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Shotokan Technique · Strike

底掌打ちTeishō-uchi — Palm-heel strike

Teishō-uchi (底掌打ち, “palm-heel strike”; also shotei) drives the hard heel of the palm forward with the fingers pulled back out of the way. Because the palm-heel is a durable surface with little risk to the small bones of the hand, it is a favourite for self-defence and close range.
TypeStrike (uchi)
WeaponHeel of the palm
Also calledShotei
DirectionsMae / otoshi / awase
Good forSelf-defence

See the technique型

Toggle between the phases. These are simplified schematics of the shape of the technique — pair them with the step-by-step below and your instructor.

A diagram shows the shape, not the speed or feel. For full-motion form, watch the reference video below and train it live.

How to perform it

  1. Chamber the open hand, often to the hip, wrist relaxed and fingers together but soft.
  2. Cock the wrist back hard so the palm-heel (the base of the palm near the wrist) points at the target; curl the fingers back and up, thumb tucked.
  3. Drive from the hips and legs, elbow staying down and behind the hand.
  4. Push the palm-heel straight to the target on the shortest line, full wrist extension at contact so the heel — not the fingers — lands.
  5. Focus with kime, the arm nearly (not fully) straight to protect the elbow; recover or flow into a grab.

Key points

  • Strike with the heel of the palm, fingers pulled back and up.
  • Wrist firmly cocked back and braced at impact.
  • Drive from the body; do not just push with the shoulder.

Common mistakes

Striking with the fingers or flat palm instead of the heel.
A collapsing or loose wrist at impact.
Flaring the elbow or pushing rather than striking.
Locking the elbow fully straight and risking hyperextension.

Where you’ll see it

Teishō-uchi appears across the Shotokan kata syllabus, including:

JitteNijūshihoUnsuGojūshiho Shō

Application (bunkai)分解

A powerful, safe close-range strike to the chin, nose or sternum — and, cocked back, the hand is instantly ready to grab or strike again. Nijūshiho’s double palm-heel (teishō-awase) is its signature.

Note: applications are interpretive and one shape carries several valid uses — explore them with a qualified instructor.

Watch a reference performance演武

To see Teishō-uchi performed at full speed, watch instructor demonstrations:

▶ Watch “Teishō-uchi” on YouTube

Related techniques

Nukite貫手Haitō-uchi背刀打ちShutō-uchi手刀打ち

Teishō-uchi — frequently asked questions

What is teishō-uchi in karate?
A palm-heel strike — you strike with the hard heel of the open palm, fingers bent back, into targets such as the chin, nose or sternum.
Is teishō the same as shotei?
Yes. Teishō and shotei (or shotei-uchi) are alternative names for the same palm-heel strike; Shotokan sources use them interchangeably.
Why use a palm-heel instead of a punch?
The palm-heel is a durable surface with little risk of breaking the small bones of the hand, which makes it favoured for self-defence and close-range strikes to the head.
Which kata use teishō?
Most prominently Jitte and Nijūshiho (the awase/double palm-heel), with palm-heel actions also in Unsu and the Gojūshiho kata.