Shotokan: Gankaku

  • Natural Stance.
  • Cross the arms in front of the body.
  • To the starting position (YOI).
  • Step back with the right foot and move both open hands to the right.
  • Land in a right back stance and perform a side combined block to the left side at face level. The backs of the hands are pressed together with the right palm on the outside. Fast.
  • Rotate the right hand in and around the left hand, until the palms are facing.
  • With the left hand on top, press both hands downward in a continuous movement.
  • And perform a left straight punch pulling the right fist back to the hip. Fast.
  • Perform a right reverse punch to the middle area. Fast.
  • Swing the right foot forward and around to the right, Pivoting on the left foot.
  • Turn 180 degrees around to the left and simultaneously raise the right foot and the right arm.
  • Perform a stamping kick as you land in a straddle-leg stance and a simultaneous right downward sweeping block. Fast.
  • Turn 180 degrees around to the left and step to the left with the left foot.
  • Land in a left front stance and perform a high cross block hands open. Fast.
  • Pull the arms down to chest height closing the hand into fists. Slow.
  • Leap into the air and perform a right jumping front kick.
  • As the right foot snaps back.
  • Perform a left jumping front kick. Fast.
  • Both feet landing on the floor and both arms – with the wrists still pressed together – are pulled back to the right side.
  • And upon landing in a left front stance, perform a low cross block to the front. Fast.
  • Turn 180 degrees around to the right and step the left foot around to the right whilst simultaneously pulling the crossed arms back to the right side.
  • Continue stepping the left foot forward.
  • Land in a left front stance and perform another low cross block. Fast.
  • Turn 180 degrees to the right and stepping the right foot to the right, cross the right arm over the left arm.
  • Land in a left back stance and perform a right downward block – the left arm makes the same motion and finishes across the body as shown, the back of the fist pointing downwards. Fast.
  • Step the left foot forward crossing the left arm over the right and opening both hands.
  • Land in a right back stance, and perform a left open hand downward block – the right open hand makes the same motion and finishes as shown. Fast.
  • Step the right foot forward crossing the arms – hands still open – in front of the body.
  • Land in a right front stance and perform a wedge block with both arms. Slow.
  • Look 90 degrees to the left and step the left foot back in line with the right foot, crossing the arms – hands open – in front of the body.
  • Land in a straddle-leg stance and perform a reverse wedge block with both arms, hands open, palms up. Slow.
  • Slightly move the left foot in towards the right and whilst raising the body up, cross the arms above the head.
  • Look 90 degrees over the left shoulder and lower both arms out to the sides. Slow.
  • Step to the left with the left foot whilst crossing the left arm over the right arm.
  • Land in a right back stance and perform a simultaneous left downward block and right high inside block, which finishes behind the head. Fast.
  • Step forward with the right foot and cross the right arm over the left arm.
  • Land in a left back stance and perform a simultaneous right downward block and a left high inside block. Fast.
  • Turn 360 degrees around to the left, step back and around with the left foot, whilst crossing the left arm over the right arm.
  • Land in a right back stance and perform a simultaneous left downward block and a right high inside block. Fast.
  • Look 90 degrees to the right and move the right foot behind the left, pulling both fists back to the side.
  • Dropping the body down as shown, perform a low cross block. Fast.
  • Step to the right with the right foot, crossing the arms in front of the body.
  • Land in a straddle-leg stance and perform a reverse wedge block with both arms. Slow.
  • Slightly move the right foot in toward the left and raising the body up, cross the arms above your head.
  • Lower both arms out to the sides. Slow.
  • Place both fists – knuckles inward – on the hips, pointing the elbows out to the sides.
  • Pivot the feet and body to the left (like a left front stance) without moving the head and performing a right elbow block. Fast.
  • Then pivot the feet and body to the right and perform a left elbow block. Fast.
  • Turn 180 degrees to the right and move the left foot in behind the right, whilst crossing the arms in front of the body.
  • Land in a crossed stance and perform a reverse wedge block with both arms.
  • Look 90 degrees to the left and cross the left arm over the right arm.
  • Lift the left foot up until it rests on and behind the right knee and as the body rises up perform a simultaneous left downward block and a right high inside block. Slow.
  • In a big motion bring the left arm over and down.
  • To rest on top of the right fist which is pulled back to the side. Slow.
  • Perform a simultaneous left side snap kick and a left back fist strike to the side. Fast.
  • Return the left foot to the right knee.
  • Move the left foot down, keeping the left arm extended.
  • Step forward with the right foot into a right stance and perform a right stepping punch. Fast.
  • Draw the right foot back and cross the right arm over the left arm.
  • Place the right foot behind the left knee and perform a simultaneous right downward block and a left high inside block. Slow.
  • In a big motion bring the right arm over and down.
  • To rest on top of the left fist, which is pulled back to the side. Slow.
  • Perform a simultaneous side snap kick and a right back fist strike. Fast.
  • Return the right foot to the left knee.
  • Step down into a straddle-leg stance and pulling the right fist back to the side perform a left reverse punch. Fast.
  • Look 180 degrees to the left and move the left foot back to the right, crossing the left arm over the right arm.
  • Place the left foot behind the right knee and perform a simultaneous left downward block and a right high inside block. Slow.
  • In a big motion bring the left arm over and down.
  • To rest on top of the right fist which is pulled back to the side. Slow.
  • Perform a simultaneous left side snap kick and a left back fist strike. Fast.
  • Return the left foot to the right knee.
  • Step down into a straddle-leg stance and perform a right reverse punch. Fast.
  • Look 180 degrees to the right, and step to the right with the right foot.
  • Land in a right front stance and perform a right knife-hand strike or block to the upper level. Fast.
  • Perform a left rising elbow strike into the palm of the right hand. Fast.
  • Pull both hands back to the left hip – the left hand is open and the right fist is pressed into it. Fast.
  • Perform a high cross block – hands open – begin to turn the body to the right.
  • Turn 180 degrees around to the right, pivoting on the right foot, bring the left foot forward and around to the right and place the left foot behind the right knee.
  • Bring the arms down as shown with the left fist resting on top of the right fist.
  • Perform a simultaneous left side snap kick and a left back fist strike. Fast.
  • Return the left foot to the right knee.
  • Put the left foot down, keeping the left arm extended.
  • Step forward with the right foot into a right front stance and perform a right stepping punch. Fast.
  • Turn 180 degrees around to the left and moving the left foot around to the left.
  • Cross both arms over the head and.
  • Return to Natural Stance, the finishing position. (YAME).

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