I don't know how to explain it so if I just give an example - is Soto Uke an example of Gyaku Kaiten (hip rotation is opposite) and Oi Zuki an example of Jun Kaiten (hip rotation in same direction of punch)?

Soto Uke can be BOTH, Jun Kaiten AND Gyaku Kaiten; depending on the given situation, the way Shindokan teaches it.

Sorry!!

Im really confused. Is it to do with the direction of the turn of the hips? Sorry, I know Im a pest but I need a technique to be clear in my head before I can get to grips with it on the dojo floor.

For the most part, Soto Uke does follow the direction of the hips. In short, the block goes from outside to inside, so does the hips; the hips drive the technique!!

Old subject, but intersting.

As I see it (with example):

Gedan barai, from yoi and turning to the left (beginning of Heian shodan)

From yoi, you twist your body facing left side and extend your right arm (later the hiki-te arm) -your chest is "facing" left side- and then "untwist" your body performing gedan barai with your left arm and turning your hips "towards your back" (like twisting a piece of cloth) -"creating a snap with your hip counter-movement", that is Gyaku Kaiten

From yoi, you "charge" your gedan barai "giving your back" to the opponent and then pushing your technique with the hip in the same direction of the gedan barai, that is Jun-kaiten.

Summarizing:

Hold a bottle with a screwcap. Open that bottle turning both cap and bottle in opposite directions. That's Gyaku kaiten

Hold that same bottle and turn it in the closing direction holding the screwcap. Let inertia close the cap and let the cap follow. That is Jun Kaiten

Hope it helps

Edited June 17, 20188 yr by barefoot-kohai

Great explaination! Thanks.