Ippon-Ken-Tsuki is the single knuckle punch of Karate. Instead of punching with the standard top two knuckles (Sei-Ken) you punch with just the first middle knucle. Attempting this punch should come with mastery of it and extensive conditioning to avoid injury. In sport Kumite is pointless (there are gloves), but in full-contact it may come very useful when targeting soft spots (e.g.: solar plexus), but the risk of injury it’s significant. In self defense stick to your Sei-Ken punches.

Traditional execution:

• To obtain the Ippon-Ken variant, perform any punch you want by extending the index’s middle knuckle

Variations:

• A variation exists where you extend the middle’s middle knuckle instead of the index one (Nakadaka-Ippon-Ken-Tsuki)

Where to use (✅ - Use; ❌ - Don’t use; 🟨 - Last resource):

• Sport Kumite: ❌
• Full-Contact Kumite: 🟨
• Self-Defense: ❌

Video examples:

• Karate Moves | IPPON KEN TSUKI - ONE KNUCKLE PUNCH
• _Karate Moves | NAKADAKA IPPON KEN TSUKI - MIDDLE KNUCKLE PUNCH