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| Sasori Karate Club - Karate
Articles - Karate-Do and I |
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In my humble opinion, Karate-Do is a
martial art with a mission. It doesn't
only teach self-defence, but discipline,
honour, trust, manners, respect and a
lot more.
Nowadays the need to use martial arts
on our streets is almost unheard of. People
start practising a martial art to learn
self-defence or to improve their fighting
ability, some want to become champions,
others want to improve their co-ordination,
some others join the classes to socialise.
Personally, I wanted to become like Bruce
Lee, as he was my hero, so fast and so
precise. Dreams are cheep and back then
I was a dreamer.
The reality of course is very different.
There are so many things one has to work
on in order to achieve the smoothness required
to be as effective and as accurate as you
are supposed to be. What are the requirements?
Discipline and patience are a must but a
good instructor will make things easier.
I am very lucky to train with instructors
the like of Professor K. Enoeda and his
able assistant Y. Ohta Sensei. They are
a source of inspiration. Their teaching
is so important to me because I owe so much
to them, as they guided me throughout my
Karate career. |
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I view basics (Kihon), stances (Dachi), kicks
(Keri), punches (Tzuki) and strikes (Uchi) as
the milestone of martial arts, as been the structure
of the main building. One has to practice them
diligently and continuously, firstly by themselves,
keeping on practising only stances for a while,
to gain a certain feel for that particular stance.
I for instance, used to exaggerate Kiba-Dachi
(straddle-leg-stance) making it much too low
and wide (which gives beginners the impression
of a good stance) resulting in a very weak and
unstable stance, especially because Kiba-Dachi
has always been associated with strength. So
one has to work on balance, keeping the spine
straight and the pelvis forward, pushing both
knees out and toes pointing forward. The plum
line for this stance is right in the middle,
between the right and left foot.
From Kiba-Dachi, you can easily move onto Kokutsu-Dachi
(back-stance), by shifting your body weight
to one leg/foot, and pulling/twisting the opposite
foot in order to form a right angle (90 ) between
the front foot and the back one. 70/75% of your
body weight is kept on the back leg, with its
knee pointing in the same direction as its foot.
The front knee is also bent (but only slightly)
and pointing in the same direction as its foot.
The latter is a very useful stance for defence,
because most of the weight is on the back leg.
To counter, one can always shift onto Zenkutsu-Dachi
(front-stance) by moving the front foot across
and forward. To the right if the latter is the
front foot, or to the left if this is the front
foot instead. Pushing with the back leg, which
goes almost straight if blocking and locks when
striking/punching. Twisting the back foot to
face forward, by sliding the ball of the foot
and pushing with the heel in the same direction
of your front foot (the front knee almost over
your toes with about 70/75% of the body weight
on your front leg), allowing more power to be
delivered when countering from this position.
Practising
techniques and their applicability is part of
my daily routine.
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Gedan-Barai
(Downward-sweep)
For Gedan-Barai (Downward-sweep) I start
by having both fists clenched and arms relaxed,
point forward (at stomach level) with the
right arm, placing the opposite fist just
over and almost touching the left shoulder/neck.
Without stopping turn the right fist clockwise
(as it is pulled back) simultaneously lowering
the left fist forcibly towards the left
knee (stopping just above it) and turning
the left fist clockwise as you complete
the movement (straightening the arm) simultaneously
twisting the hips. The movement should always
end together and not first the blocking
arm followed by the withdrawing arm. Gedan-Barai
can be used in a variety of cases, of which
a few examples follow: |
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- Someone has grabbed your left wrist. To
free yourself you should raise your right
fist just above the left shoulder (with the
palm facing the ear). As you lower it forcibly
towards the attackers grabbing hand, withdraw
your left hand/arm, stepping back with your
left leg, in front stance. The body shifting
will make the movement much stronger, allowing
you to free yourself from the attacker.
- Someone attacks you with an Oi-Zuki-Jodan
(stepping punch to the face). Step back into
a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi (right-front-stance)
lifting your right hand to protect your face,
pushing their fist across and to the outside
of your left shoulder simultaneously punching
Hidari-Gyaku-Zuki-Chudan (left-reverse-punch
to the middle area) ending the combination
with a Migi-Gedan-Barai/Zuki (right-downward-block/strike
to the lower area).
- Your opponent launches an attack with Migi-Chudan
or Gedan-Mae-Geri (right-kick- to the stomach
or groin area). Move back and towards the
right, landing into a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi
simultaneously blocking with a Gyaku-Gedan-Barai
(left reverse downward sweep) and twisting
the hips anticlockwise to Hidari-Zenkutsu-Dachi
(left front stance) allowing you to counter
with a Migi-Gyaku-Zuki-Chudan (right reverse
punch to the middle area).
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Age-Uke
(rising-block)
Age-Uke (rising-block) is a very useful
block, normally applied when defending against
punches to the face. To perform such a block,
we will start by pointing with the right
arm outstretched in front (palm facing the
opponent, and at forehead level) and with
the centre of the right forearm coinciding
with the centre of our forehead. As you
start to withdraw the right hand, twist
it (simultaneously clenching it into a tight
fist) clockwise, pushing the left fist upward
(at the same time) and towards the right
forearm (both forearms should cross in the
middle of the chest at halfway, with palms
facing towards you). The left fist should
start to twist clockwise when it reaches
eye level, and should end up just above
your forehead with the palm facing outwards
now. The right fist must finish the movement
(reaching the right hip) at the same time
as the left fist. You must make sure that
both forearms rub against the sides as they
move towards their destinations. Examples
of this block are given below: |
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- Someone has grabbed your left wrist. Twist
your left hand anticlockwise, as you start
to pull it towards the left hip. Simultaneously
push your right fist towards and under your
opponent's forearm (twisting anticlockwise
upon making contact) and stepping backwards
into a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi, breaking away
from your opponent's grip in the process,
and countering with a Hidari-Gyaku-Zuki-Chudan/Jodan.
- Using the left hand (which in this case
is the pointing arm) to deflect the opponent's
attacking arm (Migi-Oi-Zuki-Jodan), step forwards
with your right leg into a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi
and strike (with your right forearm) the opponents
neck. To make the strike more powerful, you
should (after deflecting) grab the opponent's
attacking forearm, and pull it down as you
push your right forearm to the opponent's
neck.
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Soto-Ude-Uke
(outside-forearm-block)
The next block that I will try to explain
is called Soto-Ude-Uke (outside-forearm-block),
to start, point with your left arm outstretched
in front, at stomach level. Place your right
fist (palm facing forward) next to your
right temple. Simultaneously move the left
leg back to Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi, as you
do so, twist the left fist/forearm anticlockwise
as you pull it back (to reach the left hip
Hikite) swinging the right fist/forearm
(in a semicircle fashion) forwards. Twisting
it and turning it clockwise as it reaches
the target (the palm should now be facing
you) and at the same height and in line
with the left shoulder. Applications of
this block could be: |
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- The opponent grabs your left wrist with
his left hand. Respond by grabbing his left
wrist with your left hand and twist it anticlockwise
while you pull it. Simultaneously strike his
left elbow with your right wrist/forearm,
moving back into a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi. The
actions of pulling and pushing should be simultaneous
to be effective.
- An attacker is stepping towards you and
attempting to punch Hidari-Oi-Zuki-Jodan.
Just before his attack is completed, you must
step back into a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi. Use
your right hand/wrist to parry his attack,
and grab his left wrist while pulling it downward.
Simultaneously strike Soto-Ude-Uchi to his
right temple.
- This time the opponent is trying a Migi-Mawashi-Geri-Jodan.
Just before this makes contact with your face,
step back and block with a Migi-Soto-Ude-Uke-Jodan.
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Uchi-Ude-Uke
(inside-forearm-block)
Uchi-Ude-Uke is my next block. This is seldom
seeing applied by junior grades, but it
is used quite often by senior grades, in
its various forms (blocking or striking)
in Kumite. We will start this time by pointing
with the left arm, which is stretched out
in front, as usual, and at stomach level.
Simultaneously place your right fist/wrist,
under the left arm, at hip level, and as
you start to pull your left arm back, twist
the left fist/forearm anticlockwise. Move
the right fist outwards (in the direction
of the attacking arm/leg. In the meantime
the left fist will be travelling towards
the left hip. The right fist instead will
be making its way towards the outside of
the body, ending just in front and at the
same level with the right shoulder. You
must remember to move your left hip back
anticlockwise (in order to make the block/strike
effective), as you finish the move/block.
Possible applications could be: |
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- The attacker attempts to punch your chest/face
with a Migi-Oi-zuki. You could side step to
the left and use your left hand to parry the
attack, simultaneously placing your right
hand on the side of the left hip, and blocking
the latter with your right forearm.
- The attacker does a Migi-Mawashi-Geri-Jodan,
move to the right, and into a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi
while blocking with a Hidari-Uchi-Ude-Uke.
- The attacker tries a Migi-Gyaku-Mawashi-Zuki-Jodan.
block the latter with your left hand (back
of palm) while stepping back into a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi,
as you punch Migi-Kizami-Zuki-Jodan. Now use
a Migi-Uchi-Ude-Uke (to form an armlock) to
trap the opponents right arm/fist (by placing
your right fist just past his elbow), simultaneously
grab his right forearm with your left hand
and pull backward with your right one as you
push outward with your left one.
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Oi-Zuki-Jodan/Chudan
Oi-Zuki-Jodan/Chudan, from a Hidari-Zenkutsu-Dachi,
and a Hidari-Gedan-Barai. When you start
to move forward, raise your left hand/arm
to Jodan/Chudan level (according to which
level you intend to strike at). When Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi
is almost completed you must punch with
your right fist. Make sure that you withdraw
(Hiki-Te) your left hand/arm as you do
so (this action must be simultaneous to
the punch). In this type of punch your
hips must be square on to the target.
From Oi-Zuki-Jodan/Chudan we can easily
punch with Hidari-Gyaku-Zuki-Chudan, by
withdrawing the right fist as we punch
with the left one. making sure to use
the hips to do so, by twisting the left
one forward as the right one stay still.
From Hidari-Gyaku-Zuki-Chudan, add another
punch (this time to the face) by striking
with Migi-Kizami-Zuki-Jodan. This is done
by twisting the right hip forward, striking
the opponents face and withdrawing the
left fist/arm at the same time.
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Empi-Uchi (elbow strike)
Start with the left arm outstretched in
front at chest level, and moving the right
foot forwards step into a Migi-Kiba-Dachi.
As you do so, place your right fist/forearm
under the left armpit and as you finish
the stance strike with your elbow at Jodan
or Chudan level, while withdrawing the
left arm (Hiki-Te). The latter is called
Yoko-Empi-Uchi.
The left arm is again outstretched in
front to deflect upwards an attempted
punch to your face. Move towards the attacker
and strike Migi-Age-Empi-Jodan, by pushing
your elbow upwards and striking the opponents
chin.
Same attack as above, but we counter
differently. Once the attack has been
deflected, strike the opponent with a
Migi-Mawashi-Empi-Uchi-Jodan by rotating
your hips anticlockwise as you withdraw
your left hand while pulling his right
forearm.
The opponent is launching an attack to
your groin area by kicking Migi-Mae-Geri-Gedan.
Step back (into a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi)
while sweeping the opponents leg with
a Migi-Nagashi-Uke, turn now anticlockwise
and step towards your opponent (into a
Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi) to strike with a
Hidari-Ushiro-Empi-Uchi-Chudan (your left
foot should end-up between your opponents
feet. To make the strike stronger you
can use your right hand to push the striking
arms fist towards the attacker.
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Ura-Ken-Uchi (back fist strike)
Ura-Ken-Uchi (back fist strike) could
be used as a block (Uke) according to
the situation. But the performance should
not change very much.
With the left arm outstretched in front,
place the right fist (palm facing the
ear) just above the left shoulder. as
you pull the left arm back, strike with
a Migi-Ura-Ken-Uchi-Jodan or Chudan
by forcing the back of your right fist
out, and in a circular motion towards
the target. Make sure that the elbow
of the striking fist is pointing towards
the target. After the strike as taken
place you must withdraw the fist, this
time the palm must be facing downwards
and just above the right nipple.
This time as you pull your right fist
over the left shoulder (as you did before)
block the oncoming attack (Jodan-Oi-Zuki)
with Migi-Soto-Ude-Uke-Jodan. Using
the same fist, block the second attack
(Gyaku-Zuki-Jodan) with Ura-Ken-Uke-Jodan
and counterattack with Hidari-Ura-Ken-Uchi-Jodan
(Uchi = strike) this time with your
left fist.
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Shuto-Uke/Uchi (knife hedge block/strike)
Shuto-Uke/Uchi (knife hedge block/strike)
is a very popular technique, made famous
by films and demonstrations alike as the
Karate chop. Used by some associations
to break wood/tiles and ice. The above
technique is normally performed at Jodan/Chudan
level but some applications require Gedan
strikes/blocks as well.
To block/deflect a Gedan kick, start
with the left arm outstretched in front
(open hand with palm facing down). The
right hand (open) is placed next to
the left ear. From there, as you withdraw
your left hand (twisting it anticlockwise
as you start the motion) push the right
one towards the target, twisting the
wrist anticlockwise prior to making
contact with it. The left hand will
terminate at solar plexus level (palm
facing up) while the right arm will
end straight, and with the palm facing
downward.
Use Shuto-Uke against an attack to
the face area (Oi-Zuki-Jodan). Step
back into a Migi-Kokutsu-Dachi, and
point with your left hand (arm outstretched
forward) while deflecting with your
right hand (pushing the attacking fist
to the left, a few inches away from
your face). Grab your opponents attacking
arm at wrist level, and pull it back
towards your left hip, simultaneously
striking with a Migi-Shuto-Uchi to the
opponent's neck.
The attacker tries a double strike
(Hidari-Gyaku-Zuki-Chudan followed by
a Migi-Kizami-Zuki-Jodan). You block
the first attack with your left palm
pushing his punch to the outside of
your body (right side), as your hand
goes forward. The right palm blocks
the second one while this is moved to
the side of the left ear. This done
you can now proceed to strike the attacker
using a Migi-Shuto-Uchi to the opponent's
neck.
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Kicks
(Geri)
It is time now to start talking about kicks, as
they are a very important part of my training,
and teaching. I believe that kicks are neglected
in our training schedule. They should (in my opinion)
be taught more often than punches/strikes, as
they are more difficult to master. I teach all
sort of kicks, but prefer the Mawashi-Geri and
Ura-Mawashi type. |
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Mae-Geri (front kick)
Mae-Geri (front kick) is normally
the first kick that a practitioner comes
to know; this is because the latter is
required in their first grading.
From a Migi-Zenkutsu-Dachi, lift your
left knee up until the left heel is
at about the same level as the right
knee, and the left foot is kept parallel
to the floor. Kick from this position,
stretching the left leg to its full
extension (with toes pointing slightly
upward to avoid breaking them at the
moment of impact). Soon after withdrawing
your foot to a position next to the
right knee and then place the foot down
either in front (in another Zenkutsu-Dachi)
or in the original position, according
to the exercise.
The hips should be the one to push
towards the target and upward at the
moment of full extension of the leg.
Reverse the move at the end of the kick.
The supporting foot should stay the
whole time adherent to the floor. A
common fault is to turn the supporting
foot sideways while kicking. Another
common mistake is to lift the supporting
foot's heel while kicking Jodan. With
time one learns that although the kick
looks easy, to perform with accuracy
and effectiveness it is one of the most
difficult of the syllabus.
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Yoko-Geri-Keage
Next kick is a very effective one as a
disturbing/distracting or deflecting kick,
this is the Yoko-Geri-Keage, which is
normally performed from a Kida-Dachi stance.
Start with the left leg in front (and
body relaxed). Advance sideways, with
the right foot moving in front of the
left one. then lift the left leg up (keeping
the body upright) the left foot comes
behind the right knee, and the left knee
is kept pointing towards the target (in
this case Chudan). From there kick with
the side edge of your foot (use the side
closer to your heel rather then the one
close to your toes) describing an arch
like line to reach your target. Withdraw
the foot straight away towards the supporting
leg's knee then place it down, or elsewhere
according to the exercise.
Yoko-Geri-Kekomi is in a way similar
(but at the same time very different)
to the preceding kick. It is indeed a
very powerful kick and is used more often
then the Keage type in Kumite.
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