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Gyaku-zuki video tutorial at the bottom of this article
Gyaku-zuki or reverse punch is one of the first moves that a karateka will learn, early on in their karate practice.
This punch is very strong, an advanced karateka combining great technique, kime (focus), timing, body weight and body rotation, can deliver a devastating blow with this karate technique!
There are several ways to practice reverse punch, the basic principles remain the same, the differences come when applying the punch.
When practicing karate kihon, karateka will more often than not, take up a long zenkutsu-dachi (front stance), when practicing kumite (sparring), the stance will be higher and shorter in length.
With a basic reverse punch from front stance, both arms are utilised. So as the punching arm begins it’s forward motion, the hikite (pulling arm) begins it’s pull back. In self defense, this is not a good idea, so for sparring and self defense, regarding the arms, just the punching arm is used.
Kihon (basic) Gyaku-zuki (reverse punch) From Zenkutsu-dachi (front stance)
1. Migi zenkutsu-dachi (right side front stance) . Right arm extended out straight into the tate-shuto (edge of the hand) position and left arm in the hikite position. (see image) Punching gyaku-uki with the left arm. Body and hips are in the hanmi (side facing) position.
2. Drive from the back leg, through the left hip and begin the punch.
3. The left punching arm remains palm up until the elbow loses contact with the body, then start to rotate the left fist and forarm clockwise.
4. At the same time the punching arm starts to drive forward, you also drive the left side of the body forward.
5. When the arm starts to punch and the body starts to rotate, you also drive the hips around and forward.
6. When the arm starts to punch and the body starts to rotate, along with the hips, you also start to pull with the right hikite arm.
7. As the punching arm finishes the rotation, everything else also finishes. The body and hip rotation and the right hikite arm. So your body is in the shomen (Square) position.
8. Try and have an explosive start, but stay relaxed through the movement.
9. Breath out as you punch
10. At the completition of the punch, kime (focus), Tightening the muscles throughout the body for a split second, then immediately relaxing but keeping form.
11. Try not to push the right front knee out as you punch. What should happen is the front knee should come inwards slightly as you tighten the front legs inner thigh (controversial:))
12. As in the video you can then snap back to the starting position, with the body once again, in the hanmi (side facing) position.
13. IMPORTANT When striking fast, remember to hit with intent!
Self Defense Gyaku-zuki
The stance is higher, no use of the hikite pulling arm, unless you are using it to control your opponent (very effective), but all the basic fundementals apply, as above.
Gyaku-zuki Tip
There are three different strikes within the one punch (refer to the gyaku-zuki video above).
1. Ura-zuki (upper cut/dig)
2. Tate-zuki (vertical punch) and finally
3. (Gyaku-zuki reverse punch)
