# The Check Hand

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2011/02/17/blog-the-check-hand/
- Published: 2011-02-17T22:02:00-05:00
- Author: Brian Johns

## Professor Presas said, “_Do not get hypnotized by the stick_.”

He meant that people would get too caught up using their canes and forget about 
their empty hand. Sometimes, it is called the “alive” hand as it keeps you alive.

If you are not able to view this video, please click [here](https://youtu.be/fDTVAMIk9NM).

It is imperative in corto range fighting systems like Modern Arnis.

## The sensitivity of the 󠀁[check hand](https://brianejohns.com/2021/10/25/blog-two-killer-check-hand-drills/)󠁿 is crucial to effective responses and counters to any attack launched by an opponent.

Examples include [checking an opponent’s attack](https://brianejohns.com/2021/04/12/blog-countering-the-punyo-feed/),
holding his arm, deflecting, punching, and baiting. It also includes feeling your
opponent’s movement, disarms, lifting and clearing, grabbing, pulling, off-balancing,
joint locking, and [stealing the lead](https://brianejohns.com//2018/05/26/blog-modern-arnis-concepts-stealing-the-lead/).

While learning the various striking, thrusting, and butting techniques with your
stick, you must also learn to develop your checking hand. In other words, you must
develop BOTH the weapon hand and the empty hand. They work in concert; otherwise,
one will not become adept at self-defence/fighting.

An example is how Professor Presas taught the [Six Count Drill](https://brianejohns.com/2010/05/21/blog-the-6-count-drill/).
He always emphasized the use of the check hand in this drill. At the most basic 
level, you’re learning to insert your empty/check hand as you execute your stick
technique during this drill. As one will learn very quickly, if you don’t use your
check hand with proper footwork, you will suffer the consequences!

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/NvPfdLY18Xc).

## Additional Reading

 * [Two Killer Check Hand Drills](https://brianejohns.com/2021/10/25/blog-two-killer-check-hand-drills/)
 * [Video of the Week 7: Modern Arnis Block, Check, Counter](https://brianejohns.com/2024/04/08/video-of-the-week-7-modern-arnis-block-check-counter/)
 * [Forget About Winning or Losing](https://brianejohns.com/2020/12/14/blog-forget-about-winning-or-losing/)
 * [The Modern Arnis Six Count Drill](https://brianejohns.com/2010/05/21/blog-the-6-count-drill/)
 * [4 Ways To Set Up Your Opponent](https://brianejohns.com/2021/05/31/blog-4-ways-to-set-up-your-opponent/)

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