First Grappling Form- Third Grappling Movement: Outward Leg Throw

I remember surfing Youtube for Karate videos one day some years ago. That was when I found this video:

The application of the knife hand block in this rendition of Shotokan's Heian Nidan as a leg throw has changed my life.

In my form the movement starts with Taijiquan's Lute Playing Posture being used as a ready posture or as Karate people would call it- a kamae. When I made the demo gif I decided to use a more natural feeling back stance kamae. The kamae in the form was inspired by the character Wang Jinrei of the Tekken games.

Whether you use the back stance or lute playing stance does not matter. The movement starts by redirecting the opponent's punch inward. Then you place your lead leg against the outside of the opponent's lead leg and sweep outward with the blocking arm.

The main reason for this move working in this scenario is that your leg is against the outside of your opponent's leg. Regardless of what hand your opponent actually punches- the placement of the legs is the most important thing to get in place.

The external aspects of this move are very simple. You are essentially sweeping the opponent over your leg, but making it work is a matter of applying the internal aspects thereof correctly.

First- the sweeping arm is bent. Bending the arm shortens the lever, making it stronger. 

The inward block may be soft, with the body's muscles being relaxed as you absorb the punch and letting it pass you. In the form, this is where you inhale and gather energy. With the outward sweep, which in the form would take place as you exhale from your abdomen, the muscles of the arm, lower body, the lateral muscles and side abdominal muscles suddenly harden as force is expelled in an explosive outward expansion. You might knock the wind out of the opponent as your arm connects with his upper body.

Your leg does not sweep inward, but rather remains planted firmly into the ground for your opponent to trip over.

This throw is another example that shows the importance of a proper stance when executing these techniques. A stance which does not have the center of gravity lowered shall not work. Relying on only the power from the upper body shall also not work.   

That's it from me for today. Train well and have fun! :)