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Page 2 of 2
"For
instance, the Japanese does not strike with his clenched fist, but with
the inner or little finger edge of the palm. This edge of the palm,
then, must be put in the most favorable trim for severe attack. The
edge must be hard --- capable of inflicting injury and of enduring
sharp concussion.
For
training the edge of the hand thus there is a very simple method that
calls for time and patience. Strike the edge of the hand lightly but
repeatedly against a wooden or similar surface. It is never necessary
to increase the severity of this training blow, but at least twenty
minutes daily should be given to this hardening process. For this no
time need be taken from other occupations. When seated reading,
exercise the edge of that hand which is not employed in holding the
book. At times when neither hand is otherwise occupied the edge of both
may be exercised simultaneously. The importance of so training the
edges of the hands is not to be estimated lightly, and the toughening
should be followed diligently for some months. The harder the edge of
the hand is made the more effective will be the blows struck with it,
and with the least exertion on the part of the combatant."
From chapter three:
"In
Chapter 1 reference has been made to the fact that the Jiu-Jitsian does
not employ his clenched fist in striking blows, but uses the edge of
his hand, generally the little finger edge. This does not mean the edge
of the little finger, which should never be struck, but the edge of the
palm on the little finger side. In striking, sometimes the palm of the
hand is turned upward, and sometimes downward, just as the nature of
the blow requires for striking most severely. In some instances, as in
striking upward under the chin, the thumb edge of the palm is used, the
thumb being folded downward over the palm.
Here is a list of the more important blows that may be struck with the edge of the hand:
Lower Leg--- Across the shin on either side, and well to the front; strike halfway up the lower leg
Upper Leg--- Strike halfway between knee and trunk, either across the front of leg, or at outside of leg somewhat to the front
Side Blow--- Squarely on either side of the lower trunk, in the soft part just below the last rib
Kidney--- Strike over this organ in small of back, in soft part just below last rib
Wrist--- On either side, just back of the joint
Forearm--- On either side, halfway between wrist and elbow
Upper
Arm--- Strike across the front of the biceps, or on outside of arm and
well to the front; in either case point of striking to be midway
between elbow and shoulder
Collar-bone---
In case of a close clinch, open at one side, strike with little finger
edge of palm, hand almost perpendicular and fingers pointing up, on
collar bone midway between breast-bone and point of shoulder. (Too
sharp a blow will fracture this bone)
Shoulder---
A sharp downward blow on top of shoulder, midway between neck and point
of shoulder (A blow that causes a good deal of pain and subsequent
soreness)
Side of the Neck--- Midway between jawbone and collarbone
Back
of the Neck--- Too dangerous. Do not employ, except in a case of "life
or death". Instead, when striking from behind, use heel of hand,
fingers pointing upward. Strike heel of hand just at the base of the
skull, with a combined forward and upward movement. And even this blow
is hardly less dangerous. Both blows are mentioned more by way of
caution that they be avoided by the experimenting student
Blow across the Base of Spine--- Too Dangerous. Instead, employ blow over the kidney
All
of the blows struck with the edge of hand are given smartly and with a
good deal of force. In striking at throat or neck the right hand of
assailant is used against the victim on his right side, instead of at
his left, in order that the blow may be given more force."
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