DISCUSSION

Attack Mode

A 500lb punch must land on a viable target before it has any effect.

In martial arts, participants are always taught that physical techniques should be a last resort, used only when talking, warning, and all other attempts to slow or stop the aggressor have failed.

As seniors, we must assume that we are neither stronger nor faster than an aggressor. There are many reasons a confrontation can occur, but an imminent threat to life is one of the most serious. If there is a possibility of more than one assailant, there may be no choice but to act quickly and use whatever “tricks” are available. It is inherently unfair to be attacked in the first place, and in such situations, the outcome can truly be a matter of life and death.

Increasing Reach and Power

One could argue that the legs are longer and stronger than the arms and therefore offer greater reach and striking power. While this is true, for most seniors, kicking can be dangerous. For some, even on their best day, standing on one leg is already a challenge. As a result, while I do work with them to improve balance and strength, they are often not yet ready to rely on kicks as a primary weapon.

When it comes to punches, many seniors have additional limitations. Some have experienced falls and have wrists that never fully healed; others suffer from arthritis, leaving their hands and wrists in poor condition. For these individuals, punching with a closed fist is not an ideal option. Instead, I favor palm strikes to the nose. This causes the aggressor’s head to tilt back, which naturally exposes the throat. When the distance closes further, the elbow can and should be used as necessary.

Lack of striking power is a serious issue, because once you commit to an attack, you are within reach and fully engaged. A strike that feels more like a touch than an impact encourages the aggressor to trade blows—or to respond with even greater force.

Maximizing your body structure for the hit

If you rely only on the strength of your arms, you are drawing from a limited resource. Chances are your opponent is stronger, which may be why he chose you as a target. To amplify your hitting power, you need to consider the following points:

• Maintain sufficient reach to penetrate the target and allow force to pass through it.
• Relax your shoulders and back so the angles are smoother and your structure is supported by your entire body rather than isolated muscle tension.
• Relax and put your whole body behind the strike, instead of tensing up and emphasizing only arm strength.
• Do not try to time your hands to your foot movement. Treat everything below the belly button as the “bus” you are riding. Your upper body should be able to move independently of it.
• Keep your elbow relaxed and loosely aligned with the centerline to reduce torque acting against you.
• Practice slowly and in a relaxed manner to make habit changes easier. Increase speed gradually once you are confident the mechanics are correct.

SCENARIOS

Chained hands attack

The following are the keypoints:

• The following are the key points:
• Relax the shoulders downward and allow the chest to rotate around the centerline to maximize reach.
• Aim for the nose. During solo training, visualize an opponent of your height. A point roughly four inches above your shoulder level is a reasonable approximation of nose height.
• Coordinate the retreating arm with the attacking hand. The hand that has just completed the strike should press downward to create space for the opposite hand to extend immediately. Do not pull the hand back past the ribs. Keep the elbows resting close to the ribs to maintain protection.
• Once you move off the line, continue with short, controlled stutter steps to follow up and strike while maintaining balance and positioning.
• Pulling back while grabbing or destabilizing can either turn the strike into a heavy, “collision-level” impact or knock the aggressor off balance, reducing their ability to counterattack.
• Maintain mental commitment and decisiveness. Your focus should be on stopping the threat and acting with clarity, rather than hesitating or becoming distracted by fear of retaliation.

EXERCISES

Practice the strikes taught in class and develop them one step at a time. Begin from a stationary position with the arms relaxed. After each strike, pause to check your guard, shoulder and chest position, centerline alignment, strike height, and coordination between the striking hand and the controlling hand.

Next, work on the following strike using the same process until individual strikes are mostly correct. Then begin chaining strikes in pairs, again stopping after every two to reassess structure and positioning. Learn to feel the movement and develop the ability to self-assess.

Once this foundation is solid, gradually introduce stepping and continuous strikes, increasing complexity only as control and correctness are maintained.

In addition, train your body strength and cardiovascular endurance as described in the previous class.