P1 Upper Body Strikes: An Overview
One of the first things you learn is how to protect ourselves with hand strikes. You learn effective body mechanics, how to strike at various directions, angles, and distances.
General Checkpoints:
· * Don’t wind up. Use body rotation for strength and reach.
· * Recoil
· * Chin down to protect your jaw, chin, neck.
· * Strike a vulnerable area.
Palm Heel Strikes (medium distance). Striking with the heel of your palm. Rotate shoulders, back, and hips for more reach and power. Strike through the target and recoil.
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| Using a Palm Heel Strike vs ground choke |
Punches (medium distance): Similar range to palm strikes. Striking with first two knuckles. The fist is at forty-five degrees, striking with first two knuckles. Rotate and recoil. Don't wind up!
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| Straight punch vs gun threat |
Horizontal Elbows (short distance). There are three for P1: Inwards, sideways, and backward. The "V" of your arm should be tight. The non-striking hand is up, ready to protect and/or strike. Your chin is down to protect jaw and chin. Rotate to engage large muscle groupings (shoulder, back, hips). Recoil to escape, protect (e.g. ribs) or strike again.
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| Horizontal sideways elbow vs bear hug. |
Hammer Punches (short or medium) There are five in P1. Two horizontal and three vertical.
Horizontal: Sideways and Backwards. Look at the target. Elbow leads as you want to your fist to travel directly to the target. The non-striking hand is up to protect and/or strike. Strike through the target – e.g. jaw, nose…
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| Horizontal sideways hammer punch |
Vertical: Forward, Downwards, Back and up. Forward, usually, a high strike to face, head. Rotation, recoil. Downwards – lower strikes – e.g. to someone trying a takedown – bend the same leg as striking arms for power. Back and up. Lead with elbow striking directly back and up.
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| Vertical front hammerfist |
