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Hikite (Pulling Hand) Usage

Wastelander

By Wastelander
in Karate

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How do you approach hikite (pulling hand) usage?  

8 members have voted

  1. 1. How is hikite used in your training?

    • Use it for power generation (structural concept/tradition)
      3
    • Use it to "set up" or "prepare" for techniques (structural concept/tradition)
      2
    • Use it as a chamber in kihon and kata, but don't apply it combatively (tradition)
      2
    • Use it for beginners, but drop it as students progress (tradition/modernization)
      0
    • Use it for pulling part of the opponent (combative)
      6
    • Use it for pulling hand free of entanglements (combative)
      2
    • Use it to elbow strike to the rear (combative)
      2

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Wastelander Black Belt

Wastelander

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On 12/1/2025 at 4:22 PM, aurik said:

This got me thinking quite a bit -- we don't frequently pull hikite in Uechi-Ryu.  For example, our kata generally start with the hands in a guard position, we chamber the strike, execute the strike, and then return to the guard position.  We do pull hikite in some of our two-person drills, when we execute a sequence of strikes.  However, it's sufficiently uncommon that we don't explain the "why"; we just do it.

However, in thinking about the reasons you posted, several of them come to mind -- specifically the grabbing and pulling your opponent, and also activating the hips.  IMO these both go hand in hand for us.  We are taught that when we receive a strike, we should grab it, pull it (to disrupt the opponent), and this also activates the hips to prime the counterstrike.

I have noticed that Uechi-Ryu tends to do a lot of isolation gripping, where they grab onto something and hold it in place, rather than pulling it. In that context, I think it makes sense to use hikite as a way of freeing up your hand to strike with it.

KishimotoDi | 2014-Present | Sensei: Ulf Karlsson

Shorin-Ryu/Shinkoten Karate | 2010-Present: Yondan, Renshi | Sensei: Richard Poage (RIP), Jeff Allred (RIP)

Shuri-Ryu | 2006-2010: Sankyu | Sensei: Joey Johnston, Joe Walker (RIP)

Judo | 2007-2010: Gokyu | Sensei: Joe Walker (RIP), Ramon Rivera (RIP), Adrian Rivera

Illinois Practical Karate | International Neoclassical Karate Kobudo Society

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