AT EMI WITH THE FOOT

In Japanese atemi with the toes is called sekito-ate-waza. Atemi with the heel is called kakato-ate-waza. Points of Impact: (Fig. 78).

In the first place for the "toe thrust" there comes into

Fig. 78

operation the entire line of articulations of the metatarsals, i.e. to all intents and purposes the part of the foot between the ankle and the toes, especially of the big toe and the first phalanx of the toes. The atemi should be delivered with the toes very strongly flexed upwards in such wise as to give free play to the process of insertion of the sesamoids or small bones found at the articulations of the great toes.

Fig. 79

Then there is the heel, above all the anterior tuberosity of the calcaneum or heel bone underneath, and all its posterior portion.

Lastly the instep (the extensor pedal muscle of the toes on the scaphoid and the cuboid, approximately that part of the foot to which the leg is articulated) in the sole case of atemi to the lower abdomen between the legs.

Technique of Toe Thrust: (Fig. 79).

The basic movements comprise the lift of the knee, then the kick forward immediately followed by the return of the

Fig. 80

foot backwards, and lastly the drop of the foot to the ground. The kick must never be given with the leg constantly stretched.

Always from the front the kick can also be given according to a technique almost identical with the sole of the foot and above all the lower part of the heel. The lift of the knee is the same but the entire foot—and not only the toes—is strongly flexed upwards, starting from the ankle. The force of the impact no longer emanates from the knee, as previously, but from the hip.

Remark: In any case the toes must never be stretched

because in that position they run the risk of being damaged by the impact. Of course this danger would not arise in a real out-of-door scrap when both opponents would be shod.

Atemi from the Front with the Tof.s: (Fig. 8o). Kick to the opponent's knee on the patellar tendon. Kick to the lower abdomen.

Atemi with kick between the legs: this is the sole instance in which you can kick with the toes less bent and even stretched in order to harden the extensor muscles above the foot.

Kick to the solar plexus.

Kick to the face: it can culminate in numerous parries culled from judo, e.g. armlocks.

Atemi with the Toes against an Opponent from the Front and Rear: (Fig. 81). Kick to the chin. Unless you are well trained it is difficult and risky to place it on an opponent who is not bent forward.

If Uke's back is turned Tori can deliver the atemi to the hollow of the knee.

Or to his back (kidneys, lumbar or dorsal vertebrae).

Atemi with Heel facing Opponent: (Fig. 82).

To deliver these atemi the foot must be strongly flexed

Atemi with Heel facing Opponent: (Fig. 82).

To deliver these atemi the foot must be strongly flexed

From close quarters, for example, on disengagement from a waist-hold or head-hold, the atemi can be made with the heel to the base of the opponent's big toe.

Against a direct attack Tori blocks with his forearm and h immediately counters with his heel to the opponent's flank or groin.

AtEMI WITH THE HEEL from BEHIND OPPONENT: (Fig. 8g).

Uke has his back to Tori who can apply an atemi with his heel direct to the popliteal hollow of Uke's knee. Or combine this atemi with a rear strangulation, or an

Fig. 84

armlock and unbalance Uke in order to finish him off on the ground.

Atemi direct with the heel under the first lumbar vertebrae.

Atemi with Heel Backwards: (Fig. 84). These are heel blows which Tori can place against Uke when the latter is near to him and behind him, especially when he is clasping Tori round the waist.

On the base of the toes and above all on the ligament of the big toe.

On the patellar tendon.

And even against Uke's lower abdomen.

Fig. 85

Kick against an Adversary on the Ground: (Fig. 85).

These are the most usual atemi designed to put the assailant hors de combat for a more or less lengthy period when he has been thrown or pulled to the ground, or even to kill him should such an extreme course appear necessary.

Kick with the toes in opponent's face.

Or to his nape.

Kick with the heel in his floating ribs. To the solar plexus. Or to his back.

And kick with the toes to his back.

Remark: Tori should as far as possible retain a hold on

Fig. 86

Uke's arm which will enable him to deliver the atemi with greater precision and efficacy.

Fig. 86

Uke's arm which will enable him to deliver the atemi with greater precision and efficacy.

Kick against an Adversary on the Ground (continued): (Fig. 86).

Kick with the heel to an opponent's lower abdomen, e.g. after a disengagement and a throw.

Kick with the heel on the internal or external ligaments of the knee.

Kick with the heel against the popliteal hollow of knee of opponent lying on his stomach or who has fallen forward on his hands, which is also a means of immobilizing him on the ground and of preventing him without great effort from getting up.

Fig. 87

Tori can also link up with one of the leglocks described in the same author's My Method of Judo.

Fig. 87

Tori can also link up with one of the leglocks described in the same author's My Method of Judo.

Defence on the Ground with the Foot against a Standing Opponent: (Fig. 87). The manner in which Tori on the ground can defend himself with kicks against Uke standing up is in some ways the converse of the preceding atemi.

Tori delivers an atemi with his right heel to the patellar tendon of Uke's left leg. He can, in order to render the blow still more severe, block Uke's left heel with his left instep applied hook-wise, as shown in the diagram. This atemi can

Fig. 88

cause rupture of the ligaments of the knee and Uke is moreover thrown backwards by a variant of the 10th sutemi described in the same author's My Method of Judo (p. 96).

Atemi with the heel to Uke's lower abdomen. Tori is equally afforded an opportunity of throwing Uke with a variant of the gth sutemi described in the same author's My Method of Judo (p. 95).

On a kick by Uke to Tori's right flank Tori turns rapidly on his right side, blocks Uke's ankle with his left forearm, promptly seizes Uke's heel with his right hand, ripostes with a heel atemi to Uke's lower abdomen and throws Uke backwards. He may even wind up with one of the leglocks described in the same author's My Method of Judo (p. 222).

This parry is still easier if Uke's supporting leg is between Tori's legs.

Defence on the Ground with the. Foot against a Standing Opponent (continued): (Fig. 88).

At the moment when Uke advances Tori rolls on to his side and takes support on his hands and one leg; with the other he delivers from the side a kick in Uke's lower abdomen. Tori can also execute this atemi in the act of standing.

Tori remains on his back but raises himself forward on his hands and one leg in order to give Uke a kick in the lower abdomen or on his knee.

When Uke has succeeded in grasping Tori's ankle, Tori in order to free himself takes support on his hands, turns his face to the ground and with his free foot lashes out an atemi to Uke's face.

In conclusion the author offers the following five points of advice:

1. Never forget that these holds and atemi are dangerous, sometimes fatal.

2. All these movements become truly and fully efficacious only on condition of your training with perseverance.

3. Combine your favourite parries and atemi but do not complicate them. Your defence would then be inoperative and absurd.

4. The "moment" of "the entry" for the parry and of the impact for the atemi is of capital importance.

5. In self-defence as in judo, the placing, the contact and the disequilibrium are determining factors.