Detailed Practice of Arm Strike/Parry

  The Practice of this motion begins with the tori and the uke standing face to face, at an arm's length distance from each other (confirmed, by the tori placing his hand on the shoulder of the uke to establish that distance).

   

  This description is for a Right-Hand dominant person. If the student is Left-Hand dominant, they should adapt these instructions accordingly. Additionally, it should be noted that the Free-Air practice of the Tori's arm motions is the same as when practicing with an uke, whether the uke is attempting to strike with either arm, the tori's arm motions remain the same. 

  

Non-Dominant (Left) Hand's Motions

  Practice is began with both parties having their hands at their sides. When the uke begins their strike, the tori should motion their Non-Dominant side hand straight upward and palm-up (bending/pivoting at the elbow, until the hand is (essentially) vertical, and the elbow is extended forward from the body (towards the uke) and continues in an arcing motion rotating to palm-down.  

    

 This motion is both downward and towards the uke (ideally, parrying the uke's intended strike with it's motion).

It should be noted that the tori's hand, does not have to contact the uke's hand or wrist. Contact can be made upon any part of the uke's striking arm (from just below the shoulder level of the arm, to the forearm of the striking appendage). Additionally, at this stage of practice, there is no intended or implied Grab being made (upon the uke's arm). This motion's intent, is to redirect the uke's strike away from it's intended target.

  Individual Practice of this arm's motion should be made before proceeding to the next layer of this motion.

  

Dominant (Right) Hand Motions

  The tori's Dominant-side hand/forearm should cross the body low by crossing/protecting the groin area. This arm will then raise, remaining to the inner-side (nearer to the body) of the Non-Dominant hand's motion. It then raises to a vertical position just forward of the tori's body (with the elbow motioned forward in conjunction with the Left elbow's position), and then motions forward. In most systems, the emphasis is made upon the lateral/outward arm motion. In RyuTe, that emphasis is forward.

    

  These Two motions are done together and either in conjunction with, (or slightly before) a Straight kick. This kick has the potential/probability of causing the uke to lean forward, which in turn, assists the tori in the follow-up Neck Strike, commonly performed with the tori's Dominant-Side Hand.

   

  Once the student has sufficiently practiced these motions, the tori will be taught to rotate (their body) to either side during the execution of these motions. This adds distancing to the tori's initial position (in that the uke's original target location, the tori's Face has been moved), and doing so also motions the tori away from the uke's (still) free arm.

  

  There are also several different manors of using either arm in this particular motion. What is initially shown/practiced, is only the beginning motions. There are alternative motions for either arm that can be utilized (depending on the uke's or the tori's actions and/or responses).

  

(The first practiced response is for an uke that is attempting to strike with their Right Hand.)

  As soon as the tori detects the uke's motion of their Right arm, they should be motioning their own Left hand upward towards the uke's shoulder (as was practiced). Upon reaching the uke's shoulder the tori's hand will rotate (with the palm facing the uke's center-line). That hand will then motion towards the uke's center-line, and proceed downward towards the uke's waist-line (Palm-down). 

    

  The Tori's Right arm should be crossing/protecting the groin area, while raising to act as a back-up for the Left arm's action. As tori becomes confident with the success of their Left hands motion, their own right hand should be motioned laterally (till vertical), then motion forward (towards the uke). Depending upon the uke's position at that time, the tori's targeting of that arm could be several locations (Neck, Chest, Temple). 

   

(The 2^nd practiced response is for an uke that is attempting to strike with their Left Hand.)

  As soon as the tori detects the uke's motion of their Left arm, they should be motioning their own Left hand upward towards the uke's Right shoulder (as was practiced with the prior example). Upon reaching the uke's shoulder the tori's hand will rotate (with the palm facing the uke's center-line). That hand will then motion towards the uke's center-line, and proceed downward towards the uke's waist-line (Palm-down). This motion should be done with the intent of wiping downward upon the front of the uke's chest. 

    

  As was done previously, the tori's Right hand motions across (in front of the groin area) and raises to a vertical position with the elbow extending towards the uke. Unlike the prior example, at this point, this arm may (already) be in contact with the uke's striking hand/arm. Whether it is, or isn't, the tori's Right arm (and elbow) should be extended towards the uke. 

    

  This motion will allow for one of two occurrences, either the tori will strike the uke's (upper) arm (preferably at a taught kyusho location), or the tori's hand will travel over the top of the uke's striking arm (which leads to several options of/for further manipulation). In either occurrence, the uke's striking attempt is negated. 

    

  Regardless of whether the student is practicing for an uke's Right or Left handed strike, the captured uke's arm will (initially) be taught to be placed into an Arm-Bar, and the uke will be manipulated into a submission position (usually face-down on the ground). 

    

  When the basic execution for both of these protective motions is learned, we have students begin to include the kicks with their protective actions. The kicks will modify the motions of the uke, previously made motions will be amplified/exaggerated (often extensively).

    

  As mentioned previously, follow-up motions (for either arm situations) are as varied as they are extensive. Those motions can be modified to be used as simple submission, or to causing the subject's loss of consciousness, to termination of the subject (in obviously extreme circumstances). 

 I've written before about striking the uke's arm (when it is attempting to strike you), I've also stated that it isn't always possible/practical to do so, but that doesn't negate the practicality of all strikes being made (or even able to be made) upon the aggressor's arms. These protective motions (when performed correctly) exemplify that belief.