KarateTips Articles

"Claim your FREE subscription to my
"KarateTips" newsletter
(a $69.95 value,
yours free!)...

Simply enter your name and your primary e-mail address above and you will be subscribed INSTANTLY!

You'll get access to the backlog of 40+ articles for improving your
karate skills!"

Important: I will never share your contact information with anyone. And you can unsubscribe at any time!
Privacy policy
karate kumite

-- Testimonials --
"I like your web site. Since I am a traditional Martial Artist it is nice to see the content... I think your web site is great for the beginner in martial arts and any new competitor to traditional Karate tournaments who wishes to improve. I hope you keep it up."

- Rodger Pyle
USANKF Team Coach
-----
"From the beginner to Dan level in the martial arts who wants to improve; will find the information and the drills to sharpen their kumite capabilities. Jason, I have used your drills in both kids and adult classes with GREAT results at my dojo! Keep up the competent & comprehensive work!"
- Frank Thomas Yondan Member of the American Shotokan Karate Alliance
-----
"I'd say instead of winning 3 of 10 against the higher ranks it went up to 7 and maybe 8 out of 10. I was always trying different things that you suggested and I can honestly say that 9 out of 10 times it worked."

- Vernon Walker Orange Belt, Kenpo Karate Ohio, USA
-----
"I felt that there was something else needed to give me the edge over the higher grades at my dojos, after reading and putting into practice the basics and some of the more technical aspects, I have found that my point scoring and concept of the art of Kumite has increased by around 40%."
- Kevin Baker 4th Kyu, Go Kan Ryu Perth, Western Australia
-----
"We have just finished yesterday hosting a big tournament and results were excellent. All Kumite divisions were won by members of my Team, you have a part in that - thank you... We are on our way..."
- Nir Yaeger WKF Team Coach for JKS Israel Yondan JKA

"How To Use Your Makiwara!"

From: Jason Stanley, 3rd Dan Shitoryu
1st September, 2003

In part one I showed you how you can build your very own makiwara. Since the time of building my makiwara I have much to tell you.

I have always been a big advocate for impact training for helping students learn how to hit effectively. Over the years I have used many different tools on a regular basis to develop my punches and kicks, but never seriously used a makiwara until a few months ago. Some of these other tools include impact pads, punch/kick bags, focus mitts, ceiling to floor ball, speed ball and more. However after punching my makiwara for a good six months on a daily basis, I can give you some first hand advice of how to hit your makiwara correctly.

Most days I would punch at least 40 - 50 times with both sides of the body. Other days this number would exceed 100 depending on the circumstances, such as how good I felt, what conditions my hands were in, injuries, etc.

In the months since I've had my makiwara, I've sustained only one injury from striking the pad. The injury that I incurred was the resurgence of an old injury - inflammation of my "pinky" finger on my left hand. Yes it was painful and it's still healing. The makiwara is not to blame for this injury - I am as I struck incorrectly. However this could have easily occurred from hitting my punch bag instead.

Anyhow this article isn't supposed to stop you from hitting your makiwara. In fact I would like to recommend building your own and recommend that you punch it on a regular basis to develop your technique and focus.

One of the real incentives to hit your makiwara correctly is that if you build it like I built mine, the striking pad is relatively small. This means if you punch slightly off-line you can damage your hand easily. This is a very good incentive to take your time and ensure you are punching straight.

Striking a punching bag incorrectly and you can also damage your hands, however the makiwara seems to be a little more unforgiving as your hand can hit the square edge of the target surface.

Secondly, there is no protection on your hands like when using gloves on a punch bag so there is a little more risk when upping the ante and hitting with everything you've got. If you hit the edge... ouch.

I practiced 3 basic techniques during my time on the makiwara. I have listed these below and included some photos for you so you can get a good visual image to assist with the explanations.

Technique # 1 - Mae Ken Zuki - Front hand punch
	When punching mae ken zuki, make sure that you line up directly with the makiwara. Ensure that your punch is going directly to the impact point and that you get your weight behind your technique. Your sensei will teach you how they want you to punch mae ken zuki, however you'll find that rotating your front hip back a inch or two and then driving it forward, you will generate a lot more power than just using your arm. As with all technique, be sure to have a good connection with the ground! This means have a nice strong stance from which you strike.

Technique # 2 - Gyaku zuki - Reverse punch

Gyaku zuki is generally the most common punch practiced on the makiwara. When striking any object make sure that your arm is locked at the point of impact create maximum penetration into the target. Weak wrists and sloppy stances will lead to ineffective punches, injury and frustration. I find that by rotating the wrist to the 3/4 turn position I'm less likely to "roll" my wrist at the point of impact plus my punch is stronger due to better alignment of the bones and less restrictive tension in the muscles in the forearm.
Technique # 3 - Shuto uchi - Knife hand strike
	Shuto uchi is another strike that you can easily practice on your makiwara. It's a good one because it's a little different to regular straight punches. Circular movement and striking with the edge of the hand gives you a whole other technical application to work on. Be sure that you are striking with the edge of your hand and not with your fingers. Also it's very important to create tension by flexing your hand open at the point of impact to stop it from collapsing and so you can create more impact.
In closing... I have found that makiwara training has been an excellent addition to my routine. So long as you take the time to learn how to hit correctly before you cut loose on your makiwara, the risk of injury should be minimal and the benefits greatly outweigh the risk. You might be wondering if I dressed up in my gi everyday before I hit my makiwara? The answer is no... that was just for the article. That's the great thing about having a makiwara at home. You can hit it whenever you want and you don't require any other equipment or a training partner. Finally you might have noticed in this article I've been talking in the past tense when referring to my makiwara... yes, sad news. My makiwara gave up the ghost this week during a heavy punching session.

Jason Stanley
www.karatetips.com

What if you could hit twice as hard as what you can now?

There are dozens of individual aspects that make a strong punch and each need to be maximized in order to have the strongest punch possible.

But what if I could show you ONE aspect right now that could improve the impact of your punch by up to 100%? Would you like that? Over 90% of people aren't doing it, and I'm not just talking about beginners!

This modification to your existing technique is easy to do and you can see real results within a week.

Click here to learn more

Subscribe to the KarateTips Newsletter and receive tons of "how to" articles, tips and information valued at $69.95 yours FREE!

You'll even receive a special ebook, "5 Dynamite Drills" for your immediate download when you join the newsletter list.