Karate: Positions

Now, you must know the various hand positions used in karate. It is an important skill to acquire because, in karate, the hands are always being used.

Enshin

The open hands (shuto-like) are used instead of the fists, which are usually used in kumite.

Morote

The fists are on the central line, so that the opponent's fist cannot squeeze in-between. The hands are on the same line or almost on the same line.

Ruhen

One hand is on top of another. Very often, this position is used to confused an opponent. For example, the hands can rotate, so that the upper hand goes down and vice versa. This kind of hand movement is also efficient in a close fight, where hands do not have a lot of sped and can easily be trapped.

Birin

One hand is forming a ''spree'', while the other is covering the elbow from below. You often see this when people change from one position to another.

Maeba

The hands are open, and the over-all motion is forward. It can used to push back an opponent (or his leg doing the jodan mavashi geri).