3 USELESS Karate Techniques (+ Kick)

Karate is a practical martial art from Okinawa. But its roots can be traced back to ancient China. That's why many of its traditional techniques are outdated and impractical today. Because we don't condition our bodies and fists like the old masters.
In this video you'll discover 3 strikes, plus a bonus kick, that are found in several Japanese kata (forms) bunkai. But you're probably never gonna be able to apply them in a real fight, unless you spend years hardening your knuckles and bones.
Question: What do you think is the most useful Karate technique? Leave a comment and let me know.
Thanks for watching!
☯️ BIO: Jesse Enkamp a.k.a The Karate Nerd™ is a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author, National Team Athlete, Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur, Carrot Cake Lover & Founder of Seishin International - The World’s Leading Karate Lifestyle Brand.
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WARNING: The advice and movements shown in this video are for informational and educational purposes only. Consult a health professional before engaging in any exercise or martial arts program.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Question: What do you think is the MOST EFFECTIVE Karate technique (and why)? 👊💥🤔

[@stefythomas5052]

Knife Hand Strike which can be transformed as a lethal neck cut as well as a defensive weapon depends on the situation.

[@venkat1845]

seiken tzuki

[@LearnWithEthos]

Seiza is the most important 'move' in Karate ...

[@neiltaylor1765]

Shuto-uke, very versatile and adaptable for various attacks and defensive options with one technique

[@julyandri3603]

Run is the best technique. i don't need to explain this . . .

[@sharpshooter9407]

Apparently Conor Mcgregor followed the long standing karate tradition of attacking vehicles by fighting a bus

[@kuuryotwo5153]

Yea, but unlike the old Master McGregor used a steel barrier to fight the bus rather than his fists. It seems like McGregor still requires more training.

[@rynopot]

@@kuuryotwo5153 Especially in the Self-Control part - the last of the 5 principles of karate (1. Character, 2. Etiquette, 3. I forgot and if my sensei sees this, I'll be doing sit-ups for a month, 4. Effort, 5. Self Control - ok, 3. is SINCERITY)

[@waaagh3203]

@@kuuryotwo5153 He's still got work to do to reach the level of Ken and Ryu. I'd also recommend he start with a 4 door sedan like they did.

[@KevinJ0hnson]

I just love that guy 😂😂😂🤣

[@Kwisatz-Chaderach]

​@@KevinJ0hnson"why tap? Go sleep" 😆

[@derekjohnson4109]

“So unless you want to spend years hardening you’re finger tips...” Me: time to buy a bucket of sand and get started.

[@neleabels]

But why?

[@derekjohnson4109]

Nele Abels so my finger tips can become a deadly weapon.

[@akarus451]

@@derekjohnson4109 but then when is became hard, you can't fold your fingers to hold anything anymore

[@sunilproductions4678]

My master had told us you can't hold a pen when you harden your fingers that way.

[@derekjohnson4109]

Sunil Productions idk then sign my name with my fists?

[@SkilledAI]

Legend says he still is attacking that train

[@KARATEbyJesse]

😂😂😂 Choo-chooo

[@insalubriousdithyramb1742]

Train lives matter.

[@sleepy_Dragon]

Train hard!

[@Hessam101]

Punishment for Japanese trains when they run 10 seconds late :)

[@theroguegeneralhunter2206]

Today that train is now pile of scrap metal.

[@andykunz7687]

It makes a big difference whether you practice karate in the West or in Asia. In Asia, you do at least one hour of toughness training a day. Hardening of the body, hands combined with breathing techniques. I asked my teacher if toughening is necessary. He asked me. "Do you want to be a karateka or just look like one?" The priorities of the west and east are different. It just has to look good in the West. In the East you embody what you are in all aspects of your being.

[@Parents_of_Twins]

I'm not a martial artist however broad statements about west versus east are dangerous and unnecessary. It creates a you versus them attitude and makes you seem arrogant. Perhaps the better way to say it is "In my dojo" or "in my experience" because unless you have trained at every dojo in the "East" and "West" you don't know that what you are saying is true and you make yourself look like you feel you are superior which I doubt your teacher would approve.

[@DoctorJ48]

7:44 this man doesn't stub his toe on the corner of a table. The table stubs itself on his toe

[@MrSupergrez]

My big toe is well conditioned but I always hit the little one...

[@tegli4]

My sensei used to say that the two most important techniques were "running away" and "pipe wrapped in newspaper".

[@tegli4]

@Redgren Grumbholdt I'll stick with the pipe. If for example it is raining, running away could be risky as you might slip and fall. Also, the rain will make the paper too soft.

[@sopwithcamelus]

@Redgren Grumbholdt The Millwall brick...

[@stephenshw2262]

What about a 911 .45?

[@chkpnt-fq5rv]

My cousin went into the US Marines in the late 1980s. His goal was to be stationed in Okinawa, which he was and learn karate. He ended up as a black belt in Uechi Ryu karate. He would actually do a toe kick roundhouse where he would aim for your ribs. It would feel like you just got speared in the side. The way he conditioned his toes was by kicking the treads of a car tire hanging from a rope. Oh yeah, he also ended up marrying his instructor's daughter.

[@ubcroel4022]

Pretty based.

[@chelseyschultz8282]

I've been doing Uechi-Ryu Karate for over 11 years and couldn't agree more. There are times and places for everything, but knowing the limits is wise. Luckily, my sensei has been straight up about the practicality of these strikes. She explained that her teachers said this intense conditioning to the hands was different when people only lived to be in their 50s, but now that people are living much longer...it's simply not worth it to beat your hands so much that they are useless in old age! Good video, can't wait to watch more!

[@jlogan2228]

Not to mention the quality of life has drastically improved to where you don't have to worry Abt criminals as much and there's more time to do things other than manual labor so you will benefit from not having crippled yourself

[@waynesantos28]

I have recently become a huge fan of yours and come across this video. Let me say first that I have loved martial arts since I was 9 years old and I am now 60. 2 of the techniques in your video unfortunately are crucial to the first style I ever practiced and that's Uechi Ryu. I recall at a very young age asking my instructor how it is possible to use those strikes because it seemed to me even at a young age that you needed special hands. He explained hand conditioning to me and the risk involved and that it was not a requirement in modern Uechi but he practiced it (he learned from Kanai Uechi) as many in Okinawa do. He said forcing this on western students could lead to insurance problems for dojo's and maybe lawsuits so he runs his business as prescribed by Kanai Uechi's organization at the time. He did give me a routine when I was about 15 and said it's my choice to do what I wanted but not in the dojo. He knew I was serious about learning and training everything at the time. Well, I still practice strike conditioning and understand the risks. I feel lucky because I have been able to perform delicate tasks with my hands for other things throughout my life. But my old school thinking says it is not worth the art if it's made a shortcut. It can evolve, they all do, but to skip strike conditioning when what you are learning is to strike just doesn't seem logical. I don't think I'd teach someone striking without conditioning. They just go together.kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGjHkGl8hd1jhbM

[@EnzoVinZ]

When I was taking Karate, my master mentioned the Ippon Ken and Nakadaka Ken that they are used in a very close combat, as in, during a clinch where you cannot do a power punch. For instance, when someone has you on a clinch, you can have the Nakadaka Ken fist pressed on the solar plexus, breast bone, or under their chin -- then all you have to do is straighten your arm to a push to apply pressure, almost like a one-inch-punch. It's one way to simultaneously protect your face from a knee and deal a counter attack. And yeah, you'll break your fingers if you punch with it.

[@dotdotdot1985]

Me, a 5 ft 3 woman, has used this to get out of a close range situation with a guy. I mean if you want to test it, try punching short range at the soft tissue on your forearm - doesn't do much unless you've perfected the 1 inch punch! But jab with the knuckle, it hurts, from a short distance and with little force. Also, I don't get how his knuckle ends up pointing down with straight wrist 🤔 are his fingers different shape to mine?

[@artofninelimbs5930]

My master told us that ippon ken is for hitting ur opponents eyeballs

[@dotdotdot1985]

@@artofninelimbs5930 that would work 😊

[@EnzoVinZ]

@@artofninelimbs5930 I was taught to use my thumbs for that purpose. It's more effective than using the Ippon Ken -- accurate too.

[@EnzoVinZ]

@@dotdotdot1985 Find a kid smaller than you and have them use either Ippon Ken or Nakadaka Ken on your breast bone or side rib. It doesn't take a lot of force to deliver a lot of pain. When we we're training for this technique, we have to do push ups on these knuckles. It was one of the requirements to get a belt promotion. I can still do that push up 'till this day, although not as many.

[@LearnWithEthos]

The Karate Masters may be in their graves clenching their fists in a phoenix's punch over this .... ;-)

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Hahah their ghosts will definitely haunt me for this 😅😅😅

[@Octopussyist]

@@KARATEbyJesse But you are still able to write on a keyboard and use your phone with your hands - which they might have had problems doing after treating their hands like that.

[@navigatingel6104]

@@Octopussyist Pretty much false

[@dannodillon1222]

Navigating El no, he’s got a point. Cause damage to your own hands to the point that damage doesn’t bother you anymore and you’ll see just how much that training effects the fine muscle control within them. Plus, he never said it would be impossible, just difficult

[@Octopussyist]

@@dannodillon1222 Exactly. As a graphic designer, I couldn't afford that.

[@ext1ncc898]

The eye poke is actually underrated af just ask Jon Jones

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Him and Bruce! 😂

[@edrichlouw1790]

Hahahahaha

[@wils8886]

🤔daniel comier mastered the eye poke and used it many times to win illegally against Stipe Miochi in their first fight !

[@iamabean]

Plot twist : Jones came across this video and spend years to master the tiger tooth technique . Then his eyes pokes will be invincible .

[@Funkensteinlives]

I agree that for the average modern karate adept, these techniques aren't practical. But I disagree that you have to be a master with years of conditioning in order to use them. 6 months or even less of regular makiwara training will make any of these techniques very useable. The nukite we see in kata today is not executed for combat use...as we see it in the kata. But I personally know people who hit a makiwara full power with finger strikes, ippon Ken and nakadaka Ken. And they haven't spent decades training for these techniques. 6 months will bring good results. A few years will make these techniques deadly. But as I said....the average modern karateka won't put in the effort to make them useable.

[@kaiba3612]

3 Useless Karate techiniques No.1 : Nukite *Kuroki Gensai would like to know your location*

[@assasin616]

BRU YEAAAAAA I LOVE THAT FREAKING SERIES

[@kaiba3612]

Eyyyyy. A fellow Kengan fan

[@vistrate90]

A nukite in the throat or in the eye can be really efficient.

[@shazamsakazaki]

Nukite isn't meant to use for attacking parts that are protected with bones and muscles. But getting hit by a nukite to soft parts, like the throat, eyes or the solar plexis is not a comfortable experience

[@nigilan7098]

Number 2 when you want to do seishu akoja s punch but you try a different way

[@draindream3384]

Basic boxing techniques, combined with front, round, and side kicks, something like kickboxing or Muay Thai combination. These exercises are battle tested. I do appreciate Jesse's dedication to Karate. All styles are dependent on the practitioner.

[@TNTTestificate]

The "useless" techniques always tend to be the most fun

[@TNTTestificate]

@Godman1102 fun

[@luckybucky4366]

I was waiting for the toe kick. Agree on all points. Took the words out of my mouth. Thank you for all your videos. Open hand heel palm strike is the best for hard areas on the body. Hard vs soft, soft vs hard.

[@craigforeman903]

I love your honesty, Jesse. Great videos. In my style of Goju-Ryu, the spear-hand technique appears in several kata, but when you perform the bunkai, we always use panther strike, fingers folded in a kind of half-fist, or full fist, in replace of the spear-hand. You are absolutely, right. A lot of the hardening training done years ago is almost non-existent.

[@Rensra]

In my Shaolin Temple, we utilize "Ippon Ken" as a "Phoenix Eye" seen in Crane and Bird forms; it is NOT intended as a "hard strike", but using it for pressure points, and soft spots is a good deterrent for an opponent who may initiate combat. Also, "Nakadaka Ken" as we call "Tiger Knuckle" is used very similarly and is quite effective as a Vertical Punch while minimizing surface area. "Nukite" ("Spear Hand") I think any martial artist can agree would be BETTER utilized as a finger jab, Bear Claw, or Dragon's Talon. I will also agree, the need for "Iron Bone" training to create efficacy defeats the purpose of good/useful techniques.

[@lucastakeo7707]

The conditioning mentioned in the video sounds like a great way to get arthritis by your mid 40s

[@clFer777]

I see masters training like that at 80ies.. read somewhere the price it's that you can't stop training, ever.. in that case, in one or two weeks you will not move your fingers anymore.. well I am not expert, just reporting what I saw and read

[@rocco3377]

I respectfully disagree, you must start with what you can do, and slowly work in it. Patience is key as with a great many things. And listening to your body, taking time to heal/strengthen when appropriate. :)

[@leojzueg]

Yes. During the colder months ( seriously). It take about 5 to 10 minutes for me to fully open my hands. I have conditioned my knuckles and my right hand middle finger for a one knuckle punch. Also both my big toes. I have been practicing Shorin ryu since 85. I have used toe kicks and 1 knuckle punches in real fights.

[@8unlucky8]

@@leojzueg just out of curiosity do u think this cpuld be offset by joint mobility/and flexibility training like if your had worked it more as a younger man

[@imranhanafi9716]

Just do some rock climbing training. I see most rock climbers have the toughest conditioned fingers I ever see compared to most other athletes of other sports.

[@vensantillan3000]

Most effective karate technique: I can't decide between "wax on, wax off" or banzai! (Have fun!) Taught by Mr. Miyagi!

[@ojams83]

ippon ken great for jabbing ribs during grappling with short shots when you can't get a full range of motion punch happening. can cause someone to release you from a hold they have you in.

[@randoshus3762]

Use it between the ribs to make them let go.

[@JoeDaFivefoota]

What about Crane Technique? I've heard a Sensei say "if do right, no can defense" 🤷‍♂️

[@oscarclaudio2848]

Machida Kick

[@DanielArthur_profile]

Hey Jesse, one point about the spear-hand technique... I'm guessing you already know this, but have you considered that the target isn't the body at all, but rather between the arm and torso? This would then get your hand behind the opponent. The technique we do starts with an open hand "block" that sweeps down until the arm is parallel to the ground at about your midsection then the spear-hand thrusts out just above this "block". An application might be your opponent throws a straight right, you use the blocking motion (right hand) to avoid the attack redirecting the punch slightly downward while your other hand (left hand) executes the spear-hand attack between the striking arm and the torso. Your spear-hand is now behind the opponent, if you then execute the same technique described above you'll then position your opponent to where he's bent over, slightly off center and off balance exposing vital points on the inside of the knee, back of the jaw/head, and side of the body. Feel free to change the last spear-hand strike to whatever you want (punch, spear-hand, palm strike, etc depending on which target you choose to strike). 🙂

[@blackbird-25]

very interesting, in our GoJu Ryu kata I could see this in sisochin or seisan

[@kermistilburg]

We use nukite "spear" mostly as a defense to divert an incoming punch and then perform a grab. The middle knuckle to strike between the chest muscles above the heart. But we practise this only on makiwara because it can cause serious harm. ^Timo

[@TheRastacabbage]

Tai otoshi is what spear hand is setting up in my opinion

[@danielordonez412]

I agree with jesse, just try to break trough a cactus leaf... you,ll see how vulnerable you get

[@andykunz7687]

Thats often the way we used it in Shorin Ryu.

[@Akravator12]

I think a lot of these techniques can easily be explained if you imagine your opponent wearing armor. Now you are targeting gaps in the armor where pressure points are all that's available to you. That would have been a very real problem being addressed when the martial arts we see today were originally formed. I haven't practiced Karate in a long time (moved on to different arts), but I'm loving your channel!

[@elnico135]

Jesse Enkamp is like the Steve Irwin of Karate 💚

[@KARATEbyJesse]

RIP the man, the myth, the legend! 🙏

[@safdarkh786]

God i miss him. He was such a legend.

[@Roodneyfb]

Let's just hope Jesse never sets out to fight a stingray, so that the comparison stops in the way they sound and act.

[@cesarvidelac]

No wonder I like your videos. You are one of the few that is aware of the difficulties of a classical martial art. There are many considerations before to rule out a martial art as useless and / or become really effective with a given set of techniques. Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@shorinryu00]

Sorry Jessie San, I have to disagree with you on this. My sensei has taught us theses techniques for years and there effectiveness is in there location. The tiger's tooth we call the Phoenix eye, it and the dragon's head are used to attack soft tissue areas and pressure points and being on the receiving end of those demonstrations, they are very effective. But as for the spear hand, I do agree that you must condition it to be effective, but that goes for every part of your body. Thanks for the video and for showing me to share my point of view.

[@patrickreynolds5463]

I think the key part of what you said is "being on the receiving end of... demonstrations" they are effective. One of Jesse's point is that in actual combat, picking a move that requires such precision is not a good idea because there's a resisting opponent and, if they shift position and you hit bone instead of the soft tissue you were aiming, you might break your finger. Using a less delicate body part to hit someone is generally a good idea in a real situation because the control you have in a demonstration is non-existent in a real fight.

[@Roodneyfb]

I didn't see the disagreement in your argument. You literally repeated everything Jesse said + your own experience...

[@shorinryu00]

I stand bu what I've said, the usefulness si iin the application. I've read the comments about the dangers of an opponent shifting and what of you miss, we'll the same can be said for a number of techniques. It's effectiveness is on its execution which I believe is the reason we train.

[@theohitman7]

👍 I agree.

[@АлтайскийКазак]

I didn't know the "tiger tooth" was a karate thing. I just gradually hit my heavy bag harder and harder with it for several years, using any boxing style punch I thought worked well with it and now I can break cinder blocks with it, just like the edge of my palm. I'm a mixed martial artist, so of course I love to explore new techniques, and fortunately it is legal in cage fights, but you can't exactly do this when the gloves go past your fore knuckle. I've heard a lot of people discourage using fore knuckles in MMA because they say you will break your fingers, but that's like saying you will always break your knuckles when you punch someone without a glove. That's one thing people in combat sports don't understand is conditioning your bare hands and wrists to where you could recklessly strike any part of the human body without hurting yourself. The purpose of gloves is so both fighters will be more reckless and put on a better show because the punches are less painful and the hands are protected, but the larger surface area can cause a higher risk of concussions and brain damage, so it isn't to make the fight any safer. There aren't a lot of cage fighters who use a makiwara or iron body conditioning for anything other than their shins, knees and elbows, so when it comes to their hands, they always have to wrap them and glove them because they are taught that using any amount of force on their fists will break everything the wrist and above. Truth be told, if you want to become a true weapon, just join any world super power military elite. They WILL make you a killing machine with or without a weapon, and most of all, they make you so comfortable with killing that you wouldn't think twice if someone threatened you in civilian life. Iron body conditioning is great for self-defense and combat, but it gives you mad arthritis, so it will take it's toll, especially if you suddenly stop doing it when you're older.

[@markericsonsalvador9988]

Breathing is the most effective technique for me. :D it is life and power all in itself. Love your new video Jesse san!

[@KARATEbyJesse]

It’s certain to kill you in its absence! 🤪

[@markericsonsalvador9988]

@@KARATEbyJesse hahaha 🤫 🤣

[@k.k.9111]

I see you are a hamon user of culture aswell

[@MindGameArcade]

The cut when you said "which was kinda nasty" is golden hahaha

[@stefanmadun6881]

most effective are quick legs, all you have to do is turn around, and run as fas as you can. WIth friends we are joking that is should be called runaway-do :D

[@clFer777]

Actually, the best way to avoid a punch.. it's not being there (heard it somewhere, guess was Miyagi)

[@creightonfreeman8059]

Reminds me of an exchange between my former Kenpo Sensei and one of his junior instructors: Junior: (teasing) You want to fight? Sensei: OK. Junior: You gonna run? Sensei: I never run. Junior: Then how are you going to catch me? Your "runaway-do" is even funnier in Chinese characters. 跑步道 (Paobu Dao) - The Way of Running (away).

[@saulmartin4252]

Yeah because no technique exists to deal with someone running, like a simple trip, now your on the ground face down what a awesome idea

[@yoenjoel9372]

What if you can't run? You are in the tight situation which needs you to fight first then escape.

[@stefanmadun6881]

@@yoenjoel9372 solution is simple, when i'm forced to fight, i'll defend myself with all means i can use to achive solution I need to get out from danger

[@TheThinkersBible]

Very insightful video with very catchy title! Well explained and very true. What works for masters with years of conditioning in physically demanding environments won't work as well in the US suburbs where we have cars and sit around most of the day for work and leisure.

[@shauryashandilya1]

The classical Indian “tight slap”. Always connects! And not a single soul I know has ducked or blocked one!

[@andilehlubi8017]

Hahahah 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 the deadliest move to ever exist.

[@iforgottbh4488]

Teach me the ways of the tight slap, it sounds like a useful tool

[@vinaykumar488]

Indian teachers are masters in this technique

[@macdaddy5574]

@@iforgottbh4488 the "swats" is a good one too

[@The_Ballo]

HOW CAN SHE SLAP?!

[@petersbirakos3108]

Just saw this video. The karateka at the beginning (hitting the train) is Sadaharu Fujimoto of Shobukai Karate in Shinagawa, Tokyo. He passed away several months ago. Very nice man, I trained with him back in '92. When you shook his hand his conditioning was evident. It was a great experience.

[@petersbirakos3108]

I wanted to add that when I visited his dojo all those years ago, one memory stands vivid: he would execute repetitions of shuto onto a heavy weighted tin can about head height. On the rebound he would hit it again full solid hits. When I inspected the can it was filled with cement and a chain embedded in it that he could hang. Pretty cool.

[@LoneCrazyCat]

Pushing front kick for me. :) Oh, and btw, love your program. ^^

[@malabarwarriors5581]

If you can hit someone with only the tips of your fingers or toes, the reduced ares of contact would means the pressure and the pemetrating power of the strike would be much higher, thereby reducing the need for strength and focusing more on precision and timing for hitting vital points. I think conditioning their fingers and toes was very important to them because weapons were not allowed and any advantage you can get over your opponent in terms of destructive ability would go a long way in a fight.

[@glauciogonzales]

Every day I feel more and more welcomed with your channel. Although I'm still saddened by you ending the legend of Okinawa's rebel peasants. I have always found it difficult to use these attacks for the same reasons.

[@clarezigner6028]

Jesse I,ve studied both Karate and Kung Fu and find your videos informative,so I wanted to say thank you. I find the palm strike as most useful as it gives you more options and allows you to strike a harder surface than the fist. Would like you to do a video on the palm strike. Thank you again.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Excellent choice!! 👌

[@kennethcook8857]

The "tiger tooth" is known to the Chinese as the "phoenix eye" (fist). Just thought I'd mention that. Thanks for this cool video.

[@nathanwhitney3838]

I've always loved the ridge-hand strike.

[@solidslicc707]

As a Uechi Ryu practitioner, I literally hit my Nukite against dry wall at home to condition my fingers, against my hands, and against the Makiwara at the dojo. Been doing it for a few months and I can throw a Sanchin strike at the Makiwara with a decent amount of force and it doesn’t really hurt my fingers. Definitely one of my favorite techniques. Hell I condition my shoken zuki on the Makiwara, against dry wall, and against my hands as well just because it’s just another move I love doing.

[@Atataititrebuisateuiti]

It has to be the yoko geri, it's versatile and relatively harder to catch or block.

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Sidekicks are awesome! 🔥

[@Wessex90]

I have a lot of fun with those 😀.

[@eamonob84]

Great kick. I like the combination of ashi barai to yoko geri for MMA sparring when the sweep doesn't take them down but just off balances them. It's very unexpected by people who don't have a karate background.

[@cannibrel]

0:14 Sensei's engineering career ended in quite the frusturation

[@sandrosanjurjo891]

Hi Jesse, street experience has taught me that with three hand techniques and two leg techniques it is enough to defend yourself and a couple of techniques to fight on the ground, but what you want in a fight is not to get to the fight on the ground, So the fight must end standing if we want to survive. Many practitioners and also black belts are only know how to fight in the classroom or competitions are the best to look, but on the street they are blocked, they do not know what to do. That is why it is better to practice three techniques 1000 times, than to practice 1000 techniques and at the moment of truth you cannot apply them. Regards.

[@Bravo-Too-Much]

I bet you have a street fight record of 450-0.

[@jkang5902]

Sir, I respect your honesty. Most of us are not as patient as the old masters. Thank you.

[@stevecastro1325]

Excellent episode; so very true , that we need to stick with getting the most effect with a basic set of high %age techniques. And, “the best way to not lose a fight is to not get in one.”

[@ozbusa]

A closed fist punch/strike, suits me just fine. No need to get all fancy. Thanks Jesse for having the "balls" to put this out there. Times have moved on

[@tamorajr3773]

You had me cracking up at "I'm a wuss and I like to be comfy!"😂

[@mythplatypuspwned]

Haha. Comfy!

[@rananjayron]

5. Haito (Ridge Hand) 6. Ippon Nukite (One Finger Strike) 7. Nihon Nukite (Two Fingers Strike) 8. Hiraken (Flat/Tiger/Panther Fist) 9. Kakuto 10. Washide 11. Kumade 12. Sokuto 13. Keito 14. Seryuto 15. Koshi Mawashi Geri (Round House Kick using the ball of the foot)

[@johncena12366]

Haito is very useful. It was effectively used in JKA kumite matches.

[@huranku98]

A younger me was fascinated with these very techniques, especially the nukite. But after a year of trying to condition my hand for this I gave it up. Takes too much time and hurts too.

[@michaelobrien4463]

Jesse-San, the techniques you mentioned are very important in Uechi-Ryu karate. Many teachers don't spend time teaching conditioning of these weapons and so they can't be used practically. However, if you invest the time and energy to develop them, they are formidable weapons. I train them daily and wouldn't hesitate to use them. It takes years, but that's the beauty of it...training is a way of life for the serious karateka. PS, love your videos!!

[@blaircarnegie2738]

I practiced Shotokan in my youth and this guy was harassing me and my friend one evening in this bar Victoria, British Columbia , Canada 🇨🇦 he wanted to fight first my friend who refused , when me in which l refused also . Well this fool taking my kindness as weakness he wouldn’t let up , l refused his challenge several times . I was sitting slightly side ways on my chair and he come up to me and put his hand on my shoulder “ he was standing but couching over him slightly again l refuse his challenge . When out of the corner of my eye l see his right hand move , he was going to sucker punch me !! Honestly without even a thought of having an exchange with this fellow ... l launched a back fist purely out of instinct and years of training his blow never even connected and the blow sent him over the adjacent table where people were sitting , knocking the table over spilling all the drinks etc . He laid completely unconscious on his back .well nobody was more surprised than me . Needless to say we booked it out of that bar to avoid any further trouble . I returned there about three hours later , just to scope it out you know , and the bartender come up to me and shook my hand and said he had never seen anything like it . And my friend that was with me at the time has told me on more than one occasion that for example when he is sitting around the campfire with friends just bullshitting . He tells that story of the time in that bar when l laid that guy out . The funny thing was that right up to the moment l saw his right hand move l had no intension of fighting . It was the most natural thing l could have ever done . The years of training as a child was blueprinted into me .Long story short ..... what’s my favourite karate technique? I am going with the backfist Jesse .

[@KARATEbyJesse]

WHOAH!! 🤩 That’s an epic story, backfists rock 👏👏👏

[@blaircarnegie2738]

MyKarateJournal sorry l missed your comment , actually l was in a seated position on a chair and he leaned over me he put his left hand on my right shoulder and his right hand was palm down on the on table and leaned in to challenge me l was looking up at him and out of the corner of my eye l saw his right hand move like he was going to slap me or something .... both my hands were on my lap .... and like a stick of dynamite l exploded my right fist shot up and struck him on the right side of his jaw ... as l followed through with the backfist l stood up ..... almost like a Olympic sprinter coming off the blocks at the starting gun ,, you know . As l shot up from the chair , the chair itself shot about 6 feet back ,,,, honestly it was that explosive!!! As l followed through with the punch , it sent him recoiling upwards and backwards and rolled him to his left .... it launched him in a manner of speaking and it sent him right over the next table which was behind him “ the table he and his 3 other friend were sitting at ,,, the table toppled over spilling all their drinks and he laid motionless on his back out cold .

[@blaircarnegie2738]

MyKarateJournal if you have ever in your heard of a pure adrenaline story for example ,,, someone does something almost super human it was like that ... That’s guy had been billing my friend in that bar and he started picking on me to trying to get a rise out of us . I really kept my cool but that adrenaline was flowing on a subliminal level “ that fight or flight response “ unfortunately for him he got the fight portion ! It was a once in a lifetime shot ,,,, true story ! You take care of yourself !

[@janblacha8522]

Great video. I have 50 years of training behind me. Street fighting in the ghetto of 1967 Detroit. There is so many myths about karate. You are doing a great job disclosing much of this. Useless technique? The classic corkscrew seiiken. I am both Isshinryu and Uechiryu. The IR short vertical punch is very effective. My UR friends hate when I use this punch in a practice. Happy Training.

[@skullospice]

Fun fact: seiken also needs conditioning to be used effectively

[@martialartsofmedford6002]

In bunkai at our school we adjust nukite and use it as either a bicep bump or a cross face. You are going to get a lot of pushback for this video sir! Lol. I love everything you put out. Thank you for all the information you share.

[@zsolthorvath495]

Ippon ken is a very effective technic. The old masters had young child, who did not want to clean his room. The wise masters developed the ippon ken to tickle the children between they ribs. Trust me, it is working! :-)

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Probably the best application for our modern age!! 😜

[@TheAnsonysc]

"Water Chestnut" ! What we call it in Chineae is “菱角”. So each time we want to take this action to the children, we would say : 「Give you one water chesnut」. Unfortunately, they strike on the head instead of tickle the ribs. So it's effective.

[@Marianodg99]

I like the strength that you get from learning kata and staying in the different stances. It gives you a sense of balance that allows you to harness more power when you learn other arts like boxing, Muay Thai or even wrestling.

[@matthewbell4362]

Having used all 3 of those techniques in real life situations, I would have to say if you don't have the "time or patience" to learn how to execute these techniques properly - you're wasting your time learning Karate. If you don't like hard work - take up something else.

[@isaiahberris7285]

BJJ practitioner here, the ippon ken fist is super helpful to get your arm under the neck when going for a rear naked choke. Not sure about striking but that's where we do something similar.

[@Cleared_To_Land]

Nailed it Jesse. I remember learning these for advanced techniques for the road to Black Belt. Only for Kata, not necessarily for application... I don't know if you've done it before but can you bust or prove a myth about the straight punch itself? My question; is a straight punch more powerful with your wrist and knuckles angled at 45 degrees to the floor thus making the ulna and radius not overlapping twisted? Or the wrist and knuckles horizontal/parallel to the floor and thus having the ulna and radius bones overlapping. Or lastly the wrist vertical and 90 degrees to the floor? I've always learnt in Karate to punch with the wrist/hand at 45 degrees to the floor, not 90 degrees. Bruce lee experimented with all the three I believe? I've also always been taught to punch with only the first two knuckles. So either of the three still allows this, but I would of thought the 45 is still the strongest technique. This is what I was taught anyway.

[@TokyoGery]

Many traditional moves are based on fighting an opponent with armour so they conditioned the smaller bones of the hands to get into where a full fist cannot . The nerve strikes, and hits to vital points were very much part of the basics taught in chinese styles attacking the meridians to weaken organs and shut down muscles etc. they can be used to cause shock or temporary numbness of the limbs so you can create a gap to follow up with standard strikes to finish them off . Thanks for all your informative videos!

[@Natan_Levy]

Sensei Jesse, Some us did spend years conditioning our toes 😅 I use Sokusen in my MMA fights, it’s pretty painful and I’m happy I know it. For the other techniques I definitely would have been better off learning different things in that time haha

[@KARATEbyJesse]

Damn, I would love to see you knock someone out with your thumb! I guess we should find what works best for us :)

[@jeffreyfigueiredo1740]

Very good Mr. Enkamp. In the heat of the moment there is no time to execute a nukite strike. For kata it is great! As you said, unless you have spent years conditioning your fingers. “Don’t try this at home.”

[@menachembenyakov]

I have practiced Uechi for 50+ years. I think Jesse has misunderstood the uses and effectiveness of both the shoken and the nukite. While in my early years, the first twenty or so, I did practice extreme body hardening which I no longer recommend , even without body hardening both have their place in practice and practical use. Just a couple of examples, there are many more. The shoken is an extremely devastating strike to the attackers eye or neck. You need not bang your knuckle into a makiwara in order to gain rigidity. And if you miss your target the knuckle simply collapses into a standard fist. Rather than leaving your opponent with a black eye you leave him with no eye. This is obviously only used in life or death situations. It is in fact the symbol of Uechi Ryu in acknowledgement of its effectiveness. The nukite is also designed for soft targets. The eyes, the throat, the armpits, the groin, etc. It also requires rigidity but I have found most people with a little practice can form the hand position with the required strength. The nukite is the primary strike in Sanchin kata, the first, most basic and most important kata in Uechi. One learns the hand position, strengthens the fingers and the wrists, learns proper body position , breathing and explosiveness of strikes using the nukite in the kata. When using the nukite in Sanchin the student learns to let the hand pull the arm, not to push the strike. Like firing a bullet the nukite explodes covering distance rapidly and the student learns to bring his internal energy, chi, up from the ground and release it through his finger tips. This also strengthens the body and the fingers especially. Keep in mind that many strikes are position dependent. Much of Uechi is based upon delivering strikes when your body has different angular positions than head on against your opponent. Sidestep and strike is more common, and more realistic, than toe to toe defense. The third strike discussed I can offer no opinion on. I have never practiced it. I have posted on Jesse's videos before. I always find them interesting and well done. A better training partner would be hard to find.

[@piotrlitwic5935]

Most useful karate technique? I call Gedan Barai! Why you ask? Well: 1. It teaches you how to block low strikes (that's it's purpose after all) 2. It theaches you how to defend against wrist grab (remember your talk with Ramsey Dewey?) 3. It teaches you alternative way of performing all the basics blocks, except the inward one I suppose, if you're willing to do the same motion horizontally or upwards 4. It teaches you how to backfist someone in the jaw 360 degrees around you (again, horizontal movement). So yeah, I love the techniques that teach you a variety of skills through 1 excersice.

[@sbrencher]

Actually, Rick Clark counts 75 different use cases of Gedan Barai in his book :-)

[@muhmumit2337]

Gedan yoko geri . Because it is hard to defend and damaging for opponent

[@galenacreekranch]

Actually this is the correct target for yoko geri. It is for attracting the inside of the knees to displace stances.

[@rocky_top_deluxe]

In Hong Kong sifu had us training Phoenix Fist ( NAKADAKA KEN ) on small circles of wood hung by rope with a bullseye in the center for us to use as targets. This takes many years as you said in your video to condition. Mostly used in vertical punches aimed at pressure points or where we would have a direct line to attack from 2nd bridge ( elbow joint height ). Sometimes used as a follow up if we deflected a punch or a kick then followed in with the elbow directly soon after. I enjoy your channel very much its very detailed and clear with explanation on each video. Thank you for making these awesome videos 🙌

[@HomelessNinjaKennedy]

That guy in the second clip misunderstood "training"

[@donaldduke2233]

Now in my middle 80s, if attacked I would no longer resort to my martial arts training to defend myself. Holding Black Belt ranks in a number of disciplines, in my mind I could probably fight my way out of the situation. However, though my brain would send the signals to my aged muscles, I doubt if they would respond in time or with the strength necessary to overcome the aggression presenting itself. Therefore I now rely on the system I call Bane Yubi Do. Translated into English that roughly means "TRIGGER FINGER WAY". I love your videos, Jesse. Don't forget to keep us up to date on Oliver's MMA bouts.

[@ahumanoidoforiginx7957]

I know the best technique in a real street fight: Run away

[@willfoster2635]

Too true.

[@martindurandiaz8368]

I started training karate at the age of 13,today I am 52 and I had to use karate to defend myself...and thebest thing for me was:ushiro geri,yoko geri..middle zone..surprising,fast,powerful and long range!..faithful follower!..greetings from CHILE!!!

[@giuliettawilliamson3796]

I mean personally I reckon the most effective technique I was taught was "don't get hit" :P Also I wonder if people who do pointe work would have some kind of advantage with the kick, because obviously you need strong toes for that? (Useless for me now regardless because I am Very out of practice for both karate and ballet, but alas)

[@fredazcrate4362]

Ladd you are simply a joy too watch.

[@edrichlouw1790]

On number 2, there was a guy in my High school who lost his index finger above the first joint and he would jab you with that little stub so hard it felt like a knife slicing into you.

[@geraldg7420]

I like a neck strike which causes the brain to hit the opposite side of the skull. Great stuff Jesse.

[@toast2300]

When you're early but no one cares

[@shinji_ikari]

I do

[@KARATEbyJesse]

I do! 😁

[@samuraiisalmighty4917]

I dont haahahahahahahahahahahahahah

[@TheSpider42b]

I do

[@vincewijsman8274]

The middle knuckle sticking out of a fist is called the phoenix eye and can be very useful. I have personally been on the other end getting hit on various pressure points that brought me to me knees in pain. It works if done correctly and does not need many years of pounding your knuckle up against a board. Technique, accuracy and knowing the vital pressure points.

[@insidethevelvetglove3919]

I'm a black belt in BJJ but love your videos. Why? Because they are entertaining and knowledgeable. Plus if a person calls himself a martial artist then all styles are relevant

[@fabchi4597]

Nadaka ken is actually the main fist technique adopted in shotokai style and is true that doesn't have much functionality in a street fight, but it has functionality for shotokai style itself, because it improves the release on the shoulders and arms muscles compared to a regular fist... In shotokai vision of fight, you should attack just in case of self defence from an unavoidable danger and in that case you should attack in those vital points... but of course shotokan is different and requires different qualities and abilities... thanks for this video by the way 😊

[@RobAllshouse]

The anti-Uechi video! I appreciate your nuance in your video, and the use of reality in discussing how, yes they're great techniques, but not practical unless you train for them. Your honesty in the video was great. Fun fact! The "Four Swords" or "Five Swords" drill used to end with a nukite, the fifth "sword" strike, but it was changed to an uppercut when reality set in and practitioners weren't training their fingers to make it effective.

[@Enrico_72]

Fully agree. Well done. Greetings from Italy 🇮🇹

[@garthewar]

I'm a shotokan student am also an aikido student 3 years and two belts into shotokan. Find these videos really helpful. Always hungry for knowledge. You seem like an awesome guy. Will keep tuning in oss

[@royschultz1377]

We started with rice, then sand, then wet sand, then pebbles, then heated pebbles. Worked well for hardening the hands, but really screwed up dexterity, and now that I'm old, the arthritis is terrible. All for a technique I never had to use in a real fight

[@sufsanin1917]

You know the last one, I would very much like to condition my foot just so that even stubbing my toe doesn't hurt.

[@marcelo.grohmann]

I really like your videos. Grat sense of humor. Congrats. 👊👊👊

[@lordofwarnick1557]

Hello, Jesse. Glad to see good contents from you again. As for me, seiken tsuki is the most "useful" thing, not in the term of practical use, but in the term of enhancing one's understanding towards machanism of muscle moves in one's body while do punching. Although I have just learned boxing recently, I could understand the difference between karate and boxing in muscle machanism.

[@elmerbais9767]

Were still using 3 techniques you mentioned in real fight that for us are effective. My son also used it when he fought in a tournaments. And its effective. But its nice to see those again, Its a forgotten techniques that works to other ppl.

[@seangilmore3901]

I studied Tang Soo Do. From that style of karate the best 2 techniques were the defense side kick and the spinning back kick. I know those aren't necessarily Okinawa karate staples as much as sport karate, but those are two techniques you can throw to 1) stop an attacker from coming forward and make them think twice about a straight on assault, and with a little practice a spin kick can trick anyone when timed right. And a spin kick hits hard all by itself too because in that split second you are switching from front facing to back facing you loose control of your body and just have to trust that moment and your proper technique going into the kick will have you looking at your target when your head is spun all the way around, and that your legs are ready to fire at/ crash into it.

[@rsucgang]

Rumor has it the drum technique saved a guy in Okinawa while fighting a local practitioner when he attacked during an O-bon festival.

[@egisshield]

As a massage therapist, I use that knuckle pressure for releasing trigger points. It really saves my thumbs!

[@rockable55]

Simply great, down to earth and to the point.

[@BKCUQChannel]

Nukite , Ippon Ken and Nakadaka Ken very useful for real fight ... Our sensei always teach us about them

[@Purpleninjawv]

I'm an iron hand practitioner, you actually make my point that body conditioning is a key to finish your training. You also make a valid point that is realistic You are right people don't train to kill any more. Alot of those are used to wreck organs and conective tissue. Your also correct on people not having time or discipline enough to do it. Your right, if I didn't spend 10+ years on body conditioning half of my kung-fu is reduced to normal kickboxing. I still think this should be available and taught to people who want to go the extra mile. So plz don't toss it in closet yet, and don't let this go out to as a loss of history. As for pain Jess you will get addicted to the pain and risk over training and injuries. Just about everyone I seen stick to this training for years got to a point they missed the pain if they didn't train. Don't over training this kind of thing... You cause the micro damage to your self and you got yo let it heal, then training some more. Best move imo is a Stomp kick to any angle of hip joint.(except from the back side of solid muscle) If you don't knock them down you will mess up a kicking leg pretty bad. Learned that in both koto ryu and black tiger kung fu. Love that kick follow by some type of throat strike.

[@shuratobrc]

Imagine yourself fighting a samurai with armour and watch this video again, to grasp what those techniques were meant for.

[@TheWilliejones420]

Most useful Karate technique: Font push kick! Cool vid.

[@michaelmagar2510]

That knuckle strike might suck to y'all but ive used it and its saved my life so check ya self

[@junbi4life112]

Another cool video. I have trained with Shorin-ryu and Uechi karateka who could use all these strikes full force except the spear hand. I am not saying there aren't people that can pull of the spear hand, I just haven't seen any personally. The toe kick is a mainstay in Okinawan karate. I know a Uechi-ryu rokudan that demos a three board break with a front snap toe kick; and he makes it look effortless. He also demoed the ippon ken a lot as well. In Shorin-ryu a rokudan used to strike to the body against the shodans using the nakadaka ken; think uppercut to the solar plexus or hook to the ribs. The punch was second nature to the rokudan. However, as you said, this takes years and years of conditioning. Both of these men are active Senseis and no doubt spent countless hours in makiwara training. Love your videos. P.S. I am still a ball of the foot, first two knuckles kind of guy.

[@antoniobandeiraaraujo]

My japanese teacher, who did Kyokushin, had hardened his knuckles to an extreme degree with some rather brutal training. He advised me against it though, because "you can forget playing the piano after this".

[@marcoglara2012]

Thank you for the honesty. It’s nonsense Like that that keeps people away from traditional martial arts