Ushiro Empi Ate
Literally: backward elbow strike
Also known as: Ushiro Empi, Ushiro Enpi
An elbow strike driven straight backward by hip rotation, against an opponent behind or to break free from a rear hold; it is in Heian Sandan.
Quick Facts
Katas containing this technique
About
Ushiro empi ate, also ushiro empi or ushiro enpi, is a rearward elbow strike against an opponent standing or holding behind the practitioner. It serves to break free from a rear hold and to counter when an opponent unexpectedly closes in from behind. From shizentai, the practitioner pivots on the front foot's ball and, with a sharp torso rotation, drives the elbow straight backward; the other hand usually pulls the imagined opponent closer or guards the front. Power comes from the sudden hip and torso rotation. Of the four basic elbow strikes, only this one goes straight backward: age empi upward, mawashi empi in an arc, yoko empi to the side. In the Shotokan kata Heian Sandan (JKA numbering) it is the 19th and 20th movement.