How to Perform Usetsu in Ninjutsu

Hand to hand combat techniques taught in Ninjutsu focus on self defense and harmlessly flooring an opponent to give the ninja time to escape his attacker. A technique from the Kukashinden Ryu Shodan portion of Ninjutsu training called Usetsu is particularly effective at achieving this goal. It directly translates as “right turn”, though the significance of this is unknown. Essentially it is a response to an opponent grabbing you and attempting a punch by immobilizing his wrist and forcing him to the ground.

Performing Usetsu
Step 1: Begin by standing naturally with your hands by your sides. Your opponent will immediately take the offensive by grabbing the front of your shirt with his left hand. This is in preparation for a punch to the face with his right hand.

Step 2: Place your right hand over your opponent’s left hand, holding it against your chest for the time being. Sidestep to your right as your opponent attempts a punch while simultaneously lashing out with your open left hand to catch your opponent’s right arm along the inside of the elbow.

Step 3: Throw the attacker’s right arm out to the side while wrapping the fingers of your right hand around your attacker’s left fist. Turn his left hand outward so the underside of his wrist and forearm is exposed.

Step 4: Turn your body to the right so your left shoulder is closest to your opponent. Grasp the inside of your opponent’s left elbow with your left hand, pushing forward and up so the joint of the elbow is pointing upward and raised above the level of his shoulder. Step 5: Turn 90 degrees to the right while dropping down onto your left knee. Twist with your upper body in the same direction as you do so, guiding your opponent’s elbow down and around. Your opponent will be pulled into a backwards fall as you do this, forcing him to release your shirt in the process, ending the technique.

How to Perform the Block and Arm Bend Techique in Ninjutsu

Performing the Block and Arm Bend Technique
Step 1:
Begin by facing your opponent, making sure to keep at least three feet between the two of you at all times. Keep your arms up and ready to act and your weight evenly distributed between both legs. Let your attacker lunge with a punch thrown from his/her right arm.

Step 2:
Dodge backward at a diagonal to the right to ensure the punch falls short of its mark. Push the punch aside by sweeping the back of your left hand against your opponent’s extended wrist.

Step 3:
Allow your opponent to follow up with another lunge and punch, this time thrown from the left arm. Again step backward at a diagonal, this time to the left. Sweep the punch out to the right using the back of your right hand in a mirror of the first block. In case you’re wondering why you’re doing this, it has two purposes. The first is to warn the attacker that you are a competent fighter and willing to defend yourself. As you are simply trying to prevent yourself from coming to harm, it never hurts to give your opponent the chance to stop attacking. Secondly, it lulls your opponent into a false sense of security. Should your attacker be intent on harming you, they will not expect your response to their third punch.

Step 4:
Allow your opponent to attack for a third and final time with a repeat punch thrown from the right arm. This time do not step back. Instead talk a half step inward and to your right, inside the attacker’s guard. Block the attack in the same manner as always, sweeping the arm out to the left using the back of your left hand. But this time turn and step inward toward the arm as you sweep it out. Thread your right arm over your attacker’s extended elbow. Lock elbows and then press your fist against your chest to take control of your opponent’s arm.

Step 5:
Use the back of your left hand to push your attacker’s arm back and lean forward at the waist. This will force your opponent’s arm back beyond the level of his/her body, throwing her off balance. Slip your right leg behind your attacker’s right leg and pull it backward toward you while continuing to push your opponent’s arm back to topple him/her and finish the technique.

How to Perform Tatsumaki in Ninjutsu

Contrary to popular opinion, the ninja warrior of Japan was not the invincible machine that the media paints him to be. A ninja was primarily an espionist, a spy, and at times an assassin. He was a warrior primarily in the sense that he fought to win political disputes by different means. His place was not on the battlefield, but in the city, observing and reporting back to the masters of his clan. All the necessary skills which were required to make an effective spy are taught under the name Ninjutsu, or Ninpo. They stressed stealth over visibility and brains over brawn. Combat was not focused on as a ninja would only need to fight if his presence had been discovered by those he was spying on, which was ultimately an indication of failure. As a result the Ninjutsu training regimen mostly included defensive techniques in which the combatant reacts to an attack and floors his opponent as quickly, quietly, and safely as possible. This gives the ninja operative time to escape as he would only be fighting if he were discovered. One such technique is known as Tatsumaki. This is an alternative to a failed attempt at a Kata-Ho. The Kata-Ho is a simple arm bend and throw in reaction to a series of straight punches. Should the attacker manage to foil the Kata-Ho, the Tatsumaki is the immediate follow up.

Performing Tatsumaki
Step 1:
Stand naturally at least three feet from your opponent. This is an actual stance known as Kammai. It is used in order to prevent an enemy from knowing you are ready to react to an attack. Only subtle changes in posture are used. Edge your feet apart slowly and put your weight up near your toes so you can push off quickly if you need to. Keep your hands open and by your sides, but be ready to bring them up immediately. Your opponent will adopt an aggressive combat stance known as ichimonji. He will sink low on his knees while keeping his back straight. His left hand will be out in front of him at full extension with the hand forming a vertical blade pointed at you. The right fist will be balled and held horizontally at waist level. Your left hand should be extended in a manner mirroring your opponent, but keep your elbow bent slightly.

Step 2:
Sidestep to the right and back immediately as your attacker lunges with a straight punch from the right fist. Hold the right fist directly against the chest and raise the left fist, forming a bar with the lower forearm held out horizontally with the ground. As the left arm bar rises it will push your opponent’s punch up. Snap the lower arm from horizontal to vertical to shove the opponent’s arm out to the side.

Step 3:
Attempt to go into the beginning of a Kata-Ho by latching onto the wrist of your opponent’s still extended right arm with your left hand. Step in to attempt to wrap your right elbow over the top of your opponent’s elbow. Make sure to keep an eye on your opponent as you do so as this is the point where the Kata-Ho can fail. Your opponent may attempt to strike you in the right side with a punch from his remaining left arm.

Step 4:
Step back to get outside of your opponent’s range while keeping hold of his right hand with your left. Extend your right arm and swing it outward to catch against the elbow of your opponent’s left arm, stopping the punch cold. You will have to hit hard to achieve this effect and may suffer some bruising from it later.

Step 5:
Twist hard counterclockwise at the waist, swinging your right arm. The back of your fist should skim along the top of your opponent’s arm, over the shoulder to let the bottom of the fist slam as hard as you can directly into the side of the neck. This strike is effective at knocking an opponent to the ground as it temporarily pinches the spinal cord in the neck. This momentarily cuts any control your opponent has on his body below the neck, dropping him instantly.

How to Perform Oni Kudaki in Ninjutsu

Oni-Kodaki, the Demon Crush. No it’s not nearly as gruesome or horrific as it sounds. In fact it causes no harm to an attacker whatsoever. In truth it’s a simple Ninjutsu counter-defensive technique utilized when an attacker has grabbed the front of your shirt with the intention to punch or kick you while holding you immobile. Such a move is reliant on the very human tendency to shrink back or pull away when grabbed, effectively leaving you at the perfect distance from your opponent to be beaten silly. To perform the Oni-Kodaki, you meet their expectations, stepping outward, then immediately change direction, moving in toward your opponent, forcing them off balance and driving them safely to the ground. With that done you can either try to talk to your attacker, continue to attack if you see fit, or run like heck.

Performing the Demon Crush
Step 1:
Allow your opponent to advance and grab you by the lapel or front of the shirt with his left hand. You must act quickly to take your attacker off balance and prevent his follow-up attacks. This means you have no time to assume any stance other than your natural one. Immediately step back and to the right, pivoting clockwise at a 45 degree angle to half face your opponent. This will put your opponent forward, off balance, as well as line you up for your countermove.

Step 2:
Slip your arm up underneath your opponent’s arm from the outside while stepping forward with your right foot, bring your right shoulder into contact with your opponent’s left shoulder. Once your entire right arm is slipped up from underneath, turn your palm downward and slip your arm over the top of your opponent’s arm so that they are elbow to elbow. This motion will transfer your opponent’s hold to the outside of your sleeve.

Step 3:
Pivot on your right foot so that your shoulders meet and you are now facing in the same direction. Lock your elbow shut and raise your arm, forcing your opponent’s elbow up and backward, causing him to arch his spine as he his pulled off balance.

Step 4: Step back with your left foot to pull your opponent completely off balance. The only thing holding him up is your elbow locking into his. Drop down to your right knee to pull your opponent safely to the ground to finish the technique.

How to Perform Musha Dori in Ninjutsu

Many martial arts and self defense courses emphasize hurting or causing pain to an attacker as a deterrent. This does not jibe well with people who consider themselves pacifists or simply don’t want to cause anyone else pain. Unfortunately such pacifists are subject to attack or attempted muggings like the rest of us. Come to think of it, it would probably be easier to steal from a pacifist as he won’t fight back. In any case, there is any answer to this problem. Ninjutsu combat and self defense techniques emphasize temporarily dropping or disabling an opponent without doing any physical harm or inflicting any pain. For example, Musha Dori, meaning the trapped warrior, is a great way to pre-empt further violence once an attacker has grabbed you by the lapel, collar, or front of the shirt with the intention to do you harm.

Performing The Trapped Warrior
Step 1:

Begin standing naturally with your hands down at your sides as your opponent approaches and grabs you by the front of your shirt with his left hand. This is usually a way of keeping you within range for subsequent punches, so it is imperative that you act before you opponent can follow up with an actual attack.

Step 2:

Raise your right arm underneath your opponent’s extended arm. The back of your lower forearm should be pressing firmly against the inside of your opponent’s wrist for later use.

Step 3:

Pivot to face and press up against the length of your opponent’s outstretched arm. As you do so, slip your left arm beneath your opponent’s outstretched arm. At the completion of this step your lower arm should be vertical and your upper arm horizontal. Cradled within the crook of your elbow should be your opponent’s upper forearm a few inches above his elbow.

Step 4:

Pivot to face your opponent, back to your left if you originally turned right in step 3. As you do so, pull your left arm toward your body while pushing away with your right. This will pop your opponent’s hand off of your shirt, forcing the elbow to snap shut. It will also turn in your opponent’s elbow, raising it upward and causing him to pivot away from you and arch his back in an attempt to relieve the pressure on the elbow joint.

Step 5:

Guide your opponent to the ground by dropping to your right knee to finish this technique.

How to Perform Hicho Nokara in Ninjutsu

Ninpo or ninjutsu is more commonly referred to as the art of the ninja. Funnily enough, the term ninja is not commonly used in Japan. The word shinobi is preferred. Though many people think training to be a shinobi involves learning how to fight, this is not the case. Much of ninjutsu involves psychological warfare, navigation, stealth techniques and other arts of deception. Remember that the shinobi was a spy; he would only fight if his presence was discovered. And even then his combat style would be reactive, a quick dodge followed by a counter intended to floor an opponent long enough to give the shinobi time to escape. This technique is known as "hicho nokara." It involves defending against an attacker attempting an uppercut by assuming a “kicking bird stance.”

Performing Hicho Nokara
Step 1:
Begin standing at least three, preferably four feet from your opponent. Your opponent will assume an aggressive combat stance known as ichimonji. He will drop down low on his knees. His left hand will form a vertical blade pointed at you, his arm at full extension. The right fist will be balled and held horizontally at waist level.

Step 2:
Stand with your legs close together. Keep your weight on your back right foot which is turned sideways so that the inner flat and ankle are facing your opponent. Plant the ball of your left foot down directly next to the right foot, with the toes facing your opponent. The back of your heel should be raised so high it presses into the side of your right ankle. This should look a bit like the way a heron or egret will stand in open water. Cross your right arm over your chest, fist pressing against your left pectoral muscle. Your left hand should be extended in a manner mirroring your opponent, but keep your elbow bent slightly.

Step 3:
Wait for your opponent, who will lunge forward. The uppercut from an ichimonji is a bit different than a Western uppercut. Instead of being aimed at the chin, the under swinging punch is aimed at the solar plexus near the top of the abdomen. Immediately push off with your left foot, keeping the heel raised, and take a half step backward with your right foot to get outside your opponent’s optimum range of attack. Keep your weight on your back foot and immediately pull your left foot backward to resume your bird stance. As the uppercut is driven forward, turn your left hand palm downward and cross your body with the lower forearm. Drive the hand down at the appropriate moment to catch your opponent’s upturned right fist. Hold onto your opponent’s fist to immobilize his right arm.

Step 4:
Push off with your rear foot and raise your left foot at the knee, swinging it forward to kick with the heel into your opponent’s upper right leg or midsection.

Step 5:
Continue the kick by stepping forward with the same foot and placing it behind your opponent’s right heel. Extend your right fist from its coiled position across your chest to backhand your opponent across the side of the cheek or neck. This is meant to wrong foot and disorient your opponent.

Step 6:
Step forward with your right foot so you are straddling his right leg, with one foot in front and one foot behind. Place your right hand on the front of your opponent’s right shoulder. Twist your upper body counterclockwise, pulling your opponent’s right arm back while pushing his upper body backward using his shoulder as the contact point. Your opponent will trip over your rear foot and topple backward to land on his rump or back, finishing the technique.

How to Perform an Ooyopu Throw in Ninjutsu

Here is a guide explaining how to perform Ooyopu, also known as the thumb choke technique, which is performed as a defense to an attacker grabbing the defender by the shoulders or sleeves of the upper arms.

Step 1:
Begin by responding to your opponent grabbing you by the shoulders and sleeves. Place your right arm on the top of your opponent’s shoulder and the left arm against the back of his elbow. This is known as the Kunichi position and is common for many different grappling throws and holds. You should also be mirroring your opponent’s stance by keeping your weight forward on your left foot.

Step 2:
Place the palm of your right hand against the front of your opponent’s throat and snug the V of flesh between your thumb and index finger at the point where the throat gives way to the underside of the jaw. Lean your body’s weight back onto your rear right foot while firmly extending your right arm and locking your elbow. The point of this is not to harm your opponent, but force him to push him slightly away. This will mean your opponent will have to lock his own arms in order to keep hold of you, which is exactly what we want.

Step 3:
Shove your opponent back sharply by transferring your body’s weight back to your forward left foot and leaning forward. Take a half step to the left and drive your right heel into the inside of your opponent’s right knee joint. Again this is meant to unsteady your opponent rather than do any harm. Your opponent will be pushed to his left and will have to release his left hand on your sleeve if he wants to regain his balance.

Step 4:
Take the opportunity that this moment provides to grip your freed right hand around your opponent’s right wrist. Step inward toward your opponent with your left foot while pivoting clockwise to put your back to him. As you do this, raise your opponent’s arm to rest his elbow across the top of your left shoulder. It should be noted that for this throw to be effective, the back of the elbow must be pressed against the shoulder, not the inside of the elbow.

Step 5:
Complete the technique by leaning forward at the waist while pulling your opponent around from your left, pulling the arm down as you do so to propel him into a rapid tumble as he will not be able to keep his balance as fast as you draw him around your body.

How to Counter a Right Left Right Punch Combination with a Leg Attack Series in Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu is colloquially referred to as the art of the Ninja. It was an art expounded during the Japanese feudal era. The term encompasses many years of training in the fields of: stealth, subterfuge, psychological warfare, chemistry, and many forms of combat. It was in essence a training program to create a ninja; the modern day equivalent would be guerilla soldier or insurgent. The majority of these techniques involved acting and observing without being caught or seen. In the rare instances where violence was required for an operative to complete his task, the target would typically never see his/her end coming. Unarmed combat was only ever used for immediate self defense should the operative come under attack suddenly. Its entire purpose was to safely neutralize the attacker long enough to allow the operative to escape. Today Ninjutsu self defense can be just as effective. Here is a guide detailing how to defend against an attacker throwing a right, left, right punch combination by striking at the legs and forcing the attacker to the ground.

Step 1:
Begin in a natural standing position with your opponent facing you. As you are not the aggressor it is likely that your opponent will be the one taking a combat stance. It would be a costly waste of time to attempt to mimic this. As your opponent throws a punch aimed at you with his/her right fist, sidestep to the right, using the back of your left hand to guide the fist out to your left and away from your body.

Step 2:
Immediately widen your stance to lower your upper body for greater strength for the coming attack. Ball your right fist and drive it in an underhanded punch directly against the inside of your attacker’s upper right leg. This serves multiple purposes. It will force your attacker backward for a moment and warn them you’re not afraid to fight back. It will cause physical pain as that part of the leg is sensitive. Most importantly, it will temporarily numb the muscle. This will reduce your opponent’s mobility and weaken his/her sense of balance.

Step 3:
Allow your attacker to strike again with his/her left fist. Instead of dodging it, form your left arm into a horizontal bar and force the punch upward by raising your arm sharply. Latch your hand around your attacker’s wrist before he/she is able to withdraw it. This will force your attacker to punch again with the only arm she/he has control over.

Step 4:
Deflect the second punch by forming a horizontal bar with your other arm and raising it sharply upward. Again make sure to grab your opponent’s other wrist before the arm can be retracted.

Step 5:
Pull your opponent toward you, turning sidelong so your right shoulder and right leg and nearest to your opponent’s midline. Raise your knee up and out to the side and drive it sideways into your opponent’s leg in the same spot that you first attacked. Immediately compound this by slipping your leg between your opponent’s legs and wrapping it around his/her left leg. The back of your knee and his/her knee should touch. Pull back with you leg, forcing your opponent’s leg up into the air. Pull your opponent onto his/her wounded leg and he/she will stumble, falling backward to his/her rump or back.