Things You'll Need:
- Bokken
- Practice bag
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Step 1
Face your opponent, standing with the same foot forward as your opponent. Your striking hand should be on the same side as your most forward foot for the best balance.
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Step 2
Place your other hand just slightly behind your striking hand as if you were using a two-handed grip on a sword. This will keep your balance while applying greater force when you do the shomen uchii.
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Step 3
Advance toward your opponent, and lift your hand in the air. Don't lift your hand before you move forward, or you'll give your opponent too much time to defend himself. Strike quickly before your arms are within reach of your opponent's forehead.
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Step 4
Use your entire arm to strike your opponent's forehead. Keep your forearm locked, and don't bend your elbow. Your strike should follow a smooth, circular path as if you are cutting your opponent straight down the middle with a sword.
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Step 5
Straighten your little finger and tighten your hand just before you deliver the blow to your opponent's forehead. The outside ridge of your hand should strike your opponent's forehead in a chopping motion. Remember, if your hand is too relaxed, the blow won't knock your opponent off balance. If you tighten your hand too much, you risk injuring yourself.
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Step 6
Recruit a training partner. You can practice delivering the head strike, with the right combination of timing, force and distance, until you can execute the move fluidly and without hurting your hand. Once you have mastered the basic moves, you can use a bokken (wooden sword) to practice the same move on a practice bag.
