High, Low, Center Backhand Knifehands from the Opposite Shoulder

There is a slight pause between blows as I reach over to the opposite shoulder before striking.

This drill is all about coordination. To make it functional, I’d change one hand to a forefist thrust (left or right, it doesn’t matter).

Without prejudice

High, Low, Center Forefist Thrusts from the Low Guard

Although I start at the hip, the drill is pretty much the same as I did yesterday. First high, then, low and finally center. This can be a very interesting coordination drill.

Without prejudice

High, Low, Center forefist Thrusts from The High Guard

This actually looks much easier than it is. The punches come from the high guard but the targets are different. Keeping this drill up can be quite a challenge.

Without prejudice

High, Low, Center Forehand Blocks

In many ways, this is similar to yesterday’s drill. Blocking in a high, low and center pattern requires a certain focus. I start slow and gradually build speed.

The main difference is that I’m using palm heels to block with in a forehand delivery.

Without prejudice

High, Low, Center Backhand Blocks

I call them backhand blocks (rising, inside and downward) because they start from the opposite side of the body.

With blocking, I rarely torque into (or with) the block as I’m usually starting from behind and I don’t have the time even if I’m in position.

I tighten up the stomach as I reach the end of the block. I have a firm base to block from. I combine these elements with wrist snap, speed and focus for a powerful strike to my attacker’s limb.

Without prejudice

Backhand Knifehand Thrust Low done from the Opposite Hip

Once again, this reverse rotation hip torque knifehand thrust is done to the solar plexus. This can be either a fight stopper or one of several strikes. It is very versatile.

Without prejudice

Backhand Knifehand Thrust Center done from the Opposite Hip

I start slow and only when I am proficient at slow do I increase speed and power.

I make it a point never to rush. I also make it a point to only do one strike at a time. Although it may look like a bunch, that is not the case…

Without prejudice

Backhand Knifehand Thrust High done from the Opposite Hip

Works well off of an Angled Block. This is very similar to Monday’s drill. The primary difference is that I start fro m the opposite hip instead of the opposite shoulder.

Without prejudice

Backhand Knifehand Thrust Low done from the Opposite Shoulder

This knifehand is done to the body. I use a light quick reach over before I torque into the strike. By turning my hips as I strike I make the blow harder than it would be alone.

Without prejudice

Backhand Knifehand Thrust Center done from the Opposite Shoulder

Similar to yesterday but the target is a bit lower. I notice there is a slight pause between knifehands as I reach across with the knifehand that is going to strike.

It is unlikely I’d do two of these in a row. That would make this a coordination drill.

Without prejudice

Backhand Knifehand Thrust High done from the Opposite Shoulder

In this drill, I’m using something called ‘reverse rotation’ when I torque my hips. I turn toward the attacker while driving my knifehand out in a thrusting motion. The end result is my knifehand is both powerful and quick but it does start from the opposite side of the body.

Without prejudice

Vertical Forefist Thrust to the Solar Plexus from the Low Guard

Whenever I have landed this one, my attacker usually falls over or quickly backs off. Even if he turns and I strike the ribs, the attacker is negatively affected.

Without prejudice

Vertical Forefist Thrust to the Sternum from the Low Guard

This is a hard driving strike that is (ideally) combined with a powerful or stable stance. I have found it works well against an onrushing attacker.

The main difficulty with it is the hands are lower than I prefer.

Without prejudice

Vertical Forefist Thrust from the Low Guard Position

Same target as Monday’s drill but I start from the hip. This has certain advantages and certain disadvantages.

I work at being proficient at striking from High, Low and Center Guard. The Center Guard is used mostly when rolling techniques are required.

Without prejudice

Vertical Forefist Thrust to the Solar Plexus from the High Guard

The High Guard is actually a misnomer. It is so named because the arms are positioned so that the wrist is even with the top of the shoulder and the fists are shoulder width apart and about six inches in front of the face.

With arms high, they can be used to attack incoming limbs or an attacker’s face or torso.

In the old days, with a slight difference (one arm was lower that the other) this was known as a defensive fighting position.

Without prejudice

Vertical Forefist Thrust to the Sternum from the High Guard

This time my punch is aimed at my attacker’s sternum. I make it a point to keep my stomach tight at the moment of impact yet loose between punches.

Done with balance and focus this is a powerful attack that will stop many onrushing attackers. It is also a great set up punch for many follow ups.

Without prejudice

Vertical Forefist Thrust to Face from High Guard

I find nearly all practice endlessly fascinating. That includes alternate arm drill like the ones I did last week and the ones I’m doing this week.

Last week I worked some basic blocks. This week I’m working basic vertical forefist thrusts.

Today I’m practicing a vertical thrust to the face from the high guard. I make it a point to turn my hips into my strike therefore the rule is that when the arm moves the hip moves and when the hip stops, the arm stops too.

Without prejudice

Descending Palm Heel Thrusting Block Drill

Again, I’m guarding the belly button and I have found the block works best when attached to a move downward or back.

The main difference from yesterday is that I’m thrusting instead of hammering.

In both cases I use the palm heel.

Without prejudice

Descending Hammering Palm Heel Blocking Drill

This is the primary method of blocking a kick to the torso. I have found that when it is coupled with kneeling from a Forward Bow or a withdrawal to extend the attacking leg, the block is powerful enough to stop a hard driving kick.

This is not a panacea for ALL front kicks but it is a good effective block that works for me.

Without prejudice

Low Outside Palm Heel Blocking Drill

I notice that it might appear that I guarding the mid part of my torso. My belt tends to ride low and the angle of the camera is downward. The reality is that I’m guarding a point a belt height (my belly button).

I make it a point to use the palm heel when blocking and not the palm, which I have found is not strong enough to damage or deflect a kick.

Without prejudice

Downward foot Blocking Drill

Frankly, while I use this block, I have changed both the way I perform it and the way I use it. I found the original was just too slow against an aggressive attacker bent of using a front kick to smashing my guts (or groin) out.

I generally use the variation demonstrated against an angled kick to my torso. That is to say, I guard the side of the front of my torso.

Without prejudice

Diagonal Downward Blocking Drill

This is a variation on a block done near the beginning of the Moh Form, ‘Kempo II’.

I do it to the side to cover against a kick to my oblique. The original was done as a double block against two different attackers kicking (at the same time) to my kidneys.

Power can be added with a slight hip torque but usually, the block done form a solid base is enough by itself (for me).

Without prejudice

Inside to Side Blocking Drill

This week I’m practicing the secondary blocks of Yellow Belt. Secondary blocks are just as important as primary, only the name is different (from primary blocks) as is the area the block covers.

Secondary blocks of Yellow Belt cover the sides of the head and torso and the front of the torso from below the solar plexus to a point an inch or so below the belly button.

Today, I’m defending the side of the head with an inside block down to the side. Notice how the upper arm coves way out to the side. The bones of the arm, shoulder and torso form a solid base capable of withstanding a powerful attack.

Also, the forearm is curved in toward the head. This makes for a glancing type of contact. This, in turn, makes for a more effective block.

I also take care to tighten my core when finishing the block and then loosening up between blocks. The whole thing reads as much more complicated than it feels when I do it.

I have used this against an actual attack and found it to be an effective defense.

Without prejudice

Angled Block Drill

This has elements of yesterday’s drill and the day before. I do hammer down with the palm heel but I’m guarding the ribs (only on the opposite side of the body.

Without prejudice

Crossdownward Palm Heel Block Drill

This is a hammering type strike to an attacking punch to the solar plexus. The trick is to strike with the palm heel and not just the palm.

This does differ from a Crossdownward arm block as I originally learned it.

I can use this right from my on guard position.

Without prejudice

Mantis Hooking Block Drill

While this was not taught back in the day, I have found this hooking maneuver to be extremely effective against a thrust or angled punch to the ribs. A slight variation on this makes for an effective sweeping block against a side kick.

The tricks to making this work are in the form (which must be dead bang on), the speed (and light feel of the block), the distance and the confidence based on successful applications of this maneuver.



Without prejudice