The Knifehand

http://youtu.be/ZFusJC1ZY-4

Making a Knifehand is similar to making a Forefist. The fingers are held together. The knuckles are held in line. The thumb is cocked (although this is a little higher than in the Forefist).

The main differences in making the Knifehand are the fingers are held straight out and bent only at the last joint and I am striking with the edge of the palm instead of the knuckles.

http://youtu.be/jX0JaLtf9kY
In this case, I am thrusting with the Knifehand. I wind up my Knifehand to the opposite side ear. From there I turn my striking hip and arm toward my attacker and thrust the Knifehand palm edge into them.

Actually much more time consuming to write and complex to read than it is to do…Watch the video.

Without prejudice

The Palmheel Thrust

http://youtu.be/CytmRTuFqVw
I make a Palmheel just as I show in the video. I simply pull the palm back and expose the base of the palm. I can then use what I call the top of the Palmheel for thrusting. This is different than the bottom of the Palmheel which I will cover another day.

The disadvantage of using top of the Palmheel is that it exposes the fingers to damage. I also have to be closer to land a thrust. And if I am a little off, I can land the palm instead of the Palmheel which can cause damage to the wrist.


http://youtu.be/T9AnGiZCp5g
On the other hand, this thrust is very similar to the Forefist from the high guard with the rear arm.

The padding of top of the Palmheel allows for a very strong strike and it requires very little practice to form it (although using it is a slightly different story).

As I said before, constant practice will improve it so that it will become a reflex. Constant monitoring can improve it as well (occasionally observing oneself practicing in a mirror for instance).

Without prejudice

The Forefist Thrust

http://youtu.be/K937_rKxws8
 I make a Forefist just as I show in the video. The formation of the fist and making contact with the correct knuckles is very important.

Just as important is conditioning the fist so that it can withstand the impact of a strike. However, conditioning is complex, long term and challenging activity that must be maintained regularly in an educated and intelligent manner. It can hardly be covered within one video so I will just say that the fist should be conditioned (even if it is padded) and leave it for another time.


http://youtu.be/hvGZL2Zt8lo
I am striking with a vertical Forefist (or standing fist) from the high guard with the rear arm. Basically, it is a straight punch that incorporates the hips, core, legs and arms.

Constant practice will improve it so that it will become a reflex. Constant monitoring can improve it as well (occasionally observing oneself practicing in a mirror for instance).

Without prejudice

Linear Stepthrough in a Leading Horse to a Forward Bow

http://youtu.be/zleycWJwTTA

I can move forward or back in a straight line from a Leading Horse through Neutral to a Forward Bow.

The Linear Stepthrough is the fastest way to move ahead or back (short of a jump). 

This stepthrough moves from the hips (they go first) and I move from a side facing position to a front facing position.

Without prejudice

Linear Stepthrough in a Forward Bow

http://youtu.be/3gPrMdx-HL8

I move forward or back in a straight line from a Left Forward Bow through Neutral to a Right Forward Bow (or I use the other side).

The Linear Stepthrough is the fastest way to move ahead or back (short of a jump). 

Combined with a punch, the advancing stepthrough is very powerful but it is easily defended against so it must be timed correctly.

Without prejudice

Linear Shuffle in a Leading Horse

http://youtu.be/6DMfK6chSN0

I move forward or back in a straight line from a Left Leading Horse through Informal Attention Stance (looks like I am skiing) to another Left Leading Horse Stance (or I use the other side).

The Leading Horse is another easy versatile stance that also forms the basis for some more of Kisae Kempo including this Linear Shuffle.

The advantage of the Leading Horse Shuffle is that it is fast and I have less tagets exposed to frontal attacks.

It too requires a ton of practice under various conditions in order to make it work.

Without prejudice

Linear Shuffle in a Forward Bow

http://youtu.be/AAN0RlvYgPM

I move forward or back in a straight line from a Left Forward Bow through Neutral to another Left Forward Bow (or I use the other side).

The Forward Bow is an easy versatile stance that forms the basis for a lot of Kisae Kempo including this Linear Shuffle.

Essentially it is Forward Bow to Neutral to Forward Bow keeping the same side leading.

Easy to say and easy to type but doing it until it is reflex under pressure requires a ton of practice under various conditions.

Without prejudice