Technopunk said:
Right, thats what I was saying... you cant really swing them for striking effect, but other techniques work. I guess we put more focus on locking and trapping with the chain, then whipping or throwing the weights. At least where I am at...
Here are a couple of basics I found in Angelfire's website a few month back. Re-written to help clearity. What I really want to find is the U.S. Army's Manual on flex-weapons. Found one link but it didn't work. Main thing I try to remember is that the Manriki (Kusarifundo) is not a ninchuk type weapon thus all the unnecessary swinging will only let your opponent determind your actual range. I noticed this watching kids jump rope. Their body motion starts to sway in the timing/rythm of the rope. Once the kid believes his timing is the same as that of the rope, he moves in when the rope is either at its height or at its furtherest point away. Then, he jumps in. You might also want to practice your own body motion as if you were going to execute a jumprope exercise for timing. Conceal the Kusarifundo as much as possible before showing the weapon. I also try not to swing the weapon in an upward motion rather, I try, when necessary, to swing the chain in either a figure 8 motion and downward or in a counter-clockwise circle. The weapon only raises behind me.
Upon being a bit more proficient, I will then change the motion to a clockwise rotation. So far, it seems the downward motion opens a few more atemi points and will render escrima/stick and blade-type weapons somewhat useless all else being equal.
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1)Thrusts made with a chain.
The classic way to do this is known as Kusumi (Hazing) by the Masaki Ryu. I think Hatsumi has a photo of an underhand type thrust in one of his books. I saw the picture somewhere on the web.
The chain is scrunched up in the hand, one weight held by the last two fingers and the other held between the first and second fingers. The hand is punched straight at the foe and the top weight released as the arm reaches extension. The weight flies in a straight line and hits the foe.
This is often used as a surprise first attack, since the chain often can't be gathered up in the hand during combat. A further advantage is that the technique is usually executed from a distance at which the opponent considers himself out of range.
To help conceal the weapon the attack is usually made with the hand down by the side, or in front of the body with the other hand covering it. Charles Gruzanski maintains that this technique should be made as a straight punch, like an "O-zuki", and never with an underarm or overarm action like throwing a ball. Michael shared some interesting information about US agents being taught chain techniques and that they were taught a Kusumi like technique that used an overarm action like throwing a baseball.
It is worth noting that after the weight has hit, a well timed pull on the chain will snap the weight back towards the user where it can be caught. Try catching the weight in the throwing hand with the palm upward and you may be able to throw a second Kusuki strike. Try practicing volleys of Kusumi, moving around a target to work on you accuracy as well.
2) The Unweighted Scarf.
These techniques can be used with weapons that are not heavier towards one or both ends and
also with those that are.
The "Down and Out" Defence.
This can be an outward or an inward defence, or even an upward or downward one. "Down and Out" is my aide memoire for which hand to perform the wrap with.
The scarf is held between the two hands and used to block or parry like one would use a Quarterstaff "Little John style" –being pulled taunt just before or on contact.
Now, use the outer hand to wrap the scarf over the top of the arm, because you want to pull the arm downward –hence "Down and Out".
he defender would wrap with his upper (right) hand, and it could be argued that that isn't what many people would term his outer hand. As long as you understand the principle and can remember the technique.
The scarf can therefore be used to pull the arm downwards either into a throw or a lock. A good tactic is to use this to apply a half-nelson which will also position you for a knee strike to the foe's coccyx (the tail bone).
