Sticky Hands with Jason 5

Again, I deliberately tense up for the second half of this video. He easily defends and counters. This is a good demonstration as to why one should relax during practice (unless, like me, you are trying to draw a solid defense).

Without prejudice

Sticky Hands with Jason 4

There are two things here to be aware of.

When I try and grab his arms and tie him up; it ends badly for me.

On the other hand, when I flow with his blocking arm, he actually draws my attack into his face.

Soft is good, hard…Not so good.

Without prejudice

Sticky Hands with Jason 3

At the end of this exchange, Jason throws a powerful ridgehand that I only partially deflect. All too often blocks are thought of as absolute defenses when they can be fully effective of only partially so.

Without prejudice

Sticky hands with Jason 2

Again, there were times I went to multiple strikes few of which went in fully. My aim as Jason’s teacher was to assess his ability to defend himself from punches at punching range. He did this well and I was very pleased with his solid defense.

Without prejudice

Sticky Hands with Jason 1

This week, Jason and I are practicing sticky hands. At various times (and every time we train together) I deliberately tense up deliberately and go ‘hard’ in order to draw a reaction from Jason. These times are easy to spot, as ever time I go ‘hard’, Jason tags me.

It was lot of fun and we had a good time doing it.

Without prejudice

Shuffle in Jab to the Solar Plexus.

This strike goes into the centre mass of an attacker. Whether it is done as an initial move or a follow up off of a rear hand block, the lead jab to the body is a serious strike and can add considerable power to anyone’s arsenal.

Without prejudice

Shuffle in Lead Arm Jab to Sternum

This goes to the middle of the chest (instead of the eye or solar plexus).

Without prejudice

Shuffle in Lead Jab High

I am a big fan of the jab. It measure distance. It also measures reactions. It is a damaging strike in its own right. It can also be the beginning of a flurry of strikes. Well, you get the idea…

It is a quick versatile move but it should not be counted on the end the exchange and care should be given either withdrawing or following up once the jab has been executed. Standing close and observing a reaction is an absolute no-no.

Without prejudice

Shuffle in Rear Arm Punch Low

This makes an excellent strike to the solar plexus.

Without prejudice

Shuffle in Rear Arm Punch Mid level

This strike can be done two ways. It can come straight in or it can start by dropping the fist a bit before punching. Both ways have advantages and both have disadvantages.

Both are powerful man stoppers.

Without prejudice

Shuffle in Rear Arm Thrust High

This week, Jason is practicing straight punches.

Today he is using his rear hand to punch high to the eye.

Note how the pad holder reacts to the punch. Listen to the sound of the fist impacting on the pad. Now go back a couple of weeks to June 5 or so and think about how much damage this punch would cause if it were to land (as ether an attack or a counterattack).

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Roundhouse Kick to the Pad

Note the ninety degree turn in the kicker’s hip as he lashes out with the rear leg.

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Offset Kick to the Pad

Like yesterday, the offset kick is done with the back leg by shifting the weight forward.

I have been practicing and teaching this kick for a long time. It has been my experience that the weight shift paradoxically adds power but feels weaker when first practiced.

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Front Snap Kick to the Pad

Just like the kick done at the beginning of the week. The main difference is that Jason shift’s is weight forward to kick with the back leg instead of stepping in to kick with the lead leg.

Note the reaction of the pad holder.

Without prejudice

Slide in Roundhouse Kick to the Pad

This kick comes in horizontally to the ground. Jason is demonstrating with the top of the foot.

The target could be the inside of the thigh against a forward facing opponent.

Without prejudice

Slide in Offset Kick to the Pad

Similar in many ways to yesterday’s kick, only the target changes from groin to either the outside of the thigh or calf (if done lower down)

Without prejudice

Slide in Front Kick to the Pad

Jason is demonstrating his mid level kicks this week. I practice mid and low level kicks. It is my belief that mid and low level kicks should be practiced (and defended against in practice) with the same intensity that is used for upper body attacks and defenses.

Today’s kick is slide in front snap kick using the top of the foot to the groin. One has only to see the guy in red’s reaction (that’s me!) or listen to the sound as Jason’s foot impacting on the pad the realize this is a powerful finishing move.

Without prejudice

Angled Block Followed by Multiple Counters

This is similar to yesterday’s drill. The main difference is the attack is a looping thrust to the side of the body.

Also, as yesterday showed, about twenty seconds in, a different block comes into play. This is something a encourage as it promotes both confidence and versatility in reactions.

Without prejudice

Crossdownward Arm Block Followed by Multiple Counters

The attack is supposed to be a lead jab to the centre of the body (solar plexus). The defense is to reach out across the body and block down before countering.

For the first half of this drill, it goes as planned…

The second half (about twenty five seconds in); things go unexpectedly awry. The lead thrusting attack to the body becomes a rear thrusting attack.

Yet the defense remains the same (lead Crossdownward block). This is a perfect example of ‘zone defense’. The block covers a specific portion of the body against a variety of similar attacks.

Without prejudice

Mantis Block Followed by Multiple Counters

The attack is a hard rear hand to the body.

This defense should have a one and a half beat rhythm to it.

It should be noted that this is not the only defense or even the best defense. It is simple a defense (one of many). This makes the defender’s actions harder to anticipate.

Without prejudice

Outside Palm Block Followed by Multiple Counters

Today the attack that we are defending against is the straight jab to the eye. The outside palm block is very versatile and fast. Against a quick jab, this outside palm has to be in position and the defender is deliberately drawing the attack.

Otherwise, the block will be too late.

Without prejudice

Inside Hooking Block Followed by Multiple Counters

This is a similar defense drill to what we did yesterday. The main difference is that the attack is a bit lower (the eye instead of the forehead).

I have noticed that at the higher levels, there is a tendency to throw a minimum of three counterattacks. This is not always the case but it does happen often.

Without prejudice

Rising Block Followed by Multiple Counters

This week I’m working with Jason (who has kindly consented to being on film).

Today we are exchanging defenses against an overhand punch to the forehead. The basic defense is to block, slight pause and then, follow up with a flurry of counterattacks.

This is a ‘DRILL’. The prearrangement allows us to embellish the counters. The years of practice allow us to go at speed.

About twenty seconds in, there is a small hiccup. We make a false start before continuing. This hiccup allows us to see that we are paying attention to each other throughout the exchange. Such hiccups (and the way we respond to them) are warning signs as to whether we are doing the technique correctly (as we are in this case) or not.

Once again, Thanks Jason!

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Roundhouse Kick with the Toe While Wearing Shoes

There is a ninety degree turn of the hips that occurs during the execution of this maneuver. This turn should add both time and power to the kick.

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Offset Kick with Toe While Wearing Shoes

Again, similar to what the kicker was doing a couple of days ago.

This time he torques into the kick with a slight turn of the body. The kick is more angular than vertical.

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Front Thrust Kick with the Toe While Wearing Shoes

This kick is the same attack as the one done a couple of days ago.

The difference is that the kicker uses his back leg and torques into the kick.

Without prejudice