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.

Example 1, Basic Kuta Punch

Movie of Basic Kuta Punch

The Kuta punch can be delivered from almost any position. Feet perpendicular to the line of attack as shown is the basic start position.

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 touching Nage's chest. Nage's right foot has stepped off to the side of the target and Nage's body is spinning giving Tornado power to the punch.

   Fig. 4 Stomp		Fig. 5 Hand Pulls Back

4. Fig 4 shows the Stomp. Nage's foot is to the side of the target and pointing towards the target. Nage's striking hand is well into the target and Nage's body is strongly rotating to the side. Nage's rear foot is off the ground and swinging behind Nage.
5. Fig 5 shows the end of the Tornado Twist. Nage's striking hand has pulled back and Nage is to the side of the line of attack. Nage's rear foot has moved behind Nage well off the line of attack.
6. There are three ways that power is generated in strikes. This punch uses all three.
   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.

Example 2, Kuta Punch Moving Front Foot

Movie of Kuta Punch Moving Front Foot.

Aikido uses the sword-fighting stance with the feet on the line of attack.

Fig. 6 Start of Strike		Fig. 7 Knee Pop		Fig. 8 Hand Hits Target

1. Fig. 6 shows the start position with the feet on the line of attack.
2. Fig. 7 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. 8 shows the hand at contact with the target. Notice that the controlling hand is touching Nage's chest. Nage's body is spinning giving Tornado power to the punch.

   Fig. 9 Stomp		Fig. 10 Hand Pulls Back

4. Fig 9 shows the Stomp. Nage's foot is deep beside the target and pointing towards the target. Nage's striking hand is well into the target and Nage's body is strongly rotating to the side. Nage steps deep beside Uke to increase the power of the strike, set up the Aiki throw and get Nage further away from Uke's attack. Moving into Uke is considered much safer than moving to the side.
5. Fig 10 shows the end of the Tornado Twist. Nage's striking hand has pulled back and Nage is to the side of the line of attack.

Example 3, Kuta Punch Moving Rear Foot

Movie of Kuta Punch Moving Rear Foot.

Aikido uses the sword-fighting stance with the feet on the line of attack. This time Nage is stepping with the rear foot from a left stance to go to Nage's right side.

Fig. 11 Start of Strike		Fig. 12 Knee Pop		Fig. 13 1st Strike

1. Fig. 11 shows the start position with the feet on the line of attack. Nage is in Left Hammi going to Nage's right side.
2. Fig. 12 shows Nage's lead knee bent in the Knee Pop so that Nage is falling forward. It is critically important not to step forward with the lead foot because this slows Nage's strike. In this case the stomp will be with the rear foot, not the foot of the lead knee.
3. Fig. 13 shows the lead hand at contact with the target. This will not be a full power punch because Nage's body is rotating away from the punch. This punch still has the power from vigorous movement forward and the drop in Nage's center. The rotation counter to the strike is essential to get Nage off the line of attack. Do not delay the twist to get a more powerful strike. The purpose of the initial strike is to stop Uke's attack. There will be sufficient power to stop Uke.

   Fig. 14 Stomp		Fig. 15 Hand Pulls Back

4. Fig 14 shows the Stomp. Nage's foot is deep beside the target and pointing towards the target. Nage's striking hand is well into the target and Nage's body is strongly rotating to the side. Nage steps deep beside Uke to increase the power of the strike, set up the Aiki throw and get Nage further away from Uke's attack.
5. Fig 15 shows the end of the Tornado Twist. Nage's striking hand has pulled back and Nage is to the side of the line of attack.

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 counter-strike that hits Nage.