Kihon is the basic foundation of Shotokan, consisting of dachi (stances), uke (blocks), zuki (punches), uchi (strikes), and geri (kicks).

It is critical for students to focus on perfecting proper kihon form, which will ultimately allow them to maximize both speed and power.

Stances should be strong, and allow the student to execute explosive techniques. Blocks should be performed with confidence, unwavering focus on one's opponent, and followed by powerful counter-attacks.

In general, attacking techniques can be classified as either thrusting or striking techniques, the difference being that a thrust is delivered in a direct line along the attacking limb, while a strike is delivered perpendicular to the attacking limb. Thus, a lunge punch is a thrusting technique, while backfists and roundhouse kicks are strikes.

A final point is that each attacking technique, whether it be a thrusting or a striking technique, can be delivered using either a snapback or a lockout motion. Snapback techniques are quicker, typically use reverse hip rotation, and impart a vibrating impact. Lockout techniques are a committment to full power, using forward hip rotation, and can be much more devastating, but they are also more difficult to control in the event of a miss.

With these considerations in mind, the sections below will catalog many of the kihon – the fundamental techniques of Shotokan.

Before getting to the techniques themselves, it is important to understand the concept of kiai.

The word is composed of two Japanese words, "ki" meaning "energy," and "ai" meaning "to meet with." "Ki" also means "breath." The kiai is a shout delivered by the karateka (karate practitioner) and is most usually heard when delivering a strike. The combined meaning of the words implies that kiai may be interpreted as a kind of energy that accompanies the strike.

There are two main reasons for using the kiai. One is to frighten, distract, or disconcert, the opponent. The other is to tighten the muscles and empty the breath from the body to prevent injury. This is why kiais are heard both when striking an opponent and when taking a fall. Expulsion of the air from the body prevents ruptures to the lungs and other organs which may be caused by violent expulsion of trapped air during the impact of a fall. A third reason for use is that the kiai focuses the ki, making the strike more powerful.

The kiai should originate from the hara, a spot located two inches below the navel, which Eastern cultures believe is the central storage place of the body's ki, or life energy. (This area is usually referred to as the diaphragm when talking about breath control and sound production.) The effective kiai must originate from the hara, tighten the muscles of the body (starting from the pelvic area), expel all the air from the lungs and chest cavity, and be loud and intimidating.

In kendo, classical Japanese sword training, only three syllables are permitted for kiai: "eh," "ya" and "toh." Each of these syllables is voiced with a strong start and strong stop, but they are subtly different in how they connect the body and how they link to both the technique initiation and impact.

In karate, each person must experiment individually, since each body is different, but in no case should the word "kiai" ever be used as a kiai. Not only is it equivalent to shouting the word "shout," but it also has two syllables with a weak transition.