THE BASICS

The basics are the foundation that the rest of a student’s martial arts career will be built upon.  Therefore it’s extremely important to get these fundamental techniques right before any bad habits are picked up.

  The student must therefore ensure that their foundation is as safe and strong,  as possible, in order to build a firm and secure structure, that allows them to grow and flourish throughout their years as a student of the martial arts.

 Below are the basic key points of the techniques used for the first belt.  This is useful for both beginners and grades alike as when a student progresses through the grades they can forget the key points that they were first taught and so therefore it’s good to go back in order to move forward. 

 The Guard/Fists

·        Ensure your hands are pulled into tight fists with thumbs tucked in and over the 1^st three fingers.

·        Strike with the first 2 knuckles, keep wrist flat.

·        Fists level with ears, with elbows pointing to the floor and tucked in, to protect ribs.

·        Body turned to a 45 degree angle with shoulder facing front.

Stance

·        Feet hip width apart with one foot forward, knees slightly bent.

·        Back foot turned to a 45 degree angle.

PUNCHES

 Jab

·        Target is jaw or body.

 ·        Elbow points to floor.

        Avoid flicking the elbow out during delivery of punch.

·        Twist fist on impact.

 Cross

·        All points above.

 ·        Ensure hip follows behind arm.

·        Back foot turns so heel faces ceiling.

·        Remember power comes from hips not arm!

Hook

·        Target is side of head or body.

 ·        Close strike-so need to be closer to target.

·        Arm at a 90 degree angle (L shape).

·        Elbow level with shoulder.

·        Turn foot.

Upper Cut

·        Target is under jaw.

 ·        Like the hook this strike is close range-get distance right!

·        Drop body slightly and then spring up to deliver punch.

·        Punch stops at centre line, with wrist at eye level.

·        Arm at a 90 degree angle (L shape).

·        Turn foot.

KICKS

Knee Kick

 ·        Target is body or head.

 ·        Thrust hips forward as kick is delivered at target.

·        Bring arms down as kick is delivered. 

·        Point toes to floor.

·        Get heel as close to bottom as you can.

·        Hands stop either side of knee.

Front kick

 ·        Target is body or head.

 ·        Kick with ball of the foot, pull toes back.

·        Ensure knee is above belt height, before extending kick.

·        Keep your guard up.

·        Turn or pivot front foot before executing reverse front kick and change guard.

·        Keep knee up after kick and then lower leg-don’t just drop it!

Round house kick

 ·        Target is thigh, body or head.

 ·        Kick with instep of foot.

·        Keep guard up.

·        Pivot or turn on supporting foot.

·        Hip and knee in alignment.

·        Point knee to centre line before delivering kick.

·        Pull kick back before lowering leg-don’t drop it!

Remember these key points and as you train, check that they are all present.  In doing this the student can reduce their faults considerably and improve as a student of the martial arts.