attack: Right Rear Side-Thrust Kick to Body
Defense: Leg-Hooking Block to Side-Thrust Kick

Defender uses left leg-hooking block to deflect kick horizontally to the right; without dropping foot deliver left low-level side-thrust kick to knee.

6. Attack: Right Rear Back Kick to Body.
Defense: Rear Hand Hooking Block to Sword-Hand Strike.

Defender steps forward with left foot, rear hand inside-outward hooking block; control kicking leg, left hand outside-inward sword-hand strike to neck (palm down).
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 4th Kyu - Purple to Purple with One Stripe

a. Basic Combinations: 

1. Blitz: Reverse Punch to Straight Punch to Front Lunge Punch.

From left downward block position, shift weight to front (left) leg and execute right upper level reverse punch; without pause bring rear leg forward and begin moving into a right front stance, as right (rear) leg comes even with left leg execute left middle level straight punch; without pause, as right leg moves into front stance execute right upper level front lunge punch.

2. Same Leg: Front-Snap Kick, Round Kick, Side-Thrust Kick, Back Kick

From Yoi (Ready Position) deliver right leg upper-level front-snap kick; without putting foot down execute right middle level front round kick; without putting foot down execute right side-thrust kick to the right; without putting foot down execute right back kick to the rear; recover in Yoi. Repeat with left leg.

b. One-Step Sparring Techniques:

Jodan (Upper Level):

1. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: X-Block to Circular Knife-Hand Strike.

Defender steps back with right foot, (left foot outside of attacker's right foot), rising X-block (left hand in front); control attacking hand with right rear hand, pivot to side horse stance, left circular knife-hand strike from inside outward to front of neck (palm down).

2. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: Inside-Outward Sweeping Block to Straight Punch.

Defender steps back with right foot, right inside-outward sweeping block with simultaneous left straight punch to face.

Chudan (Middle Level):

3. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Outside-Inward Forearm Block to Back-Fist Strike.

Defender steps back with left foot into horse stance, (right foot opposite and inside attacker's right foot) outside-inward forearm block with right hand; right back-fist strike to chin.

4. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Rear Sword-Hand Block to Close Punch.

Defender steps forward with right foot, (right foot past attacker's right foot), rear sword-hand block with left hand; grab attacker's hand and pull in with simultaneous right close (palm up) rising punch to chin.

Kicks (Mid to Lower Level):

5. Attack: Right Rear Middle Level Front Kick to Body.
Defense: Pressing Block with Sole to Round Kick.

Defender uses left pressing block with sole of foot to block kick at shin; without dropping foot, deliver left round kick to side of body.

6. Attack: Right Rear Middle Level Front Kick to Body.
Defense: Scooping Block/Inside-Outward Block to Front Kick to Reverse Punch.

Defender steps back with right foot, right outside-inward scooping block, turning into inside-outward block; right leg front kick to body; left reverse punch to body (Application of Heian Nidan).
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 3rd Kyu - Purple with One Stripe to Brown Belt

a. Basic Combinations:

1. Upper Level Sweeping Sword-hand Block to Front Leg Side-Thrust Kick to Reverse Punch

From left downward block position, step forward with right leg and execute right upper-level sweeping sword-hand block; shift to horse stance and execute right (lead) middle level side-thrust kick; drop foot down into front stance and execute left upper level reverse punch; recover in fighting position and continue.

2. Inside-Outward Block to Front Leg Round Kick to Back Kick

From left downward block position, step forward with right leg into back stance and execute right inside-outward block; without stepping, execute right (lead) middle level front round kick; drop foot, pivot and execute left leg back kick to the front; recover in fighting position and continue.

b. One-Step Sparring Techniques:

Jodan (Upper Level):

1. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: X-Block to Hammer-Fist Strike.

Defender steps back with right foot, (left foot outside of attacker's right foot), rising X-block (left hand in front); control attacking hand with right rear hand (pull back to right), pivot to side horse stance, left hammer-fist strike to body.

2. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: X-Block to Circular Knife-Hand Strike from Outside Inward.

Defender steps back with right foot, (left foot outside of attacker's right foot), rising X-block (left hand in front); control attacking hand with left front hand, right circular knife-hand strike from outside inward to side of neck.

Chudan (Middle Level):

3. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Horizontal Palm-Heel Block to Bent-Wrist Strike.

Defender steps back with left foot, (right foot opposite attacker's right foot), right outside inward horizontal palm-heel block; right bent-wrist strike (thumb up) to chin.

4. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Hand-Pressing Block to Reverse Punch.

Defender steps back and to the left with left foot, (right foot opposite attacker's right foot), right downward hand- pressing block; left reverse punch to chin.

Gedan (Mid to Lower Level):

5. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Outside-Inward Block to Returning Wave Kick.

Defender steps forward with left foot into cat foot stance, left outside-inward block; sweep attacker’s leg with left returning wave kick.

6. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Rear Sword-Hand Block to Returning Wave Kick.

Defender steps forward with left foot into cat foot stance, right inside-outward sword-hand block; grab attacker's shoulder with left hand; sweep attacker’s leg with left returning wave kick.
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 2nd Kyu - Brown to Brown with One Stripe

a. Basic Combinations:

 All previous techniques.

b. One-Step Sparring Techniques:

Jodan:

1. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: Side-Combined Block to Front Kick

Defender steps back with right foot into back-stance, (left foot outside of attacker's right foot), side-combined block (as in Gankaku - left hand in front, right hand pushes punch to outside); control attacking hand with both hands, front (left) leg front-snap kick to body.

2. Attack: Right Upper Level Front Lunge Punch to Face.
Defense: X-Block to Ox-Jaw Hand Strike

Defender steps back with left foot, (right foot opposite attacker's right foot), rising X-block (left hand in front); control attacking hand with left hand, right ox-jaw hand strike (sword-hand form - base of wrist) downward to face.

Chudan:

3. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Wrist-Hook Block to Palm-Heel Strike.

Defender steps back with right foot into shallow sanchin stance, left inside-outward wrist-hook block (palm up); right palm-heel strike to chin.

4. Attack: Right Middle Level Front Lunge Punch to Body.
Defense: Wrist-Hook Block to Palm-Heel Strike with Blocking Hand.

Defender steps back and to the left with left foot, (right foot outside attacker's right foot), right inside-outward wrist-hook block with back of wrist (palm up); right palm-heel strike to chin.

Kicks:

5. Attack: Right Rear Front Kick to Body,
Defense: Two-Handed Scooping Block to Two-Handed Punch to Shin.

Defender steps back with right leg, left hand grabs under ankle, right hand grabs on top of shin; two-handed punch to shin, right hand leading.

6. Attack: Right Rear Front Kick, followed with Right Back-Fist Attack to Head.
Defense: Combined Palm-Heel Block to Side-Elbow Strike.

Defender steps back with right leg, combined palm-heel block to shin, grab attacker's leg and pull back to right side; right leg steps up and past attacker's kicking leg to the outside, shifting to horse stance, right side-elbow strike to side of body.
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1st Kyu - Brown with One Stripe to Brown with Two Stripes

a. Basic Combinations

All previous techniques.

b. One-Step Sparring Techniques:

All previous techniques.

 

1st Dan - Brown with Two Stripes to Black Belt

a. Basic Combinations

All previous techniques.

b. One-Step Sparring Techniques:

All previous techniques.

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8th Kyu-Yellow | 7th Kyu-Blue | 6th Kyu-Green | 5th Kyu-Purple | 4th Kyu-Purple
3rd Kyu-Brown | 2nd Kyu-Brown | 1st Kyu-Brown | 1st Dan-Black
Course Syllabus | Introductory Information | Promotion Requirements | Ten No Kata
Basic Combinations and Sparring Techniques | Self-Defense Techniques | Kata
Karate Uniforms | Japanese Terminology | Suggested Books
COMB 404/405 | Karate Club | About the Instructor | Links  | Karate Main Page | Home