Basic Techniques and Philosophy of Isshinryu Karate

Isshinryu's main goal is to perfect of oneself through physical and mental development. As students learn they acquire self-confidence, serenity, and humility. Isshinryu has many advantages over other styles such as:

• Isshinryu stresses "close-in" techniques that are more practical on the street vs. high flashy kicks for example.
• Isshinryu techniques are mostly thrown from natural stances, limiting wasted motion, maintaining stability and giving you split-second advantages over other styles;
• Isshinryu uses a "snap style" that permits you to move quickly, deliver more punches or kicks, and lead naturally into other techniques. e.g. the straight punch has no corkscrew common in other styles. Approximately five Isshinryu punches can be thrown in the time used for one corkscrew punch. The punch also ends in and can be thrown from a middle block.

15 Basic Isshinryu Hand Techniques

1. Straight punch
2. Upper cut
3. Reverse punch
4. Reverse upper cut 
5. Low block/straight punch
6. Middle block/straight punch
7. Open hand block/fingertip strike
8. Open hand upper block/upper cut 
9. Upper block/Straight punch 
10. Upper block/back fist/straight punch
11. Low block/5 straight punches
12. Middle block/5 straight punches
13. Low knife hand strike/knife hand strike
14. Palm heel deflection/ 2 roundhouse punches
15. Step back/elbow strike

 

9 Basic Isshinryu Kicking Techniques

1.  Front snap kick
2. Angle kick
3. Cross over heel stomp
4. Side snap kick
5. Front snap kick from Cat Stance
6. Squat kick
7. Heel Thrust
8. Knee smash
9. Back Kick