(2 minute read) The comments on my articles often inspire me to write another, whether those comments are good or bad. Many are interesting and show a diverse understanding, and sometimes highlighting misunderstandings too. . So, thank you to everyone who follows and comments on my articles. . The foundation of any karate technique lies…
Category: Self-Defense
Many pioneers of karate inform us that the hand opposite to the striking hand is ‘doing something’.
(2 minutes 15 second read) It’s very common in traditional karate to see practitioners performing a technique, while pulling back/drawing back the other hand and placing it on the hip, or with the knife hand, across the abdomen. . In Japanese, the ‘pulling hand’ is called ‘hikite’, and it’s evident in most of the receiving…
WHAT?… Self-defense is not necessary?
(1 minute 45 second read) Recent comments on one of my articles, dismissed self-defense as unnecessary; “self defense never really necessary – [snip] – if someone want to rob my wallet or phone with knife, I will just give them away”. . Good tactics, but what if they want more? What if you are in…
Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast challenges me!…..Hold My Beer.
(2 minute 7 second read) A commenter on one of my articles challenged me: “Step onto a jiu-jitsu mat and get humbled.” . This sentiment highlights a common desire in martial arts – to find the ultimate fighting method. But the truth is, and I have written about this extensively, there’s NO single “best” martial…
As your child practices Karate, they’re not just mastering kicks and punches. They’re also building confidence and inner strength.
(1 minute 45 second read) Let’s talk about something crucial – if you teach the martial arts, it’s not just about teaching your students how to fight. Fighting isn’t always the answer. Especially if you’re dealing with kids. . Teaching your students how to avoid trouble is extremely important, this is the first line of…
Chaos Training: Building Confidence Under Pressure.
(2 minute read) Some of the comments on my articles recently seem to be producing quite a range of interesting views. . One such comment seemed to suggest that the methods of pressure testing I mentioned in an article; – “to include in your practice pressure testing; unknown wild attacks, pushing, pulling, grabbing, verbal escalation,…
Ditch the perfect demo and embrace the glorious messiness of real-world failure.
(2 minute 13 second read) The martial arts require demonstration to supplement the whole teaching process. I get it. I demonstrate to my students. However, I always incorporate some level of failure into my demonstrations. . Why? Because a real life attack is unpredictable, chaotic, vicious, and brutal. Your techniques will probably not go as…
Master the toolbox, not just the hammer….
(1 minute 40 second read) Imagine a toolbox filled with tools; wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, these tools can fix many things….. but how you use them depends on the job. . The martial arts are like those tools – different methods have different goals. . Karate, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, MMA, Boxing – these are all different fighting…
“It is challenging to make someone comprehend something when their beliefs or identity are tied to not understanding it.”
(2 minute read) It never ceases to amaze me, from the comments on my articles, how many people have such strong opinions about the martial arts, particularly the practice of kata, despite a complete lack of experience. The internet amplifies these uninformed voices, creating a cacophony of assumptions that drown out the true value of…
Don’t Just Do Your Kata….. Know Your Kata.
(2 minute 6 second read) I’ve been writing articles for several years now, and probably the most commented and contentious subject of all that I write about has to be Kata. . People just don’t get it. Sadly, there is widespread misunderstanding about this centuries old tradition. . I can’t blame them, as today most…
Many dismissive comments I receive state; “Good luck fighting with your kata”.
(2 minute 55 second read) Many dismissive comments I receive state; “Good luck fighting with your kata”. . Kata, often viewed as a choreographed routine, for passing a grade, showing no relation to actual combat. . “The other day I posted a video where I was applying the uppercut technique and a person in his…
“If practiced properly, two or three kata will suffice as ‘your’ kata; all of the others can just be studied as sources of additional knowledge.”
(2 minute 10 second read) How many kata are enough? . Over the years I have collected probably way too many, and although I have a core that I teach deeply, many of them are probably redundant, or at least very similar to each other. . What I find most interesting about kata is how…