Difference between revisions of "Makkikomi-shutō uchi"

From Self-Defense Karate
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Makkikomi-shutō uchi''', the '''winding knife-hand strike''', is a "karate chop" variant, mainly used to strike the [[Kyūsho#Side_of_the_neck|neck]] or [[Kyūsho#Windpipe|throat]] of an opponent who is beside you. Despite a deceiving appearance, ''makkikomi-shutō strikes are linear techniques''.
+
'''Makkikomi-shutō uchi''', the '''winding knife-hand strike''', is a "karate chop" variant, mainly used to strike the [[Kyūsho#Side_of_the_neck|neck]] or [[Kyūsho#Windpipe|throat]] of an opponent beside you. Despite a deceiving appearance, ''makkikomi-shutō strikes are linear techniques''.
  
 
Winding knife-hand strikes are chambered like a [[Downward-fist block|downward-fist block]]. Raise the striking hand to your opposite-side ear, with your palm facing inward. Place your open, opposite-side hand underneath the elbow of your striking arm, to cover your exposed [[Kyūsho#Floating_ribs|ribs]]. The picture below will make things clear:
 
Winding knife-hand strikes are chambered like a [[Downward-fist block|downward-fist block]]. Raise the striking hand to your opposite-side ear, with your palm facing inward. Place your open, opposite-side hand underneath the elbow of your striking arm, to cover your exposed [[Kyūsho#Floating_ribs|ribs]]. The picture below will make things clear:
Line 5: Line 5:
 
  [photos of makkikomi shuto ready position, from the front and from the side.]
 
  [photos of makkikomi shuto ready position, from the front and from the side.]
  
From here, pull your elbow straight backwards, so that the striking hand is by its shoulder. Then extend and straighten the striking arm outward by pulling your elbow forward. This will drive your [[Shutō|shutō]] into your opponent’s neck or throat. ''Do not swing the striking arm out in a large arc''; this can hyperextend your elbow. The correct motion is like a scissor jack, and not like a windshield wiper, or a folding pocket knife. As you extend, grab the opponent’s arm or clothing with your opposite side-hand, and pull it to your opposite-side shoulder, to [[Reciprocal_action|drag your opponent into the technique]].  
+
From here, pull your elbow straight backwards, so that the striking hand is by its shoulder. Then extend and straighten the striking arm outward by pulling your elbow forward. This drives your [[Shutō|shutō]] into your opponent’s neck or throat. ''Do not swing the striking arm out in a large arc''; this can hyperextend your elbow. The correct motion is like a scissor jack, and not like a windshield wiper or a folding pocket knife. As you extend, grab the opponent’s arm or clothing with your opposite side-hand, and pull it to your opposite-side shoulder, to [[Reciprocal_action|drag your opponent into the technique]].  
  
Finish by immediately returning the striking hand to the shoulder, by bending the elbow. The correct retracting motion ''is'' just like a pocket knife.
+
Finish by immediately returning the striking hand to the shoulder, by bending the elbow. The correct retraction ''is'' just like a pocket knife.
  
This is a complex move. So, once again, practice slowly, until winding knife-hand strikes become one fluid motion. Then, gradually perform that one fluid motion faster, and faster. ''Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.''  Do not try to put a lot of strength or muscle behind this technique, as the resulting tension will only slow you down. Winding knife-hand strikes should have the same crack-the-whip/wet-towel-snapping feel that [[Backfist strike|backfist strikes]] have.
+
This is a complex move. So, practice slowly, until winding knife-hand strikes become one fluid motion. Then, gradually perform that one fluid motion faster, and faster. ''Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.''  Do not put a lot of strength or muscle behind this technique, because the resulting tension will only slow you down. Winding knife-hand strikes should have a crack-the-whip or wet-towel-snapping feel, like [[Backfist strike|backfist strikes]] have.
  
[videos of makkikomi shutos, fast and slow, from the front and from the side. Show from above if possible; get a ladder.]
+
<youtube width="200" height="120">hEn-RdZVwfY</youtube>
 
----
 
----
 
{{Navigation}}
 
{{Navigation}}

Latest revision as of 00:41, 1 March 2021

Makkikomi-shutō uchi, the winding knife-hand strike, is a "karate chop" variant, mainly used to strike the neck or throat of an opponent beside you. Despite a deceiving appearance, makkikomi-shutō strikes are linear techniques.

Winding knife-hand strikes are chambered like a downward-fist block. Raise the striking hand to your opposite-side ear, with your palm facing inward. Place your open, opposite-side hand underneath the elbow of your striking arm, to cover your exposed ribs. The picture below will make things clear:

[photos of makkikomi shuto ready position, from the front and from the side.]

From here, pull your elbow straight backwards, so that the striking hand is by its shoulder. Then extend and straighten the striking arm outward by pulling your elbow forward. This drives your shutō into your opponent’s neck or throat. Do not swing the striking arm out in a large arc; this can hyperextend your elbow. The correct motion is like a scissor jack, and not like a windshield wiper or a folding pocket knife. As you extend, grab the opponent’s arm or clothing with your opposite side-hand, and pull it to your opposite-side shoulder, to drag your opponent into the technique.

Finish by immediately returning the striking hand to the shoulder, by bending the elbow. The correct retraction is just like a pocket knife.

This is a complex move. So, practice slowly, until winding knife-hand strikes become one fluid motion. Then, gradually perform that one fluid motion faster, and faster. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Do not put a lot of strength or muscle behind this technique, because the resulting tension will only slow you down. Winding knife-hand strikes should have a crack-the-whip or wet-towel-snapping feel, like backfist strikes have.