Lead Arm Crossdownward Palm Block followed by Rear Arm Counter Punch

Both the Mantis block and the Crossdownward Palm Block start at the same place. They both cover the mid torso and they are both ‘slap’ blocks.

When I think of a ‘slap’ I think of a blow to the head that is hard enough to both leave my head ringing and leave me a bit unsteady on my feet.

At the same time, ‘slap’ blocks done to my attacker’s arms or legs must be light, quick and easy to execute.

Without prejudice

Lead Arm Mantis Block followed by Rear Arm Counter Punch

I start with both arms in the ‘high guard’ position (trying to entice an attack to the abdomen.

I slap block the punch aside before punching in return.

Without prejudice

Lead Arm Outside Palm Block followed by Rear Arm Counter Punch

Today I have prefaced my block with a jab. Being able to block right after striking can be an important tool. It teaches me to retract my striking arm to the guard position. It also teaches me to remain alert at all times, especially when close to an attacker (I won’t assume my blow might work and drop my arms).

Without prejudice

Lead Arm Inside Hooking Block followed by Rear Arm Counter Punch

Similar to yesterday’s combination, today’s drill emphasizes the same idea that for this to work, I have to be ready, willing, able and CLOSE.

Without prejudice

Lead Arm Rising Block followed by Rear Arm Counter Punch

This is a pretty standard defense combination.

But notice where I put my punch (as the attacker), see the heavy bag and when I switch to the defender pose, notice that the punch would go through me.

The same is true of the counter punch. When I attack, the door frame acts as a marker. When I counter, I punch through (not just to).

Without prejudice

Angled Block

This is very similar to yesterday’s block. It guards the short ribs from a looping forefist thrust by going across the body at an angle and down into the punch.

Without prejudice

Crossdownward Palm Block

I originally learned this block as a defense against a punch to the solar plexus. The block was done with the forearm in an overhand fashion. Over the years I have seen others do it more as a hammering type movement with either the palm or the palm heel.

Without prejudice

Mantis Hooking Block

The Mantis Hooking Block is used to guard the chest, solar plexus and abdominal region of the torso from a straight thrusting attack.

As I show it here, it is a flickering slap that redirects the incoming straight thrust. The first three are done just this way.

I also demonstrate the pulling method of doing this block. This would be only acceptable against a fully extended side or back kick. I would shift or step back allowing my attacker to fully extend his kick (and miss me), then I would hook the heel and pull him off balance.

Without prejudice

Outside Palm Block

Today I am practicing the outside palm block in both an alternate arm fashion and done by defending three different targets.

I guard the face. I guard the chest. I guard the throat.

Then I practice guarding them in a high, low, center fashion. The ‘high, low, center’ drill is something that I learned early on in my training and it still fascinates me.

Without prejudice

Inside Hooking Block

The Inside Hooking Block is more accurately described as ‘The Block that goes from the Inside of the Body to the Outside of the Body’.

It can deflect most straight in punches that attack the chest, the throat or the head.

At one time I practiced an alternate arm version of this block guarding the chest.

If I raise my rear hand to head high and keep my lead arm down and across my body, I may create a so-called ‘False Opening’ (in the video I perform an Inside Hooking Block that guards areas from from the chest up to and including the head).

Without prejudice

Rising Block

Today I am practicing a Rising Block. I am in a diagonal position which means my lead shoulder and arm are slightly ahead of the other shoulder and arm.

I practice this as a light quick maneuver. My torso remains still and I use only my arm and a poised abdominal core to power this block. It hurts the attacker, redirects his arm and leaves me in a good position to either block again or counter attack.

This is not a passive technique. It is used after the attacker as initiated their punch.

Without prejudice

Forehand Knifehand Swing

The Forehand Knifehand Swing in this system travels along three different geometric angles.

It can be done as an overhand blow which may descend into the target or drive forward into an upright attacker (say, into the bridge of his nose, for example).

The Forehand Knifehand Swing may be executed on an angle downward.

It may also be done as a horizontal blow.

Any of these are big moves that take a long time to get there. They should ideally be preceded with a quick blow like a jab or slap block.

Without prejudice

Overhand Snapping Backfist

This quick strike can be done forward into the face or downward against a bent over attacker.

It can be done from the high guard position or as a ‘rolling strike’ from the mid guard position.

Without prejudice

Overhand Forefist Thrust

Today I’m demonstrating three different positions that I might be in when I go to execute an Overhand Forefist Thrust.

I might have my hand cocked high to begin with. I might have in on my hip and circle it up to my ear, then punch. I can also start with my hands in front and run a short circle up to the high guard position before punching.

Without prejudice

Forehand Ridgehand Swing

The swinging ridgehand was originally done slightly differently as a limb alone strike in the old system.

It could also be a rear arm angled overhand strike that was preceded by an arm clearing backhand with the lead arm.

Done as a torque strike with the rear arm, this powerful strike should be preceded by a quick lead blow as it is easy to see coming by itself.

It may also be used as a rear arm counterattack follow-up to a lead arm block or as a rear arm follow-up to a lead jab.

Without prejudice

Backhand Knifehand Thrust

This knifehand may be used in a jab like motion; quick and sharp.

It may be combined with hip torque to add more power.

It may also be added to a step to increase the range that it is effective at.

Without prejudice

The Jab practiced against the Heavy Bag

The Jab came be a person’s best friend. Light, quick, strong and persistent. The Jab came measure distance, distract, damage and set up other blows.

A good Jab feels like nothing at all to the person executing the punch.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Block with Forehand Knifehand Counter

All week long I have been practicing the same six blocks that guard against a front punch to the head or upper torso. Only the counter attacks have changed.

For the first three days I practiced a block and then a follow-up counter. For the last three days I practiced a simultaneous block with counter attack.

Still…Only six blocks to guard the head and upper torso against a front punch.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Block with Snapping Backfist

The timing of this drill is very similar to yesterdays. The idea is to strike both the attacker’s arm and his face or torso at the same time.

The main difference is that today’s drill utilizes an overhand backfist or underhand hammer fist as the counter attack.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Block with Counter Punch

This drill emphasizes striking the attacking limb while punching the head or torso of the attacker.

When done correctly, this is very effective.

However…

This is not a passive ‘wait-and-see’ tactic'. It must be combined with an aggressive attitude and intermixed with both a confident awareness of the dangers posed by the attacker and real ability to inflict damage.

This is a high risk / reward technique. Screw it up and it will be painful and costly.

Without prejudice

Block / Check / Counter

This drill is actually very similar to yesterday’s drill in the actual mechanics of how it is performed.

The same limb that blocks then counter attacks.

The main difference is that there is a checking motion done with the other hand between the block and counter.

Now, when to use this and against whom; those separate this defense from others in a major way.

Without prejudice

Same Arm Block then Counter Punch

This drill uses the same blocks and counter punches as yesterday’s drill. The only difference is that today I am countering with the same arm I block with.

The idea here is that I use a passive draw (give a target and take it away when my opponent attacks).

Without prejudice

Alternate Arm Block AND Counter Punch

I've done this for a long time and it just never gets old for me. One arm does a basic block to guard against a forefist thrust to the face or body and the other arm counter punches after the block is finished.

In this drill, I deliberately place a slight pause between the block and counter punch. That way I can block again if necessary (or move).

This drill is different from a simultaneous block/counter punch but to an attacker, it won't look different.

Without prejudice

Slide in Roundhouse Kick with the Ball of the Foot to the Heavy Bag

Kicking a braced object has a completely different feel to it than kicking one the recoils upon impact. I have braced my heavy bag in such a way that I can experience both.

Without prejudice

Slide in Roundhouse Kick with the Top of the Foot to the Heavy Bag

This kick, I execute from a leading horse. Maintaining the correct distance is absolutely vital to kicking with power in Kisae Kempo.

Without prejudice