Uke-waza
受け技
A group of blocks in karate, literally “receiving techniques”. It includes age-uke, soto-uke, uchi-uke and gedan-barai, which lacks the word uke in its name.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Uke-waza (受け技) literally means “receiving techniques”: uke from the verb ukeru, to receive, and waza, technique. In karate it collectively denotes blocks. The same root is in uke, the partner who receives a technique, and ukemi, the art of falling. The basic blocks include age-uke, an upward block against an attack to the head, soto-uke and uchi-uke, forearm blocks from outside and inside at middle height, and gedan-barai, a lower-zone block. The word “receive” in the name reflects that a block need not stop an attack by hard rebound: it can also redirect it or receive it so that the defender gains a favorable position for a counterattack.
In practice
In kihon, blocks are practiced in rows on command, usually in zenkutsu-dachi or kokutsu-dachi stance. The blocking arm moves simultaneously with the pulling hand hikite, which is drawn to the hip. In kumite, a block is practiced with a partner who attacks with a pre-agreed punch or kick.