(Tutorial video)

Knife Hand Strike Tutorial

Japanese Term:

Shuto Uchi (SHOO-TOE-OO-CHEE) 

Instructions:

Transition to this technique by turning your head and looking straight forward. Open both hands, forming the knife-hand position. This means the thumb is bent over the palm, with the fingers held together. There should be a slight curve to the fingers and the hand should be rigid. Take the hand that is extended and place it under the opposite arm pit, palm up; the other hand is placed directly behind your head, palm facing toward the back of your head. Remember to point the elbow directly behind you and not to the side. Next, turn your feet and begin to extend the arm from the back of your head around to the front of your neck. The other hand slides across the chest and stops when the center of your palm lines up with your solar plexus. The technique is executed at neck level, with the striking arm bent at the elbow. The elbow should be chest height. The strike travels on a plane level to the neck. Remember to center the opposite hand over the solar plexus. This technique should utilize the torque of the hips and body changing directions.