JKD101.com

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Shoulder Roll & Counter

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Last time we covered a counter drill for the Straight
Lead.

One partner performed the:

- In/Out Straight Lead

The other performed the:

- Out/In Straight Lead

I hope everyone has had some fun with this. Keep
working on it! It will definitely help your footwork
and speed.

This time, let’s add the rear hand.

You’ll need to do a Shoulder Roll for this one.

If you’re unfamiliar with this, here’s a brief description
from the right-side forward stance.

While in your fighting stance:

1.) Roll your lead shoulder towards your chin.

2.) Shift your weight to your rear leg.

3.) Rotate your torso counter-clockwise.

Nearly all your weight should be on your rear leg. The
front foot should be on the ball of your foot with the
heel raised.

Eyes *MUST* be looking at the opponent at all times.

This should all be done in one motion.

The idea is to deflect the opponent’s rear cross with
the shoulder.

The shoulder protects the chin.

Now for the drill….

I suggest doing this slow without gloves at first,
to get the motion down. This will also show you just
how small the fist actually is and how precise the
movement needs to be.

Then you should do it with boxing gloves at full
speed.

When doing the Shoulder Roll with boxing gloves,
you get used to seeing the larger glove coming at
you and have a bigger target to deflect. By working
with smaller MMA-type gloves, foam pads, or with
no gloves occasionally, this will keep you in check.

First, just practice doing the Shoulder Roll against
your opponent’s Rear Straight Punch or Cross.

You both should be in matching leads.

Try to make sure that the shoulder is deflecting the
punch.

Your opponent needs to be aiming for your chin
and not trying to miss you. *This is important.*

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Now that you have this down, let’s do the counter.

After you deflect the punch with the Shoulder Roll,
you’re now going to immediately counter with your
own Rear Straight Punch or Cross.

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Here’s the sequence of moves:

1.) No. 1 initiates the drill with a Rear Straight
Punch.

2.) No. 2 Shoulder Rolls the Rear Straight Punch
of No. 1.

3.) No. 2 immediately counters with his/her own
Rear Straight Punch.

4.) No. 1 protects with his/her own Shoulder Roll.

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I suggest starting out with one person initiating the
drill and do it say… 5 times. Then switch and let the
other person start it.

You can also do it in 3’s. If you do it in 3’s, then the
opposite person will start the drill each time.

I know this is a simple drill, but for those of you
who have never done it, it’s a good starting place.

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You can also follow up with a Hook Punch after
the counter. Then you’ll have this sequence:

1.) No. 1 initiates the drill with a Rear Straight
Punch.

2.) No. 2 Shoulder Rolls the Rear Straight Punch
of No. 1.

3.) No. 2 immediately counters with his/her own
Rear Straight Punch.

4.) No. 1 protects with his/her own Shoulder Roll.

5.) No. 2 continues attack with a Front Hand
Hook Punch.

6.) No. 1 can either block the Hook Punch or
Bob & Weave under it.

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As always, be careful when training these drills.
Be aware and thoughtful of your partners.

Precision of movement is the key here.

Have fun!

_{Copyright 2003
Kip Brockett
All Rights Reserved}

_{(This article originally appeared in the JKD101 Newsletter: Vol. 1, Issue 4)}

This is my first attempt at a short video instructional for this site. You may have to turn up the volume to hear me. (I’ll make sure to speak up, use a microphone, or use a voice-over for the next one!)

This is a drill I use for ALL my new students. I know many will think this is too static, but I think it’s important to get the feel of a 50/50 stance in stillness first. You can’t get that feel from moving when you first learn this stance.

In regards to the alignment of this stance…

• The alignment presented in this instructional is more prevalent in Ted Wong’s camp than in any other.
• The “heel/toe” alignment is also widely practiced in JKD. To do this drill with this alignment, simply start with the feet about hip width apart. (See Dwight Woods JKD Stance for the “heel/toe” alignment)

I suggest working the stance in a variety of ways after you get the basics down. Here are a few ideas:

1. Step backwards, instead of forwards.
2. “Split” your feet. One steps forward. One steps backward, simultaneously.
3. Work on your speed in getting to your stance.
4. ALWAYS… ALWAYS… CHECK YOUR ALIGNMENT!

I hope this helps some of you that are just starting out. I know this is very basic, but this is a drill I continually come back to and practice. It’s amazing how small little errors can creep in!

_{Copyright 2008
Kip Brockett
All Rights Reserved}