Karate Knife Hand Block (Shuto-uke)
Quick Information
Category
Combat Sports
Difficulty
Intermediate
Equipment
None
Primary muscle group
Deltoids, Triceps Brachii, Obliques
Secondary muscle groups
Latissimus Dorsi, Gluteals, Quadriceps
Movement pattern
Outward Block
Training goal
Skill Acquisition
Sport
Karate, Kickboxing, General Athletic Development
Overview
Purpose. Deflect an attack outwards with an open hand, leaving the hand ready to grab or to strike.
How it fits the system. The open-hand block of the karate material in the Combat Sports section. Related work in the library: Karate Rising Block and Karate Kihon Combination Drill.
Primary muscles
Deltoids, Triceps Brachii, Obliques
Secondary muscles
Latissimus Dorsi, Gluteals, Quadriceps
Movement pattern
Outward Block
Equipment
None
Difficulty
Intermediate
How to Perform
- Adopt a back stance with most of the weight on the rear leg.
- Bring the blocking hand across near the opposite ear with the fingers extended and together.
- Cut outwards and slightly downwards with the little-finger edge leading, finishing in front of the shoulder.
- Bring the other open hand to the solar plexus with the palm up.
Coaching Cues
- “Fingers together, thumb tucked.”
- “Cut outwards, not sideways across the body.”
- “The other hand guards the centre.”
Common Mistakes
- Spreading the fingers, which risks injury and weakens the hand structure.
- Blocking with the palm rather than the little-finger edge.
Progressions & Regressions
Progressions
Add it while stepping, then against a partner’s strike, then convert the block into a grab.
Regressions
Practise the hand shape and the cutting path slowly with no stance change.
When to Use It
When to use
Kihon practice, line drills and kumite preparation.
When not to use
Wrist, elbow or shoulder injury.
Programming
3–5 sets of 10–20 repetitions per side with full extension and full retraction.
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