Backhand Cut

Genus

バックハンド斬り(Bakkuhando Kiri)

Hybrid

Translation: backhand cut

Overview

The Backhand Cut is a knife cutting action delivered from the outside inward using the back of the hand to drive the blade edge across the target. ^[1] In Filipino martial arts this corresponds to the even-numbered angles of attack (angles 2, 4, 6 in many systems), travelling from the practitioner's non-dominant side. ^[1],[2] The backhand cut is often used as a follow-up to a forehand cut, creating a continuous figure-eight cutting pattern. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Taga Revez^[1]Reverse Slash^[2]Backhand Slash^[3]

Used in

Kali Silat Systema

History & Origin

Backhand cutting patterns appear in virtually all Filipino martial arts knife curricula and are considered essential for developing ambidextrous flow in blade work. ^[1] The technique is also found in Western knife-fighting systems derived from military combatives. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

The backhand cut (gyaku-kesa or gyaku-giri) reverses the cutting direction, attacking from the opposite diagonal. ^[1] It is effective as a follow-up cut after the initial strike is parried. ^[2]

Lineage

Backhand cutting was developed in classical kenjutsu schools as part of the multi-directional cutting curriculum. ^[1]

Competition Record

Backhand cuts are performed in tameshigiri competitions and koryū demonstrations. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness

Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)

Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)

Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts

Position & Entry

From ready stance (chudan-no-kamae or equivalent) — Assume guard position, establish distance (ma-ai), execute the cut or thrust when an opening appears

From engagement distance — Use footwork to close to striking range, execute the technique with proper edge alignment (hasuji)

As counter — Wait for the opponent's attack, deflect or avoid, and counter-cut to the exposed target

Variants

Standard cut — primary cutting angle from the ready stance

Thrust (tsuki) — straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face

Rising cut (kiri-age) — upward diagonal cut from low to high

Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) — downward diagonal cut following the kimono line

Videos

PINNACLE COMBAT ARTS

Panantukan - Backhand Gunting setup (Sean Elders)

Backhand Cut·PINNACLE COMBAT ARTS

Find out how you can learn directly from the Sean Elders through his Training Courses, Online Classes, Online University…

Black and Blue Video

Bruce Chiu Teaching Backhand Traps and Locks from Modern Arnis

Backhand Cut·Black and Blue Video

This is from Bruce Chiu's Instructional DVD Backhand Strikes of Modern Arnis Bruce Chiu Teaching Backhand Traps and Lock…

Just a Bug

Cutting Up Close - Speed vs Power in the Cut [katana tameshigiri / sword talk]

Backhand Cut·Just a Bug

Today we try some zero distance tameshigiri, where we cut from an incredibly close distance to the target with no drawin…

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3 videos

What Instructors Say

The backhand cut is a close-range offensive technique derived from Filipino martial arts (particularly Panantukan and Modern Arnis) and sword-fighting systems. According to Pinnacle Combat Arts, the backhand cut—or backhand gunting—is executed by retracting the arm and applying a cutting motion across an opponent's limb, typically targeting the bicep or tricep. It functions as both a defensive counter and offensive opening: when an opponent throws a punch and the defender's hand is already positioned on the outside sector of the opponent's arm (via parry or slip), the backhand cut can be deployed immediately to disrupt the opponent's limb and create follow-up opportunities. Sean Elders emphasizes the importance of sectoring (monitoring four positional zones around the opponent) and drilling with a partner who actively punches and slips. Black and Blue Video's Bruce Chiu, teaching from a stick-fighting tradition, demonstrates how backhand traps and locks transition into cuts and compressions against the opponent's arm and body, often combined with stick applications to the neck and collarbone. Just a Bug approaches cutting mechanics from a katana perspective, finding that at close range (5–8cm), speed and edge alignment are critical parameters—power alone causes the target to collapse without effective cutting, while speed combined with precise edge alignment enables the cut to work despite limited distance. All three instructors agree that close-range cutting requires proper body mechanics, regular drilling, and real-contact practice to achieve functional effectiveness.

Synthesized from 3 instructors

Pinnacle Combat Arts — Panantukan - Backhand Gunting setup (Sean Elders): Defines backhand gunting as a retracting cut targeting bicep or tricep; explains sectoring framework for positioning; demonstrates integration with parries, slips, and follow-up combinations; emphasizes partner drilling with active resistance and footwork
Black and Blue Video — Bruce Chiu Teaching Backhand Traps and Locks from Modern Arnis: Shows backhand traps and locks in stick-fighting context; demonstrates how backhand cuts transition into joint manipulations, takedowns, and neck/collarbone compressions; advocates depth of technique over technique volume
Just a Bug — Cutting Up Close - Speed vs Power in the Cut [katana tameshigiri / sword talk]: Analyzes mechanical parameters of close-range cuts; demonstrates that speed and edge alignment outperform power at short distances; shows that misaligned edges stop the cut entirely; concludes speed prevents opponent withdrawal

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Extreme9/10

Knives and short blades are the most common weapon in real-world assaults; high lethality

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

WEKAF — Legal in padded stick competition {srcHEMA — Legal in applicable weapon categories {src

Training Notes

✓The backhand cut delivers the blade edge in a reverse diagonal or horizontal arc — attacking from the opposite side of the forehand slash (Inosanto, The Filipino Martial Arts, 1980)

✓The backhand cut targets the weapon arm's inner surface, the neck from the opposite side, and the inner thigh — areas typically less protected

✓The backhand uses a reverse rotation of the hips — the body coils away from the target then releases, driving the blade across

✓The backhand cut is faster to deploy as a follow-up to a forehand slash — the arm naturally swings back, adding the blade to the return motion

✓This cut is particularly effective against the opponent's weapon hand — cutting across the inner wrist or forearm during their attack

✓The backhand cut from reverse grip is a powerful hooking motion — the blade catches and draws through the target as the arm retracts

✓The backhand cut is often unexpected — most defenders focus on the forehand; the backhand arrives from an unfamiliar angle

Common Mistakes

!Generating insufficient power on the backhand — the backhand requires deliberate hip rotation to match forehand power

!Not protecting the lead side during the backhand — the backhand motion opens the weapon-side to counter-attacks

!Making the backhand too wide — keep the cutting arc tight and efficient to maintain speed

!Not training the backhand equally with the forehand — the backhand should receive equal practice time

!Using only the tip on the backhand — draw the full length of the edge through the target

!Telegraphing with a wind-up — the backhand should flow naturally from the guard or from a forehand, not be prepared with a visible chamber

!Not following the backhand with a forehand — the natural flow creates a continuous forehand-backhand combination

Related Techniques

Guard Position — the ready stance from which this technique is initiated Parry — defensive blade/weapon action that counters this attack

Counter Techniques

Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack

Setup Chain

1Ready Position — assume the guard stance appropriate for the weapon

2Distance Control — manage spacing relative to the opponent

3Execute Technique — perform the offensive or defensive action with correct form

4Return to Guard — recover to a defensive ready position

Sources & References

Primary Source

Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat (Patrick McCarthy, 2008)

1BookFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)

Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] Hoplology (Burton, 1884) [3] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)

2BookThe Complete Book of Knife Fighting (Cassidy, 1997)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Classical Bujutsu (Draeger, 1973) [2] Classical Fighting Arts of Japan (Mol, 2001)

3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology

Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords

4CitationFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)

Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] Hoplology (Burton, 1884) [3] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)

5CitationThe Complete Book of Knife Fighting (Cassidy, 1997)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Classical Bujutsu (Draeger, 1973) [2] Classical Fighting Arts of Japan (Mol, 2001)

Community

Athletics

Requires

wrist control for edge alignment, grip endurance, footwork precision

Favours

quick wrists, strong forearms, good posture

Key muscles

forearm extensors/flexors, deltoids, core, calves

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a backhand cut against both a jab and a cross?

Yes, you can execute a backhand cut against either punch. According to Sean Elders at Pinnacle Combat Arts, the key is understanding sectoring—dividing the space into four sectors—so that whenever your hand is positioned, it's already in place to respond to your opponent's incoming strike.

How do I set up a backhand cut after my opponent slips my punch?

When your opponent slips your jab or cross, use the sectoring concept to immediately follow up. Sean Elders emphasizes that if your hand is already positioned in the right sector after the slip, you can come straight in with your backhand cut or palm strike without repositioning.

What hand position should I maintain when throwing a backhand cut?

Keep your non-striking hand up and protected—don't leave it down. Sean Elders stresses that proper hand protection is essential when executing your backhand cut, and you may need to float back slightly depending on whether you want to continue attacking or reset.

What's more important in a cutting technique: power or speed?

Speed and edge alignment are more critical than raw power. Just a Bug explains that when cutting close, speed prevents an opponent from moving back far enough to avoid the technique, and improper edge alignment will cause excessive resistance that stops the cut completely.

How does the Backhand Cut work?

The Backhand Cut is a knife cutting action delivered from the outside inward using the back of the hand to drive the blade edge across the target. In Filipino martial arts this corresponds to the even-numbered angles of attack (angles 2, 4, 6 in many systems), travelling from the practitioner's non-dominant side.

Where does the Backhand Cut come from?

Backhand cutting patterns appear in virtually all Filipino martial arts knife curricula and are considered essential for developing ambidextrous flow in blade work. The technique is also found in Western knife-fighting systems derived from military combatives.

Is the Backhand Cut legal in competition?

WEKAF: legal — Legal in padded stick competition; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable weapon categories

How dangerous is the Backhand Cut?

Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — knives and short blades are the most common weapon in real-world assaults; high lethality

How do I set up the Backhand Cut?

The standard setup chain: Ready Position → Distance Control → Execute Technique → Return to Guard.

How do I defend against the Backhand Cut?

Standard counters include: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.

What are the variants of the Backhand Cut?

Common variants: Standard cut (primary cutting angle from the ready stance); Thrust (tsuki) (straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face); Rising cut (kiri-age) (upward diagonal cut from low to high); Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) (downward diagonal cut following the kimono line).

How effective is the Backhand Cut in competition?

Backhand cuts are performed in tameshigiri competitions and koryū demonstrations.

What are common mistakes when doing the Backhand Cut?

Top errors to watch for: Generating insufficient power on the backhand — the backhand requires deliberate hip rotation to match forehand power / Not protecting the lead side during the backhand — the backhand motion opens the weapon-side to counter-attacks / Making the backhand too wide — keep the cutting arc tight and efficient to maintain speed / Not training the backhand equally with the forehand — the backhand should receive equal practice time.

What are other names for the Backhand Cut?

The Backhand Cut is also known as Bakkuhando Kiri, Taga Revez, Reverse Slash, Backhand Slash.

backhand cut bakkuhando kiri weapon short blade knife fighting knife cut kali silat systema taga revez reverse slash backhand slash