- Get link
- Other Apps
By Stephen Cheney
WEAPON
Triangle Spear Hand
The normal flat hand (Shuto), that is properly formed and used, has many advantages over a fist. For stabbing however it may require some conditioning, as a hard impact (accidental or not) on the tips of the fingers can damage those fingers as the force travels colliding finger bones. In a Shuto the pulling back of the longest (middle) finger to align the fingers better to share the impact does help.
Form the Triangle Spear Hand by:
This use of a table shows you the hand formation required.
For combat you do not of course do all the above, looking for a table: but knowing the shape you simply form your hand/s into it. Your fingers must press together.
HAND STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
These are Isometric exercises. Isometrics were favoured in nuclear submarines to easily maintain muscle tone, until the availability of modern gymnasiums on large submarines gained more favour. Astronauts weakened by gravity loss and hospital patients needing muscle recovery, could take advantage of isometrics: they are simple and effective.
EXERCISE FOR THE WAZA
Stance: In Kibu Dachi (Horse stance with feet wide and toes pointed a little inward). Forearms on your hips, your triangle-spear hand palm up.
Spearing to the front: Slide rubbing SLOWLY one of your forearms along your side so restraining its force, like the pulling back of a bow string. As your forearm leaves your hip you accelerate it like a rocket slow to fast, like a bolt from a crossbow. You breathe out. Your hip on that side also turns to the front. When your spear hand fully extends you flip its palm over like a drill bit, like a whip end. At that point your torso and shoulders are side-on to the enemy and your other arm has pulled back along its hip line to help your torso and spear arm go forward. Swiftly retract your extended arm back to your hip.
When you suddenly flip, drill your hand at the end of your arm’s extension it should feel like a vibrating drill. Repeat on the Other side. Repeat sequence.
Triangle Spear Hand
The normal flat hand (Shuto), that is properly formed and used, has many advantages over a fist. For stabbing however it may require some conditioning, as a hard impact (accidental or not) on the tips of the fingers can damage those fingers as the force travels colliding finger bones. In a Shuto the pulling back of the longest (middle) finger to align the fingers better to share the impact does help.
However, we will be using a hand formation that will not break the fingers if their tips happen to meet a hard surface: A Triangle Spear Hand.
Form the Triangle Spear Hand by:
- Pressing both your palms flat on a table, fingers pointing away from you; keeping your hands where they are slide back your fingers until a ridge is formed by your first knuckles: so you now have a triangular (or pyramid) shaped hand.
- Your thumb forms the base and presses under and against the finger next to it to provide stability. Your thumb is aligned with your forearm. Your little finger is also just underneath its next finger: so the fingers are not completely flat -they have a slight arch.
- To strike with this hand-spear you thrust straight along the line of your forearm and thumb, not along the other side of the triangle that is the line formed by your fingers.
- This triangular formation reinforces your finger points (that project out from your hand). If your finger tips hit something hard, this formation allows them to retract without breaking as they will just move back and the thumb slide forward.
This use of a table shows you the hand formation required.
For combat you do not of course do all the above, looking for a table: but knowing the shape you simply form your hand/s into it. Your fingers must press together.
HAND STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
- Press the tip of your little finger and the tip of you thumb together firmly; then the next tip of a finger to the tip of the thumb. Continue till all fingers done. Also do the other hand, can do at same time. This exercise can be done virtually anywhere.
- Make a fist to flex your forearm muscles. The other hand grips that forearm and squeezes. Repeat swapping rolls. Do say three sets of ten squeezes per day until you feel that your grip has greatly improved.
- Put your palms together and press; then make a monkey grip with the fingers of your hands (palms face each other and fingers form a hook, so the hands can hook) and pull the hands apart but not so much as they actually come apart.
- Clasp your hands together and bring them to your side E.G. Your LEFT hand is palm up at your LEFT hip (arm bent 90°). Now you lower hand pushes upward while your on-top hand resists pressing down. Let your lower hand win bringing both up to your shoulder in a time of say 10 seconds. Then you go back down to your hip resisting all the way. Now do the other arm: Your RIGHT hand is palm up at your RIGHT hip (arm bent 90°). Now you lower hand pushes upward while your on-top hand resists pressing down. Let your lower hand win bringing both up to your shoulder in a time of say 10 seconds. Then you go back down to your hip resisting all the way. Do three times each arm, three times a day. Your arm strength should improve by three times in a month.
These are Isometric exercises. Isometrics were favoured in nuclear submarines to easily maintain muscle tone, until the availability of modern gymnasiums on large submarines gained more favour. Astronauts weakened by gravity loss and hospital patients needing muscle recovery, could take advantage of isometrics: they are simple and effective.
EXERCISE FOR THE WAZA
Stance: In Kibu Dachi (Horse stance with feet wide and toes pointed a little inward). Forearms on your hips, your triangle-spear hand palm up.
Spearing to the front: Slide rubbing SLOWLY one of your forearms along your side so restraining its force, like the pulling back of a bow string. As your forearm leaves your hip you accelerate it like a rocket slow to fast, like a bolt from a crossbow. You breathe out. Your hip on that side also turns to the front. When your spear hand fully extends you flip its palm over like a drill bit, like a whip end. At that point your torso and shoulders are side-on to the enemy and your other arm has pulled back along its hip line to help your torso and spear arm go forward. Swiftly retract your extended arm back to your hip.
When you suddenly flip, drill your hand at the end of your arm’s extension it should feel like a vibrating drill. Repeat on the Other side. Repeat sequence.
(Image: Stone Arrow Head[Ed] - Google Images)
Comments
Post a Comment
Dissecting Society™ welcomes all sorts of comments, as we are strong advocates of freedom of speech; however, we reserve the right to delete Troll Activity; libellous and offensive comments (e.g. racist and anti-Semitic) plus those with excessive foul language. This blog does not view vulgarity as being protected by the right to free speech. Cheers
Never knew a hand could be a weapon like this. I guess all those karate movies were not just a show then! Thanks, Stephen Cheney.
ReplyDeleteHey Cheney,
ReplyDeleteI did the exercise: at first, the hands sore a bit. But I tested hitting on a hard surface and it works: the impact is there without much pain to the fingers.
Looking forward to the next article.
Cheers
Hi Max, please remember that the Spear Hand (or for that matter any strike using the finger tip/s) is meant for soft targets ONLY. The Spear hand just has an inbuilt safety where if it ACCIDENTLY hits a hard surface, the retracting straight fingers (sliding back on impact) would avoid getting the fingers damaged.
DeleteAll hand formations are as keys and all targets are as locks. Each key is designed to fit certain locks.