Phase one question regarding technique.

[WTG]

Hello again everyone.

Seems like it's not very busy in here so I thought I might ask a question...

The cover! We all love it but as I am sure you are all aware, it leaves you open to body hooks etc... Where as the boxing cover leaves you less open.

Since we (JKDU) approach things from a street perspective, I would imagine that the answer to the body shot question would be to clinch when he is that close. That the cover is a longer range cover against haymakers, "go get em' hooks" and crosses or jabs.

And that in close, like in a corner drill we use "conventional" covers? Am I far off here?

Also, I notice that Burton has on his curriculum video for phase one, the lead hook. Should we show (during the test) rear hooks as well as body hooks?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

-Rick

[Jim McRae]

Hello, Rick:

First, the cover. The two types of cover that you described are used (at least, by me) in response to two different situations. The first type of cover (the one on Burton's tapes) is often referred to as the "crash cover," because it is most often used as a tool for entering in on a striking opponent to establish a clinch. The "boxer's cover" is more of an "oh, s#!t" cover that is used when you are on the receiving end of a flury of punches and are acting purely defensively, wishing to shield yourself against incoming blows and retreat to a safer position. As my first JKD sifu was fond of reminding me, if you have broken the fighting measure and are in range of your opponent's striking weapons, you should be doing one of three things: (1) firing shots of your own (2) moving forward to grappling range or (3) getting the hell out of range. I have found that the crash cover works nicely for number 2, whereas the boxer's cover (accompanied by rearward, angular push-shuffling) works nicely for number 3. I agree with your response to the body hooks — since they are naturally close range punches, your oppoent must place himself in tie-up range in order to fire them. Incidentally, the crash cover is also weak versus uppercuts. If your opponent likes to close in using the cover, draw his cover with a feinted overhand right and nail him with a lead uppercut as soon as his hands come up.

Second, the phase one curriculum. I don't know if Burton has different requirements for the video testing than he does for testing in person, so definitely seek a second opinion on this. Disclaimer aside, on all of the phase tests that I have seen here in Honolulu, he has only asked the students to demonstrate the lead hook to the head. Since, as I understand from your post, this is the only type of hook he demonstrates on the tape, it is probably all that he requires for the test.

Take care and train hard,
Jim McRae

[WTG]

Thank You!

Mr. McRae,

Thanks for the detailed response, it's clear to me now.

One other question though, and I "think" I know the answer to this but we'll see... The cover, "crash cover" should it be practiced with rear hand grabbing head and lead arm shielding face, as well as the "conventional" lead grabbing head rear shielding face?

Was that clear? LOL!

Again thanks for helping me out.

-Rick

[Jim McRae]

Rick:

Good question. The crash cover is best performed as follows. If you are in a left lead, grab the back of your neck with your left hand and point your left elbow forward, and place your right forearm across your forehead, pressing your right wrist/palm heel against your left forearm as a brace. This provides the best shield for the leading (left) side of your face and allows you to use the tip of that portruding left elbow to pop your assailant in the jaw or biceps as you come flying in. Obviously, this type of cover provides the best defense against your opponent's right hook, overhand, or cross, but not quite as good a defense against punches thrown by your opponent's left hand. Often, a person (from a left lead) will try to guard against an opponent's left hook by reversing his cover — grabbing the back of his neck with his right hand and bracing across the front with the left. Although this is not a bad response (it's better than being hit), it can be problematic for several reasons: (1) if your opponent is only faking a left and throwing a sizzling right, you will get hit on the weaker side of the reversed cover (2) you have to switch your hands to guard against different punches in a combination (3) you loose the ability to nail your opponent with that nice, bony lead elbow. Thus, instead of switching my hands to cover the right side of my head, I simply guard as I would for the left side (left hand grabs neck, right braces in front) and rotate my torso 30° to 40° to the right to intercept the incoming blow with the point of my elbow. This way, I don't have to worry about which hand goes where; I just cover and rotate as necessary to intercept whichever punch is coming in. Since you'll be crashing in to clinch, you'll only have to intercept one or two shots. I hope this makes sense — it is something more easily demonstrated than described.

Take care and train hard,
Jim

[WTG]

I never thought of that...

Jim,

Thanks again. I agree with the complexity of switching hands like that and my guess was that you were going to tell me to crash cover on the lead side and boxing cover on the rear side (against lead hook.).

I have to admit I never thought of twisting to meet the blow like that!

I will definitly try it tonight at the Gym and I'll let ya know how I did with it.

I really appreciate the help!

-Rick