Sherman Harrill and what I call multiple striking

 

 

One of my interests that developed over time as I trained with many people involves the idea of multiple striking. Only much later did I realize Tom Lewis incorporated a version of this in IMO  his unique Chart I (upper body drills). Of course I have been slow many times.  How and what I refer to as Multiple Striking I refer you to the many blog links at the end of this discussion.

 

However I discovered over the years I attended clinics with Sherman Harrill that he had studied this from Tatsuo Shimabuku and worked up his own even more intense version (again IMO).

 

One time Sherman explained a favorite strike of Tatsuo was to strike with a vertical punch then collapse his striking arm elbow to immediately strike the same spot with an elbow strike.  This alone is superb.

 

While many others may do this I have never heard anyone explain doing so.

 

Then one time Sherman taught us an extreme example of this principle.

 

If the attacker steps in with his right foot and delivers a right strike to your head”

 

1.     You strike into the side of their lower left abdomen. This is a light strike and when delivered slides off and to your left.

2.     As that occurs the fist continues to strike lightly off their lower right abdomen.

3.     They your right vertical fist strikes their right arm triceps underneath their striking arm using that strike to distract the attacker further as it delivers a painful strike at the same time.

4.     As your right strike concludes fold your right arm at the elbow and is strikes back as a rearward elbow strike into the left side ribs of their body.

5.     The right fist of the striking arm then delivers a back fist strike

a.     The back fist strike might be into the arm pit.

b.    Or the back fist strike might be to the side of the head

6.     As the right fist slides back to chamber it can also be a strike into a left outgoing punch if they have started to throw one. This returning slashing strike stops their strike from going forward.

7.     Conclude with your right hand returning to chamber.

 

Of course such depends on the actual situation.  It can be successfully done with fewer strikes. Sherman also demonstrated this.

 

Multiple Striking is not better than a solid single shot, just a different option that situational may make sense.

 

Links to my blog describing other types of Multiple Striking.

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2016/09/multiple-striking-updated.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-unique-exercise-in-multiple-striking.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2011/04/multiple-striking.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2017/06/using-my-time-to-work-on-new-idea.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2016/10/basic-multiple-striking-drill.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2017/11/oshiro-sensei-and-multiple-striking.html

 

Sherman Harrill and what I call multiple striking

 

One of my interests that developed over time as I trained with many people involves the idea of multiple striking. Only much later did I realize Tom Lewis incorporated a version of this in IMO  his unique Chart I (upper body drills). Of course I have been slow many times.  How and what I refer to as Multiple Striking I refer you to the many blog links at the end of this discuission.

 

However I discovered over the years I attended clinics with Sherman Harrill that he had studied this from Tatsuo Shimabuku and worked up his own even more intense version (again IMO).

 

One time Sherman explained a favorite strike of Tatsuo was to strike with a vertical punch then collapse his striking arm elbow to immediately strike the same spot with an elbow strike.  This alone is superb.

 

While many others may do this I have never heard anyone explain doing so.

 

Then one time Sherman taught us an extreme example of this principle.

 

If the attacker steps in with his right foot and delivers a right strike to your head”

 

1.     You strike into the side of their lower left abdomen. This is a light strike and when delivered slides off and to your left.

2.     As that occurs the fist continues to strike lightly off their lower right abdomen.

3.     They your right vertical fist strikes their right arm triceps underneath their striking arm using that strike to distract the attacker further as it delivers a painful strike at the same time.

4.     As your right strike concludes fold your right arm at the elbow and is strikes back as a rearward elbow strike into the left side ribs of their body.

5.     The right fist of the striking arm then delivers a back fist strike

a.     The back fist strike might be into the arm pit.

b.    Or the back fist strike might be to the side of the head

6.     As the right fist slides back to chamber it can also be a strike into a left outgoing punch if they have started to throw one. This returning slashing strike stops their strike from going forward.

7.     Conclude with your right hand returning to chamber.

 

Of course such depends on the actual situation.  It can be successfully done with fewer strikes. Sherman also demonstrated this.

 

Multiple Striking is not better than a solid single shot, just a different option that situational may make sense.

 

Links to my blog describing other types of Multiple Striking.

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2016/09/multiple-striking-updated.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-unique-exercise-in-multiple-striking.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2011/04/multiple-striking.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2017/06/using-my-time-to-work-on-new-idea.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2016/10/basic-multiple-striking-drill.html

 

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2017/11/oshiro-sensei-and-multiple-striking.html

 

 

Multiple Striking updated

I have decided to update this post.

 

 

 

One of the Isshinryu basic techniques involves multiple striking, responding to an attack with five punches.

 

This is just basic overload theory, where you throw so many techniques that something can get through to conclude an attacker. The basic version of this involves 5 strikes to the same spot. If the opponent has conditioned themselves to take a strike, use of strike after strike on one spot looks for the time their body response breaks down. I often characterize such striking as layered striking, the use of strikes to break through the bodies outer layers.
 

 

There is another version that can use the five strikes to begin with the head and then move the strikes down the body working the centerline.

As demonstrated by Tom Lewis on Dennis Lockwood.
 

 

Another Multiple Striking approach is where one strike rolls into another strike.

 

I first learned this from Tristan Sutrisno with a series of five strikes flowing from one to the next. Years later I saw Toshihiro Oshiro Uchinadi video’s and he demonstrates a backfist flowing from a punch (the same beginning in the Sutrisno multiple striking series). A natural progression from a strike and then using the pull back to springboard to another technique.

 

A similar multiples strike is shown by Oshiro with the Age Uke

 

 

 

 

This is how I was originally shown multiple striking from Sutrisno Sensei. Sorry for the sideways video.

 demonstrated by Mike Cassidy

 

 

and screen captures of Mike

 

 

My own variations on multiple striking.

 

 

 

 

The Sutrisno series actually is not done that way in defense, but shows how any of it’s technique can move into a following strike, and in its case involves 5 separate strikes.

  

Such techniques are quite in keeping with the kata technique usage discussed by Shiroma Shimpan in Nakasone’s 1938 "Karate-Do Taikan” which I discussed at

 http://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2010/05/itosus-reflections-watson-look-for.html

[Question if you follow my blog and you haven’t availed yourself to buy a copy or Mario McKenna’s translation for sale at Lulu, you’re missing one of the true treasures on karate study.]

 

This is how we introduce members to a simplified version of multiple striking.

 

 

 

From a Chinese tradition Ernest Rothrock’s “Jing Do – short range striking” concepts follow a very similar approach.  This is how we use these drills.

 

 

 

There is no question that directed impact training to develop a strike potential is more important to make strikes work. Multiple striking is a directed back up plan just in case.

 

There is more there, this just scratches the surface of this concept.

 

 As a suggestion you might want to check this out. 

http://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2016/02/it-is-just-side-block.html

Updated 12-13-2016

A unique exercise in Multiple Striking

The striking I had learned in my Isshinryu karate was pretty standard, and most effective.

 

However when I first encountered a drill in multiple striking techniques I knew immediately I had to have it, made notes and practiced it and taught it forever.

 

Multiple striking is a training tool where one technique flows into another. The techniques are not exotic in themselves. But the potential of the training, IMO, is something else.

 

After a while I realized I had seen something similar in the Chinese training I was undergoing. Got out my notes, and yet another set of drills to use.

 

Then I remembered my original instructor, Tom Lewis, using something a variation from the  Isshinryu upper body chart that could be classified the same way.  First meeting with Sherman Harrill he too did something that could work the same way. Eventually I opened my eyes and found other examples in my Isshinryu, which required me to realize what was happening within that multiple striking paradigm.

 

Slowly I accumulated other examples, from other systems and from other instructors.  Each of them earned a place in the advanced training on use of multiple striking I taught.

 

The original drill I learned back in 1979 was from a Shotokan variation. This drill I show below is from an Indonesian Silat system.

 

All of the techniques shown are in karate too. What is being showed in how the movements can flow from technique to technique.

 

This is of course a drill. It is not suggesting you need to use all of it for a defense. But a way to build flow skill for technique use.

 King Caenap (Silat)

 

 

I discuss the concept of multiple striking on further blog posts.

 https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2016/09/multiple-striking-updated.html

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2017/11/oshiro-sensei-and-multiple-striking.html

https://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2017/06/using-my-time-to-work-on-new-idea.html

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

Multiple Striking

One of the Isshinryu basic techniques involves multiple striking, responding to an attack with five punches.

This is just basic overload theory, where you throw so many techniques that something can get through to conclude an attacker. The basic version of this involves 5 strikes to the same spot. If the opponent has conditioned themselves to take a strike, use of strike after strike on one spot looks for the time their body response breaks down. I often characterize such striking as layered striking, the use of strikes to break through the bodies outer layers.

There is another version that can use the five strikes to begin with the head and then move the strikes down the body working the centerline.

Another Multiple Striking approach is where one strike rolls into another strike.

I first learned this from Tristan Sutrisno with a series of five strikes flowing from one to the next. Years later I saw Toshihiro Oshiro Uchinadi video’s and he demonstrates a backfist flowing from a punch (the same beginning in the Sutrisno multiple striking series). A natural progression from a strike and then using the pull back to springboard to another technique.

The Sutrisno series actually is not done that way in defense, but shows how any of it’s technique can move into a following strike, and in its case involves 5 separate strikes. A similar multiples strike is shown by Oshiro with the Age Uke http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv2b_IJ0lnA .

Such techniques are quite in keeping with the kata technique usage discussed by Shiroma Shimpan in Nakasone’s 1938 ‘Karate-Do Taikan” which I discussed at http://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/2010/05/itosus-reflections-watson-look-for.html

[Question if you follow my blog and you haven’t availed yourself to buy a copy or Mario McKenna’s translation for sale at Lulu, you’re missing one of the true treasures on karate study.]

From a Chinese tradition Ernest Rothrock’s “Jing Do – short range striking” concepts follow a very similar approach.

There is no question that directed impact training to develop a strike potential is more important to make strikes work. Multiple striking is a directed back up plan just in case.

Using my time to work on a new idea.

Using my time to work on a new idea.

 

To start with I am using a variation of a multiple striking drill I developed.

 

These drills are not intended to be realistic fighting combinations, rather training tools to allow us to understand how one movement can turn into a double of a triple strike.  Each strike is done as  real strike with power, but another strike flows from the original. Originally I learned this which I believe may have been an Indonesian principle applied to Shotokan training.

 

Then after several decades of practice (and application use) I began to develop an Isshinryu version and others. But there are always other potentials,

 

I have been fooling with these for a while.  More possibilities and the training to realize their use. This is the basic series I developed.

 

 

Taking the open hand multiple striking drill I developed and thinking about variations on the drill.

 

            1. Right spear hand strike to the solar plexus.

            2. Right back hand strike to the point between the eyes.

            3. Right descending knife hand strike on the inside of a striking arm.

            4. Right ascending base of thumb strike into the right side of the opponents neck.

            5. Right knife hand strike circles over the attacker’s head and strikes the knife hand into left side of the opponents neck.

 

Or

1. Right spear hand strike to the solar plexus.

            2. Right back hand strike to the point between the eyes.

            3. Right descending knife hand strike on the inside of a striking arm.

            4. Right ascending base of thumb strike into the right side of the opponents neck.

            5. Right ridge hand strike circles in front of the attacker’s head and strikes the thumb side of the ridge hand into left side of the opponents neck.

 

Or

1. Right spear hand strike to the solar plexus.

            2. Right back hand strike to the point between the eyes.

            3. Right descending knife hand strike on the inside of a striking arm.

            4. Right ascending knife hand strike into the right side of the opponents neck.

            5. Right ridge hand strike circles in front of the attacker’s head and strikes the thumb side of the ridge hand into left side of the opponents neck.

 

Or

1. Right spear hand strike to the solar plexus.

            2. Right back hand strike to the point between the eyes.

            3. Right descending knife hand strike on the inside of a striking arm.

            4. Right ascending knife hand strike into the right side of the opponents neck.

5. Right knife hand strike circles over the attacker’s head and strikes the knife hand into left side of the opponents neck.

 

There are so many other variations. One strike might do what is necessary. This just offers the possibility that one strike can be two strikes, etc.

 

Multiple Striking, layered striking amd other possibilities.

 

http://isshin-concentration.blogspot.com/search?q=multiple+striking