The Invisi

Story & Images by Marko Vesse

Wu Xing Daos Flying Hammer-Fist

Imagine yourself in a real self-defence situation and being able

to deliver a devastating blow thats almost impossible to block.
It can hit any target from any angle and in any direction, and
it has crippling, knockout power. Its a blow so deceptive and
exible you can strike an opponent in the back of the neck
while still facing him. Such a strike is taught as part of the Wu
Xing Dao System and is called the ying hammer-st.

he ying hammer-st is devastating

enough to be used effectively against
multiple opponents, yet simple
enough to be learned quickly by beginners,
as any part of an opponents body becomes
an accessible target.
To give you some idea of the principles
on which the ying hammer-st is based,
imagine a steel ball attached to the end of a
piece of rubber tubing. A quick swing of the
rubber hurls the ball in any direction at high
speed. An attempt to block it causes the
rubber to yield and wrap around the blocking
object, projecting the steel ball into the target
and striking it with enormous centrifugal
force. When a closed st is hurled at an
opponent on the end of a relaxed, loose arm,
the same effect can occur: the block causes
the arm to wrap around the blocking limb or
object and still deliver the ying hammer-st
to its target. The principles of relaxed speed
combined with centrifugal force enables
extremely forceful impact, regardless of the
direction or distance of travel.
Sequence One: (bottom left on page 74)
shows the arrival of the ying hammer-st on
the side of the jaw of an opponent, despite
an attempt to block it.

Page 72 BLITZ Magazine

Using relaxed muscles to speed up

high-power delivery of strikes is rarely used
outside of those martial arts known as
internal systems (meaning they develop
and employ internal energy or chi), such as
Tai Chi and Wu Xing Dao. Even enthusiasts
usually expect years of training are needed
before it can be done effectively in reallife self-defence. However, once students
understand how to release their own natural
creative ability through free and formless arm
and body-movements, the delivery of highspeed, relaxed strikes in attack and defence
are achieved within weeks rather than years
of practise. This is part of the practical
application of the accelerated learning
methods of the Invisible Master concept,
unique to Wu Xing Dao. All creative mental
and physical power comes from within
ourselves it only needs some guidance to
help us get out of our own way, as it were,
and allow its release.
Sequence Two: (top right on page 74)
shows an opponent being struck in the back
of the neck, even though Master Vesse is
still facing him. The only way the power of
that strike can be appreciated by the reader
is to imagine the steel ball now attached to

ble Strike

The Invisible Strike

a shorter length of rubber that wraps itself
around the side of the opponent and impacts
into the neck. The shortening of the arc of
delivery increases the speed and therefore
the power of the blow.
The same concept of elastic power
applies to strikes delivered in a straight line.
Stretched rubber with a weight attached
can spring in a linear direction as easily as it
turns a corner. The ying hammer-st is also
highly effective when delivered with an open
hand. Just as bricks can be readily broken
with a slap, so can hard bones. The power of
a correctly delivered slap is underestimated
by many martial artists, even though it is
advocated by many security and realitybased defence specialists.
Remember the old advice: for a soft
target, use a hard weapon; for a hard target,
use a soft weapon. A slap from the ying
hammer-st can fracture bone on impact
without damage to the open hand or the
relaxed, rubbery arm delivering it.
Most of the power of the hands,
either open or as a st, can be delivered
without specic hand-conditioning. The
preparatory arm-loosening practise during
ying hammer-st training dramatically
increases the ow of blood through the
arms to the hands. The pumped-up
blood vessels increase the weight of the
hand and forearm making contact. It also
gradually conditions the hand and forearm
to withstand the shock of impact.

Marko starts in a defensive position...

Marko counters with a FHF, despite

his attackers attempt to block it...

Page 74 BLITZ Magazine

Marko blocks the oncoming punch...

Markos FHF wraps around and

behind the attacker, nding
the back of the neck...
Students of Wu Xing Dao who wish to
excel in defence and attack can also opt
for Men of Steel training. This combines
steel-body with steel-arms and steel-head
conditioning. The result makes the body
impervious to any type of punch, kick or

...and blocks the oncoming punch.

...smashing his attackers face.

...and launches a FHF with his

lowered left arm, surprising his
attacker.

...making heavy contact.

strike and arms that are safely conditioned

to break bricks, river stones, etc. Students
with this additional training will excel in the
technique, however, effective use of the
ying hammer-st does not rely upon such
special conditioning.
Blocking movements are naturally
incorporated into the technique. There are
no forms or kata in this style. Wu Xing Dao
emphasises the creative use of free and
exible arm- and body- movements, which
combine both blocking and attacking as a
continuous ow. Consequently, there are no
recognisable patterns of movement that can
be identied by an opponent and allow him
to anticipate what might happen next.
Sequence Three: (opposite page)
demonstrates how the ow and versatility
of the ying hammer-st can be used
against multiple attackers. When both arms
work together owing in fast, creative
combinations, changing directions and
length of reach while targeting different
parts of the body you have a very
powerful attacking weapon that can
confuse your opponents. It also reduces
the need to manoeuvre one or more of
them between yourself and the others to
block their movements.
Video footage of the ying hammer-st
can be freely downloaded from the website
www.invisiblemaster.com for those readers
who wish to see it in action.

www.sportzblitz.net

Marko, in ready position, is faced with

two attackers.

...nishing in a blow to the chin.

...and launches an FHF with his rear

arm...

Marko slips under the initial attack,

deecting with his shoulder...

Marko is now ready for the next

attack.

...while maintaining control of of the

attackers arm...

...while launching a FHF through the

attackers defence...

Marko blocks the oncoming punch...

...and nishing in a strike to the

attackers ear and jaw.

RenbukanTPH