Punch Down

Example 1: Punch Down, Same Side.

Movie of Punch Down on the same side.

Fig. 1 Start of Punch Down		Fig. 2 Step In		Fig. 3 1st Punch		Fig. 4 2nd Punch

1. Fig. 1 shows the start of the punch down. The pad represents Uke on the ground.
2. In Fig. 2 Nage steps in for the punch.
3. Fig. 3 shows the 1st punch. Nage's knee has come down on the pad but this is not a knee drop. In a knee drop Nage stays vertical and all of Nage's weight comes down on the knee. In applied situations this can be dangerous to Nage. If Uke moves Nage's knee could come down on cement breaking Nage's knee and even Nage's hip. In the down punch Nage is leaning forward so that Nage's weight goes into the punch, not the knee. Nage's left hand has pulled up to Nage's chest as is normal for a Kuta Punch.
4. Fig. 4 shows Nage delivering a second punch with Nage's left hand. In this figure it is easy to see Nage's right hand on Nage's chest.

Example 2: Punch Down, Far Side.

Movie of Punch Down on the far side.

Fig. 5 Start of Punch Down		Fig. 6 Step In		Fig. 7 1st Punch		Fig. 8 2nd Punch

1. Fig. 5 shows the start of the punch down. The pad represents Uke on the ground.
2. In Fig. 6 Nage steps in for the punch.
3. Fig. 7 shows the 1st punch. Nage's knee has come down on the pad but this is not a knee drop. In a knee drop Nage stays vertical and all of Nage's weight comes down on the knee. In applied situations this can be dangerous to Nage. If Uke moves Nage's knee could come down on cement breaking Nage's knee and even Nage's hip. In the down punch Nage is leaning forward so that Nage's weight goes into the punch, not the knee. Nage's right hand has pulled up to Nage's chest as is normal for a Kuta Punch. The far side punch has the advantage that Nage's right hand can brush aside Uke's hand as needed rather than coming directly to Nage's chest.
4. Fig. 8 shows Nage delivering a second punch with Nage's right hand. Nage's left hand is on Nage's chest.

Example 3: Punch Down, Applied.

Movie of Punch Down applied.

Fig. 9 Start of Punch Down		Fig. 10 Step In		Fig. 11 Kuta Punch

1. Fig. 9 shows the start of the punch down. Uke's legs are keeping Nage away and Nage is brushing Uke's leg aside.
2. In Fig. 10 Nage steps in for the punch.
3. Fig. 11 shows the Kuta Punch. Nage's knee has come down on the pad but this is not a knee drop. A skilled Uke can pivot moving toward the camera and facing away from the camera and avoid the knee. In the down punch Nage is leaning forward so that Nage's weight goes into the punch, not the knee. Nage's right hand has pushed Uke's defending right hand to the side using it to pin Uke while Nage punches.