Inquiry to Grappling

 

Okinawan Karate – the Art of Grappling with Strikes

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kv8HkGWo2Q

First shared on YouTube in February 2016

 

 

Of course when I saw this two days ago, it was the first time I saw it.

It makes a point that these are very different times from the past when nothing was available.

 

Then just because a video is available and you watch if for 15 seconds that does not mean you gained much from it.

 

For one thing it shows there are many potentials within karate movement. NOBODY does everything, nor should they.

 

There are many right answers. All you have to do is make your training in your way work, every time. That is what training is about.

 

Still it makes a case for showing some answers for logical analysis of kata movements, in this case grappling answers.

 

For myself, first level of analysis, I would not choose such answers. Not that they aren’t there, but for the ages  I have taught, and the time students had to give what I shared, this answer did not fit the way I explored and taught my Isshinryu program.

 

But everything is not equal. Being most obsessive these days, I do have the time, I made over 500 screen prints of this short video.  Something for my long term students to review.

 

What is being shown is, a Kata movement, a throwing potential for that movement, and a contest in a range of arts where this movement is in actual use. Or what it looks like in contest.

 

This video speaks of a lot of work, not just the analysis, but taking the time to find actual usage to compare the throwing against.

 

The video presents a range of options.

 

Defensively, no matter how you practice Isshinryu, they show attacks you could face, and also throws to work defenses against with your use of Isshinryu. More than just static beginning practice. Similar to how I have used movements from many systems forms to study defense with our own practices.

 

Offensively, there are movements shown which are similar to Isshinryu movements, and you might study the manner in which they use them.

 

I am not sure what system(s) this represents, of even if the exact movements are used in their kata, the movements may have been stylized for these throws. But I can see the potential they present.

 

There is so much to consider, even in our own efforts.  I just suggest that these throws are ones you might face, and if so having a defense worked out ahead of time, and even practices might be a good thing.

 

 

This is another different look at karate technique potential. Its use as a throwing art.

 

The have taken the time to show not just the movements and the throw they suggest, but also a version of the movement in Judo, Wresting. Chinese Wrestling. Sumo, etc.

 

Most of the kata shown are not our kata, but some of the movements are very similar. You have enough knowledge of karate in general to see what is suggestion.

 

I realize you will probably not use them. But it can’ hurt to understand the potential And that some might use kara this way.

 

This highlites there are many more options that can be found than there are opportunities to train. No one can do everything. But each generation should consider different op;tions to follow, insuring no one knows what you have taught. Past answers are not necessarily the best for the future. Maximum unpredictability.