Kuta Punch

The elements of the Kuta punch are:

1. Slightly turn the head and blink.

2. Organize the Startle Reflex into a Punch.

3. Form a Kuta Hand.

4. Bring the back hand to the chest.

5. Pop the lead Knee forward to create fall.

6. Stomp the foot that lands to catch Nage.

7. Do the Tornado Twist

8. Pull the striking hand back from the target.

Movie of Kuta Punch

Fig. 1 Start of Strike		Fig. 2 Knee Pop		Fig. 3 Hand Hits Target

1. Fig. 1 shows the start position. The startle reflex initiates the movement with a slight turn of the head and blink.

2. Fig. 2 shows Nage leaning forward falling with the knee bent and the foot well up in the air. This gives tremendous speed and also helps get Nage's body low so that it comes up into the target increasing power.

3. Fig. 3 shows the hand at contact with the target. Notice that the controlling hand is about to touch Nage's chest. Notice that the back foot is off the ground. The back leg is spinning giving Tornado power to the punch. In this picture the front foot is coming down for the stomp.

   Fig. 4 Stomp		Fig. 5 Hand Pulls Back		Fig. 6 Body Finishes Tornado Twist

4. Fig 4 shows the Stomp. Nage's foot is slightly to the side of the target and pointing towards the target.

5. Fig 5 shows the striking hand being withdrawn from the target.

6. Fig 6 shows the end of the Tornado Twist.

7. There are three ways that power is generated in strikes.

   1. Spinning body movement.

   2. Forward body movement.

   3. Lowering the body to get gravity to help drive the movement. Then the strike can come up into the target for maximum leverage.

Common Points for Kuta Punch and Aiki Punch.

1. The non striking hand is at the center of the chest. The non striking hand is the control hand that determines the timing of the strike.
2. The elbow of the striking hand is down. It is important not to have the elbow to the side.
3. The forward foot points toward the target.
4. The power for the strike comes from body movement and not from the hand.
5. Stepping forward gives linear force.
6. Nage's hips drop as Nage moves in. Lowering the hips adds to power.
7. There is a strong twist of the torso about a vertical axis. This greatly increases power.
8. In addition to helping avoid the strike, the twist adds power and will greatly reduce the power of a strike that hits Nage.