Ryukyu Kenpo Kobujutsu

         Arms
                    Hands
A word of warning. Proper use of the strikes described here, is critically dependent upon proper lower body adjustments. You must learn these adjustments to be able to utilize these strikes to their fullest.
Regular:
The punch is delivered brushing the ribs, elbow down, with the wrist held straight in both planes. The fist is a few degrees over vertical, the 2^nd digit Fore Knuckle first to impact. This is the punch used normally.
Kata:
The punch is delivered like the Regular except; the fist rotates to a horizontal palm down position, elbow, still, down not rotated to the side. This punch is used in kata only.
Side:
Another punch used only in kata. The punch travels  across the body solar plexus high. The elbow never loses contact with the body. The fist rotates to a horizontal palm down position, one hand’s distance from the ribs, like the Kata punch.
Double:
Both hands simultaneously punch forward in conjunction with stepping forward. The back hand side strikes high, upper pectoral; the front hand strikes low, under the pectoral. The back hand is delivered like a Regular punch; the front hand reversed, palm up. The hands are held apart 45°; by one and a half to two hands distance. The Side Double punch is used, exclusively in kata. The back hand executes the Side punch at solar plexus height; while the front hand executes a Kata punch, shoulder height, to the side. The forearms are parallel.
Jab:
Executed from the front hand, this punch travels straight to the target, with no previous movement; then, returns, straight back without dropping, to the front hand guard position of the Fighting posture.
Hook:
Executed from the front hand. This punch travels like a fish hook; first downward, circling to the outside, then, upward inward and forward at a 45° angle. The elbow is always inline behind the punch. The hand is rotated to allow proper contact with the fore knuckles
Cross:
From the back hand. Whereas the Hook punch moves in an upward motion, this punch moves horizontally; reserving any downward movement to the end of the strike. It can, also, be pulled into the target by the biceps. The hand is rotated to allow proper contact with the fore knuckles.
Shoulder:
Delivered from the back hand guard position, the arm travels 45° inward and forward, elbow down, hand shoulder height. At the moment of impact the arm is in proper position. The fist rotates on impact and the wrist bends downwards. The shoulder extends, protecting the chin.
Uppercut:
The reverse of the Hook punch, this punch is the same on both sides. Normally used to strike body height.
Whipping:
Used with the Back Knuckles the fore arm is rapidly pulled towards the shoulder.
                    Forearms
Inside:
Usually used with the radius bone in an outward upward movement.
Outside:
Usually used with the ulna bone in an inward movement.
45°
The direction of strike from an upward outward position. Used with a twist and the ulna bone, hand is normally open to cause vibration.
Vertical:
Position of the forearm in relation to you.
Horizontal:
Position of the forearm in relation to you.
Twisting:
Internal rotation of the bones during impact.
Vibrating:
A ‘shaking’ kind of motion in conjunction with the strike.
Sawing:
Forward and back movement of the bone against his target after the strike.
                    Elbows
Front:
Used with stepping forward, the elbow is raised to chest height with the fist on top, palm to the ear. The point of the elbow is used to strike. The Rising Elbow lifts straight up to over the head and can be done to the side, also.
The Dropping Elbow descends from overhead; and, is, usually, combined with lowering the body height to increase the power. The Circular Elbow inscribes a 360° arc crossing the centerline. Usually used to trap his arms.
Side:
Used with stepping forward, this elbow strike is oftentimes confused with a Front Elbow. A closer examination will show, that, it is, in fact a side movement. It moves in an inward direction towards the centerline. When the elbow moves in an outward motion above the solar plexus it is called a High Side elbow and it, too, is mistaken for another direction - a Rear Elbow. When the palm of the back hand is used to apply more power to the strike, it is called Supported. Below the solar plexus level these two strikes are called Low and Low Supported.
Rear:
When the elbow is not only directed towards the rear, but, crosses the frontal plane of the body it qualifies as a Rear Elbow strike. The 45° Descending strike starts with the arm lifted overhead to the front or side. As you pivot it strikes into the target. The 45° Rising is almost never used. Circling the arm Overhead and downward is usually used to trap his arms. The Low and Low Supported is below the solar plexus level. The Rising Rear Elbow is executed with the forearm vertical, hand below the elbow, palm turned to the rear. The elbow lifts straight up.
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