Hand Form # 1
Entries and Applications
By: Initiateur Padraic `Jilgeuro' O'Gawain
Hand Form # 1 is a Blue Glove level set that introduces the student to the basic
entries of Savate Danse de Rue. An `entry' is a move that involves the
nullification of the adversary's attacking weapon with a simultaneous
counterattack from the defender.
The form consists of fifteen separate entries contained in sixteen separate
moves performed in sequence. The following is a partial list of possible
applications for each of the fifteen entries:
Split entry: As the opponent's right cross is parried with the defender's left
hand, a right uppercut is simultaneously launched at the opponent's jaw.
Clasp: A two-handed clasp of the incoming right cross is performed which jerks
the opponent's arm down and head forward into the defender's coup de tete (head
butt).
Split entry: As the opponent's right cross is parried with the defender's left
hand, a main ouverte (open hand) strike is delivered to the opponent's jaw or
ear with the butt heel of the defender's palm.
Outside parry with eye strike: The defender parries the opponent's right cross
with an outward block. The defender's palm is facing upward with the fingers
spread as those fingers gouge the opponent's eyes.
Simultaneous gouge with parry: Against an incoming right cross, the left lead
hand (with fingers spread) slices (in ebaketa fashion) across the top of the
right arm and gouges the eyes.
Split entry with gouge: Against the incoming right cross, the left lead hand
parries the punch while the right hand gouges the eyes using a vertical open
hand eye strike.
Arm trap with manchette: Against the right cross, a manchette is delivered to
the face/head/neck area with the defender's left arm while the defender's right
arm traps and clasps the punching arm.
Split entry with right cross: Against the incoming right cross, the defender
parries the punch with his lead left and deliver's his own right cross to the
opponent's jaw/face/throat.
Downward manchette: Against the right cross, the defender uses a right arm
manchette to batter the incoming punch off course and deliver a downward strike
with the manchette. `Hammers of Pain' contains several applications of this idea
- a great move if you have just enough time to notice that someone is trying to
sucker punch you and react fast.
Split entry with main ouverte to the throat: Against the incoming right cross,
the defender parries with his left lead hand and delivers a “V” shaped main
overte (open handed) strike to the trachea/Adam's apple area of the frontal
throat.
Clasp: A two-handed clasp of the incoming right cross is performed which jerks
the opponent's arm down and head forward into the defender's coup de tete (head
butt).
Parry with (crane strike) and eye rake: As the opponent throws a right cross the
defender's lead left hand parries the punch while his right hand delivers an
upward flowing (crane strike) the triceps of the attacking arm. This is followed
by the striking hand coming clockwise over the top of the attacking arm and
raking the eyes with a palm-down main ouverte (open handed) finger gouge.
Parry with (crane strike) and eye rake: As the opponent throws a left jab (or
left cross) the defender's right rear hand parries the punch while his left hand
delivers an upward flowing (crane strike) the triceps of the attacking arm. This
is followed by the striking hand coming counter-clockwise over the top of the
attacking arm and raking the eyes with a palm-down main ouverte (open handed)
finger gouge.
Clasp: A two-handed clasp of the incoming right cross is performed which jerks
the opponent's arm down and head forward into the defender's coup de tete (head
butt).
Main ouverte (open hand strike) with a coude (elbow): Before the opponent gets
set to move or throw anything, the defender aggressively strikes the right side
of the opponent's head with a main ouverte (open hand) emphasizing the butt heel
of the palm. That left striking hand then grabs the opponent's head, driving it
straight into the right coude (right elbow) which the opponent feeds next.
That is a summary of the (15) entries contained in the sixteen-counts of Hand
Form # 1. While this is not a complete list of all possible applications, it is
a great start in teaching the muscle memory needed for success in aggressively
defensive moves found in Savate Danse de Rue.