Wednesday, November 1, 2023

John Kerker and potential use for the Seiunchin Kata ‘Archers block sequence’

 


Just one application from many at a clinic John Kerker gave at Chicopee Ma. Then he continued on with others. Likely most did not retain the specific application, as their minds were then filled with so many others. I was fortunately allowed to video some of the short times I was able to attend each year.

Here is the YouTube video of that application. It starts at .41 seconds or so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA_EyM51SLA


 

I have done my best to capture screen prints although they are not always clear they so show what John was doing.

1.     For where you step back and form the LFF archer’s block, John steps back and uses his left hand to catch that striking arm as he steps away.

 



2.     John having grasped the striking arm with his right then slaps into  the side of the striking arm to destabilize the attacker.



3.     John then takes left hand, using the rebound force to strike into the side of his abdomen (into the ribs).



4.     John, instead of stepping to RFF, instead steps a little into a shallower  LFF stance, but he grabs the striking arm at the wrist (the attacker having become destabilized) and bends that arm up and back to the attacker.



5.     Next John bends the arm further  back and further destabilizing the attackers balance.

 



6.      At this point as the attacker is vastly off balance from his bent arm, John takes his left hand and grabs the attackers bent arm wrist pulling slightly down, putting him on his toes.



7.     So then thoroughly destabilized the attacker can easily be rotated counter-clockwise to the ground.

 

I remembered and worked on this privately and showing it to my senior students, it did not formally become something I taught.

 

I had previously worked up a different answer that was very sufficient for my dan training. However my dans always had the potential to make their own choices. For I believe there are many possible correct answers that work. Their training was varied to help them understand the underlying principles to develop their own appreciation for kata Movement Application Analysis, then for them to move forward to reach the greater challenge being Movement  Potential Application Realization.

Then let’s look at the answer I got from Sherman. There are not as many variations as for me he concentrated more on the Wansu through Sunnu kata, But what I have provides other answers.

 

Seiunchin Kata – Archers Block

 

1.     Against a RFF Right Front Kick (Exterior Line of Defense

a.     Angle to the left side, and the left hand scoops up (counter-clockwise)

b.     Right hand then scoops up (clockwise)

c.      Left hand then scoops down (to the groin) completing the archers block

d.     Instead of the sweep down to the groin, the left hand could come up and sweep down on top of the leg.

e.     On the opening of this defense, first spin inside/outside away from the kick, then scoop the kick up then execute the archers block.

 

2.     Attacker RFF Right Punch

a.     Left Foot Back Archers Block (left High Block, Right Low Block

b.    When executing the low block, the block is with the descending forearm not the palm

 

My personal solution – Against a strike towards your head with their left hand/arm.

 

 

1.     As the begin to punch your right foot steps back on a 45 degree angle away from their punch.

2.     Your left open hand parries up on the inside of their strike and your right open hand moves up and away from the attacker ( this forms a variation of the Archer’s Block.

3.     Your left open hand flows up, over and then down around their arm.

4.     You step forward with your right foot and you right open palm strikes  into their shoulder joint. This breaks their balance.

5.     You then pull with your left wrapped hand and push against their shoulder taking the attacker to the ground.

 

Of course there are many, many variations on this them e that can be explored.

 

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