MASTERCLASS PRO takes our Masterclasses to the next level.
Learn how to take the individual self defence techniques and strikes you in our Masterclass feature and merge them into natural and effective combinations in MASTERCLASS PRO.
Study how you can mix and match different upper and lower body strikes, with different ranges and angles of attack.
This MASTERCLASS PRO covers
DOUBLE STRAIGHT OPEN PALM HAND STRIKES
FRONT KICK
Scenario: Deployed as an in-fight solution or as a preemptive striking combination, this simple yet highly effective sequence of three strikes is designed to target the attacker’s face (to break the nose) with a safer double open palm strike before following up with a front kick to the centre of the body if the aggressor moves back as a result of the impact or to create a bigger distance to escape the situation. The combination can be executed very quickly.
HOW TO DO THE DOUBLE STRAIGHT OPEN PALM HAND STRIKES
The double straight open palm strike can conducted from a position of looking placating or submissive, prior to preemptively striking first. It can be preceded by moving away in camouflage stance (SEE MASTERCLASS: CAMOUFLAGE STANCE AND MOVEMENT) whilst verbally expressing a disinclination to fight, revealing the intent and means of the aggressor to pursue and intimidate, then preemptively striking when the opportunity (the distance where you can almost reach your opponent with an outstretched hand, or closer) is available. This verbal and movement pre-fight action is part of your legal self defence.
It can also be conducted in-fight, where the attacker is facing towards you at the same striking range.
The double straight open palm strikes are aimed directly at your opponent’s nose, aiming to break it and move their head and body backwards, initiating a wider foot stance during rebalancing, setting up a groin kick, further straight open palm hand strikes or if they move slightly further away, the front kick.
With hands up and in front of your face, send the first open palm forward and aimed at least around a foot behind the opponent’s nose by moving your shoulder forward with a low elbow for maximum reach. The connection point should be the lower part of your open palm, directly below your wrist area.
Aim to recoil at least as fast as you send your hand forward. They key is to use the shoulder into the strike, not leaning or stepping forward. The less mass you move, the faster you can accelerate. Acceleration and a quick recoil are the the main ingredients in transferring energy quickly into the target.
As you recoil the first hand on the same level you send it forward and back to the starting position, send the other hand forward in the same fashion, repeating the process. Both strikes should take place before you put any feet forward, if you need to step forward to regain balance of pursue the target. This ensures optimal body mass and forward momentum into the strikes.
Exhale once through the double strike.
As you purposely move the opponent’s head and body backwards by the extended strikes and if you lose your balance forward, aim to land forward with the foot matching the first hand strike. Bring the back leg with you by making a small step, leaving you in a good balanced position, with a shoulder-width foot stance and slightly bent knees.
Aim beyond the target (nose) connecting with the palms of your hands and recoil every quickly on impact as if you’ve touched a burning hot stove to transfer maximum energy into the target.
HOW TO DO THE FRONT KICK
If the target moves backwards due to the impact of the first two strikes, make another step forward if you need to close the range to the target. Step using the forward foot and by pushing off with the back leg.
To do the front kick, either lift your back leg knee high and close to you to extend the foot/lower leg forward towards target, or; kick in an upward ‘whipping motion’ from the knee from below. The latter is less visible and also doubles up as a groin kick if the target moves closer mid-motion.
Connect with the ball of the foot (smaller surface for better energy transmission) around centre-mass (abdomen) and aim to kick through the target by extending the leg, targeting the spine, immediately followed by a quick recoil.
The looser and relaxed your leg is during this momentum, the faster it will accelerate. Speed is of the paramount importance to optimise the impact.
Bring the kicking leg back without lowering the knee, before landing. The landing is a tactical decision. Land forward for further strikes, land in other directions (e.g. by pivoting around on the base leg) for running away or turning around on the same side as your kicking leg. Land on the same line as your base leg to push off and move towards the side of your base leg.
Keep your hands up and in front of you throughout the kick, making them available to follow up with strikes or to protect head and upper body defensively.
Breathe out as you strike.
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