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Thanks to all my viewers:

May you have a  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This blog will start new posts on Sunday, January 3, 2016.

The Cane in the 5th Grip: Striking and Stepping

The drill is simple enough.

I step forward from neutral and strike with the end of the cane (as shown).

It is the doing of it that counts.
https://youtu.be/CQgrZeaJDzs
Without prejudice

The Cane in the 5th Grip: Thrusts with the End and the Back of the Hook

The video show how to do this drill.

It is important to pull the arms all the way back (and the cane too;-) before striking.

Proper placement and timing are vital to this drill.

I start slow and gradually build speed and power.
https://youtu.be/BFrcIIsjsU0
Without prejudice

The Cane in the 5th Grip: A Nine Strike Drill

I stand at punching distance in a Forward Bow.

Basic High, Low, Center twice with the ends.

This is followed by three Cross Checks done High, Low, Center as well.

I do this for about thirty seconds.

Done in the air it looks like nothing but against the bag, the effect is apparent.
https://youtu.be/lGr0KpQ9bl4
Without prejudice

Combined Front Kick and Cane Techniques in the 4th grip

This is a simple drill today.

I execute either and forehand or a backhand swing of the cane in the fourth grip.

Then I execute either a slide in Front Snap kick or a Shift Forward Front Snap Kick

I do this for thirty seconds on each side.

The range is the same for the kick and the cane swing while held in the fourth grip.
https://youtu.be/7B_wRq5mKDg
Without prejudice

Punch then Angled Palm Block

Like the drill of a couple of days ago, this drill is designed to mix punches and blocks together so that both can be used easier.

Today I am using the same arm for my punch then for an Angled Palm Block.
https://youtu.be/lWnAQi2q6DM
Without prejudice

Another Punch, Block, Punch Drill

Today I use the Crossdownward Arm Block.

With one arm, I punch, then block, then punch again.

I switch arms and repeat for thirty seconds.

I keep my fist formed throughout and ‘ride’ my last punch out of the block.
https://youtu.be/UpxKVHMICME
Without prejudice

Punch then Outside Palm Block

Like the drill of a couple of days ago, this drill is designed to mix punches and blocks together so that both can be used easier.

Today I am using the same arm for my punch then for an Outside Palm Block.
https://youtu.be/pClfSxldidg
Without prejudice

Punch Block Punch Drill

Today I use the Inside Block.

With one arm, I punch, then block, then punch again.

I switch arms and repeat for thirty seconds.
https://youtu.be/4RQ7Ns_QWm0
Without prejudice

Punch then Rising Block

This drill is designed to mix punches and blocks together so that both can be used easier.

Today I am using the same arm for my punch then for a Rising block.
https://youtu.be/ke0nUpHjaSk
Without prejudice

Using The Cane in the 4th Grip

Comparing Distances for a Front Kick and Horizontal Swings of the Cane in the 4th Grip

Using the cane in the 4th grip and executing a front kick happen at the same range.

That is the whole point of this drill.
https://youtu.be/o1dr8gIBlzs
Without prejudice

The Cane in the 7th Grip: Four More Basic Strikes

Again, I am using the grip also known as ‘The Mid Grip’ for obvious reasons.

Today I execute four more basic swings with the back end of the hook.

These are each on a forty five degree angle.

I prefer to torque my hips slightly into my swings.

I also prefer to torque my backward swings with a backward rotation (instead of a reverse rotation).

I make sure I am at kicking distance when I do these.

I also make sure I have a firm grip on the cane so it does not rebound back and strike me.

Again one last point: I prefer to use a thick, heavy, Sheppard’s Hook cane as I am just too hard on the lighter variety (as shown).
https://youtu.be/hoQ__yVOBlI
Without prejudice

The Cane in the 7th Grip: Four Basic Strikes

This grip is also known as ‘The Mid Grip’ for obvious reasons.

Today I execute four basic swings with the back end of the hook.

I prefer to torque my hips slightly into my swings.

I also prefer to torque my backward swings with a backward rotation (instead of a reverse rotation).

I make sure I am at kicking distance when I do these.

I also make sure I have a firm grip on the cane so it does not rebound back and strike me.

One last point: my vertical strikes are slightly angles so I do not hit myself by accident.
https://youtu.be/By0IQKvxKx0
Without prejudice

The Cane in the 5th Grip: Basic Head Block and Counter

The attacker is punching to my head before he shuffles back out of range.

I block the punch to the side (as shown).

I chamber the staff, step forward and drive the top of the Hook into him.

I shuffle back out of range.

The drill is simple enough.

Performing it under duress requires a significant amount of practice.
https://youtu.be/rDBatC9pd4Y
Without prejudice

The Cane in the 5th Grip: Thrusting with the Hook End

This is done just as the video shows.

This is a powerful strike and care should be used in its application (even on a mere heavy bag;-)
https://youtu.be/oZvazEpWMuk
Without prejudice

The Cane in the 5th Grip: Figure Eights

I stand facing the Heavy bag at punching distance with the cane n the 5th grip.

All four strikes are forehands.

I use the end then the hook.

As I stated, the cane I now use is a heavy duty device.

Drug store canes simply could not stand up to heavy use.
https://youtu.be/t9PIeQTwDUw
Without prejudice

The Cane in the 6th Grip: The Figure Eights

Similar to yesterdays drill except I am a foot closer.

I grip on this piece of wood in the middle with my thumb toward the end.

I swing the cane in the figure eights at front kick distance .

As I explain, I must pass the entire cane to the other side of my body when I strike.

In the video I call this strike a 'cut' but clearly it is a 'swing' or a 'strike'.

Just as clearly, it is not a 'thrust' or 'stab'.
https://youtu.be/dsdTRpp3C2I
Without prejudice

The Cane in the 3rd Grip: The Figure Eights

Today is all about wielding the cane at a distance in a long, broad manner.

(Earlier this week I was wielding the cane quickly and up close.)

The grip on this piece of wood is both strong and agile.

Swinging the cane in the figure eights at kicking distance takes time (compared to yesterday’s strikes).

So once I have gotten the long swings down, I would start to combine them with my shorter moves.

But today I am concentrating only on swinging and leading with the edge of my hand.

Yes, the cane is ahead of me but my hand grips the cane so that my edge leads before the rest of the hand.
https://youtu.be/kwzbzxQITjQ
Without prejudice

Using the Hook in an Augmented 2nd Grip

This is an ‘ADVANCED TECHNIQUE’.

Yesterday I showed how to use the shaft of the cane in a 5th grip.

I emphasized staying away from using the hook.

Today I am holding the cane in at both ends in what I call an ‘Augmented 2nd Grip’.

I know it does not look like it but there can be problems with its execution on (say) a heavy bag.

I am actually thrusting with the hook.

There are two big dangers with this technique.

One is that the hook can break on impact with a heavy bag during hard practice.

It could be driven back into my hand.

The other danger is that the hook could rotate my wrist around cause significant damage to my arm.
https://youtu.be/MEYMdoyXVP0
Without prejudice