The Cane used as a follow up to an Outside Block

http://youtu.be/1O-A2hT1gGs

As always, combining Cane techniques with bare hand skills is really just a matter of inspection, innovation and practice.

Today, I use the same hand to perform an Outside Block and a Knifehand. This is followed with a cross check (like a hockey cross check). Then a low knee and finishing with another cross check before withdrawing.

This drill is based on the idea that the attacker remains stationary. He does not withdraw and I am able to keep him in one place with a barrage of techniques.

This is NOT a self defense technique. It is a DRILL designed to integrate Cane techniques with bare hand skills in order to make Martial Arts training more challenging and interesting.

Without prejudice

The Cane used as a follow up to an Inside Hooking Block

http://youtu.be/a7LFEgLpdkg

As I said yesterday, combining Cane techniques with bare hand skills is really just a matter of inspection, innovation and practice.

Today, I use the same hand to perform an Inside Hooking Block and a Palmheel Thrust to the face. I shift forward and execute a front ball of the foot kick to the shin. I withdraw my kicking leg back to the Bow.

 I then bring my cane up to the fifth grip (about a third, a third and a third) and thrust to his body. I step through and finish with a high cross check before withdrawing back to guard.

This drill is just that, a drill. It should be done slowly until proficiency is attained. Only then will real speed and power become available.

A Warning, this is a Deceptively Dangerous Drill!

With its simplicity, it is easy to get carried away with the intensity of training!

Great Care (and NO CONTACT) should be maintained when practicing with a partner!!!

Without prejudice

The Cane used as a follow up to a Rising Block

http://youtu.be/68F0PqSRvKM

Combining Cane techniques with bare hand skills is really just a matter of inspection, innovation and practice.

Today, I use the same hand to perform a Rising Block and a Knifehand. Instead of always following up with a kick, I use a thrust from the cane.

Without prejudice

Slide in Jab with Follow-up Forehand Knifehand Swing

http://youtu.be/WX_sZyqXhAU

The rhythm of this combination is ‘one-two’. The jab gets the attackers attention high while the swinging Forehand Knifehand goes in low.

Without prejudice

Slide in Jab with Follow up Backfist

http://youtu.be/62hDrSgsBwc

If I am using my lead arm to perform the backfist the rhythm is ‘1- ½’ but if use the rear arm to perform the backfist, the rhythm is ‘1-2’.

In both cases the backfist is a light quick horizontal strike that seems to come out of nowhere.

Without prejudice

Slide in Jab with follow-up Rear Arm Overhand Forefist Thrust

http://youtu.be/uU9OmYgHrJY

Like the Forehand Ridgehand swing, the Rear Arm Overhand Forefist Thrust is also a slow movement so I preface it with a quick jab first (as well).

The rhythm of ‘one-two’ is also the same. ‘One’ is the slide in jab and ‘two’ is the Rear Arm Overhand Forefist Thrust.

The main difference is the swing comes around while the Overhand Frefist Thrust comes in high but essentially straight in.

Without prejudice

Slide in Jab with follow-up Forehand Ridgehand Swing

http://youtu.be/RM8ryD_Lubw

The Forehand Ridgehand swing is a slow movement so I preface it with a quick jab first. The rhythm is ‘one-two’. ‘One’ is the slide in jab and ‘two’ is the Forehand Ridgehand Swing.

Without prejudice

Slide in Jab with follow up Lead Backhand Knifehand and Straight Rear Forefist Thrust

http://youtu.be/El-QQ5_pV-g

This three strike combination flows nicely and the high, low, high targeting is designed to create openings.

The trick is to practice it until the combination is a reflex.

Without prejudice

Slide in Jab follow up Straight Rear Forefist Thrust

http://youtu.be/ftDoiQLIoBg

I practice combinations pretty much the same way I practice single techniques.  I start slow and gradually build power and speed. Sometimes I vary targets, distance and recoveries.

However, the basic combination I practice has clear guidelines and reasons for existence in the system.

The key to constant practice is to keep it interesting.

Without prejudice

Block-Counter Swing

http://youtu.be/UlJeM-HpEA8

This is yet a different rhythm. Done solo it feels like it is a simultaneous block with counter.

Applied with a partner, the rhythm is one and a half. The counter starts at the same time as the block but it is a big heavy counter and it takes longer to complete than the block does. The rhythm is one (they start together) and (the block finishes) a half (the counter finishes).

This defense works best against a hard driving punch and it is dangerous to the defender. The timing and distance must be impeccable. A strong recovery is also a must.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Block with Counter Hammerfist

http://youtu.be/3l6tmEQU-j8

The timing and distance are the same as yesterday’s drill. The blocks are similar too but the counter is a Hammerfist (or backfist).

The important thing about today’s drill is the position. One hand is held high and vertical with the wrist even with the shoulders. The other is held horizontal and parallel with the elbow. In essence I form a capitol ‘L’ with my arms. The fists are about five inches out from the body.

I may switch from left high to right high (or back again but being able to perform this drill fluidly is a matter of practice and then practice against a resistant partner.

Without prejudice

Simultaneous Block with Counterpunch

http://youtu.be/LZMQ5--4lvg

The rhythm for this combination is ‘one’. Technically, the block actually makes contact with the striking limb before the defender’s punch impacts the attacker’s face or torso. However, the discrepancy is so small that it is just easier and more efficient to count the combination double strike as one move.

Without prejudice

Block-Check-Counter

http://youtu.be/4KhRBbMH5c4


The rhythm of this three part defense combination is ‘one, two, three’. I block with one hand, check the attack (hold lightly in place) with the other hand before counter attacking with the first hand.

This works best against a heavy driving punch for the head or the body.

Without prejudice

Same Limb Block Counterpunch

http://youtu.be/ZSu3xEW5qrI

This time, I do use the rhythm one-two. The distance from the blocking the attacking punch to the opponents head or torso makes the one-two rhythm both effective and powerful.

Without prejudice

Block And Counterpunch

http://youtu.be/VgnQuWzyN9M

This is a basic rhythm. I start by drawing the attackers punch. Then I defend with a short hard Block. I follow this with a short pause. The pause is followed with a counterpunch with the opposite arm.

One, Two, Three; the rhythm is basic. If I am trying to block counter in either a ‘one-two’ rhythm or simultaneously, that is a different thing.

This basic rhythm is a natural follow-up to the block alone.

Without prejudice

Fifth Grip on the Cane – Three Strike Drill: Centre, Low, High

http://youtu.be/FNI8wIZ6pS8

This is the reverse of the even more advanced version I was doing yesterday. I strike at centre first, then I go low before striking high.

Reversing drills can be very challenging and very frustrating. The best thing that reverse drills teach is perseverance.

Without prejudice

Fifth Grip on the Cane – Three Strike Drill: Centre, High, Low

http://youtu.be/5-ejN4a6uxU

This is an even more advanced version. I strike at centre first, then I go high before striking low.

Calling it out loud can help to improve one’s skill. It is not about speed or aggression. It is about building focus, balance, timing, confidence and flow.

Without prejudice

Fifth Grip on the Cane – Three Strike Drill: Low, High, Centre

http://youtu.be/UD6ZvNlwwFA

This is the reverse of the advanced version I was doing yesterday. Instead of travelling straight up or straight down; I strike low, then high and finally at centre.

Again, this is a deceptively easy looking. I started slow and gradually built up speed.

Without prejudice

Fifth Grip on the Cane – Three Strike Drill: High, Low Centre

http://youtu.be/zm2kWQe2yMs

This is a more advanced version of this drill. Instead of travelling straight up or straight down; I strike high, then low then centre.

This is a deceptively easy looking drill but it requires a lot of practice to get down well.

I first learned this drill with Forefist Thrusts and Basic Blocks using alternate arms.

Without prejudice