Inside Defense with Counterattack against Right Punch (One Counter)

Often you will not have time to make a simultaneous defense and counterattack to the body. In this case, a single counterattack must suffice.

Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance.

As the attacker’s right punch develops, make an inside defense with your left hand.

Using a “hooking” motion with your left hand, pull the attacker’s right hand down.

Having cleared the right punch, burst in with your feet and make a right punch to the attacker’s face. The punch should follow the defense as soon as possible.

Tips: When you hook the attacker’s hand, do not pull down too far; only pull down enough to clear his hand out of the way. If you pull too far, your hand will be out of position.

Defense against Hook Punch (Extended)

This defense, which is similar to 360° Defense #3, is made against a hook punch. The attack comes from the outside, and you make your defense with an outward motion to meet it. This defense stops the attack.

Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance.

As the attacker’s punch develops, send your left forearm out to meet it, your hand in a fist. Your elbow should be bent and the back of your hand should face the attack. Make contact as close to the attacker’s wrist as possible. Avoid making contact at his elbow—this would allow the punch to come around your defense. As you make the defense, take your head forward and in slightly. This body defense helps avoid a hook punch.

Tips: Generally, the direction of your defense will be sideways from the shoulder, not forward. You may also simply use 360° Defenses.

Defense against Hook Punch (Covering)

This technique is a protective covering defense. The advantage is that you leave very little room for an attack to penetrate. If you make the defense well, your forearm and bicep protect your head from injury. The disadvantages are that your ribs are more exposed and you may be a bit slower to counterattack. In addition, the covering defense does not help against a knife attack. For this reason, we generally prefer the extended defense.

Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance.

As an attacker’s left hook punch comes toward you, draw your right fist back so that it’s touching the back of your head and your forearm is pressed against the side of your head. Your elbow should point forward, not out at an angle. If it’s out at an angle, your chin will be open to uppercuts.

Tips: Don’t just bring your hand back to the side of your head. Your hand itself does not offer protection and can be damaged (remember, we’re not wearing boxing gloves on the street). Bring your hand far enough back so that the forearm protects your head.

Defense against Uppercut Punch

This defense redirects the uppercut punch. Some of the principles of this defense are the same as for Inside Defenses against Straight Punches: defend with the same-side arm; the movement is inward; the defense redirects the punch.

Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance.

As an attacker’s right uppercut punch begins, move your left (mirror-side) arm inward and upward. Your elbow should lead the motion. Make contact with your arm to the side of the attacker’s arm.

Continue the motion inward and upward, rotating your hand and forearm and redirecting the punch away from your face. As you make the arm motion, allow your arm to turn your body and take your head to the outside, creating a body defense.