How to Perform the Block and Arm Bend Techique in Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu is a term used interchangeably with Ninpo. It was practiced by the Shinobi, also known as a ninja. It was a doctrine which incorporated every skill that would be needed to survive and persevere in the face of any foreseeable hardship. Combat and self defense were also integral parts of Ninjutsu. However, they were only used when under sudden and unexpected attack. To that effect, they needed to be quick, silent, effective, and non-lethal. An injury would have supplied evidence of a ninja’s presence and this is why the purpose of their self defense techniques were largely to subdue the attacker.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sparring Partner or Attacker

1. Begin by facing your opponent, maintaining a distance of three feet. Keep your arms up and out to either side of the chest for better all around response time. If you let your arms inward to guard the chest or face it will deter your attacker from striking at your upper chest or face. In this case you want your attacker to feel as though they are able to exploit a weak spot in your defenses to draw them in. Make sure your hands are open instead of balled into fists. Keep your weight evenly distributed between both legs. Let your attacker lunge with a punch thrown from his right arm.

2. Dodge backward at a diagonal to the right to ensure the punch falls short of its mark. Push the punch aside by sweeping the back of your left hand against your opponent’s extended wrist.

3. Allow your opponent to follow up with another lunge and punch, this time thrown from the left arm. Again step backward at a diagonal, this time to the left. Sweep the punch out to the right using the back of your right hand in a mirror of the first block. The first block warns the attacker that you are a competent fighter and willing to defend yourself. As you are simply trying to prevent yourself from coming to harm, it never hurts to give your opponent the chance to stop attacking. Secondly, it lulls your opponent into a false sense of security. Should your attacker be intent on harming you, they will not expect your response to their third punch.

4. Allow your opponent to attack for a third and final time with a repeat punch thrown from the right arm. This time do not step back. Instead talk a half step inward and to your right, inside the attacker’s guard. Block the attack in the same manner as always, sweeping the arm out to the left using the back of your left hand. But this time turn and step inward toward the arm as you sweep it out. Thread your right arm over your attacker’s extended elbow. Lock elbows and then press your fist against your chest to take control of your opponent’s arm.

5. Use the back of your left hand to push your attacker’s arm back and lean forward at the waist. This will force your opponent’s arm back beyond the level of her body, throwing her off balance. Slip your right leg behind your attacker’s right leg and pull it backward toward you while continuing to push your opponent’s arm back to topple her and finish the technique.

Resources

• Video Demonstration

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