In UNLEASH THE WARRIOR, we show you how to optimise and train your self defence strikes, techniques or movements in five simple steps.
Use UNLEASH THE WARRIOR to be introduced to or practice your skills further.
This session covers the CIRCULAR OPEN PALM HAND STRIKE (TO EAR).
This strike can be preceded by moving away in a pre-fight camouflage stance (SEE MASTERCLASS: CAMOUFLAGE STANCE AND MOVEMENT or indeed in-fight (SEE MASTERCLASS: FIGHTING STANCE) as part of a single hit or as a component of a hand-strike combination or hand-strike and kicking combination (SEE MASTERCLASS PRO section on website for further combinations).
The circular hand-strike is aimed directly at your opponent’s ear, aiming to immediately disorientate and disturb balance or possibly rupture the eardrum, setting up an opportunity to strike more or escape the situation). It is more protective of the striking hand as it connects softer palm tissue with the opponent’s harder skull rather than the higher injury-risk closed fist punch against the jaw, which - if not connected right - can cause severe damage to the finer bones and tendons in the hand. It is also arguably a more defensible strike in legal terms, as it’s not an aggressive punch, but more like a ear slap (but when delivered with the right speed and precision, a devastating one).
The strike can be conducted from a hands-up position as well as from a more relaxed stance with hands down, as the diagonally upward striking motion is not visible to the opponent’s eye line until late in the trajectory.
HOW TO DO THE CIRCULAR HAND-STRIKE (OPEN PALM, TO HEAD)
From a hands-up in front of you position, send the arm forward in a fairly straight line (not by swinging your arms back, which is a very visible and slower motion).
As you arms move forward, lower your fingers into a horizontal position with the thumb on the topside of the hand. When connecting, elbow should be slightly bent and in line with your opponent's ear, to drive your hand horizontally in to the target.
Aim at the opponent’s ear, connecting with the palm covering the ear of your opponent, but metaphorically look to smash the ear through the head, and recoil very quickly on impact as if you’ve touched a burning hot stove to transfer maximum energy into the target.
The power in the strike comes from sending the shoulder into it, creating extra impact by pivoting the striking side hip inwards, as the body swings into the strike to optimise the energy generated.
Breathe out in a single exhale as you strike. The other hand stays up and in front of your face throughout the strike, ready for further action.
As your opponent moves sideways from the impact, you are now ready to continue with other strikes such as further hand, arm, elbow and kicking strikes. (SEE MASTERCLASS PRO FOR SUITABLE FOLLOW-UP COMBINATIONS).