Parry/ Forearm Strike-Neck Strike

Parry/ Forearm Strike-Neck Strike

 This motion introduces the student to deadening of an aggressor's striking arm (via an atemi strike) then is used in combination with 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 is began with both parties having their hands at their sides. When the uke begins their strike, the tori should motion their weak-side hand straight up (bending at the elbow, until the (open) hand is (essentially) vertical, and (only) contacts the aggressor's strike (acting as more of a 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 strong-side hand motion is performed in conjunction to the weak side's parrying action (and additionally, in case the weak side motion should miss the uke's strike),crossing the groin, waist, chest and face, and continuing until it is vertical. The strong 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 uke's forearm with.

 Should the tori's weak-side hand miss (it's initial deflection of the striking arm) the Strong-side's hand should be in position to strike that arm already, and will deflect the striking hand with that action. 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 striking methods are available, and our 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 (across from the tori's dominant hand/arm), the tori's initial (non-dominant) 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 when reaching it's vertical position, in conjunction with a body rotation away from the strike(towards the non-dominant side). As this strike is being done, the tori's non-dominant hand modifies it's initial cover/parry, to be utilized as a downward strike to the mid-section (solar plexus) of the uke(as illustrated in the photo on the right).  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 downward manner.

 As the Left hand performs this strike, the Right hand complete it's outside parry, and will then circle (over the top of) the uke's striking Left arm, and continue that parry downward (across the tori's front), which will motion the strike to it's opposite(and tori's non-dominant) side (while doing so, the tori rotates his body position back to his Right, to again place themselves on the outer side of the (Left) striking hand. The tori's Right arm should maintain a constant contact with the uke's striking arm while doing this. Once the uke's hand/arm is extended to the tori's opposite side, the tori's (dominant) elbow will additionally be placed in contact with the uke's striking arm. The tori's arm will rotate (using it's forearm as the pivoting point) until the dominant hand is located (now) above the uke's arm (making it perpendicular to the uke's arm). This allows the tori to utilize it's forearm to apply pressure upon the uke's upper arm(slightly above the uke's elbow).  
        

  Once the tori's non-dominant 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 dominant hand (as described above). With the tori holding the wrist of the uke's striking hand (with the non-dominant hand) the tori will enact an arm-bar using their dominant hand's forearm (placed as described above). This motion (the arm-bar described in a previous post) 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). 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(and a when during the techniques application), 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.