This is a list of techniques practiced in the Shotokan style of karate.
Stances (Tachi Kata) Heisoku Dachi: formal attention stance Musubi Dachi: informal attention stance, both heels touching and feet at 45° angle Heiko Dachi: parallel attention stance (e.g. in the kata Kanku Dai) Hachiji Dachi: outward feet stance Uchi Hachiji Dachi: inward feet stance; reverse of hachiji Dachi Iaigoshi Dachi: kneeling stance (e.g. in the kata Enpi) Fudo Dachi: rooted stance (e.g. in the kata Bassai Dai) Hangetsu Dachi: half-moon stance (e.g. in the kata Hangetsu) Kiba Dachi: horse stance/side stance (e.g. in the Tekki katas) Kokutsu Dachi: back stance (in almost all Shotokan katas; usually first learned in Heian Shodan) Kosa Dachi: cross-legged stance (e.g. in the kata Heian Yondan) Neko ashi Dachi: cat stance (e.g. in the kata Bassai Sho) Mitsurin Dachi: jungle stance Renoji Dachi: stance in which the feet form the shape of the Japanese katakana “レ” when seen from above, or relaxed stance (e.g. in the kata Kanku Dai) Teiji Dachi: t-stance Sanchin Dachi: hourglass stance (e.g. in the kata Sanchin) Katashi Dachi: crane-like stance (e.g. in the kata Enpi) Sagi Ashi Dachi: heron stance (e.g. in the kata Jitte) Gankaku Dachi: crane stance (e.g. in the kata Gankaku) Tsuru Ashi Dachi: hanging leg stance Zenkutsu Dachi: front stance Yoi Dachi (usually called Yoi): basic stance/Ready position Yoi Dachi is Heiko Dachi with the hands out in a ready position. Yama Dachi: mountain stance (e.g. in the kata Jitte) Sochin Dachi: high-low blocking rooted stance Shizen tai: natural stance
Preparatory positions
koshi gamae: hip preparatory position
ryoken koshi gamae: double hip preparatory position (e.g. in the kata, Heian sandan) morote koko gamae: double handed preparatory position (e.g. in the kata, Enpi)
“Reception” techniques (uke-waza) Blocks
Using the arms
age-uke: rising block
empi uke: elbow block (e.g. in the kata, Heian sandan) gedan barai: sweeping low block gedan morote barai: double sweeping low block (usually while going into kiba Dachi) haiwan uke: square side block (e.g. in the kata, Heian nidan) gedan juji uke: downward x block jodan juji uke: upward x block kaisho age uke: open-palm rising block kaisho haiwan uke: knife-hand square side block (e.g. in the kata, Heian yondan) kaisho juji uke: open-palm x block (e.g. in the kata, Heian godan) kakiwake uke: floating x block (e.g. in the kata, Heian yondan) morote uke: double forearm block (e.g. in the kata, Heian sandan) nagashi uke: rising palm sweep block (e.g. in the kata, Tekki shodan) osae uke: palm block otoshi uke: dropping forearm block shuto age uke: rising knife-hand block shuto gedan barai: knife-hand sweeping low block shuto uke: knife hand block shuto mawashi uke (roundhouse block with knife-hand) soto uke (外受け): outside forearm block morote sukui uke: scooping block tate shuto uke: half knife-hand block Te osae uke: dropping palm block Uchi ude uke (内腕受け)/ uchi uke (内受け): inside forearm block Gyako uchi uke: reverse outside mid-level (e.g. in the kata, Heian nidan) Ude barai: reverse sweeping forearm block Heo Tsukami: hair grab (e.g. in the kata, Enpi) Ushiro gedan barai: back low sweeping block (e.g. in the kata, Enpi) Teisho uke: palm heel block Chudan soete uke: added hand inside block (e.g. in the kata, Bassai Dai) Tsuki uke: punching block Morote Tsukami uke: augmented grabbing/throwing block Mawashi uke: roundhouse or circle block (e.g. in the kata, Unsu) Haishu uke: backhand block (e.g. in the kata, Heian godan) Kosa uke (also known as joge uke): cross block (e.g. in the kata, Heian sandan) Teisho awase uke: hands together block (e.g. in the kata, Gankaku) Zenwan uke: forearm block Gedan kaki uke: downward hook block Joge kaki uke: up & down hook block (e.g. in the kata, Enpi) manji uke: "manji (卍)"-shaped block
Using the legs
Ashikubi Kake Uke: hooking ankle block
Mika Zuki Geri Uke: crescent kick block (e.g. in the kata, Heian sandan) Nami Ashi, a.k.a. Nami Gaeshi: leg snapping wave block (e.g. in the kata, Tekki shodan) Sokutei Osae Uke: pressing sole block Sokuto Osae Uke: pressing footedge block