You must
remember this,
A block is still
a block,
A strike is just
a strike
The fundamental
things apply as time goes by.
When
a new student starts with me, they are shown the side block, which is explained
as a deflection of a strike. That continues to be the case as their kyu studies
continue.
I
just do Isshinryu karate. I am not doing tournament focused karate, I am not
teaching exercise, I am not teaching self defense, Just karate. Where I have
been living now 32 years, Derry, NH is as relatively a quiet place to live IMO
about as dangerous as Okinawa was say 100 years ago, meaning not very.
Of
course in this world that can change anywhere in an instant. Bad things do
happen here too, but the program is geared to the average danger which might be
anticipated. A different place, a different time, a different mixture of focus
would be taught.
Up
to Sho Dan what I am interested in, in the student, is building their basic
ability. Which is more difficult than many assume.
The
ability to deliver a side block, consistently, becomes a more difficult
challenge than many understand. A simple example most often occurs at brown belt.
Learning a kata, is much more than remembering the movements. There they learn
one of our longest teachings, Kusanku
kata.
Once
they have learned the sequence of the movements, practice begins. Because of
the length of the kata, most often the student, begins to back off their
blocks. Performing them too light to make them work. Their mind is most often
focused on trying to remember the form, to get through the exercise of the
form. Attention is given to the more percussive appearing techniques, kicks and
strikes, with less attention given to the blocks. I believe it is because at
that point they know the blocks.
I
normally tell, the student, that they appear to be developing brownbelt-itis*. A disease that often
begins at brown belt, though it can occur earlier ot later in training. Of
course I am using humor to make a point. In these cases, what is most important
that each movement is performed with appropriate power.
*
Brownbelt-itis has many symptoms. It is not a singular event
This
also occurs to the mid kata the student knows when they are studying more advanced
kata. Then they begin to practice just to get through them.
What
we are looking for, is the black belt candidate can keep their focus on each
movement in each kata. Without any letting up of technique execution.
This
is more difficult than most realize, Looking at the application potential of
the movement is less important than the actual execution, that can underly
those applications. All things being equal, the ShoDan has developed the focus
to impart the focus into each movement of their studies, then there is the
basic texture to work with into the study of the movement application.
There
are numerous ways to use a movement. One is not better than another. They are
situational choices at best. Blocks as initially taught as deflection are real.
It just is that
things are not necessarily what they seem.
We
begin with a review of what they have been training.
I.
The
use of the Side Block for deflection .Reviewing the
forward then backward execution of the movement. We review advantages and
disadvantages of using the deflection.
Ia. Then we begin to see what various Force Enhancers
use can allow us to do,
1.
Shifting
to an angle from the attack. Requiring less force to make the deflection work.
By moving away from a direct response it creates more time to do so.
2.
How
touching the blocking arm with the other hand, involves more of the bodies
alignment creating more power behind the block.
3.
How
use of the knee release, allowing the center of the body to descend, also
creates more power for the technique.
4.
Use
of the crossing of the hands before the block, to have the other hand parry the
attack, prior to the block.
5.
Use
of the crossing hand to strike into the shoulder eliminating a need to block..
6.
Use
of the crossing of the hands before the block, to have the other hand parry the
attack, prior to the block.
7.
Use
of the crossing of the hands before the block as a method to generate more
power.
8.
Use
of the crossing of the hands before the block, to have the other hand parry the
attack, prior to the block.
9.
Use
of the crossing of the hands before the block, to have the other hand parry the
attack, prior to the block. Then takc that parring hand, close the fist, and
return it to chamber.
a.
That
hand then slices across the face during the returning movement.
b.
That
hand then slices across the ribs during the returning movement.
c.
That
hand then slices into a strike with their other hand, while it returns to the
arm.
d.
These potentials
are not exclusive. They can be combined with other force enhancers for greater
potential. They also may be used with the other range of movement potentials.
II.
Next would be the use of the Side Block to draw the attacker into you.
This
motion use brings the attacker closer to allow you to attack them easier. It is
often described as using the block in a sucking manner.
The
blocking arm circles out then back to accomplish this use.
III.
Then the
use of the Side Block as a force to Down the Opponent.
The
motion of the Side Block can be done to generate a downward force. Then applying
that sort of Side Block to a strike can force the opponent downward. During the
movement of striking the opponent is temporarily unbalanced. This sort of force
can work against their unbalance.
IIIa. A subset of this motion use, is to use the elbow of
the side block as a descending strike into the attackers body.
IV.
The use of the Side Block as a striking force into the
opponent.
a.
Use
of the Side Block as a strike into the face.
b.
Use
of the Side Block as a way to strike into the shoulder joint.
c.
The
use of the Side Block as a strike into their body.
d.
Any
such use also allows use of the Force Multipliers with that strike.
V.
The use
of the Side Block as a way to open an attack to allow a following circular strike.
We have a striking practice referred to as Jing Do. Where the block is the initial deflection, and the movement continues to become a circular movement that ends up as a strike into the side of the opponents chest.
While the range is shown to the ShoDan, it
is not expected that they will be able to do all of this overnight. Rather their
training program is geared to allow them to develop the various uses.
Nor is this an exclusive list. Rather an
opening movement into the larger lifetime study. Any one of which an conclude an attack. The study only allows you options
for the situations you may face.
It's still the
same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will
always remember karate as time goes by
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