Soto Uke
外受け
Literally: outside block
Also known as: Outside forearm block
A forearm block led from outside inward against attacks on the torso; in Goju-ryu the same motion is named the opposite way, uchi uke.
Quick Facts
⚠️ Common Mistakes
The power is often generated by the arm alone instead of the hip rotation, which weakens the block.
💡 Key Tip
Catch the attack with the outer edge of the forearm and finish the motion slightly past the body's centerline.
Katas containing this technique
About
Soto uke (外受け), literally outside block, is a block with the forearm led from outside inward. According to Karate Philosophy, the arm rises to ear height and, swinging from outside inward, catches the attack with the outer edge of the forearm, finishing slightly past the body's centerline. It blocks middle-level attacks: straight and circular punches and side kicks to the torso. The same source notes Goju-ryu uses the identical motion under the opposite name, uchi uke. In the Shotokan kata Bassai Dai (JKA listing) it is movements 4 and 6.