Goju Ryu Techniques

Empty-Hand Katas

Katas form the basis of any traditional Okinawan or Okinawan-derived school of karate. They teach technique, proper stances or posture, and most importantly, they train the body to react instinctively. They are certainly not the only aspect of learning. For instance, they do not teach proper Ma-ai, or distancing, but they are a very important part of training which is too often discarded nowadays.

The Goju Ryu katas in the Shorei Kan school are separated into the newer Hookiyu katas, and the older, traditional Koryu katas. Some of the Hookiyu katas were introduced by Sensei Miyagi, and are common to all the Goju Ryu schools, and some were introduced by Sensei Toguchi, and are only practiced by the Shorei Kan schools.

The Goju Ryu katas I am currently working on are:

Tando-ku-kata-dai-ichi
Koryu kata Sanchin
Tando-ku-kata-dai-ni
Gekisai-dai-ichi
Koryu kata Saifa
Gekisai-dai-ni
Gekisai-dai-san
Koryu Kata Seiunchin
Gekiha-dai-ichi
Koryu Kata Tensho
Koryu Kata Sesan
Gekiha-dai-ni

Yakusoku Kumite

The Yakusoku Kumite are prearanged two-person fighting drills. They are separated into Bunkai Kumite, where the techniques come from the katas, especially the Hookiyu katas, and Kiso Kumite, which are not associated with any specific kata. Each of the Hookiyu katas has a corresponding Bunkai Kumite, so, for instance, Tando-ku-kata-dai-ichi has an associated Bunkai, Tando-ku-kata-bunkai-dai-ichi.

Bunkai Kumite

I am currently working on Tando-ku-kata-bunkai-gekiha-dai-ni, which is taught starting at the brown belt with two black stripes level (1st kyu) and is a requirement for Shodan. This is the bunkai which corresponds to the kata Gekiha-dai-ni.

Kiso Kumite

I am currently working on seventh kiso kumite, which is a requirement for Shodan.

First Kiso Kumite, or Kiso Kumite Shodan, consists of six sets of techniques. They are:

Kiso Kumite Shodan
First Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Jo.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Jo.
Step forward with right foot, punch Chu.	Step back with left foot, block Chu.
Step forward with left foot, punch Ge.	Step back with right foot, block Ge.
Step forward with right foot, punch Jo.	Step back with left foot into 45 degree Shiko Dachi, straight punch to attacker's underarm. Kiai!
Second Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Jo.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Jo.
Step forward with right foot, punch Chu.	Step back with left foot, block Chu.
Step forward with left foot, punch Ge.	Step back with right foot, block Ge.
Step forward with right foot, punch Chu.	Step back with left foot, block Chu, reverse punch to attacker's floating ribs. Kiai!
Third Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Jo.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Jo.
Step forward with right foot, punch Chu.	Step back with left foot, block Chu.
Step forward with left foot, punch Ge.	Step back with right foot, block Ge.
Step forward with right foot, punch Ge.	Step back with left foot, block Ge, hammer fist to attacker's temple. Kiai!
Fourth Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Jo.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Jo.
Step forward with right foot, punch Chu.	Step back with left foot, block Chu.
Step forward with left foot, punch Ge.	Step back with right foot, block Ge.
Step forward with right foot, punch Jo.	Step back with left foot, block Jo, reverse punch to attacker's solar plexus. Kiai!
Fifth Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Jo.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Jo.
Step forward with right foot, punch Chu.	Step back with left foot, block Chu.
Step forward with left foot, punch Ge.	Step back with right foot, block Ge.
Step forward with right foot, punch Chu.	Step back with left foot, block Chu, reverse punch to point under attacker's nose. Kiai!
Sixth Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Jo.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Jo.
Step forward with right foot, punch Chu.	Step back with left foot, block Chu.
Step forward with left foot, punch Ge.	Step back with right foot, block Ge.
Step forward with right foot, punch Ge.	Step back with left foot, block Ge, uppercut to attacker's nose. Kiai!

Second Kiso Kumite, or Kiso Kumite Nidan, consists of six sets of techniques. They are:

Kiso Kumite Nidan
First Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Jo with left hand.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Jo with left arm.
Block Ge with the left arm.	Punch Ge with right hand.
Punch Ge with the right hand.	Block Ge with the left hand.
Stand ground.	Shuffle forward and punch Ge with the right hand, leaving the left arm extended. Kiai!
Second Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Chu with left hand.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Chu with left arm.
Block Chu with the left arm.	Punch Chu with right hand.
Punch Chu with the right hand.	Block Chu with the left hand. Grab attacker's arm, and pull own elbow to waist, pulling attacker forward. Chu punch with the right hand. Kiai!
Third Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Ge with left hand.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Ge with left arm.
Block Jo with left arm.	Punch Jo with right hand.
Punch Jo with right hand.	Block Jo with left arm. Shuffle in, leaving left arm extended, and punch Jo with right hand. Kiai!
Fourth Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Jo with left hand.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Jo with left arm.
Block Chu with left arm. The block is more of a Ge block, but performed at Chu level. Kind of just swinging the arm from Jo block. I call this a funky Chu block.	Punch Chu with right hand.
Punch Chu with right hand.	Block Chu with left arm. Grab attacker's arm, and pull own elbow to waist, pulling attacker forward. Uppercut to Chu level with the right hand. Kiai!
Fifth Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Chu with left hand.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Chu with left arm.
Block Jo with left arm.	Punch Jo with right hand.
Punch Jo with right hand.	Block Jo with left arm. Shuffle in, leaving left arm extended, and perform a shuto to the right side of the defender's neck. Kiai!
Sixth Set
Attacker	Defender
Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step forward with left foot, punch Ge with left hand.	Start in right Sanchin Dachi, step back with right foot, block Ge with left arm.
Block Jo with left arm.	Punch Jo with right hand.
Punch Jo with right hand.	Block Jo with left arm. Shuffle in, leaving left arm extended, and perform an uppercut to the defender's chin. Kiai!

Kobudo

We also train with traditional Okinawan weapons, although this is not necessarily a part of the Goju-Ryu system.

Kobudo Kata

I am currently working on the following required kobudo katas:

Kihon Kata No Bo - Basic Bo kata
Kihon Kata No Tonfa - Basic Tonfa kata
Tokumine No Kun Sho - Short Bo kata of Tokumine
Tokumine No Kun Dai - Long Bo kata of Tokumine
Bama Higa No Tonfa Sho - Short Tonfa kata of Bama Higa
Kihon Kata No Sai - Basic Sai kata

I am also working on the following kobudo katas which are not TOGKF required kobudo katas:

Tan Bo - Single short stick kata, originally developed as a Machete form
Soken Sai - A short sai kata from the Kenshinkan Shorinryu system
Skeen Suni Kaki (spelling?) - An eku kata
Tinbe/Rochin - Shield and Knife/Machete/Short Spear kata.

Kobudo Kumite

Kobudo Kumite is, I guess, a misnomer, since kumite implies hands. However, it is hand to hand fighting with weapons. The Kobudo Kumite I'm working on are:

Kumibo Shodan - an 11 step two-person Bo form
Kumibo Nidan / Rhythm Bo
Bo/Bo Kumite #1 - A set of six techniques taken from Kihon Kata No Bo and Tokumine No Kun Sho
Bo/Bo Kumite #2 - A set of six techniques taken from Tokumine No Kun Dai Bo kata
Bo/Tonfa Kumite - Defense against a Bo using Tonfa, much taken from Bama Higa No Tonfa kata

Bo/Tonfa Kumite

This is somewhat difficult to describe in text, but if you've been introduced to it, it should make sense. If you haven't been introduced to it, don't do it. It's pretty dangerous if you're not used to handling the weapons, and the description here does not discuss distancing and other info that helps it to be less dangerous in the dojo.

Bo/Tonfa Kumite
First Set
Attacker (Bo)	Defender (Tonfa)
Attacker strikes to the defender's head with the Bo.	Defender pivots slightly to the right and blocks jo with left tonfa.
Attacker strikes to the defender's chin with the other end of the Bo.	Defender pivots slightly to the left and blocks ge with right tonfa.
Attacker pulls back and thrusts towards the defender's middle.	Defender drops to the left into cat stance (left foot stays where it is), and blocks to the inside with the left tonfa. D. then steps up with the right foot into Zenkutsu Dachi and punches with the right tonfa to A.'s ribs.
Second Set
Attacker (Bo)	Defender (Tonfa)
A. strikes straight thrust at D.	D. drops back into left cat stance, blocks ge with left tonfa, secures bo with right tonfa crossing over the left (sort of an X block). D. now steps in to crowd A. and cause A. to move back.
A. moves back to open a gap with D. and strikes sideways to D.'s left side.	D. X blocks ge to the left again and steps in to crowd A.
A. moves back to open a gap with D. and performs a reverse strike to D.'s right side.	D. X blocks ge to the right.
A. strikes to D.'s head with the same end of the Bo used for the reverse strike.	D. performs a Jo block with the right tonfa and blocks the Bo out of the way, exposing A.'s head. D. then performs a left punch to the ribs, right punch to the head, left strike to the side of the head.
Third Set
Attacker (Bo)	Defender (Tonfa)
A. strikes across the body to D.'s knee.	D. steps back with the left foot and turns to the left, blocking low across the body with the right tonfa extended to catch the strike. D. then turns to the right, drawing the bo across and out of the way. D. now steps/walks forward, crowding A. and performing circling head strikes, forcing A. to back up to recover and make room to strike.
A. steps back to recover and make room to strike. Once A. has recovered, A. performs a reverse strike to D.'s right leg.	D. turns to the left, chambering the right leg out of the way of the strike, and blocking ge with the right tonfa extended. D. now flips the right tonfa upward, conceptually striking A.'s right hand. D. swings the right tonfa left and then right, followed by a left punch as the right tonfa is chambered.
Fourth Set
Attacker (Bo)	Defender (Tonfa)
Attacker strikes to the defender's head with the Bo.	Defender pivots slightly to the right and blocks jo with left tonfa.
Attacker strikes to the defender's chin with the other end of the Bo.	Defender pivots slightly to the left and blocks ge with right tonfa.
Attacker pulls back and thrusts towards the defender's middle.	Defender steps out to the left with the left foot into Zenkutsu Dachi, avoiding the Bo thrust. At the same time, D. punches with the right tonfa to A.'s ribcage or under the arm. Note: This is very similar to the first set. Note 2: Be careful not to step out too early, since this will allow A. to follow with the thrust. Step out only after A. has begun the thrust and committed.
Fifth Set
Attacker (Bo)	Defender (Tonfa)
A. strikes straight thrust at D.	D. drops back into left cat stance, blocks ge with left tonfa, secures bo with right tonfa crossing over the left (sort of an X block). D. now moves into Zenkutsu Dachi and punches with the right tonfa to A.'s head.
A. blocks jo by bringing the bo up and parallel to the ground. A. then performs a reverse strike to D.'s right side.	D. X blocks ge to the right, securing the bo. D. now brings left tonfa around to chamber, striking/turning A.'s head. D. punches left, right to A's face, and then double (circular) strikes to either side of A's head.
Sixth Set
Attacker (Bo)	Defender (Tonfa)
A. performs a reverse strike to D.'s right leg.	D. turns to the left, chambering the right leg out of the way of the strike, and blocking ge with the right tonfa extended.
A. performs a head strike with the same end of the bo, coming in from D.'s left side.	D. comes into a forward-facing Zenkutsu Dachi, right foot forward, and blocks jo by bring the extended right tonfa across the body to meet the bo strike on the left.
A. performs a head strike with the other end of the bo, without changing hands, coming in from D.'s right side.	D. brings the right tonfa back across to meet the bo strike on the right and stop the bo. Note: For application, this block would meet the hand holding the bo (potentially any of the others could as well). D. then turns the right tonfa over and strikes to the top of A.'s head.

Sparring Techniques

There are 28 sparring techniques learned between white belt (10th kyu) and brown belt (3rd kyu). For my 4th kyu test, I had to know sparring techniques one through eighteen. The 28 sparring techniques are:

Backfist, grab defender's front hand, pull to waist or to chamber, execute uppercut to floating ribs.
Backfist, execute roundhouse kick with front leg to defender's abdomen.
Reverse punch, front kick to defender's abdomen. Defender steps off the line of attack to avoid the kick. (Open stance)
Front hand ridgehand, front leg roundhouse kick to defender's abdomen.
Bent leg spinning back kick. Attackers moves in and defender whips around with back leg bent, striking with the heel.
Reverse punch, grab attacker's front hand, kick to back of knee, forcing attacker to the ground. Backfist to back of attacker's head.
Backfist, grab opponents arm, side kick to ribs or underarm.
Low-High roundhouse kick combination, reverse punch.
Back-hand haito, back leg crescent kick. (Open stance)
Reverse punch, front leg roundhouse kick.
Front leg front thrust kick.
Flying knee backfist.
Skip side kick with front leg.
Front leg roundhouse kick, reverse punch (opposite of #10).
Double flying front kick (jumping front kick with the back leg, followed by jumping front kick with the leg which was originally in front), Jo punch, Chu punch.
Reverse punch, step with back leg, back fist with same hand, Chu reverse punch with opposite hand.
Shuto with a flying side kick.
Rear leg quick sweep, roundhouse kick.
Flying back kick (front leg kicks).
Step, flying back kick (rear leg kicks).
Lunge punch, flying knee, lunge punch (other hand).
Reverse lunge punch, inside crescent kick (back leg), side kick (same leg).
Reverse lunge with front kick (opposite leg), Jo punch, Chu punch.
Fake eye gouge (both hands), rear leg inside crescent kick to thigh, front kick (same leg).
Jump straight up, spin into back kick with backfist.
Check opponents kick with foot, kick low-high roundhouse.
Roundhouse (rear foot), reverse punch, roundhouse.
Block backfist, uppercut to ribs, same hand haito to head.