In the last blog, we looked at the application of blocks using stances. In this one, let's look at the application of punches using stances. If you’ve read the previous blogs, you would be familiar with the basic punches in Karate, namely the Forward/Mid-level punch, Upward/Face-level punch, and the Downward/Groin-level punch.

These punches are practiced in a Horse Stance for improving accuracy and form. The Karateka assumes the horse stance and holds both his palms in a fist, with the fist facing upward and the elbows protruding backwards. He then starts with the punches, generally beginning with the left hand. For the second punch, while the right hand moves to punch, the left hand is retracted to its original position with a "pull back" while the right hand completes the punch. All the punches and their combinations can be practiced in this form.

The above punches are also used in a Forward Stance while attacking the opponent. When the Karateka is in a forward stance and moving forward, the Karateka strikes the opponent with the appropriate punch. The punch can be on the leading or the reverse foot. It can be a combination of variety plus multiple punches. It can be performed moving forward or moving backward depending on the type of attack the Karateka wants to unleash.

These combinations of punches using forward stance with forward and backward movements are used in Kihon, Kata and in Kumite practice. They form the basis of most of the attack/offensive movements used in Karate Practice.

Now you know a little more about Karate and can put it to practice along with all the other things that you learnt in the previous blogs. The next post will be on Combinations of Punches and Blocks using Stances.