# Two Killer Check Hand Drills

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2021/10/25/blog-two-killer-check-hand-drills/
- Published: 2021-10-25T11:30:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

As I make clear in the video, some focus so much on the stick that they forget they
have a check hand! The check hand can do so much, ranging from pushing, pulling,
disarming, grabbing, hitting and displacing an opponent. How can you not use it 
to give yourself a decisive advantage? In this article, I discuss killer check hand
drills.

I frequently see students not using their [check hand,](https://brianejohns.com//2011/02/17/blog-the-check-hand/)
which makes my blood boil! So often, I tell them, “_Come on, man! Use your check
hand here!” Unfortunately, however_, exhortations have largely not worked over the
years.

At some point, I realized that I needed to teach my students developmental drills
to develop their live hand. Therefore, two drills are presented in the below video.
As I stressed in the video, these drills are not combative and are intended to develop
check hand attributes.

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/GiCt9_khiY4).

Most of my students have found the first drill more challenging than the second 
one. Having your check hand doing something entirely different from the weapon hand
can be difficult. Challenging indeed! 
The key is to start slowly and deliberately.
Focus on moving your hand from your training partner’s weapon hand to his check 
hand. Be patient. Take your time and gradually increase the speed of the drill. 
You’ll get it!

Many of my students love the 2nd drill as it feels more “combative” than the first
one. Indeed, it could have combative applications from weapons and empty-hand perspectives.
Still, the focus is on using the alive hand proactively. The proactive use starts
with the heavy check and continues with defending against three punches.

At any point in the second drill, one has multiple options. What options do you 
see?

Also, can you see the applications of the 2nd drill in an empty-hand context? There
are quite a few! Please comment if you know some applications!

## On another note

I have revived a dormant YouTube Channel on my cochlear implant and related experiences,
starting with this video.

Many of us faced challenges during this pandemic. Not being able to lipread when
everyone is wearing masks has been a hell of a challenge for many deaf people and
me. So check out my video and see another side of me!

To view the video, click [here](https://youtu.be/xRkktbZiMQU).

## Inspiration

Click on the below video to catch a 15-second snippet of Brian Kelly’s halftime 
speech against Virginia Tech. If that doesn’t get you fired up, I don’t know what
will. You don’t have to be an ND fan! What he says mirrors my life approach due 
to my deafness. 🙂

If you are not able to view the video, click [here](https://youtu.be/HZnaUSYEmlY?t=104).

## Additional Reading

 * [5 Reasons to Challenge Yourself](https://brianejohns.com/2022/08/03/blog-5-reasons-to-challenge-yourself/)
 * [The Challenge of Teaching Footwork to Kids](https://brianejohns.com/2015/11/19/blog-the-challenge-of-teaching-footwork-to-kids/)
 * [The Check Hand](https://brianejohns.com/2011/02/17/blog-the-check-hand/)
 * [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/)
 * [The Modern Arnis Six Count Drill](https://brianejohns.com/2010/05/21/blog-the-6-count-drill/)

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