The Cane: Part 12 – The Lunge

One-hand cane thrusts can kill or seriously injure an opponent when directed at a vital point. They extend your reach and range and add an element of surprise when the primary method of fighting is based on cuts. For all of these reasons one-hand thrusts should be in your repertoire.

Four basic lunge variations can be combined with the one-hand thrust.

(1) Forward Hand Straight Lunge
(2) Forward Hand Reverse Lunge
(3) Rearward Hand Straight Lunge
(4) Rearward Hand Reverse Lunge

Forward Hand Straight Lunge
The Forward Hand Straight Lunge starts from a one-hand cane forward guard stance. It’s executed by pushing off the rear foot, stepping forward with the front foot, and extending the cane “thru” the target. This lunge is the classis fencing lunge. The depth of the lunge – the distance between the front and rear feet at full extension – is determined by the distance to the target and your ability to recover from the lunge. At full extension, the knee of the forward leg is directly beneath the elbow of the extended cane arm.

In general, deep sport fencing style lunges are not recommended because most people recover from them too slowly and since the cane is unlikely to finish the opponent instantly you must assume your opponent will be capable of a counter-attack even if your thrust is well placed.

But, shallower lunges are very appropriate and may be combined with advancing steps to close longer distances.

Forward Hand Reverse Lunge
The Forward Hand Reverse Lunge starts from a one-hand cane forward guard stance. It’s executed by stepping forward with the rear foot, pushing off the former front foot into the lunge, and extending the cane “thru” the target.

Reverse lunges are notable in that the forward foot in the fully extended lunge position is the foot opposite from the cane hand. This lunge develops a bit slower but covers a greater distance with the same degree of extension – depth of lunge.

Rearward Hand Straight Lunge
The Rearward Hand Straight Lunge starts from a one-hand cane rearward guard stance. It’s executed by stepping forward with the rear foot, pushing off the former front foot into the lunge, and extending the cane “thru” the target.

This is the same motion pattern as in the Forward Hand Reverse Lunge. However, because the cane is held in the rearward hand, the cane arm and the stepping and lunging leg are on the same side of the body and the end result is a classic lunge extension with the knee of the forward leg directly beneath the elbow of the extended cane arm.

The Rearward Hand Straight Lunge also covers approximately the same distance as the Forward Hand Reverse Lunge. And, because of the greater distance traveled by the cane tip (from the rear hand position to a front hand lunge) along with the natural twisting of the torso inherent in this motion this is the most powerful of the four basic lunges. It delivers the greatest amount of kinetic energy to the target.

Rearward Hand Reverse Lunge
The Rearward Hand Reverse Lunge starts from a one-hand cane rearward guard stance. It’s executed by pushing off the rear foot, stepping forward with the front foot, and extending the cane “thru” the target. This is the same motion as in the Forward Hand Straight Lunge, however, because the cane in held in the hand opposite to the lunging foot the end position is the same as in the Rearward Hand Straight Lunge.

In this lunge the cane tip travels about the same distance as in the Forward Hand Reverse Lunge. But, since the cane tip starts from the rear hand position the total reach of the Rearward Hand Reverse Lunge is the shortest of the four basic lunges.

Below the four lunges are ranked by reach from longest reach to shortest reach (for the same depth of lunge):

1st. Rearward Hand Straight Lunge
2nd. Forward Hand Straight Lunge
3rd. Forward Hand Reverse Lunge
4th. Rearward Hand Reverse Lunge

Rank them by power yields the same order, but ranking them by quickness of execution results in the following order:

1st. Forward Hand Straight Lunge
2nd. Rearward Hand Reverse Lunge
3rd. Forward Hand Reverse Lunge
4th. Rearward Hand Straight Lunge

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

Merry Christmas

I'm taking the week off to celebrate Christmas. I wish you all a very merry one.

The Cane: Part 11 – One Hand Thrust

Most instructional manuals on stick fighting tell you that the stick is a striking or cutting weapon – not useful for thrusting. Then, later in the book, in discussions about practice stick fighting with a partner you’re warned against thrusting a stick at your partner because of the risk of injury.

It is precisely the risk of injury that makes one-hand thrusts an effective cane technique.

A one-hand cane thrust can kill or seriously injure an opponent when directed at a vital point such as the trachea (wind pipe), the forehead, eyes, or the bridge of the nose. It can also disrupt the opponent’s movement and balance when directed at the hollow under either clavicle (collar bone) or at the pelvis – the very top of the front of the thigh.

One-hand thrusts extend your reach and range and also add an element of surprise when the primary method of fighting is based on cuts.

For all of these reasons one-hand thrusts should be in your repertoire.


The Grip
On a crooked cane the best grip for a one-hand thrust is pistol-type grip at the crook’s shoulder. This grip allows a natural extension of your arm in line with the shaft of the cane and a natural position for the hand and wrist.

Execution
The thrust is executed by extending the arm to the target while simultaneously lunging in the direction of the target. To facilitate accuracy, full extension of the arm must be achieved before contact with the target.

Accuracy
Because the accuracy of a thrust is paramount, every cane training session should include practice thrusting at a small moving target. In fencing, this is known as “point control” and is just as essential with the cane as with the foil.

The Lunge
Four lunge variations can be combined with the one-hand thrust. They will be reviewed in the next post.

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

The Cane: Part 10 – Backhand Horizontal Whip Cut

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 Cane: Part 9 – Forehand Horizontal Whip Cut

Like all whip cuts, the forehand horizontal whip cut “whips” around a loose hand grip on the crook – or in some cases around a loose wrist - while the arm rotates in a striking motion.

The forehand horizontal 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 - 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 and ankle).

To initiate the forehand horizontal whip cut you begin a large circle from the shoulder moving the cane hand to the outside and up and to the inside. While your upper arm makes this large circle, your forearm makes a large circle around the elbow and the cane circles the loose grip or wrist.

The overall motion is similar to throwing a baseball sidearm but without cocking the arm behind the shoulder.

Because of the multiple large circles described by the cane, the forearm, and the upper arm, the acceleration of the forehand vertical whip cut is very high – as it the resulting kinetic energy delivered to the target.

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

The Cane: Part 8 – Backhand Vertical Whip Cut

The backhand vertical whip cut is a primary defensive strike used against a horizontal target to the outside of your cane hand.

The backhand cut starts from the standard one hand cane rest position with the cane tip on the ground and a loose one hand grip on the crook. The natural targets for the cut are an attacker’s clavicle (collar bone) or an outstretched arm.

To initiate the backhand vertical whip cut you begin a small circular motion to the inside and up and over to the outside 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 small circle around the shoulder.

The backhand cut is less powerful than the forehand. It’s very difficult to allow the cane crook to slip in your grip and hence turn independently from the hand. Also, the circles made with the forearm and the upper arm are smaller than normal in a forehand cut. These differences result in less acceleration, less velocity, and less kinetic energy delivered to the target.

Nevertheless, the backhand vertical whip cut is a strong strike that will damage the attacker and give you an opportunity to maneuver.

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

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

The Cane: Part 6 – One Hand Whip Cuts

Because it’s more difficult for an opponent to wrest control of your cane when you hold it with both hands, two hand cane techniques are more secure. In most circumstances, however, you naturally hold the cane with one hand.

If you’re surprised by an attack, or if you want to surprise your opponent, a one hand whip cut will bring the cane immediately into action delivering a high kinetic energy strike.

There are four basic one hand whip cuts. The defining characteristic that makes them all “whip cuts” is a loose one hand grip on the crook of the cane. The loose grip allows the shaft of the cane to rotate about the crook at the same time as the hand and arm holding the cane rotates in the striking motion. The cane “whips” and strikes the target at about twice the speed or velocity that would be available from arm motion alone.

Whip cuts can also be performed with a strong grip on the cane and a loose wrist. The loose wrist allows the cane, or other stick, to whip in a fashion similar to the loose grip whip cut.

As noted in Part 4 - Two Hand Cuts, the kinetic energy delivered by a cut is proportional to the velocity of the cut squared.

The four basic whip cuts are:

1. Forehand Vertical Whip Cut
2. Backhand Vertical Whip Cut
3. Forehand Horizontal Whip Cut
4. Backhand Horizontal Whip Cut

Each of the four basic whip cuts will be discussed in detail in following posts.

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

Mind Over Muscle: Part 4 – Applying Judo to Life

“… seiryoku zenyo means bringing about maximum results through the use of every sort of energy … The results of anger are invariably a depletion of mental energy … Being disappointed or troubled by failures or setbacks, or harboring grievances are also ways in which mental energy is consumed. Arguments, fights – all these things are violations of seiryoku zenyo.”

“… those who practice judo and who follow the principle of seiryoku zenyo always have a calm spirit, enjoy life, and are enterprising.”

Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo, believed that seiryoku zenyo (Maximum Efficiency) is the key to success and happiness in life for individuals and for society. His words, quoted above from the compilation of his writings, "Mind Over Muscle", express his belief that negative emotions waste a person’s energy and thereby limit his ability to control his life and influence events.

One who has a calm spirit not only retains the ability to think clearly, but also conserves his energy for focused expenditure on important and real purposes.

“… the purpose of judo is to perfect oneself, to contribute to society, and to adapt oneself to the times.”

Professor Kano goes on to explain that there are three levels of Judo.

The Lower level is about learning the waza (techniques) and randori (free practice with a partner). In this level you develop your body and, through randori, you learn observation, patience, grace; you learn to learn. You learn the concepts of maximum efficiency and mutual prosperity. Society benefits because you become a more productive person.

The Middle level is where you develop a calmness of spirit derived from confidence, courage, and control of your emotions. Mastery of waza leads to feelings of pleasure and camaraderie. You fully accept maximum efficiency and mutual prosperity and you learn to clarify your goals. You learn much from observation.

The Upper level of Judo is where judoka find they apply the principles of Judo, maximum efficiency, mutual prosperity, and clarifying goals, to every aspect of their lives. They listen. They observe. They remain calm in the storm. Many become leaders because they learned important leadership skills in the dojo and because they calmly apply their energy in the most effective way

“As long as they believe that they have used their mental and physical energy most effectively, human beings will never lose hope, nor will they suffer undue anxiety. This is because, having used their energy most effectively, they have no room to expend it in any other manner.” So Professor Kano describes the perfected judoka. I haven’t met one yet and I don’t expect to. This is an ideal to strive for - but not one that can be grasped by living beings.

Nevertheless, this calm self-control, this centeredness is far more prevalent in long time martial artists that in any other group of people I’ve ever met.

Jigoro Kano’s essays on Judo and its principles are an important part of the literature of martial arts – especially so for those who practice Judo, Neko Ryu Goshen Jitsu, or another form of Jiu Jitsu

Link to the Special Report: Mind Over Muscle - Jigoro Kano's Judo

Mind Over Muscle: Part 3 – Clarify Your Goals

“In the end, you must clarify your goals. Once they have been clarified you must exercise your mental and physical energy in the most effective way in order to achieve them.” This quote, taken from Jigoro Kano’s essay “Judo and Intellectual Training”, introduces a third principle of Judo – Clarifying Your Goals.

Professor Kano, who founded Judo in 1882, extended his thinking about his martial art beyond the dojo and self-defense. He believed the practice and discipline of Judo leads to improved physical health, intellectual achievement, and improved moral character.

His beliefs in this regard were based on the two basic principles of Judo, Maximum Efficiency and Mutual Prosperity, and also on Clarifying Your Goals. He mentions this third principle numerous times in "Mind Over Muscle" essays directed at the external benefits of Judo.

In the essay, “The One True Path” Jigoro Kano writes, “… if our goal is not clear, the method cannot be determined. Once the goal has been clearly established, one can study how one’s energy can be put to use in order to achieve it – seiryoko zenyo (maximum efficiency).”

Maximum Efficiency means using your energy in the most effective manner to accomplish your goal. Professor Kano’s above quote makes it clear that to apply your energy most effectively, you must first fully understand your goal – you must clarify your goal.

In Judo and self-defense clarifying your goal means having a strategy for defeating your opponent. In physical, intellectual, and moral training it means knowing what you are trying to achieve. It means developing a plan to get you from where you are to where you want to be.

Clarify your goals.

Link to the Special Report: Mind Over Muscle - Jigoro Kano's Judo