Gyako-Tsuki is the cross punch of Karate. It’s by far one of the most effective and practiced strikes in all Karate styles
and is allowed in pretty much every competion. It uses the hip and the foot movement to generate power, and you can find
(sometimes more evolved) variations of this punch in Boxing and Kickboxing.
Traditional execution:
- Get in Heiko Dachi
- Extend a leg, while rotating the hip and the opposite foot
- Simultaneously, extend the opposite arm, while the other arm performs an hiki-te
- Kiai! at maximum extention (optional)
- While retracting perform another move (e.g: another Gyako-Tsuki)
Kumite execution:
- Get in Kumite no Kamae and bounce a little
- Extend a little the lead leg, while rotating the hip and the opposite foot
- If you are not in a traditional competition, rotate the opposite shoulder too
- Simultaneously, extend the opposite arm, while the other arm protects your face
- 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: