The Applications Unlimited Toolbox

An older post.

Some thoughts on Applicatiions possibilities. These are concepts I regularly refer to, and have been trained in their usage. All of which I consider for any Applicatiions analysis. Perhaps some of which you will find of merit. As always any additional suggestions are appreciated.

Tool 1, Range of Applications

Applications can be how a section of a kata is applied against a specific attack.
Applications can be how a section of a kata is applied against various attacks.
Applications can be how a piece of a kata technique can be applied against a specific attack.
Applications can be how a piece of a kata technique can be applied against various attacks.
Applications can be direct use of said technique to strike into the opponent, and study where and how to strike effectively.
Applications can be direct use of said technique to lock the opponent.
Applications can be direct use of said technique to down the opponent.



Applications can be any combination of the above, together and in any direction with correct body shifting (whether present in the kata or not.)

Tool 2, Lower body Usage

The use of the lower body in a technique need to be carefully explored. The leg movement can be used to trap or sweep the opponent. Most importantly, it needs to be properly combined with the upper body. Our eyes, often control most of our learning process, and the hands and arms being closer to the eyes, tend to get our interest most frequently. But a careful analysis of most systems will find that the use of the lower body is an important part of the application.

step can step on a foot, or in front of or behind a foot. These movements can trap the leg allowing more effective striking, locking or takedowns. A step can always be an opening for a kicking technique, following the motion of the step itself. Traditional technique sequences can always be concluded with the next stepping motion from the kata. In most instances, this will a takedown, too.



Tool 3, Multiple Striking

The addition of multiple striking can be considered. This is primarily an outgrowth of my time with Tris Sutrisno and his family In reality it is also present in out arts if you look for it. Shotokan/tjimande/aikido studies. The opening strike is turned into another strike. If practiced it allows layering strikes.

I believe the reason this was developed was to try to break through the body's defenses. If struck, an individual can harden their body's musculature and alignment to take the shot, in effect strike back with their body itself. On the other hand after struck, the body automatically returns to softness. Multiple, layered striking uses the first strike to confuse the body and the second strike is the one which penetrates. I believe this is a possible answer why Isshinryu has a series of techniques which involve 5 punches into the abdominal area of an attacker.

The following examples of multiple striking all require practice and perfection. There is no shortcut for anything to work.

Upper Body Multiple Striking Possibilities

1. Beginning with the outer palm blade strike I used in connection with the Applicatiions of the 3rd technique in Gojushiho Kata, once the palm blade strike scores with its slice, the hand can then snap rotate into a palm strike into the same spot.

2. A punch can be immediately followed by a vertical palm srtike. From the punching hand the wrist can rotate either clockwise, or counter-clockwise either of which leave the standing palm strike 3. Spear hand can be immediately followed by a punch with the same hand.

3. The lead finger spear hand can be followed with a vertical palm strike.

4. It was previously mentioned on this list that a vertical palm strike may be followed by an index finger strike.

5. A replacement for the outer knife hand blocks (strikes). Instead do an outer middle ridge hand block, and upon contact, roll the hand over for a second short shuto strike. This can be a prelude to a grab.

6 Six Count striking Principles, any of which layer into kata Applications too.

a. The punch is followed by a backfist strike

b. The Backfist strike is followed by a descending palm strike

c. The Descending palm strike if followed by an ascending forearm strike

d. The ascending forearm strike is followed by a throat or eye grabbing technique.

Lower body multiple Striking Possibilities

1. A right front kick (into the attackers left thigh, becomes a right cutting kick (with the first kick's snap back) into the attackers left knee (from behind).

2. A right roundhouse kick into the floating ribs flows into a right stomp kick into the attackers knees

3. A right front kick into the attackers knee is followed by a right side kick into the attackers left thigh.

Tool 4, Kakushite - Additional Techniques

There is also a tradition in Okinawa Kata Applicatiions, of Kakushite. I've seen this take two forms. First where an additional technique, directly not in the kata, is added to the bukai of that sequence. The second is where entire technique sequences are added. For example I know of one version of Chinto kata, which has been expanded to add at least one additional technique to every movement of the Kyan based Chito problem. With this being done, the entire form takes on additional Applicatiions potential.

Well, I've expounded a bit. As aways I hope this is helpful