Chudan Tsuki

Chudan Tsuki is a karate strike. Pronounced 'chew-dan-zuki'. This is the basic body level punch in karate. In traditional styles the punch starts from a clenched fist placed at the side of the body just above waist level. The elbow should be pointed out directly behind you. As you punch forward, keep the arm travelling so that the fist remains at a consistent height and track the arm towards your opponents center line, keeping your fist inverted (knuckles down) until the punch is about 70% extended and then twist your wrist straight just before the punch has landed. This provides a glancing effect whilst punching an is ideal for twisting through flesh.

When retracting the Chudan Tsuki, be sure to follow the same direction that was used to extend the punch, making the fist inverted again at about 70% of the arms length, and retracting back to the side of the body just above the waist. Elbow again should be pointed out to the back.

In karate the simple Chudan Tsuki punch was designed to provide an attacking strike to both the front with the straight punch, and also to the rear to attack an opponent behind you by means of the elbow strike. When retracting your punch, be sure to incorporate the rear elbow strike into your technique. This also helps engage the hips, driving your punches both forward and backward using your hips will generate and harness more power into your technique.