Striking with the Cane Tip in the Fifth Grip

 http://youtu.be/GDDdzmVLSnI
The hand holding the hook acts as more of a guide while the hand closer to the tip is the power hand.

I generally drive in about four inches but care must be taken when striking to keep the strikes light and quick or the Cane may break.

Without prejudice

The Cane Hook

http://youtu.be/epxS2Ee4gVY
Hooking with the Cane to the body is best done with the Fifth grip. It allows for maximum control.

I am at punching range when I hook the cane in a high, low, centre pattern.

The Cane must be gripped firmly when hooking or there is a good change it will come loose,

Without prejudice

The Cane and using the Fifth Grip

http://youtu.be/tSySuBdltgQ
The how-to of this drill is explained in the video.

What is important here is to note that the distance changes with the steps as does the part of the cane that is struck with.

Moving and striking and moving some more before withdrawing to a safe position is largely a matter of practice.

Without prejudice

The Cane, the Fifth Grip and a High, Low, Center Thrusting Drill

http://youtu.be/qmKLf0ZhLfY
I start at kicking distance.

I change my grip on the cane so I am holding it in the Fifth Grip.

I step forward to a Diagonal Horse (I am now at punching range).

I strike with the end of the cane in a high, low centre pattern.

I step back to Neutral then forward on the other side to a Diagonal Horse.

I repeat the drill thrusting with the back of the hook.

I make sure to concentrate on my distance, balance and focus.

My core is tight and my knees are bent.

If I should happen to miss, it should not affect the drill at all.

I just keep going.

Without prejudice

The Cane Thrust from an Augmented Sixth Grip

 http://youtu.be/vomy_5Hz7zY
This is similar to yesterday’s drill except that I am holding the cane in reverse and thrusting with the back end of the hook.

Holding the cane by the hook, I grab the middle and twirl it until I am holding the end. This is known as an Augmented Sixth Grip.

The rear hand is always the 'power' hand. The lead hand guides but it is the rear hand which is the power generator.

Standing at kicking range, I simply switch the grip to an Augmented Sixth Grip and drive the back of the hook into the bag at a specific spot repeatedly.

http://youtu.be/Gw0ZFyhYBjM
A few words about misses. I remain balanced whether I am striking the bag or missing it. I do not need the hit to keep me balanced (as I show).

Without prejudice

The Cane Thrust from an Augmented First Grip

http://youtu.be/TgaaShtKA6Y
Holding the cane by the hook and the middle is known as an Augmented First Grip.

Standing at kicking range, I simply drive the end into the bag at a specific spot repeatedly.

This drill improves balance, focus and coordination to name just a few virtues.

Without prejudice

Angled Palm Heel Block/Check/Counter

http://youtu.be/2aT3dy_2h-8
My attacker executes a looping stepthrough punch to the front side of my body that ends with us facing each other with the same leg forward (left versus left).

Both my hands are high in a Forward Bow with both shoulders square.

I execute an Angled Palm Heel Block with my lead arm. I check his still extended arm with my rear arm at the same time I counterpunch with my lead arm.

Then I follow up with several more counter punches before resetting.

Very much like yesterday’s drill except that I am defending the front side of my body instead of the middle front.

Without prejudice

Crossdownward Palm Heel Block/Check/Counter

http://youtu.be/xymrZj3Lw-w
My attacker executes a stepthrough punch to my body that ends with us facing each other with the same leg forward (left versus left).

Both my hands are high in a Forward Bow with both shoulders square.

I execute a Crossdownward Palm Heel Block with my lead arm. I check his still extended arm with my rear arm at the same time I counterpunch with my lead arm.

Then I follow up with several more counter punches before withdrawing.

Giving the attacker a target and then taking it away is absolutely vital to making this drill work.

Also, the first block and the check with the first counter are done with no hip torque. Only when I go to execute the second counter punch do I turn into my punch.

Oddly enough, the second counter is number three in the drill.

One is the block.

Two is the check with simultaneous counter.

Three is the second counter (this one with hip torque)

Four is the third counter punch.

From here I reset.

Without prejudice

Mantis Block/Check/Counter

http://youtu.be/Jibny9DOP1s
Again, my attacker and I are facing each other with the same leg forward (left versus left).

I am facing my attacker in a Forward Bow with both shoulder square and both hands in the high guard.

This drill is practiced against his rear arm performing a rear arm straight punch to the lead side of the body.

I execute a Mantis Block with my lead arm. I check his still extended arm with my rear arm at the same time I counterpunch with my lead arm.

Then I follow up with several more counter punches before withdrawing.

Giving the attacker a target and then taking it away is absolutely vital to making this drill work.

Without prejudice

Outside Palm Block/Check/Counter

http://youtu.be/soMLLfIiw9E
Again, my attacker and I are facing each other with the same leg forward (eg. left versus left).

Again, today, I am facing my attacker in a Forward Bow with both shoulders square.

This drill is practiced against his lead arm performing a strong powerful straight punch to my head.

I execute an Outside Palm Block with my lead arm. I check his still extended arm with my rear arm at the same time I counterpunch with my lead arm.

The timing is best shown in my video.

Again, I follow up with several more counter punches before withdrawing.

Without prejudice

Inside Hooking Block/Check/Counter

http://youtu.be/WTCluMIKdCs
Again, my attacker and I are facing each other with the same leg forward (eg. left versus left).

However, today, I am facing my attacker in a Diagonal Bow with lead shoulder closer than my rear one.

This drill is practiced against his rear arm performing a straight punch to the head.

I execute an Inside Hooking Block with my lead arm. I check his still extended arm with my rear arm at the same time I counterpunch with my lead arm.

Then I follow up with several more counter punches before withdrawing.

Without prejudice

Rising Block/Check/Counter

http://youtu.be/QgQIgpIjkls
My attacker and I are facing each other with the same leg forward (eg. left versus left).

This drill is practiced against his rear arm overhand punch to the head.

I execute a Rising Block with my lead arm. I check his still extended arm with my rear arm at the same time I counterpunch with my lead arm.

Then I follow up with several more counter punches before withdrawing.

Without prejudice

Slide in Side Kick then Lead Backfist Follow-up

http://youtu.be/JhjcLRTpCAI

I simple enough combination; I kick and as I drop in place, I perform a backfist out on the same side.

I kick and come down in neutral to punch. I do not fall forward and possibly impale myself on my attackers punch.

The rhythm is one, one half.

In many ways the drill at the end of the video combines the drills of both yesterday and the day before. I start in a Forward bow, I cross over and plant the foot down the kick.

This part of the drill is done further out. It must be done from further out or I will be jammed as I kick.

Without prejudice

Slide in Roundhouse Kick then Lead Backfist

http://youtu.be/wI1m-mUD4qQ
Similar to yesterday’s drill, I execute a Roundhouse Kick the step down as I strike with a Backfist.

The main difference is that today I am facing my attacker sideways.

Without prejudice

Slide In Front Kick then Lead Jab Follow-up

http://youtu.be/Kkp2S3PMT7s
I simple enough combination; I kick and as I drop in place, I jab out with the same side Forefist.

I kick and come down in neutral to punch. I do not fall forward and possibly impale myself on my attackers punch.

The rhythm is one, one half.

Without prejudice

Downward Parry then Slide in Offset Kick

http://youtu.be/KAxRBU3ZML8
 Against a powerful attack like a slide in side kick; this defense works very well.

As he kicks, I shift back from a Forward Bow to a Front Cat. At the same time, I execute a Downward Parry which deflects the kick slightly to the side.

It is vitally important that I shift away in order to have him extend his leg fully. It is equally vital that I parry his kick (instead off a hard block). This combination places me in a safe place and forces the kicker to follow up when he is out of position or to pull back in order to regroup.

If he strikes with his lead backfist after he kicks; I block before countering.

If he withdraws, I follow with a Slide in Offset Kick.

Without prejudice

Floating Block with Counter Kick

http://youtu.be/oKmNV8MawDY
I defend against a roundhouse kick to my ribs while standing in a Forward Bow.

I drive my arms into the attacking limb as shown. I make sure I turn into my block for extra power.

As the attacker withdraws, I advance and counter kick.

Without prejudice

The Kneeling Groin Block

http://youtu.be/t_BuyTrI6jg
I stand in a Forward Bow Stance. As the Front Kick drives up to strike me in the groin, I kneel down and drive my palm heel into the shin.

It is important to keep my back straight (I do not lean forward). Wherever my back foot is pointed, that is where my knee goes.

I time my kneel and descending palm heel so that I intercept the kick before it reaches its target.

Only then do I straighten up and counter attack.

Without prejudice

Another Four Strike Cane Drill

http://youtu.be/BsTstv82o_M
Again, I hold the Cane in the fifth grip with the hook pointed toward me. I stand so I my knuckles can touch the bag with my arms fully extended.

This is a simple side to side striking drill using only the back of the hook. This is high on one side, low on the other, then low on the first side and finishing with high on the second side. It actually reads as quite complex but it is not.

The drill is as shown and this time I do comment on it; I torque my hips into each strike. I am careful not to hit the bag too hard or drive too far in (no more than three inches).

Canes do break (or in the case of metal ones; bend), so care must be taken to hit with authority but not too hard.

Without prejudice

A Four Strike Cane Drill

http://youtu.be/MhMG_YOvf78
I hold the Cane in the fifth grip with the hook pointed toward me. I stand so I my knuckles can touch the bag with my arms fully extended.

Side to side striking is simple. Over the top and underneath are on a bit of an angle so I do not styrike myself as I withdraw the hook or end of the cane.

The drill is as shown and while I do not comment on it, I torque my hips into each strike. I am careful not to hit the bag too hard or drive too far in (no more than three inches).

Canes do break (or in the case of metal ones; bend), so care must be taken to hit with authority but not too hard.

Without prejudice

The Cane: Using the Hook Tip

http://youtu.be/IBm5b_O9Gp4
This drill is practiced just inside half distance. In other words, I am close enough to punch without overreaching.

I hold the cane in the fifth grip and hook the bag in a high, lw center fashion. Then I switch sides and do it again.

It is not heavy, hard and strained. But the action is powerful none the less.

It also has the advantage of training at punching distance so I become more aware of that distance as a fighting distance.

Without prejudice

The Butt End of the Cane

http://youtu.be/nLpH2K7UH78
As I stated in the video, there are two lessons being demonstrated today.

The first is ‘Situational Awareness’. The story I relate in the video did actually happened and I was very lucky it did not end badly. I was not ‘Looking Around’ as I had been taught.

Another name for the lesson could be ‘Look Around’. Paying attention to what is going on around me as well as what I am doing is very important for a variety of reasons (not just self defense).

The main lesson being offered today is to step into a Horse and shuffle into the heavy bag while delivering a thrust with the butt end of the cane. The cane is held in the fifth grip.

The various ‘how-to-do-this’ details are demonstrated in the video. This drill is about becoming familiar with the cane, the distances involved, etc.

In many ways this drill is similar to yesterday’s drill involving the forward bow and the cross check. Becoming aware of how to hold the cane, how to step with it, the various distances that the cane, the kick and the step work at, is very important to me as a Martial Artist.

It is important to realize that the attributes I train barehanded are the same attributes I use when practicing with the cane.

Practice, practice, practice…It is all important!

Without prejudice

The Cane and the Cross Check

http://youtu.be/Qg6wFCGJEQU
Watch the video to learn how to do this.

The point of this drill is to become familiar with the cane in the fifth grip, the shuffle and the Cross Check from kicking distance.

Doing it once is easy. Doing it on a regular basis is a habit. Developing a habit takes about three weeks.

Without prejudice

Basic Poke with the Cane

http://youtu.be/A_dbSLzGdnQ

This is a drill that familiarizes me with using the cane in an augmented first grip at kicking distance.

Basically, I am standing at kicking distance while in a Forward Bow.

I am holding the cane at the hook and the middle with the end pointed at the target.

I simply extend the cane and drive the last four inches into the target.

The idea is to be able to use kicking distance while practicing with various weapons (today it is the Cane).

Without prejudice

The Forehand Swinging Hammerfist

http://youtu.be/Sc0aNdkY9U0

Another long powerful swing that should be prefaced with a quick block or jab first.

As a follow-up; if it should land, it is a finisher.

Done as an initial move, it is just too easy to counter.

Without prejudice