Mawashi-Hiji-Uchi is the forward elbow of Karate. It gets its power from the hip and foot movement and from the hardness of the elbow. Elbow strikes are banned in sport Kumite and often in full-contact Kumite. However, it’s a great strike and it’s useful in close-distance self defense situations.
Traditional execution:
- Get in Heiko Dachi
- Raise an arm with the elbow down and the hand up
- Rotate your hip and twist the opposite foot
- Meanwhile, hit by raising the elbow at the same level of the hand
- At the same time, perform an hiki-te with your other hand
- Kiai! at maximum extention (optional)
- While retracting perform another move (e.g: another Mae-Hiji-Uchi)
Kumite execution:
- Get in Kumite no Kamae and bounce a little
- Raise an arm with the elbow down and the hand up
- Rotate your hip and shoulders and twist the opposite foot
- Meanwhile, hit by raising the elbow at the same level of the hand
- Kiai! if you are competing in point sparring
Where to use (✅ - Use; ❌ - Don’t use; 🟨 - Last resource):
- Sport Kumite: ❌
- Full-Contact Kumite: ✅ (if allowed)
- Self-Defense: ✅
Video examples: