Lyoto Machida explains why trapping the opponent's lead hand is so important to allow you to execute a clean punch or elbow attack. The opponent's lead hand can be moved with either your own lead or reverse hand. Although less powerful than a trap - attack technique utilizing two hands, it is possible to trap and attack with the same hand.
Another way to help ensure your attack lands is to kick to the inside of the opponent's thigh, thereby drawing his attention downwards and hopefully leaving a path clear for your follow up technique. The leg kick is not an outright attack in itself (though with more power it could be). The technique should be light and fast, serving the purpose of confusing the opponent as to what the next attacking technique will be and where it will land. The follow up attack can be done with either the lead or reverse hand. When possible deliver the follow up attack in such a way that you can make contact while using body evasion (tai sabaki) to take you out of the line of fire of any counter technique your opponent may use. You can also combine a low level kick with a trap to the opponent's lead hand.
The next combination is using your rear leg to kick your opponent's lead thigh, stepping down and following up with a second attack.
Next, step laterally to the side taking yourself out of your opponent's line of attack and gaining yourself a dominant angle of attack. Then use a low kick to bring your opponent's attention down to his thigh and follow up with a roundhouse kick to his head.
Lyoto Machida next demonstrates a low roundhouse kick to the thigh followed by a jumping roundhouse kick to his head. Again, the low kick serves to draw the opponent's awareness downwards, leaving his head open to the second kick.
Once you have these basic combinations down you can begin to combine them in different ways to create more advanced combos, a hallmark of Machida Karate.
