5 Karate Drills (New!)

Karate is a sport many of us have taken.  Whether it is because we wanted to or because our family wanted us to doesn't matter.  Either way karate is a fantastic sport that offers an intense workout.  Because of this today I want to talk about 5 karate drills that will enhance your performance as well as your endurance.  Be sure to stretch well before doing these exercises.

The first karate drill I want to discuss is a basic "snapping kick".  Start by standing in a "front stance" with your hands up gauarding your face.  Bring your back leg up bending the knee then snap kick your foot out extending your leg.  Now bring your leg back down into starting position.  Do this kicking drill 10 times then switch legs and do the same snap kicking drill 10 times.  This exercise enhances your kicking ability when practiced consistantly.  To intensify this kicking drill you are going to do the same snap kick except instead of bringing your leg back down to starting position you are going to turn your body to the side and bring your knee up to your chest.  Now kick your leg straight out to the side.  This is called a "side kick".  Do this kicking drill 10 times then switch legs and repeat this kick combination 10 times.  Doing this exercise consistantly will enhance your kicking abilities as well as your balance.

The second karate exercise is a punching drill.  To begin this exercise stand in a "horse stance" with your legs spread apart.  Bring your elbows into your sides.  Clench your fists, palms facing up.  Now with your left hand throw a straight punch keeping your right arm tucked into your side.  Now bring your left arm back into your side and throw a straight punch with your right hand.  Again bring your right arm back into your side and throw another straight punch with your left hand.  Do this punching drill 10 times with each hand then relax.  Doing this exercise consistently will enhance your punching abilities.  To intensify this punching drill you are going to throw the same punch however you are going to throw an immediate right punch after throwing a left punch.  This way your lead punch stays the same.  Throw 10 of these combination punches then switch arms.  Doing this punching drill consistently will enhance your punches as well as strengthen your arms.

The third karate exercise is a blocking drill.  To begin this drill stand with your feet together and your elbows tucked into your sides.  Now step forward lifting your left arm up and bringing your forearm across your forehead.  Keep your right arm tucked into your side.  Now step back up with your feet together bringing your arm back down to starting position.  Switch arms and run this drill 10 times for each arm then relax. 

Doing this exercise consistently will enhance your blocking abilities as well as your reaction time.  To intensify this drill do the same block except this time throw a punch with the other hand at the same time.  Throw the punch and block all in the same motion.  Do this exercise 10 times throwing the punch with your right hand then switching and throwing the punch with the left hand.  Running this punch / block combination drill will enhance your ability to block and counter with an attack at the same time.

The fourth karate exercise is a punch / kick combination drill.  To begin, throw a straight punch then follow up with a snap kick.  Now switch arms and throw another straight punch with the other hand then follow it up with another snap kick, kicking with the other foot then return to starting position.  This punch / kick combination exercise is extremely effective and will enhance your punching as well as your kicking when practiced consistently.  To intensify this drill throw the same straight punch in a front stance then follow it up with a snap kick.  Now instead of bringing your leg back down to starting position turn your body to the side bringing your knee up to your chest then extend your leg and throw a side kick.  Keep your foot bent kicking with your heel.  This is a serious combination that will enhance your punching and kicking abilities when practiced consistently.

The fifth karate exercise is a "spinning back kick" drill.  Start in a regular fighting stance.  Now pivot your front foot moving your heel out then spin your body swinging your back leg around throwing a kick then returning back into starting position.  Do this 10 times then switch legs.  Running this exercise consistently will enhance your overall kicking performance.  To intensify this drill do the same spinning back kick however instead of returning to starting position immediately throw a "round house kick" then return to starting position.  Do this 10 times then switch legs and run it 10 times with the other leg.  This is a serious kick combination and will enhance your kicking performance when practiced consistently.