Simultaneous Lead Arm Mantis Block and Rear Arm Hammerfist

Today we are doing pretty much what we did yesterday. The only real difference is that a Hammerfist (or a backfist in a couple of instances) is used.

Confidence in executing this block with counter must be based on serious practice over time.

And once ability to use this has been developed, it must be practiced to be maintained.

Without practice

Simultaneous Lead Arm Mantis Block with Rear Arm Counter Punch

I find the trick with this is to be ready to throw the block and the punch as soon as I would normally throw only the block.

Without prejudice

Mantis Block / Check / Counter

Kurt and I like to practice hard but today (except for a couple of times;) we go slow. The initial block is followed by a check which is followed by a counter.

In Kisae we consider this to be a flashy move.

Without prejudice

Lead Arm mantis Block and Lead arm Counter Punch

This is pretty much the same as yesterday except that the arm that blocks also counter’s.

Having a variety of defenses and counters available makes it harder for an attacker to predict what a defender can do next.

Without prejudice

Lead Arm Mantis Block and Rear arm Counter Punch

My thanks to Kurt this week for his assistance

Today we are practicing a basic defense against a straight punch to the mid body. The defender holds his hand high to entice an attack to the body. The attacker punches, the defender slaps the incoming blow aside and counters.

Notice…

There is a slight pause in this defense between block and counter. This is an excellent defense against a single attack. Also, the block is an excellent beginning of a defense against a flurry of blows. But in both cases, the defender must not only be aware of the attacker ahead of time, the defender must draw out the attack.

The strategy here would also be known as a ‘false opening’

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Lead Outside Palm Block with Rear Forehand Knifehand Counter

Jason and I did about three weeks worth of ‘YouTube’ films in about an hour. Tonight’s film nears the end of that hour and it shows. The punches have to be controlled a bit more and it takes more energy to focus and be vigilant.

We don’t make a lot of contact with each other in this school of Martial Arts. It’s our belief that if we hit, the recipient of our strikes will be injured. We strike to hit and expect the same in return. After the strike is launched, we control how hard we wish it to land (not an easy thing to do).

All the same, courtesy is of vital importance here.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Lead Outside Palm Block with Rear Hammerfist Counter

Pretty much the same as yesterday except the starting position is different for the defender. This is rather a significant change but it doesn’t actually look like much.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Lead Outside Palm Block with Rear Counter Punch

Two things to note here.

One, tiny steps, torque, leans (both forward and back) can be added to this drill at speed. So can changes in timing.

Two, when performed correctly the outside palm block drives the attacker’s fist to the opposite side of the defender’s head. Therefore, the counter attacking arm must drop below the attacker’s punch (easier to see than to describe).

Without prejudice

Lead Outside Palm Block / Rear Check / Lead Counter Strike

As we clearly show in this drill, it’s easy to get the various attacks and defenses confused. Practicing an airtight defense allows for this likelihood and will simply show a practitioner how good their defense really is.

Without prejudice

Lead Outside Palm Block followed by Lead Counter Punch

The timing on this drill is slightly different. More of a one and a half beats rather than two full beats.

The idea is to interrupt the attacker before he can either continue his attack or withdraw.

As I demonstrate at the end, the innocuous counter punch has a lot of power in it.

Without prejudice

Lead Outside Palm Block and Rear Counter Punch

Thanks again to Jason this week for his help in demonstrating these drills.

Today we are practicing the most basic of combinations; the block with the lead arm followed by the counter punch with the rear arm.

This basic drill is an excellent defense in its own right as well as a stepping stone to more difficult defense combinations.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Block with Forehand Knifehand Counter

Jason demonstrates blocking and then countering. This is a piecemeal approach to training this combination and it is vital to both learning this drill and developing confidence it.

I add a small step to it in order to get close enough to land the counter (shorter arms and lower target).

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Inside Hooking Block with Hammerfist

Same as yesterday except the punch is now a Hammerfist to the torso.

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Simultaneous Inside Hooking Block with Counter Punch

As Jason demonstrates, the threat of a real blow should be enough to draw out a solid block. Sometime the counter happens after the block and sometimes it happens with the block. Both are important and both should be drilled regularly.

Without prejudice

Inside Hooking Block / Check / Counter

We are practicing this drill at about half speed. I have found this ‘by-the-numbers’ approach builds form, power and confidence.

Without prejudice

Lead Arm Inside Hooking Block and Lead Arm Counter

Like the classic version of yesterday’s drill, today’s basic block counter drill is one of the staple drills of Kisae Kempo. It works and I am continually challenged by it.

Without prejudice

Lead Arm Inside Hooking Block and Rear Arm Counter Punch

This week Jason and I are working various defense combinations off of the Inside Hooking Block.

Last Tuesday we practiced defending against a surprise high punch with a simultaneous rising block / counter.

Today we are doing the same surprise attack but the defense is slightly different.

Today the defender uses an inside hooking block followed by a counter punch. Among other things; this single block allows for a ‘late-start-defense’ and follow up blocks.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Rising Block with Forehand Knifehand

This is similar to Wednesday and yesterday but with a forehand knifehand to the torso.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Rising Block with Hammerfist to The Torso

Similar to yesterday but a Hammerfist to the body replaces a straight forefist thrust. Among other things, this drill makes the defender more unpredictable and harder to stop.

Notice after we have switched sides that I throw the punch and as Jason is slightly out of position to slap block, he position blocks (puts an arm in the way) instead.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Rising Block and Counter Punch

There is a double change of pace here today. We are facing opposite directions and the block is done while counter punching.

The simultaneous block / counter feels less powerful than when they are done one after the other. However, there are several real advantages to this practice.

In my opinion both classical approaches (in a bow facing each other, etc) and so-called ‘Reality-Based’ approaches have their place and both should be explored.

Without prejudice

Rising Block / Check / Counter Attack

This has the same timing application as Monday’s but there is a check thrown in between the block and the punch. Therefore, this defense works best against a single attack. With that in mind notice how it is practiced slowly. At one point Jason interchanges the block and counter with the block / check / counter. The timing is the same…

It’s an example of the old military saw, ‘Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”

Without prejudice

Lead Arm Rising Block and Lead Arm Counter Attack

Almost the same as yesterday but the counter is done with the same arm that blocked.

Notice the distance we are at. Both of us know the attack and defense and both are cocked and ready. I find this drill develops both strong techniques and a good ability to gauge distance and timing.

Without prejudice

Lead Arm Rising Block and Rear Arm Counter Attack

My thanks again to Jason for his help this week.

Today we are practicing block and counter attack using a rising block against an overhand punch.

This exercise deliberately utilizes a slight pause between the block and the counter. If the attacker should throw a flurry of punches, more blocks, evasions or various other defenses could be applied.

However…

The rising block by itself should prove efficient in stopping the initial overhand punch.

Without prejudice

Shift Away Side Thrust Kick with Backfist Follow-up

Today I am kicking. Notice the bend in the middle of the bag when I kick.

Notice too, how close I am when I execute the combination at the end of the video.

Without prejudice

Shift away Side Thrust Kick with Backfist Follow-up

Upon first glance, this technique doesn’t seem like much. Look at the end of the video to se how it might be applied as a counter…

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Side Thrust Kick with Backfist Follow-up

This is s a two-full-beats technique. Fist a side thrust kick and then I backfist. In order to land the backfist, I must land the side kick.

This is a different technique from a side kick fake with follow-up.

Without prejudice

Shift Forward Side Thrust Kick with Backfist Follow-up

This time Jason executes his kick with his rear leg before following up with a same side backfist.

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Slide in Side Thrust Kick with Backfist Follow-up

Today I am kicking the pad. At the end Both of us demonstrate how this counter might be used.

Without prejudice