by Art Rabesa » Thu Apr 14, 2016 9:07 pm
When I look closer at the open hand in Uechi Ryu, I find that the great majority of strikes and blocks are with the open hand. Other than the punch, everything else is done with the open hand. I look at the closed hand for body blows mostly. I have demonstrated head punches, but I much prefer the open hand above the shoulders. The other important element of the open hand is in blocking. I know that many like to close their hand when performing any down block, especially for front kicks. I can understand that, and taught it that way for beginning students. We all want an element of safety. However, there comes a time when you realize how much faster this block is with the open hand. Keeping the fingers out of the way is done by using the wrist on impact followed by the hand. With practice, this becomes quite easy. The hand really doesn't make contact on blocks. The arm does. Therefore, keeping the hand open allows for crisper and faster blocks. Getting to that attack quickly is the key. Keeping the hand open is much quicker than with a closed hand. All the elbow - ulna - radius- backhand - ridge hand - palm - wrist strikes are with the open hand. Any time I hit with the closed hand, I keep an open hand right up to the point of impact. About an inch or two before impact, I close the hand. The main reason is the speed of the hand. I believe strongly in speed = power. Try it. Keep the hand closed in delivering your punch. Now keep the hand open until the last possible second. This might take a little practice first. You'll see the difference right away. Try the closed and open hand in blocking. The crisp, snapping movement of your arm is not accomplished with the closed hand. It is with an open hand. The open hand allows for faster, stronger strikes and blocks - PERIOD. Kata is done with mostly open hands. A few punches but mostly open hands. Remember this concerning punching. The hand stays open for the majority of the time when punching. Use my videos for reference here. You'll see that the hand closes just before contact. All infighting is open hand. The quick arcing hands clearing the way for the open hand strikes. Speed and tightness are needed in close. This can only be accomplished by keeping your hands open. Uechi Ryu is without a doubt, an open hand style.-----Happy Trails----Art
Art Rabesa
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