In Kyokushin karate, prohibited techniques may not be used during sparring in training; using them in competition results in warnings or disqualification.In Kyokushin karate, as in any Eastern martial art, there are both permitted and prohibited techniques. Prohibited techniques may not be used during sparring in training, and using prohibited techniques in competition results in warnings or disqualification.

So let’s look at which strikes are permitted and which are prohibited in Kyokushin karate.

Permitted techniques

Hand strikes to the body:

  • Seiken tsuki — straight punch
  • Shita tsuki — uppercut to the body
  • Morote tsuki — double punch
  • Kagi tsuki — hook punch
  • Hiji ate — elbow strike

Kicking techniques:

  • Hiza geri — knee strike
  • Mae geri — front kick
  • Mae keage — front snap kick
  • Soto mawashi keage — outside crescent kick
  • Uchi mawashi keage — inside crescent kick
  • Mawashi geri — roundhouse kick
  • Ushiro geri — back kick
  • Ushiro mawashi geri («spinning heel kick») — reverse spinning roundhouse kick, 360 degrees
  • Oroshi soto kakato geri — downward kick after outside circular swing
  • Oroshi uchi kakato geri — downward kick after inside circular swing
  • Gedan zuki — indication of a finishing strike on a downed opponent

 

Prohibited techniques

  • Direct kicks to the knee
  • Strikes to the neck
  • Grabs
  • Throws
  • Strikes to the throat
  • Headbutts
  • Strikes to the groin
  • Punches to the face
  • Striking a downed opponent
  • Open-palm pushes
  • Strikes to the back from behind

 

Demonstration of permitted Kyokushin competition techniques:

Demonstration of prohibited Kyokushin competition techniques: