Counter Attacks: Introduction - A Word From Eyal

Preliminaries

1. Principles of Attack

Ready Stances and Movements

1. The meaning of starting positions and the ready stance (AKA "outlet stance")
2. Passive and semi-passive stances
3. The general ready stance
4. Techniques of moving in various directions from the ready stance
5. Finishing modes -- 3 options: move away; scan the area; get equipped

Straight Strikes

1. Palm-heel strike (first straight strike to be taught with left / right hand)
2. Closing the fist and punching
3. Straight left punch (to chin)
4. Straight right punch (to chin)

Notes: Punches are first practiced from a semi-passive stance;
later from a general ready stance. Practitioner should understand
principles of attacks and proper way to make a fist.

Elbow Strikes

1. Horizontal elbow strikes:
   1) inward; 2) sideways; 3) backward

Hammer Strikes

1. Vertical:
   1) forward; 2) downward; 3) backward
2. Horizontal:
   1) sideways; 2) backward

Kicks

1. Knee strike -- upward
2. Regular (front) kick with the ball of the foot / instep (to low or higher targets)
3. Stomp kick -- downward
4. Stomp kick backward - at knee level (foot position between a side and defensive back kick)

Note: Kicks should be taught first from the passive stance,
later from other stances.

Combinations Using Learned Attacks

1. Short combinations (with simple 2-6 strikes / kicks)

General Note: Emphasize recoiling in all attacks (especially straight punches and regular kicks).

Reaction Games / Fighting Games

• Snatching a coin from open palm; touching/hitting games; pushing games; "rooster fighting"; etc.

Attacks and Defenses

• Starting Position - Attacks are first done from a passive or semi-passive stance, later from a general outlet stance / ready stance; and then attacking to various directions.
  Later, practice to various heights, in retreat or while advancing, as well as from other positions, such as sitting or lying down.
• Outside Defenses -- Against straight punches sent from the front or off-center when defender's hands are "crossed".
• Shadow Sparring -- Footwork and positioning with basic attacks, defenses, counterattacks and combinations.

Four Against One

1. Push with 2 hands or grab to choke (1 attack every 2 seconds)

Note: One can start with the "zombie" game, hands are straight.

Circular Strikes Hooks (Roundhouses) & Uppercuts

1. Hook punch
2. Uppercut from semi-passive stance and from ready stance
   (regular outlet stance)
   Notes: Start drilling both strikes first from a semi-passive stance, then from a ready stance; for the hooks, while in ready stance the front-hand strike has two variations.

Elbow Strikes

1. Vertical elbow strikes:
   a) upward; b) downward; c) straight backward; d) back and upward +combinations

Various Striking Methods

1. Straight strike with the fingers
2. Palm strike to groin, Together with body defenses - downwards
3. Back of hand (and fingers) whip strike to groin, Together with body defenses, downwards
4. Straight strikes while advancing (simultaneous attack and step) - right (rear) and left (front)
5. Straight left punch in retreat + series of attacks + moving to all directions
   Notes: First punch from a semi-passive stance; later from a ready stance and other starting positions.

Kicks

1. Knee strike – roundhouse
2. Defensive front kick; striking surfaces: heel, ball of the foot, whole foot (in testing, demonstrate one of the above)
3. Defensive backward kick
4. Sidekick (with the heel)
5. Roundhouse kick - two methods: horizontal or diagonal (demonstrate one method in testing); possible striking surfaces: ball of the foot, instep or shin

Series of Attacks – to the front, side and rear; with different targets, heights and angles

1. From long to short distances
2. From short to the long distances

Strikes

1. Low punches – to the body (attacking)
2. Striking combinations – learnt attacks to all angles, directions, heights and distances. Hitting targets and marking on a partner; including two attacks with the same hand

Kicks

1. As preparation for kicks while advancing: skipping (stomping) advances, back-crossing; front-crossing
2. All kicks from levels P1-P2, with the front and back leg:
   1. In retreat
   2. In place
   3. Advancing - skipping; including forward and backward crossing (and proper stepping for slippery surfaces)

Slow Fighting - Emphasis on Continuous Motion and Self-Control

Kicks

1. Regular (vertical) kick backward - to three main distances
2. Regular scissors kick

Striking Targets - With Combinations, Using All Attacks and Variations, including the new learnt strikes/kicks

Fighting Skills (defend -- attack -- defend)

1. Emphasizing on changes of distance
2. Using the principles of:
   1. Bursting forward and circling after
   2. Circling around and bursting forward
3. Determination drills
   1. Attacker – Disturber – Target
   2. Attacker – Target – Holder (from behind)
4. Slow fighting
5. Light fighting with minimal protective gear (light contact)

Responding to Opponent's Response

• Trainee attacks with front kick to the groin and opponent retreats in various directions. Trainee continues with sliding and/or kicking.
• As in no. 1 above, but the opponent can move diagonally or straight forward. Trainee may use short-range kicks and/or attacks with the hands.

Fighting Games, 4 Against 1

1. Two hand strikes every two seconds
2. Two punching or kicking attacks every two seconds

Fighting Skills

1. Slow fighting
2. Light fighting with protective gear (groin protection, boxing gloves, shin pads, mouthpiece; headgear is recommended)

Attacks

1. Headbutt – forward, backward & sideways
2. Elbow strike against a group of attackers

Kicks

1. Sliding kicks – using a sliding advance for: regular front, defensive front, side, round-house and defensive back kicks. From any chosen stance, kick with front or back leg.

Spinning Attacks, Strikes and Kicks

1. Spinning back elbow (horizontal)
2. Spinning back hammer strike (horizontal)
3. Spinning defensive back kick. Including series and combinations.
4. Spinning regular back kick.

Takedowns and Throws

1. Front sweep kick (low roundhouse kick)
2. Shoulder-push takedown (pull opponent’s knees) - From the rear
3. Double leg takedown – from the front

Takedowns - Cavalier Leverage on the Wrist Joint

1. Backward - step diagonally backward while securing the attacker's hand.
2. Forward - advance forward against resistance.
3. With an elbow strike - done as in numbers 1 or 2.

Overcoming Disorientation Caused by an Attack (groggy)
Problem: Defender suffering pain and/or concussion resulting in inability to breath or function, the defender's tendency is to remain in standup fighting.
Solution: Fall sideways, softly to the ground, with legs toward the opponent, counterattack.
Advantage: Taking the initiative recuperates; improving position.
Disadvantage: against more than one attacker; problematic terrain

Fighting Drills

1. Mental training – improving and deepening.
2. Slow fighting and light fighting exercises.
3. Elements of CQB – wall, corner (inside, outside), door, staircase.
4. Simulated “real” fighting with protective gear.
   1. Students will be tested in two rounds of fighting.

Attacks

1. Roundhouse punch directed diagonally and downward.
2. Chop strikes: inward chop (palm up), downward chop, outward chop (palm down).

Rhythm and Pacing - as an Attacker, as a Defender - Including Fighting Drills

1. Rhythm with two or more attacks/moves - no connection, natural, broken, shattered and simultaneous. Practice in place and while advancing.
2. Practice defenses against combinations of attacks executed at different paces and rhythms.
3. Practice fighting games and light fighting.

Switch Kicks

1. Two regular kicks in a switch
2. Switching: a regular (front) kick and a roundhouse kick
3. Side kick and a defensive back kick with a spin and switch

Attack, Defend, Attack (Part 1)
Person A -- attacks;
Person B -- defends, moves to dead side and counters.
Person A reacts with defenses and counters as needed;

Note: Person A should not use his first attack as a fake.

Attack, Defend, Attack (Part 2) - Opponent reaches Dead Side:

Person A -- attacks;
Person B -- defends; moves to dead side and counterattacks.
Person A reacts as follows:

1. Continues with hammer fist or a kick backwards - the head kept low.
2. Spins and attacks with a hammer strike or a back kick.

Note: Kick backwards can be regular or defensive, with or without a spin. Objective is to keep the distance from Person B, who is attempting to counterattack.

Attack, Defend, Attack (Part 3)

1. Semi-free practice -- initial attack (strike / kick) is known, but B's reaction is unknown to A.
2. Free practice -- initial attack is unknown to B. B should respond most efficiently.

Note: Person A - initiates an attack (at first a known one and later an unknown one). This training simulates one segment of a fight. Free practice should be permitted only after the student has practiced and obtained proficiency in all of the preceding exercises and principles.

Close Range Techniques / In-Fighting

Defender's objective -- deal with an in-fight situation:

1. Retreat diagonally backward, executing counterattacks with punches and kicks
2. Grab or trap attacker to limit his movement and counterattack
3. Throw attacker with previously learned techniques
4. Practice slow fighting while emphasizing in-fight situations