GAESHI

Counter. This is also spelt Kaeshi.

GAI WAN

Outer Arm, part of the forearm located on the side opposite the thumb.  

GAN

Eye. You may also see this as Gansei. One of the main target area's for 'Spear Hand' techniques.

GANCHU

Area below the nipples.

GANKAKU

Crane on a Rock, a Kata from Shotokan Karate.

GANKAKU DACHI

Crane Stance, as used in the kata GANKAKU. This stance was originally called Tsuru Ashi Dachi.

GANKAKU KAMAE

Crane Posture, as used in the kata GANKAKU. The legs are in Tsuru Ashi Dachi and the arms in Manji Uke.

GEDAN

Lower Level or Lower Section. If called prior to an attack it indicates that the attack will be to the lower area of the body. The student should still block what ever attack is thrown. This takes in to account that mistakes do happen.

GEDAN BARAI

Lower Level Sweep. Normally the first move students make prior to going on to do their combinations, one of the reason's for this is so that the first move in Karate is a block which demonstrates that Karate is for self-defence.

GEDAN BARAI UKE

Lower level Sweeping Block.

GEDAN CHOKU TSUKI

A punch to the lower section of the opponent's body, normally the groin.

GEDAN JUJI UKE

Lower Level X Block. As seen in the Kata Heian Yondan and other's. Normally used to block a front kick. A common mistake students make is not to move in to the block enough. The block should land after the attacker has raised his knee but prior to his leg beginning to extend.

GEDAN KAKE-UKE

Lower Level Hooking Block.

GEDAN SHUTO OSAE

Lower level Knife Hand Press. As seen in the Kata Gojushiho Dai.

GEDAN SUKUI UKE

Lower Level Hooking Block, as seen in the Kata Bassai Dai.

GEDAN SOTO UDE UKE

Lower Level Outside Forearm Block, as seen in the Kata Tekki Nidan.

GEDAN TSUKI

Lower Level Punch, usually directed at the groin area.

GEDAN UDE UKE

Lower Level Forearm Block. (The fist faces to the ground).

GEDAN UKE

Lower Level Block.

GEKON

The spot beneath the lower lip. Ippon Ken is a good technique to use to attack this target.

GERI

Kick, sometimes also seen as being spelt as KERI.

GERIGAESHI

Return Kick or kick Counter. After you have executed the kick and performed Gerihanashi you then re-extend the kick back in to the target. This technique often works because after you have put your first kick in which may have been blocked by your opponent he doesn't expect the second kick to come from the same leg and drops his guard to it.

GERIHANASHI

Kick Release. After executing a kick you must withdraw your leg with at the same speed as the kick went in. If you take a kick to be in three parts, the first being the stance, the second or halfway point being where you have lifted the leg prior to extending it and the third part being the extension of the leg, the above translation is 'Kick Half Leg'. If you leave your leg out after a kick it can be grabbed by your opponent who can then easily break your supporting leg with a simple kick.

GERI NUKE

Best described as Slipping Through The Enemy By Kicking.

GERI WAZA

Kicking Techniques.

GI (ghee)

Training costume.

GOHON KUMITE

Five step basic sparring. The attacker steps in five consecutive times with a striking technique with each step. The defender steps back five times, blocking each technique. After the fifth block, the defender executes a counter-strike and Kiais.

GO NO SEN

The tactic where you allow your opponent to attack first so to open up targets for your counter attack.

GOJUSHIHO SHO / DAI

Fifty Four Steps. Two high grade Katas which were originally performed over fifty four steps. This Kata is odd in that different associations have them different ways round. If you count the steps in today’s version there are 62 steps.

GOKOKU

A resuscitation point in the fleshy area between the thumb and index finger.

GOSHI (KOSHI)

In some books and translations KOSHI which means Hip, is spelt as GOSHI.

GOSHIN

Self defence.

GYAKU

Reverse or Opposite.

GYAKU ASHI

Reverse Foot or Reverse Leg.

GYAKU HANMI

Reversed Side-on, half front facing position. This stance is useful in assisting kicking off the back leg as a counter move because the hip is all ready in.

GYAKU MAWASHI-EMPI UCHI

Reverse Roundhouse Elbow Strike.

GYAKU MAWASHI GERI

Reverse Round-house Kick. Sometimes also called Ura Mawashi Geri. You normally use the ball of the foot to strike with in the dojo, but the heel in real life as it will cause more damage.

GYAKU MIKAZUKI ERI

Back or Reverse Crescent Kick, as seen in the Kata Empi. May also be seen as Ura Mikazuki Geri.

GYAKU TE

Reverse Hand.

GYAKU TSUKI

Reverse Punch. A basic Shotokan punch, in boxing this would be the 'right cross'.