Claw

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Claw

a) proper alignments:

i)	dimensions:

1)	height - lower face

2)	depth - elbow bent (not hyper-extended)

3)	width - directly ahead

ii)	body alignments:

1)	hand vertical (palm pointing forward to ground)

2)	wrist bent to expose heel-of-palm

3)	elbow below hand (anchored)

4)	shoulders - relaxed

5)	upper body / hips - Neutral Bow rotation

6)	legs / feet - Neutral Bow rotation

iii)	Point of Contact - tips of fingers (and possibly thumb)

iv)	stance - Neutral Bow

b) proper formation - weapon (hand):

i)

fingers

1)	slightly bent to expose tips of fingers (not nails of fingers)

2)	slightly spread (Margin for Error)

ii)

thumb:

1)	slightly bent to expose tip (not nail)

2)	slightly spread (Margin for Error)

c) execution:

i)	Method of Execution - Clawing

ii)	execute directly to target (prevent cocking)

iii)	improper execution:

1)	improper speeds / methods:

A)	executed too slow (transforms into downward pull with fingers)

B)	executed too tense (unable to achieve proper 'snap' of strike) (strike looks 'pulled' downward)

C)	strike not tensed at Point of Contact (improper timing / never tensed)

Comments

a) Common errors:

i)	formation:

1)	over bending of fingers / thumb causes a nails to rake skin - not finger tips

ii)	alignment:

1)	not anchoring elbow

Example of a proper overhead claw (left) (prior to execution / stance rotation) — Example of a proper overhead claw (left)
(prior to execution / stance rotation)

Example of a proper overhead claw (right)

Example of proper overhead claw formation

Examples of improper claw formation / alignment wrist - not bent, formation - fingers too bent, wrist - over bent, formation - thumb tucked — Examples of improper claw formation / alignment
wrist - not bent, formation - fingers too bent,
wrist - over bent, formation - thumb tucked

Examples of improper overhead claw execution (with hammer-fist) improper depth - shallow / deep, width - narrow / wide, height - too low, elbow alignment - not anchored — Examples of improper overhead claw execution (with hammer-fist)
improper depth - shallow / deep, width - narrow / wide,
height - too low, elbow alignment - not anchored

Examples of improper overhead claw execution improper depth - shallow / deep, width - narrow / wide, height - too low, elbow alignment - not anchored — Examples of improper overhead claw execution
improper depth - shallow / deep, width - narrow / wide,
height - too low, elbow alignment - not anchored