In this article and the upcoming five articles, I will show some alternative approaches to basic blocking techniques. Here I will show you how I interpret basic blocks, and how they can be used in Stand-up grappling. The five basic blocks I want to show are Age-uke, Soto-uke, Uchi-uke, Gedan-barai, and Shuto-uke. The well-known basic […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Now and then, I get this question from a student: “Which part of the foot should we use as a pivoting point when we turn? Should we pivot on the heel or the ball of the foot?” Before I come up with my opinion, and what I do, there is just one topic we need […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Tsumasaki-geri is a kick with the tip of the toes. Some would argue that this is the right way to kick (the old way of Okinawan kicking), compared to our ordinary Mae-geri, where we generally kick with Koshi. Personally, I don’t believe there is a new or old way of kicking. Nowadays, Mae-geri, kicking with […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Once I was asked, why I do my Punch the way I do. Most often, my Tsuki (Punch) resembles a combination between a vertical and a horizontal punch. The answer is quite simple, it feels natural. The best way to explain it is to compare my Tsuki with push-ups! Yes, you read right, push-ups. […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
To unleash the full force of a punch, it’s crucial for both arms to work in harmony, a principle frequently emphasized in the Dojo. One arm (the fist) is thrust forward, while the other arm is drawn back to the side of the body (Hikite). Both arms execute the same movement, meaning that if the […]