Many karate students fail to respond with multiple techniques after an incoming attack, leaving them frustrated when they miss with the first counter. Their opponent might move out of range, maybe their countering technique is blocked, or perhaps it hits an arm or shoulder instead of the intended target. This is frustrating because their "one chance to score" is gone in an instant.However, when you use multiple techniques to counter instead of one, your chances of scoring are increased 200%!
Today I want to give you a great "triple" fighting combination that I had my students work on last night in class that can help you with your countering skills when doing kumite (sparring).
This combination is a little different to the regular "triples" like, punch/kick/punch, or jab/jab/reverse punch, etc. It's different because it's:
1) Largely unknown
2) Rarely used
3) Incorporates both attack and defense
4) Uses the same hand for all 3 strikes
It also draws on the same basic concept from a pinan kata. Yes, despite many people's belief that kata is useless, here's a shining example of how a slight modification to the second move in pinan sandan can score you more points than you ever imagined.
Here's how it works...
Because our triple combination starts off defensively, we need an attack to counter.
No better place to start than countering the good old reverse punch (gyaku zuki) which is responsible for approx. 80% of scoring technique in traditional karate competition.
This defense works best when the belly is the target. So when your attacker throws their reverse punch to the body in the usual way, you're going to block down (gedan barai), while striking simultaneously with backfist (uraken), to your opponent's temple.
As you do this it's important that you shorten your stance a little to avoid the punch, by moving your front foot back and raising your center of gravity. This allows you to come "over the top" with a horizontal back fist strike.
Key point: This must be done at the same time as the block! Not block, then back fist, otherwise you won't break the timing, and you give your opponent a chance to recover!
Immediately as you've scored with the back fist return to your guard position and knock your opponent's front hand to the outside line of their body. Follow immediately with another counter - this time a reverse punch of your own to their belly.
As your recover your guard, then take your front hand and knock your opponent's guard (if it's still up), down by turning your hand palm-down and placing it on top of their forearm. This frees up their head for your final technique.
From this position, step forward as you punch, and make a one-leg-punch (ippon ashi dachi zuki), or what our MMA friends like to call the "superman punch" to the exposed head, and land forward with your foot on the outside line of your opponent's. At this position your chest should be against their shoulder and their guard smothered.
So again, when the reverse punch arrives, here's what you do:
1) Block down front hand, make back fist with your other hand.
2) Return to guard and immediately knock their front arm to the out side, and make reverse punch to their belly.
3) Return to guard and knock their front arm down and come over the top with your one leg punch to their head.
The whole process should take no longer than 1.5 to 2 seconds. The effect when done properly is one of confusion for your opponent because this technique:
1) Breaks the timing
2) Hits high, low, high, making blocking difficult
3) Creates confusion with uncommon application of sparring techniques
Of course after the final punch, you can exit however you please... with a sweep, bump, shove, etc.
Got it?
Great!
This is a great karate sparring combination. Try it out next time you fight and let me know how it works for you!
- Jason
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