Outside Palm Block Drill

Continuing on with the theme this week (of alternate arm blocking drills), I using an outside palm block to practice guarding the face.

Again, no partner and high speed lead to a noticeable movement in the torso.

My emphasis is on proper form, balance and timing. I’m aware of how similar this block looks to a palm heel strike to the face or body.

Without prejudice

Inside Hooking Block Drill

This is similar to yesterday’s exercise.

As I watch the vid, I can see that my upper body shakes with effort as I blaze away through this drill. Using this much force will produce a noticeable flinch unless there is contact made between a defender and an attacker. The kinetic energy built up during the movement must go somewhere. The harder and faster the set of several blocks are done, the more energy is produced.

One block, done once with full power and speed can be done in stillness. It is possible to simply absorb the energy (from one block) and be still.

More than one bock done in quick succession will produce too much kinetic energy to remain still.

I don’t do a lot of this drill. Also, when I first learned to do it correctly, I went slowly for the first several months.

Without prejudice

Rising Block Drill

Today I’ve gone to an old method of practicing the rising block. I step into a forward bow stance, firm up my core (a little bit to start) and use alternate arms to practice rising blocks.

In this drill, I go fast and hard. The combination of going from a firm core to a tight core (at the end of the block) and then relaxing back to firm (between blocks) is easy to do slow but harder to do fast.

The longer I make this drill the harder it becomes so it must be done in short intervals with a pause between sets or I lose my crisp form.

Without prejudice

Hooking Back Kick

The distance is the same as yesterday’s. The dangers are also the same. *WARNING* While this kick is a very powerful technique, it is very slow. Even done fast, this kick takes a long time to get to its target. Also, the kicker’s back is exposed throughout the kick and into the follow-up. Both the slowness of this kick and the exposure of the back make this a dangerous kick to use.


Without prejudice

Rising Back Kick

A rising back kick is like an uppercut. The kick works only when in close. For that reason, it can be used when someone tries to smother what they assume will be a back thrust kick.

This kick works in close, therefore the dangers are much greater.

*WARNING* While this kick is a very powerful technique, it is very slow. Even done fast, this kick takes a long time to get to its target. Also, the kicker’s back is exposed throughout the kick and into the follow-up. Both the slowness of this kick and the exposure of the back make this a dangerous kick to use.


Without prejudice

Stiff Swinging Back Kick

Very similar to yesterday’s kick except that the leg is swung up and into the attacker’s groin.

The same warnings apply…*WARNING* While this kick is a very powerful technique, it is very slow. Even done fast, this kick takes a long time to get to its target. Also, the kicker’s back is exposed throughout the kick and into the follow-up. Both the slowness of this kick and the exposure of the back make this a dangerous kick to use.


Without prejudice

Back Thrust Kick

The remainder of this week will be taken up with the four basic back kicks.

Today, I’m performing three different ways to deliver a back thrust kick.

*WARNING* While this kick is a very powerful technique, it is very slow. Even done fast, this kick takes a long time to get to its target. Also, the kicker’s back is exposed throughout the kick and into the follow-up. Both the slowness of this kick and the exposure of the back make this a dangerous kick to use.

Without prejudice

Side Snap Kick

Although I am striking with the edge of the heel, the kick resembles a roundhouse kick much more than it does a side thrust kick.

The blow is angled in and not directly forward.

Without prejudice

Side Thrust Kick with the edge of the heel

This is a classic style side kick that drives straight forward into an attacker’s groin.

I make sure to strike with the edge of the heel.

Without prejudice

Roundhouse Kick with the Ball of the Foot

Roundhouse Kick with the Ball of the Foot

Just like yesterday except that contact is made with the ball of the foot.

Without prejudice

Roundhouse kick with the Instep

Either kicking while standing sideways to my opponent, or turning sideways to kick, this roundhouse kick uses the top the foot to kick the attacker in the groin or inner thigh, depending on how he is standing.

Without prejudice

Offset Kick with the Ball of the Foot

Very similar to yesterday’s kick except that I pull the foot up tight and make contact with the ball of the foot instead of the top of the foot.

Without prejudice

Offset Kick with the instep

This kick (again) uses the top of the foot to attack to outside of an opponent’s thigh.

There are real advantages to kicking low but the only way to realize these advantages is to practice often.

Slow and smooth can lead to smooth and fast.

Without prejudice

Front Thrust Kick with the Ball of the Foot

While this looks similar to yesterday’s kick, there are also significant differences. Today’s kick delivers power with the ball of the foot in a forward direction.

I both cases, though, the kicking foot should be speedily withdrawn so as not to get caught.

Without prejudice

Front Snap kick with Instep

This week I’m practicing basic kicks in the air. The first is the most basic of them all. I use the top of my foot to my opponent’s groin. I usually practice this kick three different ways. I step forward from a bow and kick with the lead leg. I may also just shift forward and kick with my rear leg. I may also shift back to arcane on the rear leg and kick with the lead leg.

The practice is the thing. The more I do well, the better I’ll be able to do it well should I ever need it. This is just the technical aspects of it. The tactical, moral and legal issues are separate matters that I address as well (but not here).

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Crossdownward Block with Forehand Knifehand Counter

Just like it sounds. This is a powerful defense but it is also a complex and difficult sequence that requires a lot of practice to get right and keep effective.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Crossdownward Block with Rolling Overhand Backfist Counter

The counter can be done from several points of origin; today I’m practicing it from the centerline position. This defense combination was developed in response to my having been punched in the body just under the arm.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Crossdownward Block with Counter Punch

The counter is an overhand punch. This allows be a clear path to the target. And if the attacker has been jerked down by the block, he’ll be moving slightly forward into the counter.

Without prejudice

Crossdownward Block / Check / Counter

This combination uses elements from the preceding defense combination.

In and of itself though, checking after blocking is considered a flashy move in Kisae.

Without prejudice

Lead Crossdownward Block and Lead Counter Punch

I counter with the same hand I block with.

This has a basic 1 ½ beat rhythm to it.

Without prejudice

Lead Angled Block and Rear Counter Punch

I’m going solo this week. This basic defense is a front view of a variation of a defense Kurt and I did last week.

I block a looping punch to the body and fire back with an overhand counter.

Very precise and by the number. Builds good form, timing and when done with a partner; distance and awareness.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Crossdownward Block With forehand Knifehand Counter

As I demonstrate, doing the same thing repeatedly can easily be used against a person (I block, when clearly, there is no attack).

On the other hand, it doesn’t take much to make a punch miss (which I also demonstrate a bit later). Kurt punches and even though I’m out of position, I still redirect the punch.

As Kurt shows, this drill can be done as either a two part defense or a one move simultaneous block with counter defense. Both work…

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Crossdownward Block with Overhand Backfist Counter

Once again, ‘Zone defense’ and overlapping circles of protection (areas of blocking) come into play here. Against a serious attack, good reflexes kick in and the day is saved (so to speak).

Start light and slow and gradually build in speed and power. What the viewer is seeing here has taken years to build.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Crossdownward Block with Counter Punch

Each and every punch should be done as a serious attack. If there is a concern that contact will be made there are three ways to contain this.

Have the attacker strike where the defender is able to be hit without being hurt.

Slow the punch to such a degree that control over it is possible

Be both ready and able to defend against the intended attack.

Today we utilize all three of these ideas.

Please note that punching to miss is not an option.

Without prejudice

Lead Crossdownward Block / Check / Counter Punch

As Kurt demonstrates here, the concept of ‘Zone Defense’ is perfectly applicable. He can (and does) use either arm to initiate the defense combination.

In Kisae we tend to divide the body into various height, width and depth zones. This is a concept I’ll get into later. Suffice it to say that blocks should overlap and be either primary or secondary to various zones.

What Kurt does demonstrates this perfectly.

Without prejudice

Lead Crossdownward Block and Lead Counter

Even though this was supposed to be same limb block and counter, I got creative and turned the counter punch into a rear choke.

Taught it to Kurt and when we were editing it after, he graciously allowed it to be included in the vid.

Learning new things or variations on things is always challenging and care must be taken to encourage growth.

It was my experience that, back in the day, growth was not encouraged, it was DISCOURAGED!

Things have changed…

Without prejudice

Lead Crossdownward Block and Rear Counter Punch

This week, Kurt is helping me out with filming. We work the various counters that work with the Crossdownward Palm Block against a lead punch to the solar plexus.

Keep in mind that this is a drill. There are many different methods of defending against a punch to the body just as there are many different ways to attack it.

This series of drills are pretty standard stuff but they work better when they are drilled to repeatedly by a practitioner who enjoys it.

Today, Kurt and I practice a block, slight pause, counter punch. As has been said before, the slight pause allows the defender to block again if necessary.

This whole defense combination is based on knowing the attacker is coming even if the defender does not know how he is going to be attacked.

Without prejudice