The Cane: Part 7 – Forehand Vertical Whip Cut

The defining characteristic of all “whip cuts” is a one hand grip that allows the shaft of the cane to rotate about the hand while the hand and arm rotate in the striking motion.

The cane “whips” and strikes the target at about twice the speed available from arm motion alone. Because kinetic energy increases as the square of velocity, whip cuts are the most powerful strike with the cane – they deliver the greatest kinetic energy to the target.

The forehand vertical whip cut is a primary defensive strike. It is initiated from a standard one hand cane rest position with the cane tip on the ground and a loose one hand grip on the crook. This is the normal position of a cane when used for support in walking or standing.

An attacker’s outstretched arm or his collarbone (clavicle) are the natural targets of the forehand vertical whip cut. The cut is a downward, near vertical, strike that requires a near horizontal target for maximum effect.

To initiate the forehand vertical whip cut you begin a small circular motion to the rear and up and over to the front with the cane. Your hand makes a circle around the wrist while your forearm makes a circle around the elbow and the upper arm makes a circle around the shoulder. At the same time the cane is turning making a circle around the hand.

The overall arm motion is similar to a foreshortened throw of a baseball using the arm only. It starts with the baseball held in your hand with your arm dangling normally at your side. It begins with the baseball, hand, and forearm moving to the rear of your shoulder and rising above your shoulder before releasing the ball in front of your shoulder. Then the motion is completed with a follow through that ends with your hand and arm close to their starting positions.

These circular motions combine to accelerate the cane tip through the target.

Link to Other Topics in the Special Report: The Neko Ryu Cane