Techniques>Strikes>Forearm strikes

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Forearm strikes

Intro

Forearm strikes are basically the same as forearm blocks; it the intent of the technique that’s different. In a forearm strike, the primary intent is to injure the opponent. In a forearm block, the primary intent to deflect, slow, or stop an attack; however, a secondary intent of the block may be to also injure the opponent and convince him or her to stop attacking.

Definitions

• Inner forearm: the palm side of the forearm.
• Outer forearm: the back of the hand side of the forearm.
• Inside forearm: the thumb side of the forearm.
• Outside forearm: the little finger side of the forearm.

Striking surfaces

• With inside and outside forearm strikes, the striking surface is mostly bone. Bone is dense, hard, and may withstand powerful strikes even though it may be bruised and sore at the point of impact; however, even then the use of the hand is not impaired. 
• With inner and outer forearm strikes, the striking surface is mostly muscle and tissue. Muscle is soft and helps protect bone from bruising, but the muscle itself may receive trauma. If this occurs, use of the hand may be impaired.

How to use forearm strikes

• With an inside forearm strike, the motion of the strike is like that used in a hook punch.
• With an outside forearm strike, the motion of the strike is like that used in a back-fist strike.
• With an inner forearm strike, the motion of the strike is like that used in a slap.
• With an outside forearm strike, the motion of the strike is like that used in an inside-to-outside forearm block.
• When striking with any side of the forearm, it is important to keep your arm bent to prevent injury to the elbow joint.

Raking

Raking is when you strike with inside or outside forearm strike and maintain contact as you slide or rake the forearm along the impact point. For example, it’s like sliding one stick over one spot on another stick at a perpendicular angle, not sliding the stick down the length of the other stick.

If you are wearing sleeves, the cloth will burn the exposed skin of the opponent. If not wearing sleeves, your skin will burn the exposed skin of the opponent since all the friction is concentrated at one point on the opponent. Your skin will not burn because the friction is spread along the length of your forearm instead of at just one point.

The rake will probably cause the opponent to be distracted thus allowing you to close in to grapple or to throw. When used to the side of the opponent's face, it will cause the head to turn away from the attack, which will cause the body to turn away from the attack, which removes the opponent's weapons from use and exposes deadly targets such as the kidneys and base of the skull. After you scoop or grab a kick, charge in with a rake across the face, and follow up with a throw.

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