Simultaneous Angled Block with Forehand Knifehand Counter

http://youtu.be/bFxlNukXCAs

I start in a left Forward Bow. My lead arm performs an angled block while my rear arm strikes out with a Forehand Knifehand counter strike to the body.

I then follow these with multiple punches to the body and head.

Today I finish with a shift forward knee to the groin.

Constant practice with enthusiasm is the key here.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Crossdownward Palm Block with Forehand Knifehand Counter

http://youtu.be/afMZcP49kWo

I start in a left Forward Bow. My lead arm performs a crossdownward palm block while my rear arm strikes out with a Forehand Knifehand counter strike to the body.

I then follow these with multiple punches to the body and head.

Today I finish with a shift away front snap kick to the groin.

While this is about rhythm, distance and flow, it is also about building a reflex defense combination that can be used to guard various areas of the body.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Mantis Block with Forehand Hammerfist Counter

http://youtu.be/SmreHY_rkCM

I start in a left Forward Bow. My lead arm performs a mantis block while my rear arm strikes out with a Forehand Hammerfist counter strike to the body.

I then follow these with multiple punches.

Today I finish with a shift away front snap kick to the groin.

This is about rhythm, distance and flow.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Outside Palm Block with Forehand Hammerfist Counter

http://youtu.be/wx38I89o5uY

I start in a left Forward Bow. My lead arm performs an outside palm block while my rear arm strikes out with a Forehand Hammerfist counter strike to the body. I then follow these with multiple punches and a knee into his groin.

This is not about speed; it is about rhythm, distance and flow.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Inside Hooking Block with Forehand Hammerfist Counter

http://youtu.be/1hm7PiNnpTk

I start in a left Forward Bow. My lead arm performs an inside hooking block while my rear arm strikes out with a Forehand Hammerfist counter strike to the body. I then follow these with a lead arm Forefist thrust to the head, a rear arm Forefist  Thrust to the body and another punch to the head before driving my rear knee into his groin.

I withdraw to a right Forward Bow and repeat on the other side.

I simple enough drill, it reads as a lot more complex than it is.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Rising Block with Forehand Knifehand Counter

http://youtu.be/lyUbtU3op-I

My lead arm performs a rising block while my rear arm strikes out with a forehand Knifehand counter strike. I then follow these with two more punches.

I simple enough drill. The challenge lies in being able to execute it successfully when the heat is on.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Angled Block with Rolling Hammerfist

http://youtu.be/xTVjrhOhZ6A

This drill is similar to yesterday’s drill except that I am performing an angled block today.

Today I use my rear arm to block a punch to the body while I roll my lead arm up into a backhand hammerfist attacker’s head. Then I roll the same lead arm down into another backhand hammerfist to the attacker’s body.

I can also block with my lead arm and counter with my rear one. It is a matter of positioning and preference.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Crossdownward Palm Block with Rolling Hammerfist

http://youtu.be/af5ErVo4V7Q

This drill is similar to yesterday’s drill except that I am performing a crossdownward palm block today.

Today I use my rear arm to block a punch to the body while I roll my lead arm up into a backhand hammerfist attacker’s head. Then I roll the same lead arm down into another backhand hammerfist to the attacker’s body.

Only then do I turn my lead foot and drive my rear knee into my attacker’s groin. I put the foot down and withdraw back. Ehen I use the knee I am careful to keep hands up and my attacker at the proper distance.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Mantis Hooking Block with Backhand Hammerfist

http://youtu.be/P5qyABvIPnc

Today I am performing a mantis hooking block. My rear arm is blocking so it is in the high guard. My lead arm is countering so it is held horizontally in the mid guard across the front of my torso.

I block a punch to the body with my rear arm as I strike with my lead arm into my attacker’s face. Then I roll the same lead arm down into another backhand hammerfist to the attacker’s body while moving my rear blocking arm back up to its original position.

This combination looks deceptively easy but both thje block and the counter have to be strong and quick or this will not be effective.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Outside Palm Block with Backhand Hammerfist

http://youtu.be/xEEyGc0lSUg

Today I am performing an outside palm block. My rear arm is blocking so it is in the high guard. My lead arm is countering so it is held horizontally in the mid guard across the front of my torso.

I block a punch to the face with my rear arm as I strike with my lead arm into my attacker’s body. Then I roll the same lead arm up into another backhand hammerfist to the attacker’s head.

Slow at first, I gradually increase my speed and power as I become more familiar with the combination.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Inside Hooking Block with Rolling Hammerfist

http://youtu.be/mKrqLiJeA6Q

This drill is similar to yesterday’s drill except that I am performing an inside hooking block today.

Today I use my rear arm to block a punch to the face while I roll my lead arm down into a backhand hammerfist attacker’s body. Then I roll the same lead arm up into another backhand hammerfist to the attacker’s head. The kick to the groin is optional.

Confidence can be developed by practicing solo, then with a cooperative partner and finally with an uncooperative opponent. I go slow at first then faster as my ability increases.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Rising Block with Rolling Hammerfist

http://youtu.be/ULevmOQAlxc
Today I use my rear arm to block a punch to the face while I roll my lead arm down into a backhand hammerfist attacker’s body. Then I roll the same lead arm up into another backhand hammerfist to the attacker’s head. I finish with a shift away kick to the groin.

The trick is to keep my core firm as I engage and time my defense at the right position. Sounds simple enough but it takes a ton of practice to make work without thought.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Angled Palmheel Block with Counter Punch and follow-ups

http://youtu.be/r2oK_JtR_z8

My lead arm performs an Angled Palmheel Block as my rear arm performs a thrust punch. Then I perform several more follow-ups. 

The counters are the same as yesterday’s drill. Changing the block can be more challenging than it looks. I have added two front kicks at the end of this drill, as well.

Changing the punches to Knifehand thrusts as well as changing sides can be very challenging.

Essentially I strike six times in a row; however, the first strike is a ‘Simultaneous Angled Palmheel Block with Counter Punch’. The second counter is a punch while the third is a backhand Knifehand thrust. The fourth and fifth counters a punches and the sixth counter is a backhand Knifehand thrust. I finish with a shift away front kick followed by another front kick with my rear leg.

This drill is not about speed. It improves a lot of things but my concentration is on form, timing, focus and flow.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Cross Downward Palmheel Block with Counter Punch and follow-ups

http://youtu.be/o0i1OcJbM_o
My lead arm performs a Cross Downward Palmheel Block as my rear arm performs a thrust punch. Then I perform several more follow-ups. 

The counters are the same as yesterday’s drill. Changing the block can be more challenging than it looks. I have also added a shift away front kick at the end of this drill, as well.

Essentially I strike six times in a row; however, the first strike is a ‘Simultaneous Cross Downward Palmheel Block with Counter Punch’. The second counter is a punch while the third is a backhand Knifehand thrust. The fourth and fifth counters a punches and the sixth counter is a backhand Knifehand thrust. I finish with a shift away front kick.

As with my other simultaneous block with counter drills; it is unlikely that my follow-ups will be necessary if my initial punch is successful in damaging my attacker. It is unlikely they will even land as the attacker will fall back or withdraw from the initial blow.

And as I have stated all this week, follow-ups in training are necessary for many reasons.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Mantis Hook Block with Counter Punch and follow-ups

http://youtu.be/bFD6Tf56Avg
My lead arm performs a mantis hook block as my rear arm performs a thrust punch. Then I perform several more follow-ups.

Essentially I strike six times in a row; however, the first strike is a ‘Simultaneous Mantis Hook Block with Counter Punch’. The third and sixth counters are backhand Knifehand thrusts. When I strike the heavy bag the rhythm is easy to hear.

As with my other simultaneous block with counter drills; it is unlikely that my follow-ups will be necessary if my initial punch is successful in damaging my attacker. It is unlikely they will even land as the attacker will fall back or withdraw from the initial blow.

Follow-ups in training, on the other hand, are necessary in training for many reasons.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Outside Forearm Block with Counter Punch and follow-ups

http://youtu.be/XJH8vrtWByA

My lead arm performs an outside forearm block as my rear arm performs a thrust punch and I follow-up with three more punches. Then I perform three additional follow-ups before recovering.

It is unlikely that my follow-ups will be necessary if my initial punch is successful in damaging my attacker. It is unlikely they will even land (as I show in my video).

While follow-ups can be necessary in a real difficulty, they are also necessary in training for other reasons. They keep training interesting. They can improve timing and rhythm. They develop good reflexes. They teach me to keep going and be ready even if my initial counter is successful.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Inside Hooking Block with Counter Punch and follow-ups

http://youtu.be/4MQ3cvgKXtc
My lead arm performs an inside hooking block as my rear arm performs a thrust punch and I follow-up with three more punches before recovering.

As I stated yesterday, my follow-ups will be necessary only if my initial punch is not successful in damaging my attacker.

Practicing this drill (or its variants) is about improving my ability to continue to move effectively after the initial clash. Regardless of how it goes down, staying still at punching range and pondering my next move is not a good idea. Follow-up punches, like follow-up evasions must be practiced or they will not be there if the time comes when I need them.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Rising Block with Counter Punch and follow-ups

http://youtu.be/RZ-u6p4-8KI

 My lead arm performs a rising block as my rear arm performs a thrust punch and I follow-up with two more punches before recovering.

It is unlikely that my follow-ups will be necessary if my initial punch is successful in damaging my attacker. It is unlikely they will even land (as I show in my video).

However, if my initial punch is not successful, the follow-up counters will be absolutely necessary and they must be done as shown. There will be no time in the thick of conflict to ‘wait and see’ what damage the initial punch does. The initial counter is either powerful enough to knock him back or the attacker withdraws on his own or the follow-up counters will prove necessary or there will be a clash.

Without prejudice

High Low Center Drill With the Cane Hook

http://youtu.be/pPkG68XuQNY

Similar to the drill I was doing with the cane tip a couple of days ago.

I am at finger tip distance while standing in neutral facing sideways.

I star with the cane in the first grip and switch it to the fifth grip with the hook closest to the heavy bag.

I step toward the bag into a leading horse.

I thrust high with the hook.

I thrust low with the hook.

I thrust centre the tip.

I repeat.

Then I repeat on the other side.

It is likely that one side will be stronger than the other and that is fine.

Without prejudice

Outside Palm Block High Low Center Drill

http://youtu.be/SdXWhcACmcI

Another very basic high low center drill.

This time I use only the outside palm block and guard my head, then my torso and then my throat, alternating my arms as I go.

Without prejudice

High Low Center Drill With the Cane Tip

http://youtu.be/s8r7qeTWhXk
I am at kicking distance with the cane in the fifth grip, tip facing the heavy bag.

I strike high with the tip.

I strike high with the tip.

I strike high with the tip.

I repeat.

Then I repeat on the other side.

I left the misses in this video. When I am blasting the bag, it moves and I miss. It is important to be able to keep going on even when I miss.

Without prejudice

High Low Center Punches on the bag

http://youtu.be/VVayZxDOATU

This drill starts slowly enough I can count out what I am doing aloud. As I progress, I speed up yet each punch is a powerful strike in and of itself.

Without prejudice

High Low Center Drill With the Cane

http://youtu.be/LzjLSoJPl8c

I am facing the heavy bag at cross checking distance with the cane in the fifth grip.

I strike high with the tip.

I hook low with the hook end.

I cross check to the center.

I repeat.

Done often, this drill will help to develop good basic strikes with the cane in the fifth grip.

Without prejudice

Inside Hooking Block High Low Center Drill

http://youtu.be/LBd5rJN0eKs

A very basic high low center drill. I use only the inside hooking block and guard my head, then my torso and then my throat, alternating my arms as I go.

Without prejudice

Defense drill against a slide in side kick to the abdomen (from a leading horse)

http://youtu.be/tkFNdMUE6ZM

The attacker slides his rear leg forward in a leading horse and executes a side kick to the defenders abdomen with the heel of his foot.

The defender withdraws his lead leg back to a neutral stance and uses his lead arm to hook the heel of the attacking leg as he lets the kick miss.

The attacker withdraws back to a fighting position and the defender advances to a bow and continues to shuffle forward to execute a counter offset kick to the attacker’s groin.

Without prejudice

Defense drill against a slide in roundhouse kick to the inside of the leg (from a leading horse)

http://youtu.be/niLMahX1RmI

The attacker slides his rear leg forward in a leading horse and executes a roundhouse kick to the inside of the defenders lead leg with the ball of his foot.

The defender withdraws his lead leg back to a neutral stance and lets the kick miss. As the attacker withdraws back to a fighting position, the defender advances to a bow and continues to shuffle forward to execute a counter offset kick to the attacker’s groin.


Without prejudice