Like other whip cuts, the backhand horizontal whip cut “whips” around a loose grip on the crook of the cane while the arm rotates in a striking motion. Because it starts from the outside and also strikes to the outside this cut is only effective when combined with body motion (tai sabaki).
The backhand horizontal whip cut is a primary defensive strike. It’s 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 - the normal position of a cane when used for support in walking or standing.
Because the cut is horizontal, a vertically oriented target is required for maximum effect. The natural targets of the horizontal whip cut are the side of the head, the naturally hanging or upraised arm (especially the elbow), or the leg (especially the knee or ankle).
To initiate the backhand horizontal whip cut begin a large arc from the shoulder moving the cane hand to the outside and up and further to the outside and through the target. As your upper arm makes its arc, your forearm straightens locking the elbow as the cane passes through the target. At the same time, the cane turns to the outside around your loose grip or wrist. Key to all of this movement is a simultaneous backward pivot step. The stepping foot (the foot on the same side of your body as the cane) moves back and toward your centerline and the pivoting foot turns to the inside around the ball of your big toe.
The pivot is toward the target and can be a 90° or as much as a 180° turn. The overall motion is similar to throwing a Frisbee sidearm but without cocking the arm in front of the chest.
Because of the multiple large arcs described by the cane, the forearm, the upper arm, and especially because the entire body pivots, the acceleration of the backhand vertical whip cut is very high and delivers a great deal of kinetic energy to the target.
Link to Other Topics in the Special Report: The Neko Ryu Cane
The backhand horizontal whip cut is a primary defensive strike. It’s 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 - the normal position of a cane when used for support in walking or standing.
Because the cut is horizontal, a vertically oriented target is required for maximum effect. The natural targets of the horizontal whip cut are the side of the head, the naturally hanging or upraised arm (especially the elbow), or the leg (especially the knee or ankle).
To initiate the backhand horizontal whip cut begin a large arc from the shoulder moving the cane hand to the outside and up and further to the outside and through the target. As your upper arm makes its arc, your forearm straightens locking the elbow as the cane passes through the target. At the same time, the cane turns to the outside around your loose grip or wrist. Key to all of this movement is a simultaneous backward pivot step. The stepping foot (the foot on the same side of your body as the cane) moves back and toward your centerline and the pivoting foot turns to the inside around the ball of your big toe.
The pivot is toward the target and can be a 90° or as much as a 180° turn. The overall motion is similar to throwing a Frisbee sidearm but without cocking the arm in front of the chest.
Because of the multiple large arcs described by the cane, the forearm, the upper arm, and especially because the entire body pivots, the acceleration of the backhand vertical whip cut is very high and delivers a great deal of kinetic energy to the target.
Link to Other Topics in the Special Report: The Neko Ryu Cane
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment