Philosophy behind head punches in Shotokan?

[chrissyp]

I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on why in kumite, the only strikes allowed to the head are backfist, reverse punch, and ridge hand? What's the philosophy behind only using these strikes?

[Wastelander]

I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on why in kumite, the only strikes allowed to the head are backfist, reverse punch, and ridge hand? What's the philosophy behind only using these strikes?

I don't know the original intention behind those being the only allowable strikes--I'm not a Shotokan practitioner, and so I'm not familiar with the details of its history. What I can say is that those strikes are much harder to land than, say, a jab. More difficult to land = safer competition.

[cheesefrysamurai]

I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on why in kumite, the only strikes allowed to the head are backfist, reverse punch, and ridge hand? What's the philosophy behind only using these strikes?

I don't know the original intention behind those being the only allowable strikes--I'm not a Shotokan practitioner, and so I'm not familiar with the details of its history. What I can say is that those strikes are much harder to land than, say, a jab. More difficult to land = safer competition.

Good Thinking!

[sensei8]

Huh? There are tournaments, nowadays, that limit hand techniques to the head? Modern times are strange, to me.

In my tournament days, I believe that those are used THE MOST in competitions. Each of these waza's are the bread and butter of tournament competitions and the like. Imho, they're the easiest waza's to launch off towards said targets. I've used them each with great success, and of them all, the reverse punch is money across the board. What helps is that one's got the speed to pull them off!!

More difficult to land? Depends on the practitioner, imho.

[Shizentai]

I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on why in kumite, the only strikes allowed to the head are backfist, reverse punch, and ridge hand? What's the philosophy behind only using these strikes?

As a modern Shotokan competitior, I have never fought in a tournament with these particular rules. My impression is that both JKA and ISKF allow the following hand strikes to the head:

- yoko-uraken (side backfist)

- tatte-uraken (verticle backfist)

- gyakuzuki (reverse punch)

- haito uchi (ridge hand strike)

- shuto (I don't know this in English, it's just shuto to me)

- oi-zuki (stepping in punch)

- kizami zuki (jab)

Those in bold I notice are very popular

Bold and underlined denotes able to generate relatively more power mechanically, so more likely to score a point (hence popularity)

Often a weaker technique can be used as a distraction or lead into a more powerful follow-up technique. I don't know if I could compete in a tournament where I was outright not allowed to use my front hand for striking.

[Harkon72]

Kayokoshin don't allow punches to the head; I form a vertical fist with contact with seiken for a long fist head shot; then again Short range; a flurry of wing chun style sun fists don't go amiss.

[wagnerk]

Funny, haven't heard of this either. When I use to train in Shotokan karate 10-12 years ago, we use to train (with control) strikes to the head including jabs (kizami zuki) and these were allowed in competitions as well.

I don't know, maybe signs of change for a more safe approach??? That would be the only reason I can think of for reducing/stopping certain techniques...

[chrissyp]

Funny, haven't heard of this either. When I use to train in Shotokan karate 10-12 years ago, we use to train (with control) strikes to the head including jabs (kizami zuki) and these were allowed in competitions as well.

I don't know, maybe signs of change for a more safe approach??? That would be the only reason I can think of for reducing/stopping certain techniques...

Prehapse it's just my school? I'll double check, but Id like the idea of being able to throw more hand techniques to the head, makes it more realistic.

[Shizentai]

Funny, haven't heard of this either. When I use to train in Shotokan karate 10-12 years ago, we use to train (with control) strikes to the head including jabs (kizami zuki) and these were allowed in competitions as well.

I don't know, maybe signs of change for a more safe approach??? That would be the only reason I can think of for reducing/stopping certain techniques...

Prehapse it's just my school? I'll double check, but Id like the idea of being able to throw more hand techniques to the head, makes it more realistic.

I will say this, sometimes when we have more beginner competitors, I've heard judges tell both sides to use basic techniques. Could it possibly be a case of this?

[sensei8]

Funny, haven't heard of this either. When I use to train in Shotokan karate 10-12 years ago, we use to train (with control) strikes to the head including jabs (kizami zuki) and these were allowed in competitions as well.

I don't know, maybe signs of change for a more safe approach??? That would be the only reason I can think of for reducing/stopping certain techniques...

Prehapse it's just my school? I'll double check, but Id like the idea of being able to throw more hand techniques to the head, makes it more realistic.

I will say this, sometimes when we have more beginner competitors, I've heard judges tell both sides to use basic techniques. Could it possibly be a case of this?

I concur with this, as well!!