Archive for the 'Karate' Category

Keeping a balanced stance is fundamental. Without your foundations secure, you cannot attack with any power nor defend with any confidence. This is especially true when we change our focus or direction.

Box Patterns

One of the best ways to develop a rock-solid stance that is robust when changing directions is a set of exercises that I refer to as ‘Box Patterns.’ In our training, these are generally introduced just after the two-directional footwork exercises (Shuffle and Changeover, forward and backswards with the respective permutations) have been internalised by students. These exercises are very traditional in form, based around repeating specific techiques to the front, right, back and left sides of the room, generally in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. From the most basic, here are some of the ones that we might use:

1. Changeover, Turn.
2. Shuffle, Changeover, Turn.
3. Shuffle, Turn, Changeover back.

Note: in box patterns, “Turn” refers to pivoting on the balls of the feet 90 degrees.

This morning, for example, we practiced the Changeover-Turn Box Pattern, starting with just the footwork, then adding a punch with the changeover and a chudan uke with the turn. We extended this by moving to #2 and adding a jab with the shuffle.

In each case, increasing complexity is designed to stretch the mind so that the more simple body movements require less or no conscious attention to execute precisely, thereby making the techniques more robust and the technician more effective under stressed or when otherwise impaired (such as by alcohol, fatigue, stress, multiple opponents, extreme conditions… when you actually need to use the techniques!).

If I may add to the comments made in class last week:

• Legs like Earth, solid and strong.
• Body like Water, fluid and dynamic.
• Arms like Fire, fast and powerful.
• Mind like Air, omniscient and adaptable.
• Spirit like Void, aware and unattached.

On the topic of traditional techniques, we spoke a little on traditional blocks today. Traditional blocks are useful for two main reasons:

• Building focus and mental discipline
  As you are drilling your traditional techniques, you can develop strength and robustness in your mental focus… the focus and discipline necessary when stresses reduce the effectiveness and value of your conscious mental state.
• Developing strength in a compound motion
  Although largely impractical for street applications in the form that they are most commonly taught, traditional blocks are very effective when applied in different contexts. There are many applications of these blocks, though some appear below.

High block/ Jodan uke: Defence against single lapel grab by trapping the grabbing hand and striking the jaw with the lower forearm or hammerfist.

Mid-section block/ Chudan uke: Defence against wrist grab by rotating the arm around as you move blindside and dislodging the grip. This is most effective if you are moving your body also.

There are more differences between the parts of Bushikai than there is to the whole of Zen Do Kai.

There are more differences between the parts of Zen Do Kai than there is to the whole of Bushikai.

There are very significant overlaps in theory, purpose, technique and structure. While not the same, having trained at some length with instructors and students of each, I believe that we are very much part of a similar family. That said, I believe that parts of each stray away from what I consider to be true martial arts.

I will refer to “the path” below in reference to what I consider to be the true path of Bushikai and of Zen Do Kai.

• When we train to get a belt, we are not following the path.
• When we train in a particular way because of tradition rather than because it is the best way we know of, we are not following the path.
• When we act from ego and delusions of power rather than serving our students and developing ourselves, we are not following the path.

The path for Bushikai and Zen Do Kai – the path of pursuing successively higher standards of excellence or the best of everything progression – is the same.

And whether you are from Nemesis or White Fury or Black Dragon or Brotherhood, to the extent that you are pursuing improved technique and improved techniques of teaching techniques, you are following the path.

The techniques of Zen Do Kai have changed in focus radically. Recall in the Goju Rebels days, leg kicks were not permitted, blocks were traditional and blood flowed freely. Many changes were made to bring Zen Do Kai to where it was when I started training in the early 1990s.

Bushikai’s grading syllabus, while published online in only basic form, is more extensive and transparent than what is available from Zen Do Kai. Furthermore, they have the most recently published kata video.

It was the diversity that made Zen Do Kai strong. It was that same diversity that made it difficult to control.

Indeed, a well known Bushikai Master has been known to say that ZDK/ABK is really just Goju… it’s just that most people don’t realise it.

In my opinion, Bushikai is both the latest manifestation of Zen Do Kai, and an entirely new concept just as Zen Do Kai was to Goju in the 1960s.

We ought give respect to all those who follow their path, no matter what that path might be.

We ought look for excellences that we might emulate.
We ought be aware of deficiencies in others that we might correct those flaws in ourselves.

We ought pursue our path while remaining detached and focused; Detached from the actual outcomes achieved, though focused on giving our all in each moment.

Martial arts training is a powerful metaphor because the links are many, multi-faceted and yet retain depth. Martial arts is a microcosm of life: Perfecting a cut or a punch or a kata has parallels and lessons that can be applied throughout the Universe.

Our strengths, unleashed, grant victory.
Our weaknesses, hidden, ensure defeat.

Appreciating the paradox is a mental exercise. Applying the paradox through distinction, contradistinction and self-awareness of ourselves and our place in the Universe is a spiritual experience. Training ourselves to unleash our strengths without hiding our weaknesses is a physical discipline.

• For all kicks the higher the knee lift the better. For mae geri remember to drive the arm through first then forward with the hip and leg.
• Try to do all kicks without a step forward (less telegraph). Stand taller in the stance makes kicking easier. No step required.
• For side kicks throw the knee of the kick directly sideways. I.e. off the front right leg throw the right knee left, lift the knee as high as possible, then rotate but not too far. The foot should finish horizontal (I tend to angle the toes down)
• Jumping mae geri. The leg kicking is the leg pushing off the ground. In left foot forward fighting stance push off with the left leg, throw the right knee as high as possible then strike with the left. Remembering to push forward with the hip and tuck the foot under the bum.
• Spinning back kick is a great kick in sparring and easier to do than a normal back kick. May need to step across or switch first.
• Crescents are also good for knocking down guards or chins.
• Roundhouse (Thai) remember to get the knee as high as possible and come in from the side.

1. Jab, inside leg kick, roundhouse, double head punch
2. Jab, spinning backfist, sidekick.
3. Double head punch.
4. Jab, front foot front kick, double head punch.
5. Leg kick, reverse punch.
6. Leg kick front kick of either foot.
7. Jab, spinning back kick, leg kick.
8. Jab, double head punch.
9. Inside crescent, reverse punch.
10. Check their leg kick with my shin on their thigh
11. Double head-punch
12. Uppercut-hook
13. Double head-punch, uppercut-hook
14. Jab, reverse knee
15. Jab, double head-punch, reverse front kick
16. Left check, right roundhouse kick
17. Jab, right body punch, uppercut overhand right
18. Knees (from a grappling posture)
19. Jab, switch front kick, roundhouse
20. Double jab
21. Feint, overhand right
22. Switch front kick, double head-punch
23. Jab, reverse front kick, double head-punch, reverse roundhouse kick (land side-on), step up-backfist-sidekick
24. Jab, left inside leg kick, right roundhouse
25. Bag combos
26. Roundhouse – sidekick (no step in between)
27. Round house spin BF
28. Punches
29. LJ RJ LHK (keep arm horizontal) RJ (remember keep the right hand up and in tight)
30. Vertical elbow (remember weight behind it and drive through)
31. Nihanchin elbow (vertical then to the left)
32. Muay Thai knee (vertical then in hitting with the inside of the knee)
33. Straight knees