| Term | Kanji | Description |
| Sai | 釵 | A type of trident popular in Asia, middle prong is longest. aka Tekpi |
| Saifa | 砕破 | Kata: Smash and Destroy. Older: Lion Method (獅法) Ch. Shīfǎ |
| Saiko Shihan | 最高師範 | The most senior instructor in a given style |
| Sakiyama Kitoku | 崎山喜徳 | Legendary Naha Bushi and early karate pioneer (1821-1904) |
| Sakugawa Kanga | 佐久川寛賀 | Bojutsu expert, aka Teruya Kanga (1786-1867) |
| Sakugawa Kangi | 佐久川寛喜 | Early bojutsu pioneer, aka Teruya Kangi aka Tote (1733-1815) |
| Sanchin | 三戦 | Kata: 3 Battles. aka 3 Enter(ing) 三進 also: 参戦 Ch: Sānzhàn (三戰) |
| Sanchin Dachi | 三戦立ち | Three Battles Stance - found in Sanchin kata |
| Sannen Sanchin | 三年三戦 | Three Years Sanchin - 3 Years of Sanchin Training |
| Sansai | 三才 | Kata: Three Powers (Heaven/Earth/People) by Shukumine Seiken |
| Sanseiru | 三十六 | Kata: 36. aka 36 Hands (三十六手), Chinese: Sānshíliù |
| Sanzan | 三山 | Three Kingdoms of Okinawa, Nanzan 南山, Chuzan 中山, Hokuzan 北山 |
| Sasae Uke | 支え受け | Prop Block (blocking while reinforcing the lead hand) |
| Seibukan | 聖武館 | School of the Holy Warrior - Founded in 1962 by Shimabukuro Zenryo |
| Seigokan | 世剛館 | School of the Hard World - Founded in 1960 by Tamaki Juei |
| Seipai | 十八 | Kata: Eighteen. Sometimes (十八手), Ch. Shíbā |
| Seiryuto Uke | 青竜刀受け | Blue Dragon Block - Small bone at the base of hand block/strike |
| Seisan | 十三 | Kata: 13. Jp: Hangetsu, Half Month (半月) Ch: Shísān, Hangetsu 半月 |
| Seiunchin | 刺引戦 | Kata: Pull into Battle. aka Seiyonchin Mandarin: 随運勁 Fujian: 青鷹戦 |
| Shibu Dojo | 支部道場 | Branch Dojo |
| Shiko Dachi | 四股立ち | Square Stance (Four Point Stance) |
| Shimabuku Tatsuo | 島袋龍夫 | Founder of Isshinryu (一心流) Karate (1908-1975) |
| Shimabukuro Taro | 島袋善良 | Famous karate teacher - had 28 teachers (1905-1980) |
| Shinjikan | 心治館 | School of the Peaceful Heart - Founded in 1974 by Toyama Zenshu |
| Shisa | シーサー | A type of lion dog yokai that is a protection spirit/yokai in Okinawa |
| Shisochin | 四向戦 | Kata: Battle from Four Directions / Four Direction War |
| Shizen Dachi | 自然立ち | Natural Stance (Short Front Stance) |
| Shodan Ho | 初段補 | Probationary Shodan (First degree Black Belt) |
| Shodokan | 尚道館 | School of the Okinawan Way - Founded in 1960 by Higa Seiko |
| Shoreikan | 尚礼館 | School of Okinawan Manners - Founded in 1953 by Toguchi Seikichi |
| Shorinji ryu | 少林寺流 | Shaolin Temple Style - Founded by Nakazato Joen in 1954 |
| Shotokan ryu | 松濤館流 | House of Shoto Style - Founded by Funakoshi Gichin in 1938 |
| Soji | 掃除 | Clean Up - Group cleaning of the dojo |
| Soken Hohan | 祖堅方範 | Founder of Seito Matsumura Shorinryu (1891-1982) |
| Sokodjikara | 底力 | Hidden reserve of strength |
| Sokuto Geri | 足刀蹴り | Edge of the Foot Kick (typically downward angle) |
| Sukui Uke | 掬い受け | Scooping Block |
| Sukunaihayashi ryu | 少林流 | Small Forest (Sukunaihayashi) style - Attributed to Kyan Chotoku |
| Sune Geri | 脛蹴り | Shin Kick |
| Suparinpe | 壱百零八 | Kata: 108. aka 108 hands (壱百零八手), Chinese: Yībǎilíngbā |
| Suzumu Undo | 涼む運動 | Cooling down exercises |
