HOW TO DO HIJI ATE GOHO
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Hiji Jodan Ate·Ragenil Karatedo Club RKC Bataan
Translation: high elbow strike
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Limb angle
Zero180–135°135–90°90–45°45–0°
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
Hiji Jodan Ate (High Elbow Strike) is a Kyokushin Karate rising elbow strike to the upper level (jodan), targeting the chin. [1] Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate, demonstrated this as a fundamental combat technique requiring proper body mechanics and spirit. [1] The technique emphasises full-body power generation through hip rotation and proper weight transfer. [1]
High Elbow StrikeUpper Elbow
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Kyokushin practitioners train this strike for bare-knuckle effectiveness, making it one of the most practically tested karate techniques. [1]
Lineage
Kyokushin Karate; founded by Masutatsu Oyama (1964). [1]
Competition Record
Used in Kyokushin full-contact karate tournaments
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — High Elbow Strike-specific striking mechanics with full hip rotation
Joints Involved — Shoulder, elbow, wrist (for punches/strikes), hips (rotation)
Force Vector — Technique-specific trajectory
Position & Entry
From front stance — Execute Hiji Jodan Ate with full hip rotation
From fighting stance — Deliver Hiji Jodan Ate with body commitment
Variants
From front stance
From fighting stance
As counter-attack
Videos
Karate Goju-ryu - Jodan hiji ate - Kapocs Sportprogram
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Hiji Jodan Ate·KAPOCS Sportprogram
Goju-ryu - Jodan hiji ate A KAPOCS Sportprogram keretében összefoglaltuk a goju-ryu karatestílus alaptechnikáit, hogy eg…
Sanseiru applications - sokumen awase and hiji ate
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Hiji Jodan Ate·Dan Djurdjevic - The Way of Least Resistance
A re-upload combining two videos on the same topic: the forearm/elbow technique that occurs in two places in different g…
Jodan Hiji Ate
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Hiji Jodan Ate·Tatakai Kyokushin Karate
Jodan Hiji Ate
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4 videosWhat Instructors Say
Hiji Jodan Ate is an upper-level elbow strike executed with precise targeting and controlled distance management. According to Dan Djurdjevic—The Way of Least Resistance, the strike relies on striking with either the elbow point or the meaty forearm portion, maintaining a deliberate gap between the striker's arm and the target rather than making flush contact. Djurdjevic emphasizes that the technique functions as a 'shocker' move requiring sequential rather than simultaneous execution; striking in rapid succession (one-two timing) maximizes power and prevents shoulder compromise that occurs when both arms move forward together. The technique integrates with deflection applications, where an initial capture-and-deflect movement precedes the strike itself, creating a flowing transition. KAPOCS Sportprogram and Tatakai Kyokushin Karate demonstrate the form within Goju-ryu and Kyokushin contexts respectively, establishing the technique's presence across karate styles. Ragenil Karatedo Club RKC Bataan references multiple directional variations of Hiji Ate (Goho) and positions (such as Senkustaji), indicating the strike's adaptability across fighting angles and stances. Collectively, instructors stress precise mechanics over raw speed, controlled distance work, and integration with defensive applications.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- Dan Djurdjevic - The Way of Least Resistance — Sanseiru applications - sokumen awase and hiji ate: Detailed striking mechanics: elbow vs. forearm contact, distance management (deliberate gap), sequential timing (one-two strikes), prevention of shoulder compromise, integration with deflection and capture techniques.
- KAPOCS Sportprogram — Karate Goju-ryu - Jodan hiji ate - Kapocs Sportprogram: Demonstration of hiji jodan ate within Goju-ryu karate context, establishing style-specific application.
- Tatakai Kyokushin Karate — Jodan Hiji Ate: Kyokushin karate execution and methodology for the upper elbow strike.
- Ragenil Karatedo Club RKC Bataan — HOW TO DO HIJI ATE GOHO: Multiple directional and positional variations (Goho/five directions, Senkustaji positioning), demonstrating adaptability across angles and stances.
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Full-power Kyokushin karate strike trained for bare-knuckle impact
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
WBC/Boxing — All elbow strikes prohibited in boxing {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Elbow strikes not a legal technique in sport karate
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin — Elbow strikes prohibited {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Prohibited
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— ITF — Prohibited
ITF Competition RulesPDF— WAKO — Prohibited in all kickboxing formats
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Prohibited — key difference from Muay Thai {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
Legal
— Unified MMA — Legal — all elbow strikes permitted
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— art of eight limbs
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Practise on makiwara and heavy bag for conditioning (Oyama, 1965)
✓Full hip rotation is essential
✓Kiai (spirit shout) accompanies the strike
Common Mistakes
!Insufficient hip rotation
!Tensing too early
!Poor stance
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Stance → Hip rotation → Hiji Jodan Ate → Recovery
Sources & References
Primary Source
This Is Karate (Oyama, 1965)
1Book[1] Oyama, M. (1965). This Is Karate. Japan Publications Trading Co. [2] Oyama, M. (1968). Advanced Karate. Japan Publications.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Oyama, M
2Citation[1] Oyama, M. (1965). This Is Karate. Japan Publications Trading Co. [2] Oyama, M. (1968). Advanced Karate. Japan Publications.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Oyama, M
Community
Athletics
Strong hands and wrists (conditioned through makiwara training)
Good hip rotation
Solid stance
Notes
Hiji jodan ate (upper-level elbow strike) drives the elbow upward into the chin or jaw — the elbow uppercut. Extremely powerful from clinch range. (Oyama, This Is Karate; Delp, Muay Thai Unleashed)
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my elbow strike connect directly with my opponent's body, or is there a gap?
According to Dan Djurdjevic, Hiji Jodan Ate works best with a small gap rather than full contact—it's more of a 'shocker' move than a driving strike, so you want to avoid both full contact and excessive distance.
How is the timing of Hiji Jodan Ate different from a regular elbow strike?
Dan Djurdjevic emphasizes that Hiji Jodan Ate involves precise timing with a quick two-part action rather than a single committed drive, maintaining a deliberate gap to maximize the shock effect of the technique.
How does the Hiji Jodan Ate work?
Hiji Jodan Ate (High Elbow Strike) is a Kyokushin Karate rising elbow strike to the upper level (jodan), targeting the chin. Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate, demonstrated this as a fundamental combat technique requiring proper body mechanics and spirit.
Where does the Hiji Jodan Ate come from?
Hiji Jodan Ate is a fundamental technique of Kyokushin Karate as codified by Masutatsu Oyama. Kyokushin's emphasis on full-contact fighting requires every strike to be trained for maximum real-world effectiveness.
Is the Hiji Jodan Ate legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal — all elbow strikes permitted; WBC/Boxing: banned — All elbow strikes prohibited in boxing; WKF: banned — Elbow strikes not a legal technique in sport karate; Kyokushin: banned — Elbow strikes prohibited; WT: banned — Prohibited; ITF: banned — Prohibited; WAKO: banned — Prohibited in all kickboxing formats; K: banned — 1/GLORY — Prohibited — key difference from Muay Thai; IFMA: legal — Legal — elbows are a core Muay Thai weapon (art of eight limbs)
How dangerous is the Hiji Jodan Ate?
Danger rating 7/10. Full-power Kyokushin karate strike trained for bare-knuckle impact
How do I set up the Hiji Jodan Ate?
The standard setup chain: Stance → Hip rotation → Hiji Jodan Ate → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Hiji Jodan Ate?
Standard counters include: Block and counter / Distance management / Evasion.
What are the variants of the Hiji Jodan Ate?
Common variants: From front stance; From fighting stance; As counter-attack.
How effective is the Hiji Jodan Ate in competition?
Used in Kyokushin full-contact karate tournaments
What are common mistakes when doing the Hiji Jodan Ate?
Top errors to watch for: Insufficient hip rotation / Tensing too early / Poor stance.
What are other names for the Hiji Jodan Ate?
The Hiji Jodan Ate is also known as Hiji Jodan Ate, High Elbow Strike, Upper Elbow.