The #5 poke is a tremendous way to move your opponent. Why? You are attacking your opponent’s centreline; frankly, folks don’t like their center being attacked. They either get hit or move out of the way. Either way, it’s a winner for the driver. 

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On the other side of the coin, I can tell you that defending against the #5 poke is no fun, especially if a driver like Master Chuck is in this position:

Master Chuck with a poke.

Master Chuck controls Andy’s cane while thrusting a #5 at him. Andy’s arm is semi-extended away from his centreline, which creates additional vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

Quite frankly, Andy is dead meat here. The key is that if you have control of your opponent’s cane while thrusting a #5 at your opponent, it’s either game over or you have moved your opponent into a very disadvantageous position.

Andy now has to catch up. In a sense, he’s behind time.

Master Chuck with a poke.

Let’s look at this photograph and ponder the options available to the driver.

(1) Disarming;

(2) Hitting with the driver’s cane;

(3) Hitting with the defender’s cane;

(4) Set up a sweep (especially with Andy’s right leg in position);

(5) Takedown;

(6) Punching; and

(7) Kicking.

Looking at this picture, I can see a couple of beautiful jiu-jitsu/judo techniques that can be employed here. Poor Andy. As one can see, the #5 poke opens the door to all kinds of possibilities, depending on your opponent’s reaction.

As Master Chuck points out in the video, you must have intent behind that #5 poke. That intent is what makes this technique work. If the intent is not there, you will be countered.

Through Tapi Tapi, there are strategies and tools with which openings and vulnerabilities can be created to your advantage. The #5 poke is one of them. Practice this!

Additional Reading