| When asked what was the secret of his team's | | | | arm-not the chin. |
| success, a famous coach of a championship pro | | | | Defense Against a High Straight Punch |
| football team replied, "the best offense is a good | | | | A bully or wise guy who is much taller than you |
| defense." In other words, he believed in keeping | | | | has lots of confidence, most of it false. He's living |
| the other team from scoring touchdowns, and | | | | in a fool's paradise. He thinks that because he |
| assembled the greatest array of defensive stars | | | | towers over you, he can defeat you with one |
| the league ever saw. His theory was to keep the | | | | high straight jab-and then go home to watch the |
| opposing team from his goal line, hoping that | | | | Late Show on television. Let him try it. You are |
| sooner or later the breaks would come his way. | | | | ready. |
| In Karate too self-defense plays a major role. | | | | As he throws his punch, you bend your body |
| The true Karate devotee doesn't want trouble; he | | | | back and to the side and parry the blow with |
| doesn't seek it in any shape, manner or form. By | | | | your open hand. You have deflected the blow |
| the same token, courtesy and politeness should | | | | cleanly. The bully's pride is hurt-and that isn't all. |
| not be misconstrued as timidity and fear. The | | | | You follow through with an offensive thrust of |
| Karate man prefers to prevent or block an | | | | your own, and your tormenter is licking his |
| antagonist's attack, rather than provoke one. With | | | | wounds! |
| this in mind, let us describe a number of defensive | | | | Defense Against a Left Hook |
| moves used in Karate self-defense. | | | | Your opponent delivers a left hook-and it has |
| Defense Against a Right Hand Blow | | | | your jaw written on it. But you can intercept the |
| You can parry a right cross, a roundhouse blow | | | | blow if your natural reflexes are sharpened and |
| or a hook to the chin by slashing up and at a | | | | honed by Karate self defense practice and |
| sharp angle with the outer edge of your hand. In | | | | conditioning. Remember, your first line of defense |
| this way you are able to deflect the blow in | | | | is your natural reflex. |
| mid-air. You then follow through with an offensive | | | | As a serious student of Karate, you will be |
| thrust of your own. | | | | amazed how almost automatically-as if your |
| Defense Against a Straight Jab | | | | opponent's punch hit a radar warning screen-you |
| To defend yourself against a straight jab, bend | | | | bend your head to the side and back and slash up |
| your body back and to the side, away from the | | | | and right at an angle. You have cushioned the |
| punch. At the same time, parry with your open | | | | blow with the side of your hand or forearm. Soon |
| hand to catch your opponent's fist. This will take | | | | your opponent will need a cushion-to rest his |
| the steam out of his jab. | | | | battered face after you counterattack! |
| Defense Against an Upper Cut | | | | Defense Against a Right Fist |
| This is a crucial move in karate self defense. Your | | | | It's Tuesday or Wednesday, but your opponent is |
| opponent wants to end it quick. He's aiming at | | | | not waiting to deliver his Sunday punch. He |
| your chin ... a quick, clean knockout. You have no | | | | uncorks a corking right. You ward off the blow by |
| time to lose, less time to think. Split-second action | | | | grasping his wrist with your left hand or slashing |
| is called for. You have to defend yourself against | | | | up and left and striking with the side of your hand |
| an almost certain K.O. Move your head to the | | | | or forearm. You've taken his Sunday best. Now |
| right or away from the uppercut; this will reduce | | | | you retaliate and knock him into the middle of |
| the chances of a direct hit on the vulnerable part | | | | next week! |
| of your chin. At the same time slash downward | | | | Know these blocking techniques used in Karate |
| with your hand or arm at your opponent's arm or | | | | self defense and you will avoid a lot of trouble. |
| wrist. You have "caught" the blow-on your | | | | |