Difference between revisions of "Uraken uchi"

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'''Uraken-uchi''' translates as “reverse fist strike,” but we prefer to leave it as uraken. The translation doesn’t do it justice, and there’s no real analogue to compare it too; it is a unique technique. Uraken has a single, oddly-specific application -- to punch people directly in the face from a close distance. In the [[Maai#The Clinch|clinch]], there is no way to punch an opponent directly in the face without raising your elbow, and this results in a weak punch. Uraken meets this need.
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'''Uraken-uchi''' translates as “reverse fist strike,” but the translation doesn’t do it justice, as there’s no English analogue to compare it too; it is a unique technique. Uraken has a single, oddly-specific application -- to punch people directly in the face from a close distance. Face punching an opponent from the [[Maai#The Clinch|clinch]] requires raising your elbow, which causes a weak punch. Uraken meets this need.
  
 
To throw an uraken, first clench your hand into a [[Seiken|proper fist]]. Rather than punching outward, towards the opponent, punch directly upward ''along your centerline'' up to neck-level, with your palm facing towards you. Then [[Snap|snap]] your wrist down and towards your opponent. Like all other techniques, uraken should be optimized for peak power by shifting between stances, [[Snap|snapping]] the hips, and employing [[Ki|synchronized breathing]] and [[Reciprocal action|reciprocal action]].
 
To throw an uraken, first clench your hand into a [[Seiken|proper fist]]. Rather than punching outward, towards the opponent, punch directly upward ''along your centerline'' up to neck-level, with your palm facing towards you. Then [[Snap|snap]] your wrist down and towards your opponent. Like all other techniques, uraken should be optimized for peak power by shifting between stances, [[Snap|snapping]] the hips, and employing [[Ki|synchronized breathing]] and [[Reciprocal action|reciprocal action]].
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  [video of uraken uchi from the front and side]
 
  [video of uraken uchi from the front and side]
  
When done properly, uraken will still look kind of strange. Don't worry -- this just adds the element of surprise.
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When done properly, uraken still looks strange -- but this just adds the element of surprise.
 
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Latest revision as of 20:23, 22 January 2021

Uraken-uchi translates as “reverse fist strike,” but the translation doesn’t do it justice, as there’s no English analogue to compare it too; it is a unique technique. Uraken has a single, oddly-specific application -- to punch people directly in the face from a close distance. Face punching an opponent from the clinch requires raising your elbow, which causes a weak punch. Uraken meets this need.

To throw an uraken, first clench your hand into a proper fist. Rather than punching outward, towards the opponent, punch directly upward along your centerline up to neck-level, with your palm facing towards you. Then snap your wrist down and towards your opponent. Like all other techniques, uraken should be optimized for peak power by shifting between stances, snapping the hips, and employing synchronized breathing and reciprocal action.

[video of uraken uchi from the front and side]

When done properly, uraken still looks strange -- but this just adds the element of surprise.