Karate Technique - Muwatte (Turn)*

This technique is probably the most common technique in Karate, from Karate kata, Karate kihon and Karate bunkai. It can be used to turn to face a new opponent, to face your first opponent, as a throw, etc.

Instructions for Technique

There are two types of Muwatte, the first is a shor one, and the second a long turn.

Short Muwatte

This is used in Kihon more than the long version used mainly in Kata's.

• Look over shoulder where back leg is
• With same arm as front leg cover face
• take back leg across
• Twist to finish on opposite stance
• This is generally used with a Karate Soto-Uke, but can be used with any block.

Application

In most schools, this is taught as a turn to face a new opponent, and to block them and counter with the next Karate Kihon technique, this is one application, but if we look at it as a finisher, then it gets interesting, so say if we do a Muwatte gedan-barai, as in Kihon Kata, this can be used as a grab from the front lunge punch, grab your opponent, and pull them as you twist to finish with the gedan-barai as the end of the throw, this can be applied to throw your opponent about to disorientate them, or reposition them for a finisher, or the put them into something, wall, chair etc.

Long Muwatte

This is generally in most scools onlu used in Kata

• Look over shoulder where front leg is
• With the opposite arm to fron leg cover face
• take front leg all the way around 180 degree
• twist body and block
• This is used in kata and can be with any block in as the kata is taught.