Age-Tsuki is the rear uppercut punch of Karate. Compared to a boxing rear uppercut, it’s identical except for the fact that it lacks shoulder movement. Great in full-contact and self defense, its spread among sport karate is very limited (in my experience).
Traditional execution:
- Get in Heiko Dachi
- Perform an hiki-te with one arm, then make a one meter step with the parallel leg
- Simultaneously transition from the hiki-te to an inverse punch with an angle of 120° while rotating the rear foot and perform an hiki-te with the other arm
- Kiai! at maximum extention (optional)
- While retracting perform another move (e.g: another Age-Tsuki)
Kumite execution:
- Get in Kumite no Kamae and bounce a little
- Extend a little the lead leg, shift your weight on it, bend your arm by 90° and make it go up twisting your rear foot until you are back in guard
- Simultaneously protect your face with the other hand
- Kiai! if you are competing in point sparring
Where to use (✅ - Use; ❌ - Don’t use; 🟨 - Last resource):
- Sport Kumite: ❌
- Full-Contact Kumite: ✅
- Self-Defense: ✅
Video examples: