Horizontal Forehand Knifehand

This strike is like the forehand ridgehand I demonstrated a couple of days ago.

The main difference is that this strike uses the edge of the knifehand and originates from temple.

Without prejudice

Diagonal Overhand Forehand Knifehand

I find that the sort of strikes I have practiced all week do not work well in sparring but are great when applied as follow ups in self defense training.

This one goes right into the angle where the neck and shoulder meet kind of like its ridgehand cousin that I demonstrated on December 26 2010.

Without prejudice

Overhand Forehand Knifehand

I usually apply this strike against the bridge of the nose of my attacker.

There are a variety of ways to apply this powerful stroke but this one works best for me.

Without prejudice

Underhand Forehand Ridgehand

This ridgehand travels slightly angled upward.

Other than that, the strike is very similar to yesterdays’ technique.

As I said earlier, I am always careful to hold my arm properly so as not to hyper extend (and injure) my elbow).

Without prejudice

Horizontal Forehand Ridgehand

This strike is similar to the one I did yesterday.

The main difference is that this one travels in a flat horizontal arc (not an angled one).

Still, I make it a point to be careful not to hyper extend the elbow when working the bag.

Without prejudice

Overhand Forehand Ridgehand Swing

This week I’m practicing the so-called ‘Big Swings’ of Kisae Kempo.

I am always careful to hold my arm properly so as not to hyper extend (and injure) my elbow).

All of these make great follow up strikes against an attacker that is monetarily at arms length.

I usually block first or strike first and then I’ll go for a big swing.

Without prejudice

Shift Away Offset Kick with the Instep

When I shift away to kick, I shift my torso as one unit. I also make sure to turn my support foot to the outside.

The shift away kick must be light and quick yet firm and focused.

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Offset Kick with the Instep

When executing this technique, I go through a front crane to an ‘offset crane’ before kicking.

This is done to make the kick as indistinguishable from a front kick as possible.

Both the slide in kick and the shift forward kick are done at kicking range. Therefore I remember that if I am close enough to hit someone who is my height, they may be close to hit me.

Without prejudice

Slide in Offset Kick with the Instep

This is similar to the front kick.

It has only a slightly different angle.

This angle makes it an excellent choice for a variety of targets that are not accessible to the front snap kick with the instep.

As I said earlier, the instep is comprised of many tiny bones and even with diligent practice, injuries may occur. I keep my foot tight and my kicks both low and light.

There are even schools that advocate only kicking with the bottom of the foot (all and heel, etc.). There is a lot of sense to that type of thinking too. I will explore that concept later.

Without prejudice

Shift Away Front Snap Kick with the Instep

This kick starts at punching range.

I shift all my weight to my back leg and kick.

This should not be used on a rusher.

It works as a fine follow up on someone who is standing and swinging (for instance).

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Front Snap Kick with the Instep

This is very similar to what I did yesterday.

Both are done from the same distance and both use the front snap kick.

The main difference is that today I am kicking with the rear leg.

All I have to do is twist my lead foot slightly toward the outside as I raise my rear leg to a kicking position (also known as ‘the front crane’).

I keep my core firm and my weight centered.

The shift forward kick is actually quicker than the slide in kick.

However, I have found that the slide in kick gives a surer sense of balance to me.

Without prejudice

Slide in Front Kick with Instep

I start this technique while I’m in range.

I keep my core firm and my weight on the balls of my feet.

I step in, raise my knee and snap the top of my foot through the bottom of the bag.

The whole action is light, crisp and smooth.

Speed and power are simply by products of focus and form.

Warning: The instep is comprised of many tiny bones and even with diligent practice, injuries may occur.

I keep my foot tight and my kicks both low and light.

Without prejudice

Hooking Fore Elbow to the Body

To me, this is similar to a hook punch but I have to be a bit closer to actually make it work.

Again, my striking arm is bent tight and held back against my body. My core is tight and wedged slightly out (like I’m taking a punch to the body).

It whips around in a short sharp arc to the side of my attacker’s body.

Without prejudice

Thrusting Fore Elbow to the Body

My striking arm actually rubs the side of my body on its way out to the target.

I make sure not to scrape my elbow point on the bag. To me, this is a penetrating thrust designed to cause serious damage to a dangerous attacker.

On the other hand, it is only effective when used close up and personal.

Without prejudice

Rising Fore Elbow to the Body

When I practice this against a bag I’m careful to aim through.

I don’t scrape the elbow point.

Instead I aim at a point about solar plexus height and I drive through.

I always to make sure my abdominal core is tight and slightly pushed out just before I make contact. This adds both power and speed to all of my strikes.

Without prejudice

Horizontal Hook Punch to the Body

A ‘horizontal’ hook, also known as a ‘true hook’ runs perpendicular to the uppercut punch to the body (as I showed a couple of days ago).

Again, I prefer to use a standing fist. Tight gut, short whip and good follow through make this strike a powerful infighting tool.

Without prejudice

Angled Hook Punch to the Body

This is similar to a true hook but the angle is shallower because my striking arm is closer to my body (hence the name ‘angled’ hook).

In both my angled hook and my true hook I prefer to use a standing fist. It is just easier for me to align my fist, wrist and forearm.

Without prejudice

Uppercut punch to the Body

This is literally a half punch. I’m half as far away as I would be for a full punch.

I extend my arm half as far out making this mostly a torso muscle driven punch.

On the other hand, the uppercut to the body is a devastating strike when it lands. A good uppercut sets up lots of opportunities for continued follow up counterattacks.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Angled Block with Counter Punch

This drill is kind of an exception to the rule of simultaneous doubles. I block across my body first. It is only after the block has crossed my body that my counter punch begins.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Crossdownward Block with Counter Punch

Today I’m practicing a basic defense against a straight left punch to the body.

I drop my left hand down on top of the incoming attack as I counter punch high to his face.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Mantis Block with Counter Punch

This time I have both hands held high.

The attack is a straight right punch to the body.

I drop my left down on his incoming right as I counter to his face.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Outside Palm Block with Counter Punch

This drill is practiced against a quick left jab.

Therefore my blocking arm must already be in position.

If I have to raise my arm up to ‘get ready to block’; I’ll be too late.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Inside Block with Counter Punch

This is similar to yesterdays drill.

Instead of a rising block I’m using an inside hooking block.

The idea is to draw out my attacker’s straight right punch to my face.

I hit both his attacking limb and his body at the same time.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Rising Block with Counter Punch

This week I’m practicing a stationary simultaneous block with counter punch.

The block is executed at the same time as the counter punch.

Without prejudice

High Punch and Same Limb Angled Block

I punch to the face only to have to defend the opposite side of my body against a looping punch to the ribs.

Without prejudice

High Punch and Same Limb Crossdownward Block

Again, I punch high but this time my attacker counters to my solar plexus. I block with a Crossdownward block.

Without prejudice

High Punch and Same Limb Mantis Block

Today I punch my opponent in the eye only to have them counter to my body. I defend with the same limb using a mantis block.

Without prejudice