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Shōtei (掌底)

Introduction

Shōtei (掌底) is a striking surface where contact occurs with the base of the palm.

The striking surface is formed by the fleshy part at the base of the thumb. Shōtei is used in strikes (uchi, 打ち), thrusts, and blocks (uke, 受け).

Definition

Shōtei (掌底)
A striking surface where contact occurs with the base of the palm, mainly the fleshy part at the base of the thumb.

Terminology

Japanese: 掌底
Romaji: shōtei
English: base of the palm

Structure / Form

Basic position

  • the hand is open
  • the fingers are held together
  • the hand is kept stable

Fingers

  • all five fingers are kept controlled
  • in strikes, all five fingers are tensed at the moment of impact

Position

  • the base of the palm forms the striking surface
  • the wrist is bent backward so that the striking surface opens

Wrist

  • the wrist is bent backward
  • the hand and forearm are kept stable at impact

Striking surface

Primary contact

  • the fleshy base of the palm at the base of the thumb

Secondary contact (should be avoided)

  • fingers
  • middle of the palm
  • wrist

Basic principles

Structure

The hand is kept open and stable so that the base of the palm becomes clear as a striking surface.

Body connection

Power is transferred through the body to the striking surface.

English:
ground → leg → hip → torso → shoulder → arm → striking surface

Japanese / romaji:
jimen (地面) → ashi (足) → koshi (腰) → dōtai (胴体) → kata (肩) → ude (腕) → datotsu-bu (打突部)

Kime (決め)

Power is concentrated at the moment of impact.

Execution

Movement

  • the technique starts without unnecessary tension
  • the movement is driven by the coordination of the body
  • the hand follows a clear path toward the target or into the block

Impact

  • contact occurs with the base of the palm
  • in strikes, all five fingers are tensed at the moment of impact

Retraction

  • the other hand is pulled back in hikite (引き手)
  • the working arm is pulled back directly after impact

Use

Shōtei is used, among other things, in:

Uchi waza

  • shōtei jōdan uchi (掌底上段打ち)
  • shōtei chūdan uchi (掌底中段打ち)
  • shōtei gedan uchi (掌底下段打ち)

Uke waza

  • shōtei jōdan uke (掌底上段受け)
  • shōtei chūdan uke (掌底中段受け)
  • shōtei gedan uke (掌底下段受け)

Training

Shōtei is trained through:

  • kihon
  • repetitions
  • controlled striking training
  • controlled blocking training

Focus:

  • correct striking surface
  • correct wrist angle
  • stable hand form
  • tensed fingers at impact

Common errors

Insufficiently bent wrist

  • the striking surface does not open clearly
  • power is transferred less effectively

Incorrect striking surface

  • contact occurs with the fingers or the middle of the palm
  • the impact becomes weaker and less stable

Untensed fingers in strikes

  • the hand form becomes loose
  • the structure of the impact is impaired

Summary

Shōtei (掌底) is a striking surface where contact occurs with the base of the palm.

It is defined by:

  • open hand
  • backward-bent wrist
  • tensed fingers at the moment of impact
  • impact with the fleshy part at the base of the thumb