The Dragon Palm
Most of us are probably familiar with the European version of the dragon, with its massive wings, razor-sharp claws and ability to breathe fire. The dragon of ancient Chinese and Japanese mythology was very different. It was feared for its ability to coil and constrict, then lash out by whipping its tail with terrible force. In this section, you will learn to harness the power of the Asian dragon.
In Jiu-Jitsu, strikes are primarily used for distance-keeping or distraction. It is not necessarily the most reliable means of escaping a hold. For any controlling hold, there is a leverage-based counter or escape that can be used more reliably and with greater probability of success than a strike, especially against a larger Bad Guy.
Most people think about strikes as a punch with a fist to the opponent's face. However, the bone structure of the human head is stronger than the bone structure of the human hand. If you throw a powerful punch at the Bad Guy's face, there is a good chance that you will break your hand. This is why professional fighters wrap their hands and wear gloves: to protect their hands from being broken. In contrast, a slap or palm strike can be delivered with powerful force but minimal risk of injury to the hand.
There are two ways to slap: the wrong way and the right way. The wrong – but very common – way to slap is a snapping motion that produces sound and a sting, but has very little kinetic force. This is the slap you would use to swat a fly, or simply embarrass someone. The right way is to use full power and follow-through, and we will detail that below.
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