Thursday, December 28, 2017

Parry/ Forearm Strike-Neck Strike 3

Parry/ Forearm Strike-Neck Strike
This motion introduces the student to deadening of an aggressor's striking arm (via an atemi strike) and additionally includes a neck strike. If the uke has any preexisting neck injury or soreness, practice of this technique should not be attempted.
Practice of this combination (as with the majority of others) begins with the tori and the uke standing face to face, at an arms length/distance from each other (this should be confirmed, by the tori placing his hand on the shoulder of the uke to establish proper practice distance).

Technique practice is began with both parties having their hands at their sides. When the uke begins their strike, the tori should motion their near-side hand straight up (bending at the elbow, until the (open) hand is (essentially) horizontal, and (only) contacts the aggressor's striking arm (acting as more of a inward/outward parry than a strike). This should be done in conjunction with the tori rotating (their hips and torso) to face the approaching strike attempt. The tori's counter-side hand motion is performed in conjunction to the initial hand's parrying action (and additionally, in case the initial hand's motion should miss the uke's strike, can provide an additional "cover"), crossing the groin, waist, chest and face, and continuing until it is vertical. That hand (once becoming vertical) continues forward, and downward ,striking the uke's forearm, (with the intent of numbing it) utilizing the back(dorsal)-side of their forearm to strike the top of the uke's (striking) forearm with. Should the tori's same-side hand miss it's initial deflection of the striking arm, the secondary hand should be in position to strike/deflect the aggressor's arm, providing a minimal level of deflection itself. When applicable, the initial forearm strike should be immediately followed by the tori striking the same side of the uke's neck (i.e. if the uke's Right arm is struck, then the Right side of the Uke's neck should be struck).

A variety of follow-up striking methods are available, and students are encouraged to experiment with them until they discover which are more comfortable/practical (depending on individual situations).

In the event that the uke utilizes the arm opposite (from the tori's parrying hand/arm), the tori's (initial) parrying hand will not have sufficient reach to parry the attacking limb of the uke. For this reason, the tori's dominant hand will still perform it's initial (outward) striking action, in conjunction with a rotation away from the strike. As this strike is being done, the tori's initial hand modifies it's motion to be utilized as a downward (open-handed) strike to the mid-section (solar plexus) of the uke.
Though able to be used as shown, this strike is usually done with emphasis being on using the edge of the hand, and scooping in a forward and downward manner.
At the same time, as the Right hand complete it's outside parry, it will then circle (over the top of) the uke's striking Left arm, further parrying it (across the tori's front) forward, which will motion the strike rearward and/or downward, while the tori rotates his body position towards the (actual) striking side. The tori's arm should be extended maintaining consistant contact with the uke's striking arm while doing this. Once the tori's hand/arm is extended, The tori's arm will rotate, so as to parry the uke's arm towards the opposite side. Simultaineously, the tori's other hand has (if possible) completed it's strike, it then retracts to grasp the uke's (striking hand's) wrist (which was motioned to that side, by the parrying hand (as described above). With the tori holding the wrist of the uke's striking hand (with the opposite side hand) the tori will enact an arm-bar using the near-side's forearm (placed as defined elsewhere). This motion (the “arm-bar” ) can be supplemented with either a neck strike (of several optional forms/locations) or can be utilized to (only) apply controlling (point) applications.

These two arm motions (and strikes) must be performed as quickly as possible (with as little time-lapse as possible between them). The uke's response (to the initial forearm strike) will cause them to bend at the waist, towards the impacted arm and withdraw that stricken arm, turning that side away from the tori (allowing only a short amount of time to be able to strike that same side of the uke's neck).
If/when the uke chooses to utilize a "high" (wound up) strike (commonly achieved by initially pulling thier striking fist up or behind their own shoulder prior to projecting it forward) for the tori to strike the aggressor's forearm it then becomes somewhat impractical. This commonly occurs if/when the aggressor attempts to deliver a "Hay-maker" (or "Hook"ing punch). In that circumstance it would be more practical to strike the aggressor's bicep (of their striking arm). The combination of their upper arm's forward motion in combination with the tori's (own) forward strike will make this strike more efficient. The previously practiced "follow-up" strike (to the Uke's neck) can still be attempted, though the practicality of doing so may be impaired by the uke's (physical) response from having performed this particular strike.
By (the Tori) having performed a straight punch (upon the uke's arm), it is easier (for the tori) to have directly withdrawn their strike, therefor the performance of a straight-strike/punch (in stead of "sideways" strike) to the uke's neck would be more practical in that circumstance. Much of that decision will be based upon what "footwork" the student will have utilized during the delivery of the initially used motion.

Additionally, it is not uncommon for the uke to bend one, if not both knee's (in an effort to establish their own stability) The neck strike will slow the uke's rotation, and usually will cause a knee-buckling response (of it's own), in conjunction with a retreating action (away from the tori) depending on the direction of the neck strikes impact. These strikes should only be done with light to moderate impact during class practice (to prevent injury to the uke). The result/reaction from these strikes, amounts to a numb arm and moderate light headiness (when performed lightly) upon the uke.

As the student becomes more adept with this techniques execution, the addition of a kick, will add/create modifications that will need to be practiced with, before their application to/in an actual defensive situation. Depending on which leg of the aggressor is struck, different reactions, timings, as well as any possible follow-ups may, or may not be applicable.
Practice (as always) begins at a “slow” speed, until the tori is confident with the required actions. Practice speed can be increased so long as both parties are comfortable with doing so.

There are multiple follow-ups available, and student's are encouraged to experiment with discovering what would work best for them (be it Tuite, arm-locks or strikes) in varying circumstances.


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