Oi-Zuki / Oi-Tsuki - The Lunge Punch

“Tsuki” meaning thrust in Japanese “zuki” from tsuki meaning punch or thrust   Also known as lunge punch or stepping punch.  This is a punch that involves a step.  It is commonly known as the most powerful punch in Karate, because the step puts your body weight behind the punch.  The punch travels outward from the body in a straight line.  It finishes with the oi-zuki in line with your centre of the body.  Oi-Zuki / Oi-Tsuki in itself:

• Punching arm in front and straight
• Other arm pulled back and resting on hip
• Both shoulders in line and facing forward
• Hips facing forward and open
• Legs in Zenkutsu-Dachi (front leg bent, short, back leg straight and long)

Yes, it might look and sound so simple and easy to do but for Shotokan Karate it is an art form all on its own.  It takes intricate and detailed movement to execute this basic stepping punch, which is oi-zuki, correctly.  It is not just simply a step and a punch.  I myself never realized that it would take so long to perfect and I see it in my kids who are beginners and how they struggle to do it in every class.   Oi-zuke isn’t necessarily about brute force and strength. In any case, I feel if you follow technique and execute the oi-zuki correctly you will automatically get and project the force and strength needed to give that first and final blow so well known in Shotokan karate.   Technique: Let’s say we are in zenkutsu-dachi with gedan brai, left leg in front.   

1. Stepping forward with the right leg, the toes on the left foot start turning to the side in preparation of the front bent leg (left leg) shooting to the back to become the straight long back leg. 
2. As the right back leg land to become the front leg, the back leg should be planted at the back with the foot firmly grounded. 
3. Not forgetting to cock the hips for spring loading, at this point the hips will be closed facing sideways before twisting forward to push the chest and shoulder straight forward and launch the right arm forward for oi-zuki. 
4. The shoulder of the punching arm should not be extended past the shoulder of the resting arm.  It should be pulled back and in line with each other.  Common mistake!!!!
5. Also remembering that the resting arm (from the hip) becomes the punching arm and the other arm should now be resting on the hip.  This movement happens simultaneously.
6. The fists should be closed.  The fist in gedan barai should be facing down and the fist resting on the hip should be facing up.  The position in which the fists face only change once they move past the ribs (above the hips) close to the body.

Once again, I hope that I have cleared up any misconception on oi-zuke especially with regards to the shoulder that shouldn't be extended but pulled back and that I have shed some light on yet another very important technique in Shotokan Karate