My first night as a student in Salisbury the green belts I was assigned too covered Charts 1 and 2. This began my Isshinryu education.
I remember myself and other white belts would show
up for class an hour before class and practice them together.
For decades I had no idea there were other versions
of the charts of the techniques on them. I was content to practice and teach as
I had been shown.
Then when I became aware of different versions,
I was already content to continue what I had been
shown.
(After all after a quarter century of work, why not?)
Right now I am thinking of Number 13 as I studied
it.
13. LFF Right Roundhouse Punch,
Left (Same)
This is where you step forward and strike to the
opponent temple with a roundhouse punch (with the two lead knuckles) and then with
a left roundhouse punch to the other temple.
I saw what I was doing was striking towards
someone’s temple with the strike.
Many years later as I was studying the application
potential for this strike
I realized it could be a strike to the temple, or a
strike to the side of the neck.
Further analysis made me realize the strike could be
done with the two knuckles, or could be done with the thumb of the Isshinryu
fist.
Of course this would have a different impact for the
target.
With further analysis I also came to realize that
the same strike could be with the edge of the first knuckle and the thumb of
the fist, making a simultaneous double strike with the fist.
I had learned similar ways of striking from other
instructors.
The first time I really realized these existed was
from Sherman Harrill.
Another use I found was where someone strikes
towards you,
and you step
outside their strike (to the left)
At the same time you strike into the side of their
neck with a right ridgehand strike, alternatively with a ridge hand two finger
strike to the side of the neck.
Two different strikes with different impact
potentials to the opponents neck.
This newer understanding of what the movement could
be used for
Offered new possibilities of choice when striking.
It is even somewhat similar to this drawing from the
Bubishi.
Not the same thing, but a similar principle. IMO.
Anither
detail to remember in Uchina (Okinawan) Guchi
the area being struck could be the the face or Chira
or the neck Kubi.
Appendix:
i. Credits- First I
need to acknowledge the Isshinryu of Tom Lewis,
ii. The fist used in
striking is the inverted vertical standing fist of Isshinryu karate. The
striking is done with the two lead knuckles, you are striking with the ridge of
knuckles. Other options involve the use of the thumb from the inverted vertical
standing fist, and the combination of the lead knuckle and the thumb in a
simultaneous strike.
Do not add any tension into the striking arm until the moment of
impact. This will allow the arm to move more quickly. The moment of impact, the
impacting strike becomes the method to tighten the strike. Immediately upon
finishing the strike the hand relaxes on the way out. This provides a secondary
strike as the body snaps out to replace where it was struck. In effect this
helps the strike become a shaped charge into the attacker’s body. Makiwara
training increases this effect.
iii. The target of
opportunity is the entire arc available for the strike, beginning straight
down and ending straight up. Any point on that arc may be stuck. The actual
choice depends on the desired result.
iv. The manner of
stepping is either straight or curved. In my Isshinryu the manner of
stepping always uses the crescent step. That is how I was taugjht, but straight
stepping is also used by others in Isshinryu. Both methods work. In my
tradition the step starts by stepping in alongside the opposite leg, then it
steps out from there. A technique may be performed straight forward, straight
back, or shifting into a line of defense crossing the attacking limb.
One advantage to the crescent step are found
where the step into alongside the other leg, allow you to compress the energy
of your movement. Then stepping out is accomplished more explosively conclude
the stepping. This adds another force multiplier.
The manner of stepping also uses the knee
release to drop the body weight into the movement. This increases speed and
power and of course is another force multiplier.
v. Replacement Stepping is
used to step away from a line of attack. The stepping leg moves first alongside
the other leg, then perhaps because of the attacker moving forward too fast,
the other leg steps back to conclude the crescent step. An alternate version
has the 2nd leg kick out to form the stance on a different angle,
across the line of attack. This can be accomplished by a slide shift if
straight stepping is used.
The replacement stepping also moves your
centerline from where the opponent desires to strike. This creates a new line
to counter-attack. This also works as a force multiplier.
vi. The starting position
for the defender in this study is with both hands down at their side. There are
strategic studies with different starting positions, but at this time a blind
attack is being used.
vii. The reciprocal hand
is raised while the lead hand strikes. Not a part of the original upper body
drills, it raises for practical reasons. One of which is a possible
blocking/jamming function, another is practical placing that hand for secondary
usage if the initial strike fails due to serendipity. Raising the other hand
also results in better body alignment, another force multiplier.
viii. Force multiplier
original definition :”A capability that, when
added to and employed by a combat force, significantly increases the combat
potential of that force and thus enhances the probability of successful mission
accomplishment.’ In my context a number of technique enhancements which
increase the power of the response. The more force multipliers which can be added to
a technique the increase of it’s destructive potential. They are a product of the training
methodology utilized.
ix. The method of attack
used by the attacker is starting from a neutral stance they drive a punch
towards the defender with great vigor. A stronger attack might be a boxing lead
punch immediately followed by a cross. The stronger attack creates a better
training set.
x. Perfect form may not be practical in defense, but in practice
work to perform any technique as perfectly as possible. Incorrect technique
instead of being a force multiplier
might turn into a force detractor.
Also the more perfect your practice, the more you have to draw upon.
xi. What you don’t practice, you will not be able to rely upon!
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