Henshuho Pointers

For purposes of the following, the attacker can use either right gyaku-zuki or oizuki (reverse or lunge punch). However, as your practice of Henshuho advances, you should be able to deal with any kind of attack, from either side of the body.

1. Defender starts from right hangetsu-dachi (half-moon – the Ryusei front stance). As the attacker punches, the defender moves right foot forward and drops below the attacker’s punch, at the same time executing a jodan-uke/uchi (high block or punch), striking the attacker in the armpit. Using his right leg, the defender locks the inside of the attacker’s right leg, unbalancing him. The defender grabs the attacker’s shoulder area with his right hand and his front leg sweeps the attacker. The main point here is to challenge the attacker and to close the gap quickly once the attack is initiated.

2. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender uses an osae-uke (pressing block) and turns into kosa-dachi (cross-legged stance), striking the attacker with a right uraken-uchi (backfist strike) to the nose. The attacker executes a weak left punch, which can be deflected by the defender as he steps through and behind the right side of the attacker, who is thrown to the ground and finished. The main point is the proper execution of the kosa-dachi, entering into the attack and leading into the throw.

3. The defender starts in right hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender uses teisho-uke (palm-heel block) to deflect the punch to his rear hand, grabbing it at the same time he applies a right yoko-empi (side elbow) to the attacker’s ribs. The defender applies an empi-uke (elbow block) against the attacker’s second punch. Turning quickly, the defender finishes the attacker with a hip throw to the ground. The main point here is to enter the attack and continue smoothly to the throw.

4. The defender may adopt either a right or left hangetsu-dachi. However tai-sabaki  (turning evasion) is key to making this technique work. As the attacker punches, the defender does a hanten (half-turning evasion) quickly to the left. Then, as the attacker’s punch goes by, he does a fumi-komi (stomping kick) to the leg, and shuto-uchi (knife-hand strike) to the base of the skull.  The main point here is to be calm and, when you feel the strike coming, perform tai-sabaki to enter it and defeat the attacker.

5. The defender adopts a left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender uses a left haishu-uke (backhand block) to deflect it as he steps half forward, to the right, applying a shuto-uchi to the attacker’s shoulder or neck (all this is done at the same time). The defender then uses right shuto gedan-barai to deflect the next punch and kicks swiftly to the groin. (A throw done here is optional.) The main point here is to master the footwork to enter the attack and to use empty-hand techniques to disable the attacker.

6. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender moves his left foot back to the right. At the same time, he grabs the attacker’s punch with his left hand and uses his right hand to turn in the attacker’s shoulder. He then quickly executes a right yoko-geri to attack the hip, snapping the attacker’s leg out from under him. The main point here is the quick leg change and following through with the yoko-geri to drop the attacker.

7. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender shifts forward slightly, doing a left haishu-uke, and then executes in quick succession a left shuto-uchi (knife-hand strike) to the base of the neck and a right nukite (spear-hand strike) to the solar plexus after the attacker is stunned. The main point is not too take too long with the block, because you risk losing the surprise of the shuto strike to the neck.

No. 1: The main point here is to challenge the attacker and to close the gap quickly once the attack is initiated.

8. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender pivots on his right foot, to the left, and executes a right jodan-uke/uch iand twists in with a left gyaku-zuki to the side of the attacker, which can be further expanded into a throwing move. The main point of this technique is to challenge the attack and instantly redirect it, flowing into the offensive before the attacker can respond.

9. The defender can start in right or left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender can a) either slip past the punch to the right of the attacker, spin and execute an arm break and foot stomp, or b) deflect the incoming punch and execute a snapping right punch as he steps past and spins to execute the arm break and foot stomp. The main point here is to get past the punch, to allow for the spin, which is timed so you grasp the attacking arm just prior to its retracting. This spin can also be done inside the attack, allowing for a throw.

10. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender shifts in using a left haishu-uke, and then quickly steps in with his right foot, his right shoulder striking the attacker. Then the defender drops or “disappears,” causing the attacker to fall to the ground. The main point of this technique is to learn how to enter and then drop or disappear, so that the attacker falls to the ground.

11. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender twists to the left and strikes the elbow with a right uraken-uchi (back-fist strike), and then, stepping forward with the right foot, he quickly strikes the shoulder and latisimus muscle, both with the right uraken-uchi. The main point is to use tai-sabaki to evade the attack and enter for the pressure-point strikes.

12. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender uses tai-sabaki (body shifting) and steps forward and to the left of the attacker. A left sliding grab is used to apply a thumb pressure-point attack to the radial nerve by the attacker’s elbow. A kick to the knee is done at the same time. The main point is to use tai-sabaki effectively, to move out of the line of attack, and grasp the arm, attacking the pressure point.

13. The defender starts in right hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender twists to the right and strikes the attacker with a right uraken-uchi. The dazed attacker punches weakly with his left hand and this is deflected in a circling motion across the eyes. The defender uses a yoko-geri to finish the attacker. The main point here is to time the twisting action so that you strike the attacker as he is finishing the punch.

14. The defender starts in right hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender shifts into the attack, grabbing the punch with his right hand, before spinning and sliding back into the attacker to throw him. The main point here is ensure that when spinning to do the throw, the defender is in a position to put the attacker off balance.

No. 8: The main point of this technique is to challenge the attack and instantly redirect it, flowing into the offensive before the attacker can respond. The throw is optional.

15. The defender starts as in 14. But as the spin is done, the defender drops to one knee and shifts back towards the opponent, causing a waterfall drop for the throw. The main point here is to commit yourself fully to the movement.

16. The defender starts in right hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender slides forward to meet the punch using a right haishu-uke and grabs the arm. Then using his left hand and stepping in with the left foot, the defender throws the attacker by twisting his arm and sweeping his foot. The main point here is to ensure that the attacking arm is properly caught and twisted to effect the throw

17. The defender starts as in 16 and blocks with a right haishu-uke. This time the defender steps in with the left foot across both legs of the attacker. The defender then uses a shoulder lock to throw the attacker onto the ground. The main point here is to step across both the attacker’s legs to stop him from regaining his balance.

18. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender steps in and drops down to one knee, punching the leg of the attacker above and below his knee. Then using a rising action, grabbing the attacker’s front leg and shoulder, the defender throws the attacker to the ground. The main point here is to wait until the last moment and slip the punch as you drop for the strikes above and below the knee.

19. The defender starts in either left or right hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender slips or deflects the attack, and then spins to the right side of the attacker. He grabs the attacker’s arm and applies a hiza-geri (knee kick) to the elbow. Then, continuing to spin, the defender enters into the attacker and, placing his right arm over the arm, dropping him to the ground for the finish. The main point is to ensure that the spinning action continues without stopping into the throw.

20. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender uses a left haishu-uke, steps into the attacker, drops and strikes the groin with a right heito-uchi (back sword strike). He slides his right arm between the attacker’s legs, forcing the attacker across his shoulders, and does a throw. The main point here is to continue the defence once entry to the groin is made (i.e., do not stop the arm movement but continue through until the attacker is thrown).

21. The defender starts in right hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender uses a right haishu-uke and grabs the arm. He then steps in and uses a left empi (elbow) to aid an arm break over his shoulder. The main point is to ensure tha the empi is applied stepping in so that it facilitates a strong arm break. 

20. The main point here is to continue the defence once entry to the groin is made (i.e., do not stop the arm movement but continue through until the attacker is thrown).

22. The defender starts in right hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender uses tekubi-kake-uke (wrist-hook block) and grabs the arm. Then he employs an over-under action with the left arm to trap the attacker in an elbow lock. The forward leg of the attacker is swept, throwing him to the ground.  The main point here is to lock the arm and instantly reverse to throw the attacker.

23. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender steps forward with an upper kosa-uke (cross block). With a light feeling, the defender strikes the shoulder area of the attacker with the left hand. The main point here is to have a light feeling to set up the strong strike at the end.

24. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender steps forward using a lower kosa-uke. The punch is trapped and the defender strikes the right inner shoulder of the attacker with the tip of his right shoulder. The attacker is thrown to the ground and then finished. The main point here is to relax on impact, causing the dead weight of your body to throw the person.

25. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender deflects the attack down and leaps into the air, spinning 360 degrees, and landing to execute a shuto-uchi to the attacker’s neck.  The main point here is to leap and spin quickly, foiling any further attacks.

26. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender steps in and deflects with his left hand and then quickly shoots his right hand past the neck of the attacker. The defender steps past the attacker and twists quickly to the left to throw and finish him. The main point here is to lock the attacker’s arm into his neck to facilitate a pivoting action when throwing.

27. The defender starts in left hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender uses a left haishu-uke as he slides to the right. The he steps into the attacker and uses the fingertips of the right hand to hook the attacker behind the jawbone and throw him. The main point here is to ensure that the defender finds the pressure point behind the jaw (the mandibular angle).

28. The defender starts in either left or right hangetsu-dachi. As the attacker punches, the defender spins to the left and drops to the ground. Once down, the defender’s left leg strikes the attacker and the right leg sets up for a leg lock. Both legs are used to buckle the attacker’s leg and throw him to the ground. The main point is to ensure that when corkscrewing into the ground, the defender has timed it properly, so he does not lose the advantage.

—Peter Zehr, shihan, Grey-Bruce Ryusei Karate

23. The main point here is to have a light feeling to set up the strong strike at the end.