Yoko-Tsuki is the side punch of Karate. Sometimes found in kata, it’s more of an exercise than an actual punch: not only you don’t have any force besides the one of your arm, but actually the shoulders restrain you making the punch weaker than a Choku-Tsuki.

Traditional execution:

• Get in Kiba Dachi
• Close your fists and extend your arm in one diretion or another
• Simultaneously, rotate your head to the extended arm and perform an hiki-te with the other
• Kiai! at maximum extention (optional)
• While retracting perform another move (e.g: another Yoko-Tsuki)

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

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

Video examples:

• Karate by Shihan Shaswat Kumar (YOKO TSUKI)