| Regardless of whether you want to learn ninjutsu, or | | | | means is that, using a larger, general-purpose fist like |
| simply learn to effectively defend yourself against a | | | | the fudo-ken, clenched fist, will almost certainly cause |
| real-world attacker, without all of the belts, uniforms, | | | | damage to, if not broken finger or hand bones, when |
| and fancy Japanese terminology, there are a few | | | | this fist makes contact with these ridges. |
| things you should know before you hurt yourself | | | | The shako-ken, however, has a much more narrow |
| with your new-found knowledge. | | | | striking surface. And, in addition to transferring the |
| Without the necessary real-world experience, or a | | | | power across a smaller surface for maximum results, |
| teacher who can teach you more than just | | | | this slim profile makes it easier to take advantage of |
| step-by-step moves, you may learn the hard way | | | | the spaces between these chisel-like ridges. |
| that some techniques are not meant for the targets | | | | 2) It matches a defensive, repelling, strategy - When |
| you think they are. | | | | you find yourself under the influence of the fight, |
| One such example is the clenched fist being used to | | | | flight, or freeze response to danger, you will loose |
| punch your attacker's face. And, even though we | | | | fine motor skills. That means that if you are in a |
| see this being done again and again in movie fights, | | | | defensive, repelling, or resisting mode - with your |
| and apparently in boxing a mixed martial arts bouts, | | | | hands open - it may be difficult to change to a more |
| the consequences of doing this can far outweigh the | | | | aggressive strategy - one using a standard, clenched |
| benefits. | | | | fist. |
| In this article, I want to share 3 reasons why the | | | | The palm-heel strike makes the perfect weapon |
| Ninja's shako-ken, palm-heel/claw-hand strike, may be | | | | from this palm-out hand position. It also allows for |
| a better choice. After reading this article, you may | | | | natural grabbing, raking, and tearing follow-ups with |
| find that this lesson will save you from a broken hand | | | | the fingers and nails, after the initial strike has |
| or two! The magic behind the Ninja's martial arts is | | | | stunned your assailant. |
| the shear number of options that a student is given | | | | 3) It's easier to explain away for legal reasons - |
| for protecting yourself. And, while this can be | | | | Regardless of how you tell the story, a picture is |
| overwhelming to some, understanding why a | | | | always worth a thousand words. And, as they say, |
| particular skill is a good fit for a situation can cut | | | | what you do speaks so loudly that I can't hear what |
| through the potential confusion. | | | | you're saying. |
| To understand the logic behind what I'm talking | | | | In today's technological age of video cameras and |
| about, you have to be able to see beyond the "cool | | | | surveillance, it's nearly impossible to find yourself |
| moves," or what you think will or will not work on | | | | anywhere that does not have one of these little |
| the street. Again, without the critical ability to come | | | | "eyes" staring in your direction. What that means is |
| at your training, and an actual attack situation, with | | | | that, if you're going to be able to justify self defense |
| strategic thinking, you may find yourself on the losing | | | | when dealing with the legal authorities after an |
| side of the equation. | | | | attack... |
| That being said, here are 3 reasons why using a | | | | ...you better "look" like you were "defending yourself" |
| shako-ken, palm-heel/claw-hand strike, from the | | | | and not "fighting." |
| ninja's unarmed self defense system of ninpo-taijutsu, | | | | And, this is much easier conveyed with an open, |
| just might be a much better option than the | | | | repelling-type strike, than with a fist that everyone |
| conventional clenched, or "balled", fist. | | | | associates with fighting. Remember, in the 21st |
| 1) It's safer - a bit of study of the anatomy of the | | | | century, you're not just defending yourself against |
| human body will highlight the fact that it is almost | | | | brutal attackers - you also must defend yourself |
| impossible to avoid the chisel like protrusions of the | | | | against the legal system and the perceptions of |
| front of the skull when striking the face. What this | | | | witnesses! |