Karate Blocking Techniques – Japanese Terms

“Uke” means block in Japanese, and can be performed with hands, arms, legs and feet.

Karate Blocks

Ashi barai Blocking sweep
Age uke (Jodan uke) Rising block (Upper block)
Chudan suki uke Middle scooping block
Chudan shotei yoko uke Middle level open hand block
Chudan uke Inside circular block
Chudan uchi uke Outside forearm block (Middle Block)
Gedan barai Downward block (Lower block)
Gedan uchi barai Downward block (Fom outside inward)
Haisoku barai Instep block (Inside to outside)
Hiji uke Elbow block
Hiki uke Open hand pulling grasping block
Hiza uchi uke Knee block (Blocking outside to inside)
Hiza soto uke Knee block (Blocking inside to outside)
Kake uke Open hand hooking block
Ko uke Wrist block
Kosa uke Cross block arms crossed at wrist
Mawashi uke Round house block with two hands
Morote uke Reinforced block
Otoshi uke Blocking downward with palm heel
Shotei gedan bari Open hand downward block
Shotei otoshi uke Open hand dropping block
Shotei uke Palm heel block
Shuto uke Knife hand block
Sokutei harai uke Block with sole of the foot (Outside to inside)
Tora guchi Circular double block to gedan and jodan
Uchi uke Inside forearm block
Ura uke Back hand block