IN HONOR OF DON NAGLE’S AMERICAN OKINAWAN KARATE ASSOCIATION
Ed Mc Grath’s School of Isshin Ryu Karatedo and Kobudo
Re: Palm Heel Strike & Foot Stomp technique explained. As taught by : Ed McGrath, Sensei.
As your attacker comes within your circle and is about to do you bodily harm, use a finger eye poke then you deploy a few palm heel strikes to the chin or jaw, following until you have created disorientation of your attacker. As you are following you deploy several foot stomps as your attacker in going backward. Breaking the bones in the foot of your attacker stops them from attacking you any further. They can’t stand up and the palm heel strikes have created confusion in the mind of the attacker. You can then apply a simple joint lock or submission technique to control your attacker.
Under attack you must train to be able to deploy in this state of mind. That is why we put you through a scenario based on elevated attacker stress. Setting benchmarks will allow you to deploy without thinking about what you are going to do at the time of deployment. We ask all and teach all of our students to talk your way out of any situation as best they can, however, if the attacker is bent on doing you bodily harm it is your right to protect yourself. You must operate within the law, all states are different, so look up what is allowed in your state and adhere to the rules. I am not an attorney and cannot instruct what is allowed. That will be up to you as the karateka.
Standing in a natural stance you can deliver 3 to 6 palm heel strikes and foot stomps while you are following your attacker, directing them where you want he or she (your attacker)to go. Putting your body weight into every strike you will cause the attackers head to go backwards and this will cause the attacker to become disorientated. We recommend that you stay within yourself and keep following your attacker with as many palm heel strike and foot stomps as possible until you can apply a joint lock and control your attacker. It is also recommended that you use an eye poke to cause the head of the attacker to go backwards thus exposing the chin for the palm heel strikes and foot stomps. Practice these sets of techniques with the following in mind.
1) Ippon Kumite, where the attacker throws real intention strikes at you so you can raise your awareness level. Ippon Kumite will help you practice and become proficient. 2) Pick up the pace as you become more familiar and confident. 3) Make sure that your Ippon Kumite partner reacts as if it were real strikes you are deploying. This takes a lot of practice. 4) When deploying the sets of techniques, you must eye poke to cause the attackers head to go backwards. 5) Set up the palm heel strikes and foot stomps. 6) Gain control and deploy a joint lock of your choice to control the attacker. Once you have had several practice sessions you will have a lot of questions, so I also recommend that you ask those questions and get all your answers so that you fully understand the following:
1) Eye poke 2) Set up palm heel strikes 3) Set up foot stomps 4) Set up joint lock for control 5) Following your attacker 6) How many palm heel strikes –vs- how many foot stomps 7) What type of joint lock or submission technique will you use 8) How to prepare for the rise of stress in your defense 9) Stay calm 10) Stay focused 11) Be Prepared
This page was written by: Daniel J. Vena. I learned these principles from my Sensei Ed Mc Grath.