How to Perform a Samurai Karate Sacrifice Throw Against a Yokumon Strike

This guide will explain how to perform a Sacrifice Throw or Satemiwase against an open handed side chop referred to as a Yokumon.
Instructions

Performing a Sacrifice Throw Against a Yokumon Strike
Step 1:
Allow your opponent to close the distance with you to striking range and attack with a Yokumon strike. This will be a horizontal chop with a palm open to the sky that comes in from the side and is aimed toward the neck.

Step 2:
Step inside of your opponent’s swing angled to the side opposite of your opponent’s strike. Swing your arm from the midline of your body upward and outward to land against the opposite side of your opponent’s check and jaw. The point of impact should be a few inches down from the elbow of your arm. Note that this strike is not meant to hit hard, though it can if facing someone actually intent on doing you harm.

Step 3:
Press that arm down and to the side, in so doing forcing your opponent’s head down and forward into a bowing position. Roll that arm around so that the inside of your elbow rather than the outside is pressed against your opponent’s neck. Clamp your arm securely around your opponent’s head to put him in a headlock.

Step 4:
Slip other arm under your opponent’s arm, the one which your opponent did not strike with, and lock elbows. Pull that arm up as high as you are able to elevate one side of your opponent’s body, both immobilizing him and forcing him off balance.

Step 5:
Sweep one of your feet against your opponent’s leg, the one closest to your body. Drop down and allow your back to straighten as you do so to safely fall to the ground, forcing your opponent into a kowtowing position to end the move. For those unfamiliar with the term, kowtowing is kneeling, bending forward, and placing both the forehead and hands against the ground in supplication. If you were facing a real attacker rather than practicing with a sparring partner, you can perform a slight variation which will be more effective in stopping an attacker. Instead of sweeping your opponent’s leg out from under him, you can anchor his leg in place by pressing the arch of your foot against his ankle or knee. This way the bone will break when you fall backward.

Tips & Warnings
Yokumons were known for being very dangerous as the chopping strike was aimed at the side of the neck and could result in spinal damage is successfully landed. The defense is called a Sacrifice throw because it requires that the defender drop to the ground alongside the attacker, sacrificing the advantage of standing with one's feet on the ground.

An interesting aspect of most sacrifice throws is how, by making only a slight alteration, a throw can run the gamut between safely dropping an opponent to the ground and killing him outright.

Most any technique in Samurai Karate has the potential to be very dangerous to both the attacker and the defender. For that reason take the utmost care when practicing this martial art, preferably under the watchful eye of a trained instructor.

How to Perform a Samurai Karate Choke Defense Against a Sword Strike

While this defensive choke was originally designed to counter an overhand sword swing, it's also quite effective against an opponent using a club or striking with a bare fist.

Step 1:
Allow your opponent to step toward you and begin to stab at your upper body and swing his weapon in an overhand strike.

Step 2:
Sidestep and step inward toward your opponent as his/her attack begins to let the attack brush past you. You must sidestep in the direction which places you outside your opponent’s range of attack, meaning his arm is past you and you are pressed at an angle against his back.

Step 3:
Lower your body at the knees in order to get the top of your shoulder underneath of your opponent’s arm. When pressed against your opponent the top of your shoulder should be wedged underneath your opponent’s armpit.

Step 4:
Wrap that arm up and around the front of your opponent’s collar. Do not worry about holding onto your opponent with this hand, which is not its purpose. Instead your arm should be wrapped around your opponent’s chest, terminating on the opposite side of his neck. Ideally the side of your arm just a few inches about the wrist should be pressed into his neck.

Step 5:
Grab the wrist of your arm with your other hand and pull both arms toward you to place pressure on the side of your attacker’s neck.

Step 6:
Press the foot of the leg furthest from your opponent firmly against the back of his heel to sweep his leg off the ground. Fall onto your side as you do so, pulling your opponent down with you onto his back. As you fall, increase the pressure against the side of your opponent’s neck as much as you can, twisting with the arm crossing the front of his chest. Make sure to hit the ground so that the upper portion of the arm wrapped around the back of the neck lands flat. If done correctly the force of the impact against the ground combined with the pressure you’ve exerted will break your opponent’s neck.

How to Counter and Strike Against Upper Body Attacks in Samurai Karate

Countering a Shouman Strike
Step 1:
Allow your opponent to close to within striking range. Unlike many forms of martial arts, Samurai Karate does not require a starting position or stance as it would alert the opponent to the fact that you are actually ready to receive his attack. One of the most common attacks is an overhand strike, whether the hand is empty or contains a knife of club, the response is the same. Such an attack is called a Shouman

Step 2:
Take a quick step in so that your body is less than a foot apart from your opponent’s. This will get you inside your opponent’s swing. Catch the downward swinging arm of your opponent just behind his/her elbow using the V between the thumb and forefinger of your hand.

Step 3:
Perform a counter called a Mitsubishi Blinder with your other hand simultaneously. To do this, simply drive the heel of the palm into your opponent’s chin from beneath, forcing his/her head back violently. Your fingers should be high enough on your opponent’s face to dig at his/her eyes. Your opponent’s immediate reaction of course will be to protect his/her eyes and will cease hostilities.

Countering a Side or Diagonal Chop
Step 1:

Allow your opponent to close range to you just as before. Your opponent should prepare to attack with a side or diagonal chop of the hand starting from the outside of the body and swinging in toward the midline. Again this response is just as effective if your opponent is wielding a knife or club.

Step 2:

Take a small step inward and to the side away from the side of the body your opponent is using to throw his strike. Immobilize your opponent’s swinging wrist by latching onto it and pushing it away and to your side. If you are wary of grabbing the wrist of someone wielding a weapon, latching onto the forearm below the elbow is effective as well.

Step 3:

Form your other hand into a blade, and step in toward your opponent’s side. Chop down hard on your opponent’s temple just over the ear. The ear is a particularly sensitive spot and will elicit a very strong pain response in your opponent. If you believe your life to be truly in danger and feel there is no other way to get out of the situation but to immobilize your opponent, strike against the side of the neck with as much force as you can. Such a strike would likely pull and harm the muscles in the neck at the very least. Typically it would cause damage to the vertebra of the neck, something which cannot really heal and will likely impair the attacker for the rest of his life. For that reason you should think long and hard before using this attack variation.

How to Execute the Arm Twist Technique Using Bushido

Bushido is a code that dictates the way that a Samurai should live every aspect of his life, how he should conduct himself in any situation. It was all encompassing. Bushido Martial Arts follows this same concept closely by generating a system of attack and defense for any situation. It is both intuitive and can be performed by anyone of decent physical health, regardless of size, age, or skill level. The majority of these techniques are defensive in nature, defending from an attempted attack or hold, immediately responding with a disabling attack or hold of your own. Many of these defensive techniques are still quite dangerous, resulting in broken bones and other permanent injury to the attacker. However some modifications can be done to ensure that these moves are effective at immobilizing or incapacitating the attacker without causing permanent harm. Here is a guide on how to defend against a punch or grab aimed at the torso with a benign arm twist.

Executing the Arm Twist Technique
Step 1:
Begin facing your sparring partner. Have him approach you and grab the front of your shirt as if he were about to strike you. Pivot inward on your right foot in order to place the back of your right shoulder blade against or facing your opponent’s chest.

Step 2:
Grasp your opponent’s wrist is your left hand, holding it against your chest. Use your other hand to push your opponent’s elbow above your head so you can duck your head under his arm as you pivot.

Step 3:
Hold onto your opponent’s arm as you turn so that you are once again facing him. Keep up the pressure on the arm, which is being twisted backward as a result of your pivot. The pressure will force your opponent to automatically bend forward, lowering his upper body in an attempt to relieve some of the force being exerted on his arm. It should be at full extension out to his side, with the elbow twisted to point directly upward.

Step 4:
Release your left hand and instead fit your opponent’s wrist into the crook of your left arm, fitting over your own elbow. Release your right hand and extend your right arm over the top of your opponent’s elbow so that you are able to lock your hands together. This is called a triangle lock. With one arm below your opponent’s arm and the other above, you can put pressure on the joint of your opponent’s elbow.

Step 5:
Take a few steps backward, dropping to your right knee, guiding your opponent face first to the ground. With his arm in the triangle lock he will not be able to resist. Press down with your right arm while pulling upward with your right. This will stress the joint of your opponent’s elbow, forcing him to concede. This should be sufficient to stop his attacks. Remember to exert pressure slowly and carefully. The goal of this technique is to stress the elbow, not break it.

How to Defend Against a Lapel Grab using Bushido

Defending Against a Lapel Grab
Step 1:
Allow your opponent to approach you and grab your lapel. Usually this is in preparation for a strike from the opponent’s other hand.

Step 2:
Place the palm of your hand atop the forearm of the hand that is grabbing you, just below the elbow. Hold it firmly, though you need not squeeze. Step forward and to your opponent’s side, the side of the arm that is holding you. Do this to both force your opponent’s arm to the side and slightly behind, pushing your attacker off balance. It will also get you out of range of your attacker’s other fist.

Step 3:
Snake your other hand beneath the joint of the elbow, on the arm you are holding. Step in to the side and behind your opponent, locking your elbow and your opponent’s elbow closely together. This will immobilize your opponent’s arm and keep him off balance as it is being twisted behind his body.

Step 4:
Release your opponent’s arm, even if it is still grasping your lapel. Clap the heels of your palms hard against your opponent’s ears from behind. This is both painful and disorienting. While holding the sides of your opponent’s head in your palms, dig with your fingers into your opponent’s eyes.

Step 5:
Pull your opponent’s head back and toward the ground to topple him backward. As you do so, raise your knee to strike your opponent on the back of the skull as he falls. This will either incapacitate or permanently injure your opponent, rendering him unable to attempt further harm to you.

How to Defend Against a Double Lapel Grab in Bushido

Defending Against a Double Lapel Grab
Step 1:
Begin by allowing your attacker to grab you with both hands by the front of your shirt or jacket. This is usually in preparation for a head butt or knee to the groin.

Step 2:
Place your left palm on the top of your attacker’s right forearm, just below the elbow. Grasp it firmly and sidestep a pace to your left.

Step 3:
Slip your right arm underneath both your opponent’s arms. Raise your forearm vertically and lock your arm in place level with both your opponent’s elbows. This will lock his elbows in place and prevent your attacker from being able to attack or pull away.

Step 4:
Sidestep further to the left so that you’re behind your attacker’s right shoulder. Release your left hand from his arm and instead wrap it around the left side of the attacker’s neck. Your hands should close enough together for you to be able to clasp them, do so. You now have your opponent in a headlock.

Step 5:
Tighten your arms around the attacker’s throat to choke him. Simultaneously take a half step back and lower your stance to pull your opponent backward off balance. This will also aid in choking him, so you need not exert much pressure to get results.

Step 6:
Support your opponent’s weight in the crook of your left arm. Release your right arm and disentangle it from your opponent’s arms, which may still be grasping your lapels, though it’s not likely. At this point he should be ready to fall backward if you were to step away. However as you have done no harm, your attacker is likely to simply get back up again.

Step 7:
Curl the fingers of your right hand inward and raise it high into the air, palm facing down with the forearm aligned vertically above it like a pile driver. Drive your palm down into the attacker’s groin an instant before releasing him from the crook of your left arm. Remember to lead with the heel of your palm. This should be the point of impact.

Warning:
Do not attempt this technique unless you are absolutely sure that your own life is in danger. This particular defensive move has the capacity to choke an attacker to unconsciousness or even death if performed overzealously.

How to Defend Against a Club Thrust using Bushido

Bushido Martial Arts is based, as one can guess, on the Japanese concept of Bushido, “The Way of the Warrior”. This code dictated every aspect of a samurai warrior’s life: how he should act and think in any situation. Bushido Martial Arts reflects this in that it works to teach a comprehensive martial art, based mostly on defense, but with a solid martial mindset. It also covers self defense against improvised weapons and unorthodox attacks. One such attack that many forms of self defense do not address is a simple thrust with a club or blunt weapon delivered to the midsection or solar plexus. Most people think that an improvised weapon such as a club would be used by swinging it. But a hard length of wood or metal driven into the midsection is both unexpected and incredibly effective at rendering you, the victim, helpless. To that end, here is a guide on how to successfully defend against such an attack.

Step 1:
Allow your attacker to approach and commit to thrusting his club at your midsection. As he is just beginning to lean forward, take a step back and to the left to allow the thrust to sweep past your right side.

Step 2:
Cover the tops of your opponent’s hands with your own as the club passes. Make sure to clamp the thumb of your left hand over your opponent’s right hand so he will be unable to let go of the club.

Step 3:
Use the heel of your right foot to drive a kick at your opponent’s left knee. This is not meant to break the knee, though this is an option. Instead it is meant to get your opponent to straighten his legs and stick out his hindquarters to escape the kick. This will in turn force his upper body forward and off balance, making it easier to take advantage of.

Step 4:
Sweep the end of the club in your left hand in a forward circular motion. The point of this is to force the rear of the club, which is protruding from the bottom of your opponent’s right hand, over the top of his wrist. Then all you need do is twist the club so that it is straight in line with your opponent’s right arm to lock his wrist. As he is unable to release the club or change his grip because your hand is covering his own, he will be forced forward, to the ground, on his knees, to alleviate the pressure on his wrist. It will also make him let go of the club with his left hand to steady himself on the ground.

Step 5:
Pivot to your right, sweeping the club along the ground in a semi circle as you do so, it might look akin to a truncated golf swing. In order to keep his wrist from breaking, your attacker will be forced to jump forward, landing flat, spread-eagled on the ground. At this point you can pull the club from his other hand and use it to strike him if you deem it necessary.

How to Counter a Rear Choke Hold Using Bushido Martial Arts

The Japanese concept of Bushido, which translates as “The Way of the Warrior”, was an all encompassing code on how a warrior should live his life and act at all times. It preached constant alertness and ready for battle at any moment, using whatever methods and material may be at hand to defend oneself as well as one’s charges. A comprehensive form of self defense known as Bushido Martial Arts has recently been developed which promotes the same concept and mindset. It does not take exclusively from any form of martial art, nor does it follow any rules of combat as it assumes the user is defending his/her own life. Though many of its self defense techniques are intuitive, it often helps to have instruction to point one in the right direction. For that reason here is a guide on how to counter a choke hold from the rear.

Step 1:
Begin with your opponent approaching you from behind and wrapping his right arm around your throat. He should lock his elbow shut as tightly as he is able and grab hold of his right wrist with his left hand to complete the hold.

Step 2:
Lean back into your opponent and reach up and behind. Clap your hands over your opponent’s ears. If done forcefully the overpressure created causes great pain to the outer pinna of the ear as well as the eardrums. Obviously you would want to do this only lightly if practicing with a sparring partner.

Step 3:
Switch the placement of your hands. Cup the back of your attacker’s head just above the junction with the neck in your right hand. Use your left hand to dig the index finger and thumb into the hollows on either side of your attacker’s throat just below the jaw. Pull your attacker’s head toward you and dig inward to strike two pressure points that run along the underside of the jaw. This will cause you attacker great pain. The pain will force you attacker to throw his head back in an attempt to get away.

Step 4:
Allow your attacker to throw his head back, guiding it to your right side with your hands as he does so. Turn to the right using your left leg as the pivot point. Simultaneously rotate your arms as well as your attacker’s head around to your front. Doing this will trip your attacker around your body, simply guide him down to the ground with your hands were they are. You may want to speed things along by forcing him down with the flat of your left palm across the front of the throat.

Step 5:
Finish your attacker with an overhand chop to the throat if you feel the situation warrants it.

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.

How to Defend a Two Handed Choke in Shorin-Ryu Karate

Sokon Matsumara pioneered Shorin Ryu Karate in the early 1800s as he played his role as the bodyguard for three successive kings of Okinawa. Okinawa is, as you may know, the birthplace of Karate, many different forms of which have since evolved. As bodyguard to the kings of Okinawa it was Matsumara’s responsibility to train the household troops guarding the Okinawan palace is unarmed combat. He taught them a variation of Karate which included principles and movements typical of Chinese Wushu, given that he’d traveled extensively in China during his youth. The result was a form of Karate which utilized quick, precise, energy efficient movements and attacks as well as a much narrower stance than was traditionally proscribed. The benefit of this stance was greater mobility and quicker response time at the expense of one’s balance. Shorin Ryu Karate has been called a “reactive” martial art, in that it teaches quick and immediate reaction to various attacks. Some people see this as less aggressive, reasoning it gives less opportunity for one to go on the offensive. Actually it simply follows the doctrine of energy conservation. By letting the enemy attack first and commit himself to a specific course of action, you as the defender have a wide array of possible responses without tiring yourself unnecessarily. A good example of this is seen in the defense technique against a two handed choke.

Step 1:

Begin with your opponent wrapping his hands around the side of your throat and pressing inward with his thumbs in the hollows of the neck. This is where the carotid arteries are. If they are compressed for more than 15 seconds you will get very fuzzy and confused. If they are compressed for more than 30 seconds you will pass out. It’s a pretty fair assumption that if you saw this coming your opponent wouldn’t have been able to grab your throat, so changing your stance retroactively is a waste of time.

Step 2:

Immediately tense the muscles in your neck as best you can and drop your chin down atop your opponent’s hands. Turn your neck 45 degrees to the left, attempting to shift the angle of your opponent’s grip.

Step 3:

Turn your body in the same direction that you are facing and take a step forward with your right foot. This will bring you off to your opponent’s right rather than directly in front of him. It will make the angle of his left hand on your neck awkward and loosen his grip even further, it also brings your right shoulder close enough to comfortable get an arm in between his arms.

Step 4:

Pull your right wrist back and curl your fingers inward, leaving the flat ball of your thumb and palm exposed. From below, drive it upward between your opponent’s arms to impact hard against the underside of your opponent’s chin. This will snap his head back.

Step 5:

Do not retract the arm. Instead extend your fingers and arch them into claws. Place them as high on your opponent’s face as you can, above his eyebrows for preference and claw them down in a straight line all the way to your attacker’s upper chest. Your opponent’s natural reaction will be to release you and clutch at his face, particularly his eyes.

Step 6:

Continue the downward motion of the scrape, swinging your right arm back, forming it into a fist and placing it over your heart. Simultaneously take a half step backward with your right foot, bend at the knees, and extend your right fist to enter a Back Stance should your opponent attempt further attack.

How to Strike with a Back Fist Attack in Shorin Ryu Karate

Shorin Ryu is one of the two major modern forms of Okinawan Karate invented in the early 1800s by Sokon Matsumura. He was the personal bodyguard to no less than three kings of Okinawa. His fighting style was developed by fusing styles of Wushu he’d learned when he traveled in China as a young man with the traditional Karate of his homeland. Since it was developed it has had several branches of Karate offshoot from it as subsequent martial arts masters developed their own techniques that they felt were an improvement. In any case, Shorin Ryu Karate is characterized by narrow legged stances to allow for greater mobility, direct rather than circular movements, and a focus of attack and defense in time with the rhythm of one’s breath. A basic attack beginners in Shorin Ryu Karate find easy to master and useful in a fight is the Back Fist strike.

Step 1:
Begin by assuming a Back Stance while facing your opponent. This is done simply by placing your off foot a foot forward off your main foot. In most cases this would mean placing your left foot forward. Instead of widening our legs, keep them well under you, no more than 8 inches apart at the ankle. While this tends to make the balance of a student of Shorin Ryu Karate a little more wobbly than usual, it grants him/her the opportunity to move out of the way of an attack or launch an offensive attack much faster. Keep your weight on your back right foot, bending slightly at the knees to consciously avoid locking them. Keep your upper forearms hanging down at your sides. Your lower right forearm should be crossed over your lower chest, the ball of your fist over the solar plexus. The lower left forearm should be extended in front of the body and held at a diagonal to cross over the chest.

Step 2:
Focus on your breathing. When you have committed to the attack, take a deep breath. Exhale and step a step forward into your opponent’s range with your leading foot, following up quickly with your rear foot in order to keep the same distance between your legs and maintain your stance. Your opponent may have his fists raised to defend. As you step forward, open your right hand and push his right arm sharply out of the way, directly to your left in a cross body driving motion, opening the way for your leading left fist.

Step 3:
Inhale as you extend your left fist, lashing out with a back handed swing entirely from the elbow. It should seem a bit like a door opening with your elbow being the hinge. As your fist extends, the back of it should strike your opponent across the left side of his face. The exact point of impact is dependent on your intentions. You could hit the ear, the neck, the nose, the temple. They would all be good targets to cause pain, incapacitation, or injury to an opponent. The impact should be the back of the top two knuckles; the knuckles for the index and middle finger.

Step 4:

Exhale and retract your arm to its previous position. Step back to your original position, back stepping with the rear foot and then following up with the front foot in a reversal of the manner in which you advanced.

How to Execute a Fan Through Back Attack in Tai Chi Chuan

Step 1:
Begin facing your opponent within range of each other’s fists. This attack is a defensive counter against a direct punch so have your opponent square up to you as if he were boxing. Prepare for your counter by keeping your hands up in front of you in mimicry of your opponent’s stance. Rather than facing your opponent head on, turn your body slightly to the right so that you will face him at an angle off your left shoulder.

Step 2:
Wait for your opponent to throw a punch. As he does you must quickly pull your arms out to the sides, like a fan snapping open. This is where this technique gets its name. Lash out and forward with your left hand as your opponent begins to punch. Your hand should strike flat against your attacker’s upper right torso, just inside of his outstretched arm. Doing this will push this side of your attacker’s body back to prevent his punch from landing. It should fall short. Simultaneously extend your right arm, cocked at the elbow, back to your right.

Step 3:
Turn to the left to face your opponent directly and step forward past him on his right side. Use the turn and step to build momentum so that when you begin to step past your opponent you drive the flat of your elbow into your attacker’s chest. If done correctly it should carry him backward and out of range of further attack. This technique is very effective at responding to providing a quick response to a very aggressive attacker and allows you to open up enough space for further combat. It robs your attacker of his momentum and his advantage at attacking suddenly or without warning.

How to Do Cloud Hands Block in Tai Chi

Inside Cloud Hands Block
Step 1:
Stand with knees bent slightly and arms up in a boxer's pose with open hands.

Step 2:
Bring your right hand to the side, up, and back inward to be above where it started in a single motion. This should look a bit like your wiping a window or making a circular scrubbing motion. Sway to the left as you bring your right hand it looks like you're pulling the arm in. In a combat situation this would put the weight of your entire body behind your right hand and stop an attacker's strike cold.

Step 3:
Pull your right hand down to its original position with your palm flat, vertical with the open palm facing to your left. Repeat these steps continuously in smooth circular motions.

Step 4:
When your right hand comes in and down, mirror the motion with your left hand. When your right hand goes out, your left should come in, when your right goes in, the left should go out. Imagine two interlocking gears moving together and you'll have the right idea. Make sure to sway to your right when your left hand comes in to give it the same stopping power as your right.

Outside Cloud Hands Block
Step 1:
This block is similar to the Inside Cloud Hands Block except it's performed in reverse. Begin with knees slightly bent and hands open before you in a boxer's pose. Lower your right hand as if you were reaching for something on the left side of your waist or belt.

Step 2:
Bring your right hand up to be level with your head and out to your right at almost full extension. Leave your hand open at all times and move your arms so it looks like your wrist is pulling your hand along behind it. Sway and slightly turn to your right to put the weight and momentum of your body behind the movement.

Step 3:
Bring the hand down and back to start near the left side of your waist and repeat. When you pull your right hand back in you should push your left hand out so that your hand movement mirrors itself. Again it should put you in mind of two gears turning together. Make sure to sway and turn to the left when your left hand goes out.

Tips & Warnings
To make sure you have the movements right, perform these techniques slowly and increase their pace when you're comfortable with them. Practicing in front of a mirror can help you perfect your form.

Keep in mind that many forms of Tai Chi exist and may use the same names for different moves. There are likely other moves called Cloud Hands that differ from this one.

How to Defend Against an Armlock in Tai Chi Chuan

Step 1:
Allow your opponent to take you by the right wrist, twist it inward and place his other hand atop your elbow. This is a basic armlock, the arm should be held behind you and off to the right. Your opponent should exert sufficient force on your wrist and elbow to make you want to bend forward to alleviate the pressure. In this position you would not normally be able to fight against your opponent. Moving will be difficult, as your body is off center or off balance you will not be able to get any leverage to work your way out of this hold using intuitive or conventional means.

Step 2:
Obtain leverage by centering yourself. What to do this you must straighten your legs and try to align your hips with them. It will be against your instinct, but you must straighten your lower back as well. Try pushing your pelvis forward to help with this. By doing this you prevent your opponent from being able to press down on the joint of your elbow. It also repositions your lower arm so that the majority of the force your opponent is exerting is on bones of the hand rather than the wrist itself. While this may still be painful, your opponent can do virtually nothing to you by holding your wrist in this fashion.

Step 3:
Take a few steps forward. By doing this you keep your opponent from holding your limb close to his body. This prevents him from using all the leverage he can muster from his body. Only the muscles of his lower arms are being used now.

Step 4:
Take a half turn to your left while pulling your right arm along with you. Either your opponent will release his hold or allow his arms to be extended as they go along with your body. If he holds on, his right arm will extend, elbow outward to you.

Step 5:
Cup your left hand over his elbow and continue to turn, using the force of the pivot to push him backward as hard as you are able. In doing so you have successfully defended yourself against an armlock.

How to Defend Against a Two Handed Front Choke Using Tai Chi Chuan

Step 1:
Let your body go limp in response to your opponent’s attack. A person’s natural inclination is to pull back when they are being choked, so your opponent will be pulling toward you in unconscious compensation for this. By going limp you are giving yourself a moment where your attacker is temporarily off balance.

Step 2:
Raise your left arm straight up above your head and keep your right arm down by your side.

Step 3:
Bring the flat of your lower left forearm down atop your attacker’s elbow from outside of his arms. Simultaneously thread your right arm up inside the range of your attacker’s other arm to extend your palm against the left side of your attacker’s head. By doing this quickly you force your attacker to bend to his right from the waist, this pulls him off his center of balance and puts him in danger. From this point you have two choices depending on whether you feel your life is really in jeopardy or not. Step 4 outlines the non-violent way to break out of the chokehold. Step 5 outlines the way to break out of the chokehold and incapacitate your opponent.

Step 4:
Turn your right foot inward and push off with it while twist to your left at the waist. Clamp your right hand against the side of your opponent’s head while pulling his right arm outward with your left had, and turn to the left to force your attacker to the floor, breaking his hold.

Step 5:
Grab your attacker around the back of the neck using your right hand while clamping onto the joint of his right elbow with your left hand. Take a step back with your left foot and pull your attacker forward and down. He should bend at the waist. As he does so rear back with your right leg and drive your knee forward and up directly into your attacker’s lowered face. This defensive strike has the capacity to do serious and life threatening damage. Don’t use it lightly.

Tips & Warnings
Practicing in front of the mirror can help perfect your form. This is actually an adaptation of the brushing knee movement.

How to Defend Against a Shirt Grab in Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan is more commonly known by the short form of the name Tai Chi. Despite all the people you might see moving in slow motion in parks who say they are practicing Tai Chi, they are incorrect. What they are doing is practicing forms intended to aid in practicing Tai Chi Chuan, which is a real and very old Chinese Martial Art. In this guide you will learn how to defend yourself against an opponent who has grabbed you by the front of your shirt in preparation for further attacks.

Defending Against a Shirt Grab
Step 1:
Begin by allowing you sparring partner to approach you and grab the front of your shirt with his right hand. Typically this is done in a real fight in preparation for your attacker to strike you with his other fist.

Step 2:
Pivot to your right so your right shoulder is pointing directly at your attacker. Simultaneously raise your right arm up above your head. Bring it straight down on top of your attacker’s forearm, just behind his wrist, and push downward until your hand is pointing toward the floor. By doing this you trap your opponent’s hand between your chest and armpit while pulling him inward toward you.

Step 3:
Crouch down on your knees and sidestep to your left to press your left shoulder against your attacker’s right shoulder. Crouching while trapping your opponent’s arm will force him down and backward, off his center of balance. Drop your left arm down to hang at your waist as you sidestep to give yourself an open space on your opponent’s chest to aim at.

Step 4:
Twist counterclockwise at the waist while bringing your right hand in front of your body. Your hand should be formed into a flat palm with your finger’s pointing upward. Strike the center of your attacker’s chest in an open palmed punch before you finish twisting to force your attacker off his feet, backward and to your immediate left. As his right hand is being trapped by your body, he cannot grab anything to save himself and will land on his back. You will want to release his hand before he hits the ground or you may be pulled down with your attacker.