Many years ago, around the mid 1970’s in the main, one of the most common questions that people would ask is “What is the difference between karate and kung fu?" Apart from karate being Japanese and kung fu being Chinese in origin many would say not a lot really apart from kung fu is more flowery, (in appearance to a degree it can be at times), and that karate is more basic and direct. A fair enough reply back in those days but there are some differences worth noting.
Although both karate and kung fu styles often share the same fighting techniques it does tend to be the circular actions used in kung fu that is often seen and made a note of by those who have done both of these martial arts in the main. The Outward Sweeping Hand is a very good example of this variation between the karate styles compared to the kung fu styles. First of all the Outward Sweeping Hand is a descriptive name for a blocking technique against not only a front kick attack but also against a side kick attack. Now we come to the instructional part of it all. Within karate styles a downward block using the forearm as the blocking area is common to see against a low punch or a low kick, and very much a direct action that travels along a straight line, however, the ‘OSH’ (Outward Sweeping Hand), travels in a big circle and is used only against kick attacks in the main. To best understand this defensive method against kicks first start by standing normal with feet together. Now draw a big circle in front of you with your finger that covers your head, left shoulder only, if drawing that circle with your right hand, and the groin area as you create that imaginary circle in the air. The start of the circle starts at the top by the way. This is the path that your blocking arm and hand will travel. The circle action is not a full circle, take note at this point. Think of a clock face when doing this. The sweeping hand starts at the 12 and travels anticlockwise until it ends at the 4 mark. Now we add avoidance to the blocking action. Step back with your left leg, if blocking with your right hand, to better avoid the kick attack and position yourself into a fighting stance. One step back before using the block is often the case with many blocking actions of course. There is only one remaining thing to be aware of now and that is never have your fingers pointing forward when you do this sweeping action block. If you forget then you risk breaking your fingers if you do. Throughout this action your hand is open and your fingers must be in the up position when you start and pointing directly to the left throughout the sweep until completed. This self descriptive action will cover any area within this big circle regardless if the kick is coming at you high, wide or low. Is this blocking method practical and effective? Yes, very much so. Does it work when sparring? Yes it does. Not only does it sweep an attacker's kick away if done just right it will also take your opponent off balance to varying degrees. This circular blocking method gains its power from the speed of the action in addition to its sweeping motion. There are of course other blocking methods available. By the way this method of defence also works in reverse by doing the very same thing by sweeping in a clockwise direction. Called an Inward Sweeping Hand. For more information about this free to read publishing site click >HERE< Comments are closed.
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