(Approx 2 minutes 10 second read) One of the first things you learn as a beginner is a ‘block’. . Typically, it’s one of these: upper, middle inner, middle outer, or a down block. . You spend a significant amount of time practicing these blocks, focusing on the small details, making sure your pulling hand…
Category: Self-Defense
“Gichin Funakoshi’s ideal, [..] was to advance from Jutsu to Do. It has become my mission to attain this goal.”
Karate is often suffixed by the terms ‘Jutsu’ or ‘Do’. Understanding these concepts is an important part of your training. . Many people comment on my articles that they don’t need self-defense skills, finding the character-building aspect more appealing. While each to their own, this separation limits their potential. . ‘Jutsu’, translating to ‘method’, refers…
From Complacency to Overconfidence: The Many Different Views of Traditional Karate.
(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) It’s interesting that in my articles about self-protection or self-defense, several comments seem to indicate that many people just don’t prioritize self-defense. . Some commenters suggest that because they live in areas with little violence, they feel they don’t need the protection offered by realistic self-protection training. . Additionally,…
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Effective self-protection needs a different approach.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) The term self-defense is frequently used to promote martial arts schools, but do they genuinely offer self-defense, or does it simply label traditional martial arts techniques as a one-size-fits-all solution? . People often discuss self-defense and self-protection as if they’re interchangeable. While there are elements that are similar and…
Kata movements hold deeper meanings beyond their surface appearance, often misunderstood in practice.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) When practitioners perform set kumite, drills, or sparring, they stand facing an opponent. . Why then do some practitioners, when performing applications to kata, wait for an opponent to attack from the side, anticipating blocking an attack? . It makes no sense does it? Yet this is how modern…
Kata: Training for More Than Blocks. Exploiting Predictable Responses.
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) Think of the massive advantage you’d have if you knew what your opponent was going to do before it happened. You’d be able to react in an instant. . This is, of course, the case in pre-arranged kumite drills. Since you know the attack is coming, you can react…
In the Shadows of Tradition: Challenging Misunderstandings in Karate.
(2 minute read) Karate often finds itself mired in misconceptions and misunderstandings. . How many times have you watched a video or responded to a comment and cringed at what you have just witnessed or read? . Unlike other arts like MMA, Judo, Boxing, jiu-jitsu, etc., which seem to have clear purposes and methodologies, karate…
Beyond the Spectacle. Performance Art or Martial Art?
(2 minute 35 second read) Many people seem to grapple with the core purpose of karate. Is it a sport, a means to follow a legacy or tradition, a way to develop character, self-defense, or more? . In the early stages of my karate journey, competitive fighting was my primary focus. I eagerly awaited the…
Should you intervene to protect someone else if they are being attacked?
(1 minute 55 second read) Should you intervene to protect someone else if they are being attacked? . Witnessing someone being attacked can evoke a strong impulse to intervene and protect the victim. . However, if you do decide to intervene, above all else, the first thing you have to consider is your own safety….
Free running from reality. The ultimate self-defense.
(2 minute 10 second read) While there are various techniques and strategies for protecting yourself, one aspect that cannot be overlooked is the role of common sense. . You have to make informed decisions that prioritize safety and well-being. So first and foremost, it’s essential to recognize that self-defense extends beyond physical combat. It encompasses…
The best fight is the one you avoid. So don’t start a fight you can’t finish, but if you do, finish it.
(1 minute 30 second read) If you’re like most people, you probably hope you’ll never face a self-defense situation. But being prepared is key. . Self-defense is a critical skill, but it’s important to understand it’s not about winning a fight. It’s about neutralizing a threat and escaping safely. . Those that keep reminding me…
“We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
(2 minute 30 second read) Many of the articles that I write are created to ask the reader to view, perhaps something different, and discuss the content in a polite discussion. . Yeah right, who am I kidding? This is social media. . An opinion is this: the beliefs of a single person based on…