Innate or Inherit Human Qualities – Part Two

Hand Clenching/Clutching Instinct The clenching of our hands and the clutching of objects is a major instinct of humans, even noticeable in human babies. The clenching of ones hand into the fist/s, to make a weapon of the hand, seems natural. The grasping or clenching of a tool to hold in the hand, to multiply the force of our body, is one of our evolutionary advantages as a species. The grabbing clutching of an object to control or the grabbing of an opponent to control in fighting, will line up the target for the more powerful strike, is also something that is our instinct.

Primary And Secondary A person can be either, Right or Left handed Primary, to practice Arnis/Escrima/Kali (A/E/K). For the majority of humans on the planet however, we are right handed or right side dominant, (70 to 90 percent, [depends on the statisticians]). For A/E/K training and fighting, with the single stick/weapon and empty hand, which are the Basic Building Blocks of most A/E/K styles, makes the right hand (in the majority) the Primary tool/weapon/stick wielder, with the left hand, the Secondary empty/following/covering hand. This is not to say the left hand cannot hold a weapon if your right is the primary, it is just that one hand will move first in all things we do.

Striking The primary hand is the major tool (punch, chop, tiger claw etc) or can hold a physical tool, be it blunt or sharp. This primary tool, will usually try to strike or hit first as it is stronger, whilst the secondary hand will usually cover or even grab the opponent to control.

Blocking One hand in A/E/K fighting training, usually the primary hand initially, will meet or intercept the force of an attack first, in a block situation. If this attacking thing, be an unfeeling weapon, the hand that holds a weapon, or a weapon such as the fist, that is flesh and blood, it should be covered and struck through the force of a powerful block. The secondary hand quickly follows.

It does not matter if this intercept or blocking hand/arm does or does not hold a weapon but is considered the first or primary hand. The secondary hand in Basic and through most of the Intermediate and Advanced of A/E/K, in a block, will shadow a fraction of an instance behind this primary hand. The secondary hand is considered the supporter, as it contacts to help stem or redirect the force of an attack, second in order or time.

Then what happens? Is this blocked primary threat (a weapon which could be blunt) now ignored so it can be pulled back by an opponent and struck again? Or if the weapon is sharp and built for stabbing or cutting, is it simply ignored again and by being ignored, a simple redirection can be made by the holder, can allow it to be used to slice and dice your body? NO, it must not be ignored!!! The defender must learn the fundamentals of how to “Control” the attacking weapon by “Grabbing” or “Clipping” the weapon or if it being a sharp weapon, the defender must learn to control (by grabbing/clipping) the weapon wielder’s or attacker’s weapon hand and wrist with their secondary hand.

These principles can change in the close range or close struggle of battle. If in the melee, the primary hand is captured, clipped or its movements restricted in any way by an opponent, then the secondary hand will of course move to block/cover an attack and then, if the primary hand cannot free itself, the secondary hand can be allowed to strike the opponent as well.

Do anything one needs to do, to win the confrontation.