I had a phone call about this thread this morning and I was asked:
'Jeez Steve have you been knocking the 'Friendship Course' students about?'
I wish to make the following very clear - the strikes I demonstrated were performed at about 25% of thier actual impact potential. Yes they did immediately have a profound effect on the recievers of the strikes (
) even at this much lower impact, BUT_
1. .They DID NOT cause permanant injury or damage.
Each recipient of the strikes had volunteered and/or even asked me to show them the impact potential of these (for them) previously unseen techniques.
2. Each of the recipients where very fit and strong Karateka with huge personal Karate experience and knowledge that I know personally. Therefore, I was fully aware that they were used to impact as part of thier general long term training. Yes - each of them were shocked by the potential damage that the techniques COULD deliver due to the shock of the impact and resulting effect even at 25% power and this immediately helped them understand the SD value of the techniques that, when merely performed in mid air, do not portray thier ferocity and potential to dispatch an adversary immediately even if the adversary is strong and normally able to 'take a hit'
3. I was asked by Eve Martinez to demonstrate the techniques upon her. Now Eve is a fine and courageous/spirited Karateka BUT she is also very small of frame and therefore, even at 25% impact I simply could not risk the potential bone fracture and other injuries these techniques WILL deliver and therefore (with not a little complaining from Brave Eve I must add) I had to respectfully refuse to do so.
Karate IS a martial art and sometimes we need to know and FEEL what the effects of the techniques we practice are. However, I deplore the heavy, uncontrolled impact some (
) Instructors will reign upon students (often without any pre-enquiry as to the health and well being of the student - who may have an injury or other health matter that is NOT easily visible or obvious or any enquiry as to the students willingness to be the recipient of a blow that potentially can do considerable harm - WE ALL have to work etc the next day!!
Such conduct is IMHO bullying, cowardly and potentially unlawful and should not be an aspect of even the most physically robust Karate Training.
Also it is my belief that all Karateka should train themselves to have the ability to (under lawful and prejudged circumstances - even if that prejudgment has to be very fast!
) to be able to decisively despatch an adversary that illegally places them or thier loved ones etc at immenent and genuinely percieved risk of harm. Therefore, we ALL need to know the potential of the 'WEAPON' we choose to deploy in such dire (and hopefully never occuring) circumstances.
I believe Balance is the Key and I would be mortified if anyone formed an opinion that my demonstrations of the potential of (what were for some students) previously unknown or un practiced techniques was in anyway inappropriate.
The Friendship Course Students have been some of the most inspiring students I have ever had the opportunity and honour to teach I would never take a cheap shot or be overly physical in my role as thier teacher or mentor.
it would be interesting to hear comments on this aspect of Karate from other forum members - especially the recipiwents of my demonstrated strikes etc.
So as NOT to distract from the FUN QUIZ - I have started a new thread under 'IMPACT IN CLASS!' in the Shotokan Instructors Space Section to discuss this matter.
Thanks in advance OSU!
)
) to be able to decisively despatch an adversary that illegally places them or thier loved ones etc at immenent and genuinely percieved risk of harm. Therefore, we ALL need to know the potential of the 'WEAPON' we choose to deploy in such dire (and hopefully never occuring) circumstances.