A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

SAGI ASHI DACHI
One Leg Stance. Also referred to as GANKAKU DACHI or TSURU ASHI DACHI.

SAI
An Okinawan weapon that is shaped like the Greek letter 'Psi' with the middle being much longer.

SANBON KUMITE
Three Step Sparring.

SANBON SHOBU
Three Point match. Used in tournaments.

SANCHIN DACHI
Hour-glass Stance.

SASHITE
Raising of the hand either to strike, grab, or block.

SEIKEN
Forefist.

SEIRYUTO
Bull Strike. A hand technique delivered with the base of the SHUTO (Knife hand).

SEIZA
A proper sitting position. Sitting on one's knees. Sitting this way requires acclimatization, but provides both a stable base and greater ease of movement than sitting cross-legged. It is used for the formal opening and closing of the class.

SEMPAI
A senior student.

SEN NO SEN
Attacking at the exact moment when the opponent attacks.

SEN SEN NO SEN
Attacking before the opponent attacks. Pre-emptive attack.

SENSEI
Teacher. It is usually considered proper to address the instructor during practice as "Sensei" rather than by his/her name. If the instructor is a permanent instructor for one's DOJO or for an organization, it is proper to address him/her as "Sensei" off the mat as well.

SHIAI
A match or a contest (Event).

SHIDOIN
Formally recognized Instructor who has not yet be recognized as a SENSEI. Assistant Instructor.

SHIHAN
A formal title meaning, approximately, "master instructor." A "teacher of teachers." Hanshi is "wise" or sage-like, hence the common translation of "master." Shinan may be an alternative pronunciation.

SHIKKAKU
"Disqualification." This is a disqualification from the actual tournament, competition, or match. The opponent's score is raised to SANBON. In order to define the limit of SHIKKAKU, the Referee Council must be consulted. SHIKKAKU may be invoked when a contestant commits an act which harms the prestige and honor of Karate-Do and when other actions are considered to violate the rules of the tournament. Referee uses two hand signals with the announcement "AKA (SHIRO) - SHIKKAKU." He first points with his index to the offender's face then obliquely above and behind him. The Referee will announce with the appropriate gesture as previously given "AKA (SHIRO) NO KACHI!"

SHIKO DACHI
Square Stance. A stance often used in Goju-Ryu and Shito-Ryu.

SHIRO
White

SHIZENTAI
Natural Position. The body remains relaxed but alert.

SHOBU HAJIME
"Start the Extended Bout."

SHOBU SANBON HAJIME
"Start the Bout"

SHOMEN
Front or top of head. Also the designated front of a Dojo.

SHUGO
"Judges Called." The Referee beckons with his arms to the Judges.

SHUTO TE
Same as SHUTO UKE. This name was used before the advent of sport karate. Used to describe one of the techniques in BOGYO ROKU KYODO.

SHUTO UKE
Knife-hand Block.

SOCHIN DACHI
Immovable Stance. Also referred to as FUDO DACHI.

SOKUTO
Edge of foot. This term is often used to refer to the side thrust kick.

SOTO (UDE) UKE
Outside (Forearm) Block.

SOTO YOKO TE
Same as UCHI UDE UKE. This name was used before the advent of sport karate. Used to describe one of the techniques in BOGYO ROKU KYODO.

SUKUI TE
Same as SUKUI UKE. This name was used before the advent of sport karate. Used to describe one of the techniques in BOGYO ROKU KYODO.

SUKUI UKE
Scooping Block.

SUWARI WAZA
Techniques from a sitting position.

TAI SABAKI
Body movement/shifting.

TAIMING GA OSOI
"Not proper timing"

TATE EMPI
Upward Elbow Strike.

TATE URAKEN UCHI
Vertical back-fist attack.

TATE ZUKI
Vertical Punch. A fist punch with the palm along a vertical plane.

TEIJI DACHI
A Stance with the feet in a 'T-shape.'

TEISHO UCHI
Palm Heel Strike.

TEISHO UKE
Palm Heel Block.

TETTSUI UCHI
Hammer Strike. Also called KENTSUI.

TOBI GERI
Jump Kick.

TONFA
A farm tool developed into a weapon by the Okinawans.

TORANAI
"No Point"

TORIMASEN
"Unacceptable as scoring techniques." As HIKIWAKE, but culminating with the palms facing downwards towards body.

TORIMASEN
"Unacceptable as scoring techniques." As HIKIWAKE, but culminating with the palms facing downwards towards body.

TSUKAMI WAZA
Catching technique. A blocking technique by seizing the opponent's weapon, arm, or leg. Used often for grappling techniques.

TSUKAMI WAZA
Catching technique. A blocking technique by seizing the opponent's weapon, arm, or leg. Used often for grappling techniques.

TSUKI
A punch or thrust (esp. an attack to the midsection).

TSURU ASHI DACHI
Crane Stance, also referred to as GANKAKU DACHI and SAGI ASHI DACHI.

TSUZUKETE
"Fight On!" Resumption of fighting ordered when unauthorized interruption occurs.

TSUZUKETE HAJIME
"Resume Fighting - Begin!" Referee standing upon his line, steps back into ZENKUTSU DACHI and brings the palms of this hands toward each other.

TUITE
Grappling skills.

UCHI (UDE) UKE
Inside (Forearm) Block.

UCHI DESHI
A live-in student. A student who lives in a dojo and devotes him/herself both to training and to the maintenence of the dojo (and sometimes to personal service to the SENSEI of the dojo).


UCHI MAWASHI GERI
Inside Roundhouse Kick.

UCHI YOKO TE
Same as SOTO UDE UKE. This name was used before the advent of sport karate. Used to describe one of the techniques in BOGYO ROKU KYODO.

UKE
Block.

UKEMI WAZA
Breakfall techniques.

URA ZUKI
An upper cut punch used at close range.

URAKEN
Back Knuckle.

USHIRO EMPI UCHI
Striking to the rear with the elbow.

USHIRO GERI
Back Kick.