Karate Kumite: Using Multiple Techniques to Counterattack

Many karate students fail to respond with multiple techniques after an incoming attack, leaving them frustrated when they miss the first counter attack. Your opponent could move out of range, maybe his counter technique is blocked, or maybe he hits an arm or shoulder instead of the intended target. This is frustrating because your “only chance to score” is gone in an instant.

However, when you use multiple techniques to counter instead of one, your chances of scoring are increased by 200%!

Today I want to give you a great “triple” wrestling combo that my students worked on last night in class that can help you with your counter kumite (sparring) skills.

This combination is a bit different than regular “triples” like punch/kick/punch or jab/jab/reverse punch etc. It is different because it is:

1) Largely unknown

2) Rarely used

3) Incorporate both offense and defense.

4) Use the same hand for all 3 strikes

It is also based on the same basic concept of a pinan kata. Yes, despite many people’s belief that kata is useless, here is a brilliant example of how a slight tweak to the second move in pinan sandan can earn you more points than you ever imagined.

Is that how it works…

Since our triple combo starts defensively, we need an attack to counter.

There is no better place to start than to fight back with the old reverse punch (gyaku zuki) which is responsible for approx. 80% technical score in traditional karate competition.

This defense works best when the target is the belly. Then, when your attacker delivers his reverse body punch in the usual manner, he will block downward (gedan barai), while simultaneously punching backwards (uraken), into his opponent’s temple.

As you do this, it’s important to shorten your stance a bit to avoid the strike by moving your front foot back and raising your center of gravity. This allows you to get “over the top” with a back horizontal punch.

Key Point: This must be done at the same time as the block! Don’t block, then hit back, otherwise you won’t break time, and give your opponent a chance to recover!

Immediately after scoring with your back fist, return to your guard position and punch your opponent’s front hand to the outside line of their body. He immediately follows up with another counterattack, this time with a reverse punch to his belly.

As you regain your guard, then take your front hand and strike your opponent’s guard (if it’s still up), downward by turning your hand palm down and placing it on your forearm. This frees his head for your final technique.

From this position, step forward as you punch and do a single leg punch (ippon ashi dachi zuki), or what our MMA friends like to call the “superman punch” to the exposed head, and drop forward. step forward with your foot on the outside line of your opponent’s. In this position, your chest should be against his shoulder and his guard covered.

So again, when the reverse hit comes, here’s what you do:

1) Block the front hand, make a fist behind with the other hand.

2) Return to guard and immediately punch your front arm out, and reverse punch to your belly.

3) Return to guard and slam your front arm down and go over with your one legged punch to the head.

The entire process should take no more than 1.5-2 seconds. The effect when done correctly is one of confusion for your opponent because this technique:

1) Break time

2) Hits high, low, high, making it harder to block

3) Create confusion with the unusual application of combat techniques.

Of course, after the final blow, you can go out however you want… with a sweep, a punch, a push, etc.

I understand?

Excellent!

This is a great karate combat combination. Give it a try the next time you fight and let me know how it works for you!

-Jason

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