Forearm Strike-Neck Strike

 

  This combination motion introduces the student to deadening of an aggressor's striking arm (via an atemi strike), which is then commonly 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 non-dominant side hand straight up (bending at the elbow, until the (open) hand is (essentially) vertical, and then extends forward until it (only) contacts the inner-side of the aggressor's striking arm (acting as more of an 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 dominant-side hand motion is performed in conjunction to the non-dominant side's parrying action (and additionally, in case the non-dominant side motion should miss the uke's strike), crossing the body at groin level, and then upward to the waist, chest and face level, and continuing until it is vertical. The strong hand (once becoming vertical) continues forward, and downward, striking the uke's (striking arm's) forearm, (with the intent of numbing it) utilizing the back(dorsal)-side of their forearm to strike the uke's forearm (upon the dorsal-side, radial aspect, 2-3"below the elbow).

    

  Should the tori's non-dominant-side hand miss it's initial deflection of the striking arm, the dominant-side's hand/arm should already be in position to strike the uke's (striking) arm, and will deflect the striking hand with that action. The tori's 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 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 (forward) striking action (upon the uke's Left striking arm), in conjunction with a rotation away from the strike (which will cause the uke to then be facing the striking hand). 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.

        

  Though able to be used as described, this strike is usually done with emphasis being on using the edge of the hand, and scooping in a downward manner.

    

  As the the Tori's Right (dominant) hand completes it's forward parry/strike, it will then motion (over the top of) the uke's striking Left arm, further parrying it downward and to the front of the tori, which will motion the strike to the opposite (and tori's non-dominant) side (doing so, while the tori rotates his body position back towards facing the uke's dominant side, to again place themselves on the outer side of the uke's striking hand. The tori's hand should maintain a constant contact with the uke's arm while doing this.

     

 Once the uke's hand/arm is transferred to the tori's opposite side, the tori's (dominant) forearm will be motioned into position upon the rear of the uke's (left) striking arm. The tori's arm will rotate (using that forearm as the pivoting location) 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 that 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 then 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 their own non-dominant hand) the tori will enact an arm-bar using their non-dominant hand's wrist/forearm (placed as described above). This motion (the “arm-bar”) can be supplemented with either a neck strike (of several optional forms/locations) or can be used to (only) apply controlling point applications.

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  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 then 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 (and in conjunction with protective padding on the neck to prevent any serious 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.