Go For The Hand
Posted on 21. Sep, 2008 by Jesse in Archive, Kobudo
This weekend we had a great seminar in Kobudo, which got really positive feedback. The focus was on Bo and Nunchaku, and we covered many basic principles, especially for the Bo.
In Bo-kumite, there are quite a few principles, and one that we covered was the following:
“Go for the hand”
It sounds really boring, I know.
Just hitting the opponents hand.
But it’s fast and relatively easy, which equals effective. Why the hand then? Well, the real target is of course the head (eyes/throat) or other areas. But something is in the way:
The opponents weapon.
In order to neutralize this obstacle, the weapon, you can simply attack the hand. Attacking other bodyparts becomes quite easy after this, because, hopefully, the opponent drops his weapon, and/or is unable to use it effectively.
The opponents hand is the nearest target you’ll probably ever have, and in Kobudo, it’s also one of the most important, as opposed to Karate where attacking the hand doesn’t make that much sense (other than in grappling). In Kobudo, considering the risk factors involved in entering [irimi] the opponents territory/zone when he has a weapon, going for anything else than the hand seems foolish, unless you are much more skilled than the opponent, have the element of surprise, have a longer weapon, or any other (good) reason.
So, I want you to try something.
The next time you train Kobudo, take a bo that doesn’ hurt that much – maybe with foam around. Your oppoent takes one too.
Then you try some free sparring with the bo (try not to attack the head, for safety’s sake). If you have any protective gear, feel free to take it on. I have done this so many times, that I already know the outcome. Even if you aim for the head or solar plexus or whatever, there is one body part that is going to get hit more often than anything else.
You will see.
And you will learn.
Be sure to wear gloves…
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- The Numb-Chuck ABCs (pt. 2)
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- Gendai no Bushi – Nakamoto Masahiro (pt. 2)
One Response to “Go For The Hand”
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I studied Pambuan Arnis for a while and this was stressed as well. The system is primarily weapons based (single stick, double stick, stick and knife, etc. before empty hand) and striking the hand and wrist were emphasized as part of a strategy to disarm or disable an opponent.
I remember reading something in Ed Parker’s books on his American Kenpo about attacking the hand, arm, etc. working towards the body.