Shita Tsuki - Short Punch

Overview

Although this technique is very easy to perform, it's critical that you practice it often, preferably against a heavy punch bag in order to develop sufficient power and wrist strength for it to be of any use whatsoever. Shita tzuki is used as a defensive technique that gives you a moment's breathing space against an attacker who has grabbed you by the front of your clothing, and who is pulling you towards him, probably in preparation for a head butt. The technique has the advantage of coming in low where it's hard to see. Your attacker's arms are going to obscure your movements still further.

Shita tzuki looks very similar to an upper cut, but the function is very different. Whereas an uppercut's primary intention is to weaken or hurt an opponent, the primary goal of this technique is to hold an attacker at a distance whilst you initiate a follow-up.

Technique

This technique could hardly be any easier. Start with both hands retracted to your waist, with your fists tightly clenched, palms uppermost. Now simply punch forwards towards your opponent's stomach or sternum with either hand. Do not rotate your fist. Tighten your fist and tense your wrist extra hard or you'll hurt your wrist more than with a regular punch. You should strike your opponent with your first two knuckles, just as you would with a head-level punch. Leave the punch extended, with your knuckles pressing firmly against your attacker. You've created a space between you and your opponent which is hopefully enough to prevent them from head butting you. As you strike your opponent, tuck your elbow in to your stomach, so that it's as close to your navel (belly button) as possible. Tense your stomach so that if the attacker attempts to pull you closer, your arm acts like a pole, holding him at bay.

Note. It's absolutely crucial that you deliver your punch with your arm horizontal. If you angle your arm upwards, when your opponent pulls towards you, your arm will simply collapse upwards into the space between you, trapping it and leaving you even worse off.

As your opponent has committed both arms to holding you, a great follow up to this technique is a mawashi empi, which easily passes over your opponent's outstretched arms, to hit him in the jaw.