Hiji uchi

Name

Romaji:
Hiji uchi

Japanese:
肘打ち

English:
Elbow strike

Terminology

Hiji refers to the elbow as a striking surface.

Position in the sequence

Block:
Kiba-dachi

Position in the sequence:
Technique 9

Preceded by:
Seiken shita tsuki

Followed by:
Nao, rei.

Starting position

Kiba-dachi, compact guard, elbow close to the body.

Commands

Follows seiken shita tsuki in the same block.

Counting

Practiced with the count of block 2.

Kiai

According to the count of the block.

Execution

The elbow is used as a striking surface along a short path toward a close-range target. The technique should be direct, compact and connected to the body.

Technical key points

• short movement
• clear gathering of the body
• keep the shoulder low
• power from the torso and hip

Common errors

• large circle
• high shoulder
• weak connection to the body
• technique becoming an arm sweep

Purpose

To train a compact close-range technique with the body behind the strike.

Relationship to further training

Idō Geiko: Primarily as close-range mechanics.

Kata: The elbow principle recurs in several forms.

Kumite: A basis for a compact close-range strike.