Body Evasion #2 Drill-5

This is a simple drill to work on timing and footwork to enable body evasion. The best way to not get hit is to not be there.

Preliminary: Pair the students up facing each other in a fighting stance. These are two man sets. The two-man sets are designed to give the karateka a sense of real combat. Important keys are developed to enable a defender to more quickly respond to an attack. Eyes widen, shoulders move, and nostrils flair when an attack is about to initiated. These are keys to self defense. Traditional Ippon Kumite (One Step Fighting) is a good way to develop the students understanding of partner training, but it can be too restrictive. Combat keys can be developed during the practice of this drill.

Series-1

Note: Practice moving on your toes for a quicker response.

Step-1: Attacker throws a Straight Right or Reverse Punch.

• One fighter throws a Straight Right.
• The defending student steps forwards and on an angle to avoid the punch while blocking the punch with your forearms.

Note: You must maintain close contact with the attacker’s blow.

• Once the block is made the attacking student retreats out of the circle of combat.

Note: Each student should practice this series ten times each.

Series-2

Step-1: Attacker throws a Straight Right or Reverse Punch.

• One fighter throws a Straight Right.
• The defending student steps forwards and on an angle to avoid the punch while blocking said punch with their forearms.

Note: Student must hit the attacker like a linebacker hitting a quarterback. There should be enough impact to compromise the attacker’s balance.

Step-2: Defender throws a hook the opponent’s head.

• While still in contact with the attacker’s shoulder, trap the attacker’s arm with your lead hand.
• Throw a short horizontal hook over the attacking student’s arm to his/her head.

Note: Student should practice this on their toes for a quicker response. Hands and shoulders should be moving prior to the punch to hide their counterattack.

Note: Each student should practice this series ten times each.

Series-3

Step-1: Attacker throws a Straight Right or Reverse Punch.

• One fighter throws a Straight Right.
• The defending student steps forwards and on an angle to avoid the punch while blocking the punch with their forearms.

Step-2: Defender throws a Horizontal Elbow strike to the opponent’s head.

• While still in contact with the attacker’s shoulder, trap the attacker’s arm with your lead hand.
• Throw a horizontal elbow strike over the attacking student’s arm to his/her head.

Note: This teaches the student that there are multiple close-range weapons.

Note: Student should practice this on their toes for a quicker response. Hands and shoulders should be moving prior to the punch to hide their counterattack.

Note: Each student should practice this series ten times each.

Series-4

Step-1: Attacker throws a Straight Right or Reverse Punch.

• One fighter throws a Straight Right.
• The defending student steps forwards and on an angle to avoid the punch while blocking the punch with their forearms.

Step-2: Defender throws a Horizontal Elbow strike to the opponent’s head.

• While still in contact with the attacker’s shoulder, trap the attacker’s arm with your lead hand.
• Throw a horizontal elbow strike over the attacking student’s arm to his/her head.

Step-3: Defender Hooks the Attacker’s Neck and Knee Strikes

• While still in contact with the attacker’s shoulder, Wrap the hand that delivered the elbow behind the attacker’s neck.
• Execute a straight knee to the attacker’s groin or thigh.

Note: Student should practice this on their toes for a quicker response. Hands and shoulders should be moving prior to the punch to hide their counterattack.

Note: Each student should practice this series ten times each.

Series-5

This is the most important step. No one leaves their punch hanging in the air waiting for your counterattack. At this point the attacking student punches and retract the blow while the defending student blocks and traps. The counterattack is up to the defending student. This is a good and safe way to develop visual ques.

Note: The attacker can gradually increase the speed and retraction of the punch as the defender’s skill level increases.

Step-1: Attacker throws a Straight Right or Reverse Punch.

• One fighter throws a Straight Right.

Step-2: Attacker throws a Straight Right or Reverse Punch and Retracts the Blow.

• The defending student steps forwards and on an angle to avoid the punch while blocking the punch with their forearms.
• Once contact is made with the attacker’s blow the defender must trap the attacker’s blow.

Step-2: Defender Counterattacks.

• At this point deliver an elbow, hook punch, or knee strike.

Note: Lastly, the student should practice this in a kumite or sparring situation.

Note: Each student should practice this series ten times each.