Martial Arts Technique - Why The Pull-Down Is Too Risky

There is a martial arts technique from Wing Chun involves pulling down the opponent's protecting guard (fists raised) just a bit before coming in. The is one detail of this technique that is oh so important. Try the move without this limitation, and it will be too risky.

First, let's see how you might get into and use this martial arts technique:

1. You notice your opponent guarding high with the fists, like a boxer.

2. You come in for the clinch, but just lay your hands on the outside of your opponent's forearms above the wrists.

3. Your hands pull his down ever-so-slightly -- one hand checks over the top of your opponent's arms, while your other hand hits.

It's important to only pull down slightly, and not more than an inch or two. Do you know why? This is the focus of this article.

Make it A Short Martial Arts Technique

So, why pull down just an inch or two? Why not REALLY move your opponent's arms out of the way? Why shouldn't you pull down with a major amount of force?

Heavy force could cause the opponent's body to roll making it easy to evade the hit. Also, this puts your opponent in the perfect position to come back with a hit to the kidneys. On the flip side, if "you" felt the heavy force of your opponent's pull-down move on you could definitely be to your advantage.

Another point -- if the hands in the front are pulled too far down, then you are inviting a strike with the head. In fact, pulling the hands down, invites a head response from both parties. Let's add the elements of resistance and redirection of force to this technique discussion. If you pull down your opponent's arms with a lot of force, your opponent can either resist or go with the pull and 'slip it.'

With a resister, you have a struggle of force against force. Not efficient for either of you. Not desirable. And if your opponent allows the force of the martial arts technique to redirect his (or her) energy, then your opponent could slip an arm around and up into a solid punch from the outside. With this type of technique you are in very close -- close enough for an elbow strike from either party...

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Read another article about martial arts techniques, here: Wrist Locks Techniques.

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