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Post by akihon on Dec 2, 2011 12:00:38 GMT
Hi all,
I just want to outline where I'm comming from so that the next part makes more sense.
I graded to 1st Dan at around the age of 18 and pretty soon left Karate after having a realization, girls and beer were more fun!
So after a 15 year layoff and having a son who has just turned 8 I wanted to do something with him that I also got a lot of enjoyment and confidence from and so mainly for the fitness aspect I went back to Karate and dragged my son along. Although 15 years is a long time I still remembers most of what I had done so found it little trouble getting back into it.
The problem that I have is that I spent a while in the Army and went on operations and have, comming from South Wales, seen and been involved in too many incidents than I would wish to have been, this has lead to a problem, call it a crisis of faith, with training and application for the real world.
I have been wondering if anybody has felt like this before and how did they overcome it or decide what to do about it.
Let me outline the issue;
When I was first training, I though the black belt was the pinnacle and now I know that it's not. I also thought the training with single block and punch against somebody throwing a punch would work and have since found that all that happens is you end up performing lots of blocks against a determined attacker which can help to destroy your beliefs in Karate.
So in my spare time I have been looking at blocking and counter striking simultaneously, and have spoken to most of the other students in my club as well as the instructor regarding my ideas. The instructor was warm and receptive and allows me to explore to futher my understanding as an advanced grade (I was told that I'd have to start again but from 1st Dan).
The main problem that I'm having is that I'm finding that studying the kata is becoming increasingly a drain on me because I can't marry my study of application with kata practice, also because I have a lot of experience I have seen a lot of incidents involving karateka who have broken one of the first tennets of karate which is "There is no first strike". As a result I have also seen a lot of friends getting themselves prosecuted because they struck first in a pre-emptive strike which again I can't settle in my own mind the aspect of defending fist and then counter with striking before the actual attack begins.
Is this something that I should continue to explore or do you think that I have come to the point where Karate is no longer suitable for me, if it is something that I should continue with then how should I now begin to view the practice of the Kata.
Help and/or advice would be much appreciated, does anybody else think that karate allows for this type of viewpoint and practice.
Thanks
akihon
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Post by kensei on Dec 2, 2011 14:07:57 GMT
Akion,
the problem I note most of the time is that the practice of Kata is not presented with proper Bunkai or that it is used as a throw away work otu like Tae bo or Cardio Kick!
The other issue I see is some teachers think that the kata is a full fight, in place of several set ups for each sequence being a single action. I mean lets face it if four guys were to attack you it would never ever going like Heian Shodan as one long defensive action.
Anyone that has been jumped by more than two guys, or even two guys, and says..."Man it played out just like Heian Shodan" or add another Kata name...I A) a lier and or B) living in never never land!
Think of it more as a suggested set of movements pinned together with other "lessons" on Kumite and self defense. "If someone grabs your wrist in this way, you CAN do this..or maybe this!" Then move to the next "IF someone kicks for you this way, then you can do this, or maybe this..and if they punch you can basically do this or this....next move"
It helps if you dont think of the Kata as one large fight...they dont work that way even if some daft instructors pathetically teach it this way.
Its not the material, its the instructors that are failing you.
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Post by akihon on Dec 2, 2011 14:49:27 GMT
Hi Kensei,
I get that and its one of the things that I have been thinking about for a while and sort of formed my own conclusions, which were the same as you have given me, while asking other instructors none of whom seem to be able to give me any definitive answers so many thanks.
What really concerns me is that when I go along to some clubs the instructor want to teach things like a throw/ takedown etc... Which under normal circumstances would not work in the real world, on the other hand I have recently worked with instructors who have no interest in the application for reality and as such the students neither develop as individuals with any real understanding of Karate or themselves but when asked they say this is how karate is, I have been looking at ways to use a traditional block soto-uke for example in a real world application, for example use the soto-uke left hand while moving left leg slightly forward to the attacker the soto-uke is then turned into a hand trap and the counter is delivered through iraken however the normal means of teaching and exploring seems to be to move back while delivering the block and then to counter by moving back into the attacker. This it too inefficient and time-consuming, as well as leaving the defender wide open to a folowing attack.
Is this something to continue with, does karate allow for this when all I seem to hear is that the classical techniques cannot be used in the real world, but I am proving to myself that they can be, does this open up doors for me to follow
Akihon
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Post by malk103 on Dec 2, 2011 16:08:42 GMT
I'm probably not best qualified to answer your question but will throw in a few thoughts.... A lot of the Kumite I have been practicing on the lead up to Shodan includes a counter strike at the same instance as the block, the most basic is a semi freestyle punch to the head, the defender blocks with an Age Uke at the same time delivering a Gyaku Zuki. (A slight shift to the side/forward to avoid punch and get a better counter strike) There are wise ones here that have hinted that Kumite should be done more realistically and not as a double act.
After 4/5 years of training I don't think i'm a super fighter prepared for anything, I may be a bit better placed if put in that situation but still have tons to learn and would still try my utmost to avoid it.
As for striking first there is a long conversation in here somewhere about that - I think the general concensus was that it was acceptable to strike first if you were under threat of attack and there was no other option to aviod it. Yes you could get in trouble for striking first but I would prefer that to allowing them to get the first punch in and hoping I can block in time.
As for Kata - I reached a point a while ago with a realisation that every move means something and that there can be many applications for every move, I now see Kata's as a massive "pass the parcel", each time you peel back a layer there is more to discover. I think the Kata's hold vast knowledge and meaning, maybe they were dumbed down as they went into mainstream schools 100 odd years ago, maybe they can be used as a template for many applications....
I would say you haven't reached a point where Karate is not suitable for you, I would say you need to explore and learn more. If nothing else help your Son train and grade on the path. Are there other clubs/semina's you can attend to spread your knowledge/learning?
A big highlight in my training was learning some more about Bunkai, a book by Iain Abernethy was a huge eye opener so may be worth a look.
My Sensei keeps reminding me that reaching Black Belt is not the end of training but the beginning of the real training.....
Hope these thoughts help and welcome to the forum.
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Post by akihon on Dec 2, 2011 16:35:20 GMT
I agree with you about the Kara being more than they first appear but where I'm finding problems is not with bunkai but with using straight forward techniques and the way they are taught there seems to be no happy medium between the traditional and the modern. I can't reconcile myself to studying the art with on one hand what appears to be art for the sake of it or Hollywood karate because it looks good and impressive to others. When I feel that karate was designed for efficient movement but to my seems lost in translation. I agree that helping my son is important and my wife suggested to stick with it and when I'm ready teach students what I know from my understanding.
Akihon
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Post by Bob Davis on Dec 2, 2011 17:46:16 GMT
Without wishing to pre-empt anything Steve H. might say, it is a fact that many (if not most) karate groups teach only a part of the whole that is available. What I would say about even the techniques that are taught at a lower level are invariably taught at "sport" range, and are drummed in with a typical one, two count (block, counter habit) which can be hard to break, which makes them impractical to a large extent for actual fighting. This interests me as, despite the fact that these techniques are taught at sport range you very seldom see them used in their clasical form in competition kumite. Now I'm no expert on real world confrontation (just a hobbyist, so take what I say with a pinch of salt) but I think you are probably on the right lines with what you are starting to explore as one of my constant nags is about changing the range. Start looking at the classic blocks as close range techniques, think about what both hands are doing as in a lot of cases the "lead" or "set up" hand could well actually be the block and the block itself is already your counter. With a bit of imagination and a willing partner you find a lot of things going on in these techniques. A lot of stuff in kata starts to look a lot different (if not as elegant) when you start to close down the distance. I think what you've (possibly) got to is not the time to move on from karate stage but the time to start learning karate stage (no disrespect intended) although you may have to shop around to find anybody who teaches this, or do a lot of self study
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Post by malk103 on Dec 2, 2011 20:40:36 GMT
Just to add a thing about blocks, I had a revelation a while ago and a clue from a post on here that in a standard street fight where someone is punching you from 12-18 inches away then most of the standard blocks can easily become effective strikes - Age Uke to the nose/chin etc. Then some could form the basis of a throw....
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Post by Paul Bedard on Dec 2, 2011 23:59:19 GMT
Hi Guys! Akihon has a very valid point here in that a lot of karate the way that we are first taught it is lacking in real world fighting & self defence. For example `oi zuke`, who really punches like that? Then we say age uke-gyaku zuki. Again is this the most practicle solution. What the basics are really trying to teach us is body mechanics used while delivering techniques. Kata of course opens up a lot of ideas with angles, moving forward while blocking, using pressing blocks as trapping moves, maybe what seems to be a block is also a strike & yes simultanious block/attack. IMHO what kata is not about is; when you this, then you do that. In a confrontation you might take one small piece of a kata sequence to make your chance to move in for the next move. What is really important is understanding the ranges for technique & how to get in & out of them & what can you do while your there. Punching range, kicking range, trapping range, grappling range, this is something that time & study will provide. Not everyone is all that concerned about what are the best fighting techniques & enjoy karate for the work out & total body development, however others want to see how the techniques that they learn would work in a real down & dirty fight. The latter taking more study & having an open mind. For example in my mind stepping back to block & counter & then stepping forward to keep attacking might not be the best case scenario. I like to think that as soon as I decide to move I`m going in, I might try to get beside &/or behind him, but staying in front & backing up, most likely not. Having said this, it`s all in the kata you just have to keep looking to find it. Going forward, trapping, using elbows & knees, joint manipulation, throws, destabilizing your opponent it`s all there, you just need to look for & find it. If that is what you want out of karate. Remember it is a martial `art`, not a fighting style... Osu Paul B
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Post by akihon on Dec 3, 2011 20:28:59 GMT
Hi all,
Thanks very much for your elightening comments they have spurred me on to keep exploring, yes I whole heartedly agree that I am past the basics stage and onto the learning karate stage, and I also agree that a block is more than a block when used to strike.
Yes I am aiming at closing the distance between myself and my attacker using the classical blocks but shortening their distance of travel as well as possibly using the blocks from where they stop to a strike from that point.
Until reading what you guys have posted I had been considering leaving Karate but now I don't feel anymore like I am wandering around in the dark but rather actually beginning a journey to better understanding, thank you!
Like I said originally I didn't want to re-invent the wheel by asking what I did and by stating what I did with a view to saying I know best and everybody else is wrong, rather I was hoping for somebody to maybe see what I could not, or give a view from another angle.
Again thank you all,
Hope to post again when I have been able to devote more time to exploring this idea and let you know how things are going.
Again thank you all!!!!!! ;D
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Post by Paul Bedard on Dec 5, 2011 3:22:11 GMT
That`s what this site is all about. `Sharing`!!! Osu Paul B
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Post by fujicolt on Dec 5, 2011 4:43:52 GMT
Hey Akihon - don't worry too much - your dissonance is neither unique or rare. Search this site fully and i am sure you will find much to help and inspire you to continue training. Shotokan can be a very effective self defence MA - trust me on this it has saved my skin many times. I have inserted a snippet from a chapter of the book i am writing (nearly finished folks !) I hope you get the points i am making because (obviously) it is a little out of context here as it is from a very detailed and long chapter I hope it helps though. Oh and Bob Davies is being too humble - I have watched him over past few years transform what was a classical and (sorry Bob) little ploddy Karate to a very potent one via having an open and inquisitive mind, going out and getting info and answers and training with like minded individuals. I assure you that now YOU WOULD NOT want a clout of him and DO NOT be scared to ask questions here - a lot of very experienced people and all very helpful - mad as snakes but helpful I am sorry but when i post the snippets they lose formatting. I hopr it still makes sense. ENjoy (I hope ;D) Sometimes it is about making a paradigm shift and looking at things differently. DO NOT be scared to challenge anyhting - it is your Karate. I hope you and your son stay with it. good Luck 3. Distancing Distancing is obviously deeply influenced by precision footwork but a range of other factors are also involved. There are two points relating to Distancing that I believe require targeted attention but this is unhappily often lacking in Shotokan Karate training regimes. It is, I believe, undeniable that the vast majority of Shotokan Grading syllabus tend to deal with long and mid range techniques. As a result many Karateka, including Dan Grades, are unfamiliar with the correct distancing for close quarter techniques. This can be witnessed in various ways and I personally believe that a rather significant revamp of our training content, Grading examination requirements and especially Kumite training drills need to be made. (Please see Chapter: Close Quarter Karate – the Neglected Range) One of the easiest to spot examples of the lack of understanding in relation to Close Quarter techniques can be seen in the combinations of Stances and Close Quarter Techniques, on the relatively few times that they are practiced, in either Kihon or Kumite drills. Let us, for example, look at the practice of Empi Waza (elbow strikes). Now, if you examine these drills you will see that the elbow strikes used are often practiced in the typically structured, classical Zenkutsu Dachi and Kiba Dachi. Students will be asked to demonstrate combinations such as… From left leg forward Kamae àStep forward into Zenkutsu Dachi and strike with Jodan Mawashi Empi Uchi with your right arm à Move the front (right) foot across and make Kiba Dachi whilst striking Chudan Yoko Empi Uchi with the right arm à move the right foot back again into Zenkutsu Dachi Whilst striking Jodan Tate Empi Uchi with the left arm à return to Kamae with your right leg forward à repeat combination on opposite side of your body. I am sure you have practiced or seen such combinations and may have been given the impression that you were practicing Close Quarter Karate. Unfortunately this couldn’t be further from the truth. The problem here lies with the failure to understand distancing and the vital relationship between choice of stance, structure of stance and the chosen technique. Empi Waza are undoubtedly Close Quarter techniques. They simply cannot be applied at any other range due to their short Flightpath. This Flightpath is, for example, less than half of the distance of the Flightpath for the classical Gyaku Tsuki (Shoulder to Elbow -v- Elbow to Wrist plus length of Fist). Yet despite this obvious fact Shotokan practitioners can be seen, in their Kihon Waza and Yakuzoku Kumite training, practicing Empi Waza in stances that are not structured for Empi deployment.
Classically structured Zenkutsu and Kiba Dachi are not the vehicles for correct use of these strikes and you can illustrate this to yourself very simply by trying this simple exercise…. Distance 1) Stand in a classical Zenkutsu Dachi with the tips of your left toes touching the base of the wall. Make a right hand Gyaku Tsuki and you will see that the punch easily reaches the wall in front of you. Know with no distortion of your stance or posture turn your hips from Shomen to Hanmi and perform Jodan Mawashi Empi Uchi with your left arm. You will immediately see that the Empi Waza moves through its outward flight path to an impact point that is several inches from the wall – a clear miss by a relatively large degree! Distance 2) Now – move your front foot across into Kiba Dachi and strike towards the wall with a Left Yoko Empi Uchi. Once again you will see that the Empi Waza falls significantly short of the wall (target) and is fundamentally useless. Distance 3) Now return your left foot into its original Zenkutsu Dachi and with your hips in full Shomen and strike Tate Empi Uchi with your right arm.
You will see that the technique travels completely through its outward flightpath and at no point is able to reach the wall. Again it will miss by a significant degree.
All of this can be corrected very easily as I am sure you are aware (we shall explore that below) but ‘Why Oh Why’ do we repeatedly see nonsense like this in Shotokan training and grading programs? Correct distancing relevant to each and every technique is a vital constituent element of Accuracy of Technique Placement and if this skill is not at optimum you will miss or diminish the proficiency of the technique in a big way. A major problem Karateka have is a lack of fully understanding their own limb length – particularly and interestingly so in relation to close quarter techniques and long range kicking techniques. Again, this is a problem that an educated eye will spot again and again when watching students Free spar with each other.
Correctly formulated Kumite drills and exercises such as Bag and Pad work can help with this enormously and specific Targeting Drills are easily devised with a little forethought.
Very importantly though a sound understanding of footwork and stance structure are hugely influential in regard to the development of good timing and distancing skills. Often it is simply a matter of knowing how to structure your stance to suit the situation rather than nonsense such as ‘It MUST be this stance’. Unfortunately, because the Shotokan System is sometimes almost ‘OCD’ about stance structure, it creates a mindset that is not at all helpful to the development of the required ability to be versatile and adaptable. If we now return to the inappropriate choice of stances we explored above I think that some of you may be surprised to discover what would be the Stances I would advise you to use. Let’s see… My advised stances would be:
· Zenkutsu Dachi BUT not as we know it! and; · Kiba Dachi BUT not as we know it! So, Dear Reader, if we can take ourselves outside of the ‘Classical Shotokan’ (as everyone ‘knows it to be’ but it actually isn’t!) and into the ‘Applicable Shotokan’ that I and others KNOW is a very proficient Martial Art, I am hopeful that you will see that just a few adjustments – when needed – can make all the difference. Contrary as this may be, to the thinking of many, there is NO rule that states Shotokan Stances are confined to the length depth and structure we commonly see in our Kihon practice. Simply look through your Kata to see what I mean.
With this in mind lets re-examine the ‘Distance Test Exercises’ we worked through above in Distance 1), Distance 2) and Distance 3).
What I would like you to now do is repeat the exercise but alter your Zenkutsu Dachi and Kiba Dachi structure as follows… Generally speaking (and I have measured this again and again) the correct length of a correct Classical Shotokan Zenkutsu Dachi is approximately 2 x the shoulder width of the Karateka performing it. It is not the exaggerated 2.5 times or even 3 times shoulder width that we see in the distorted, caricatured, biomechanically and cosmetically bastardised Competition Kata stances that have sadly been deemed as the way to do it these days. 2 x shoulder width length, combined with correct foot placement; both feet with toes pointing forward to ensure correct Knee Joint, Ankle Joint, Hip Joint and Leg Musculature alignment, works extremely well and assists rather than hinders factors such as forward and backward movement biomechanics and smooth, balanced hip rotation. Once this structure is fully understood and becomes instinctive it then reveals its real genius because, as long as the ‘from the feet upward’ biomechanical structure is proportionally maintained, the stance can be shortened or lengthened to suit the requirements of various given situations. It will maintain its supportive structure and balance and align the legs to move fluidly in various directions. So I must ask ‘Why Oh Why don’t we teach it and use it at varying applicable lengths as and when required?’ If we now return to the Distance Test Exercises we did above, that confirmed that classical length Zenkutsu Dachi and Kiba Dachi are totally unsuitable for the deployment of Empi Waza but this time shorten the stance so that their base area is only 1 x Shoulder width in length and breadth we will instantly see that this adjusts the hip and body height from the floor. This adjustment in both stances allows preservation of factors such as stance stability, balance and biomechanics whilst adjusting the distancing range of the Empi Waza deployment. Try it - Distance 1) Stand in a 1 x Shoulder width and Breadth Zenkutsu Dachi with the tips of your left toes touching the base of the wall. Ensure that you still maintain the biomechanical structure of your stance and be particularly conscious of correct foot placement. Now; turn your hips from Shomen to Hanmi and perform Jodan Mawashi Empi Uchi with your left arm. You will immediately see that the Empi Waza moves through its outward flight path to an impact point on the wall as the distance created by these simple adjustments to the stance length and height has now made the Empi Waza in range and thus usable. Distance 2) Now – move your front foot across into 1 x shoulder width in length Kiba Dachi (once again maintain stance structure etc even though you are using a shorter and higher structured version) and strike towards the wall with a Left Yoko Empi Uchi. Once again you will see that the Empi Waza easily reaches the wall (target) and is now applicable. Distance 3) Now return your left foot into its original 1 x shoulder width dimension Zenkutsu Dachi and with your hips in full Shomen and strike Tate Empi Uchi with your right arm. Again it easily reaches the target.
I am fully aware that there are other stances that could be utilized – Sanchin Dachi for example. However, the point I am trying to make is the fact that our Forefathers were very clever men. They have given us a Martial Art that is intensely versatile and adaptable. Shotokan Karate is far more than the content of many organisations training and Grading Examination Core Curriculum’s.
Close examination will show the genius in the construction and dynamics of its design.
Yet despite this we have somehow come to a point where we concentrate on what I estimate to be only approximately 40% of the Shotokan arsenal and in doing so are failing to give due regard to techniques, stances, structure, techniques, strategies and wonderfully versatility that will actually serve us best when faced with real violent encounters. Please see Chapter: Close Quarter Karate – the neglected range.
4. Targeting If we turn now to the final element in Accuracy of Technique Placement; Targeting, we will find, I believe, another misunderstood process that is far more complicated than, for example, getting your fist to strike a particular point on your opponents chin. This of course is very important and this is not denied but if we examine this skill in detail we will see that it is a complicated ability that can be enhanced significantly with a little forethought and training drills designed to particularly aid this improvement.
Once again we must be mindful of the fact that failure to be accurate in the placement of techniques will result in failure in real violent events – a situation that is simply interolerable and therefore must be given far more detailed attention than I believe it currently receives. If we look at highly skilled Karateka their Accuracy of Technique Placement is clearly a skill that they have honed to a very high degree and therefore their success rate in this department is evidently an acquired and extensively trained skill rather than a happenchance occurrence. If we take Frank Brennan as a prime example it can be seen that even in the highly charged and extremely fast Top International Bouts in which he fought he could, whilst under tremendous pressure, maintain a consistency of accuracy that was absolutely astonishing. He was of course not alone in having this skill but in my opinion he remains one of the most constant in his levels of accuracy.
It is totally accepted that he was (and remains) a particularly gifted Karateka in many ways but it surely must be accepted that he had finely tuned the following component aspects of Accuracy of Technique Placement:
1. Spatial Awareness – as pointed out in our examination of the elements required to successfully achieve The Warriors Mindset the successful Karateka must be very conscious of where he (or she) is in relation to all around him. In particular he must be able to ‘know’ where his opponent is in relation to where he is and what he does. Please see Chapter: Seichusen and Embusen This spatial awareness must work not only in real time but also in what I shall refer to as Predictive Time. That is to say that the Karateka must be very conscious of understanding ‘Cause and Effect’. He must know in advance, with a high level of precision, what the likely outcomes will be when he takes particular actions.
For example: If the Karateka executes a successful foot sweeping technique he must be able to immediate calculate the forces (and the direction of those forces) that he has applied into his Ashi Barrai. As a consequence he will immediately know how to smoothly follow up his Sweep with an appropriate Strike, Punch or Kick. Brennan Sensei had this ability honed so precisely and was so acutely aware of his own limb length that he would often sweep an opponent up into the air; completely off his feet and with the same leg kick him in the head before he landed on the floor! It was awesome to watch in real life and there are many filmed examples of it to watch in awe again and again. (I personally Recommend the excellent Legend Production series of DVD’s that are available on-line).
Equally the Karateka must learn how to make his offensive and defensive movement in such a way that he knows exactly where he is in relation to his opponent at all times. This awareness must have far more clarity than just a general overall sense of his opponent but must be precise enough for him to know exactly where his opponents Head, Torso and limbs are in order that he may instantly be able to choose suitable Blocks, Punches, Strikes, Kicks Sweeps, Throws etc.
This awareness must also extend beyond information gained from data received via the eyes and must also include what I refer to as ‘seeing with the Body’ which is the ability to be aware of your opponent kinaesthetically via touch, smell and hearing. In essence the Karateka must be able to take in and analyse such information in a split second in order to then have instant and specific Accuracy of Technique Placement. Please see Chapter: xxxx.
2. Another essential component part of Accuracy of Technique Placement is Correct Technique Choice. I know that this may initially appear to be a relatively simple ability but it actually isn’t. In the super fast exchanges that can occur it is essential to be able to instantly know what techniques will fulfil the job at hand.
Top fighters such as Brennan, Hall, O’Neil, Roberts, and Hazard (for example) had (and have) this ability, to immediately utilise a wide variety of weapons, in abundance. It is this ability that makes them such efficient and versatile fighters. Sadly though several current practices within the standard Shotokan systems, by both omission and commission, are limiting the ability of students to fully develop this essential skill: · The failure to fully study the complete Shotokan syllabus – regular practice creates familiarity with a technique. You will come to be more instinctive about how and when to use it. This can be witnessed clearly with Gyaku Tsuki that is undoubtedly the counter punch weapon of choice for the vast majority of Shotokan Karateka due to the frequency of its occurrence in Kihon and Kumite practice and the number of times it appears within the Shotokan Kata. However, you will find only a comparatively few number of Karateka whom would be equally comfortable with using Furi Tsuki (swinging punch), Ura Tsuki (upper cut/close punch) or Wanto Uchi (arm Sword Strike). The rarely seen use of such blows is in no way a suggestion that they are less than efficient techniques. In fact, once understood they are immensely effective techniques but alas they are either infrequently practiced or even totally omitted from the commonly used training programs. What a waste! In terms of targeting these omissions deplete the Karateka’s versatility and choice of targets to aim for. It has to be understood that Gyaku Tsuki, as efficient as it is, is NOT the solution to all attack or counter-attack situations · The problem is not confined to hand techniques alone. Commonly used Training and Examination programs will invariably use the following Keri Waza: Mae Geri Yoko Geri Keage Yoko Geri Kekomi Mawashi Geri Ushiro Geri Gyaku Mawashi Geri However how often do we see any of the following Kicking techniques selection listing being studied with the same frequency? Mikazuki Geri Hiza Geri Mawashi Hiza Geri Gyaku Mawashi Hiza Geri Yoko Mawashi Geri Fumikiri Geri Furi Geri Fumikomi Geri Otoshi Kakato Geri Mawashi Ashi Bo Geri Kin Geri Mae Tobi Geri Yoko Tobi Geri
Again this omission hugely limits the Karateka’s targeting abilities and thus diminishes his ability to achieve Accuracy of Technique Placement.
The same problem can be seen with Blocking techniques, Parrying techniques, Leg Blocking Techniques, Striking techniques, Sweeping and throwing techniques, Stances, and Grabbing and locking techniques. All of them suffering with a woefully incomplete list of what is practiced regularly - Again limiting the Karateka’s targeting potential.
I have several times heard the following ‘excuses’ for the non-inclusion of so many techniques in the common Training and Grading Examination requirements: 1. They are too dangerous for Kyu or Lower Dan grade Students! My answer to this is simple – ‘What a load of hypocritical nonsense!’ A well-executed Gyaku Tsuki can kill you! End of story. If we can trust Students with this it is absurd to pretend that Wanto Uchi or Mikazuki Geri should not be included – they are in the Heain Kata anyway – Good Grief. 2. ‘They are too physically difficult for lower grades to be able to accomplish and master!’ Again a simple answer ‘Absolute Bunkum!’ – the physical coordination required to execute Jodan Mawashi Geri or Ushiro Geri is immense when examined with an educated eye and a sound understanding of human physiology and Biomechanics. Yet these techniques are introduced early – and quite rightly so as they will take time to master. Karateka are generally well intended, law abiding intelligent people and if they are not the training regime itself will swoon root them out. It is, in my honest opinion, patronising and unwarranted for students to be treated as witless morons whom are likely to go and ‘try out’ their Karate on Gran or some loud mouth drunk in the local bar.
Karate is dangerous and very difficult to truly master – this is absolutely not denied – all the more reason to deal with this from the get go and allow students to develop a full and applicable arsenal of techniques to defend themselves with.
‘To give a man a job to do without the tools to do it is folly – because one cannot follow the other!Oh and on another point as an ex serving member of the Military may I please say thank you on behalf of what is sometimes a slow to show gratitude Nation. What you Guys and Gals showed out thier is inspirational - true professionalism and courage - THANK YOU irrelevant of the politics of it all OSU!
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Post by fleur on Dec 6, 2011 1:33:16 GMT
Ha, just a wee snippet there Steve.
Akihon, the fact that you are now asking such questions shows that it is diffenately not time to leave, your training is just about to get very exciting. Enjoy!
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Post by fujicolt on Dec 6, 2011 18:53:42 GMT
Hey Fleur - at least i gave you something to read at your desk in work LMAO! Hope you well Lass X
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Post by akihon on Dec 9, 2011 20:32:57 GMT
Ha, just a wee snippet there Steve. Akihon, the fact that you are now asking such questions shows that it is diffenately not time to leave, your training is just about to get very exciting. Enjoy! Hi all, Just reading through the further postings, and I have to agree with the statements about distancing and timing, for example the use of the empi in zenkutsu-dachi. It has long been a thought of mine that the way we are taught at least when we hit shodan grade. I re-read through the principals written down by Master Finakoshi and one of them is large stances for basic natural stance for advanced use. To me this says it all, it also says that many instructors have forgotten some simple rules. Which again brings me back to the original point, that the classical blocks and counter strikes must be there for a very good reason. So in a major effort to further understand what I am again beginning to fundamentally realize is a devastating and efficient system of self defence I have been speaking to students of Wing Chun Kung Fu and it was suggested that if I can build a wooden dummy to use for experimenting with (the perfect training partner, never complains and is always ready to go for more, image added). It was suggested that I have a look at the techniques used in this system and how they are similar to Shotokan and then look at, for example the soto-uke block and how to use it in a more real setting. So for the last few days I have been working like a madman to figure these things out and I think that I may be onto something, using the soto-uke for example with the front left hand to meet an incomming right from close range the block is then nothing more than a flick of the wrist with the desired result that the arm is moved leaving the ribs exposed. Another technique that I have been looking at is the agi-uke at close range for a head attack and then using the right hand to meet a right attack in a natural left front stance then turning the block exposing the head to an iraken counter with the left. This seems to work after trying to use it in the dojo during a sparring session and also offers more opportunity for free movement around the opponent as again opposed to the taught ideas of making the opponent move around you. Now all I need is few million pounds to live off without having to work and twenty years of time to experiment with and I may be able to say that I am definitly onto something. Let you know how things are going. Akihon ;D Attachments:
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