MOST styles of Karate TODAY do not incorporate throws…. And I am not speaking of those dojo that use throws from Judo as self-defense (you know who you are).
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However, traditional Okinawan styles that have preserved a broader base of traditional martial techniques and principles, do indeed have throws…..as well as take-down defense, sweeps, chokes, and joint locks. These techniques are seen in many Kata yet rarely explained as such because of the watering down of Karate for the masses, the sports focus, ease of teaching, and the lack of truly knowledgable instructors.
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For the most part, karate styles have a set-tradition that resists outside influences from other martial arts. They practice the same sparring, Kata, the same drills and techniques that their instructor learned, and his instructor learned, and his instructor learned.
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Throws from Judo simply are not part of karate’s curriculum. If you want to learn judo……and there are great reasons to do so….. why would you want a karate guy to teach you? Go to the specialists, by which I mean….. go to a Judo school.
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“More often than not, throws are not implicit in the kata techniques, but serve more as follow ups or ‘exit techniques’ after the necessary set-up, or ‘entry technique’ has been established through strikes. One general rule of thumb for throwing in general is to first damage the opponent with strikes, so as to lessen the chances for resistance.” (Kinjo Hiroshi, Yomigaeru Dento Karate, 1991).
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For me really looking into ‘Karate throws’, is also looking at the ‘entry’ to the throw, because just learning a Judo throw (for instance only practicing the throws from being gripped, Judo stance, wearing a Gi, no civilian clothing etc), then trying to relate that to Karate, will be confusing. Similar throws exist, but IMO they are entered into and function differently in Karate than if you start everything from a clinch situation, as they are typically taught in Judo. However, to be a truly effective martial artist, you need to be competent at all ranges of fighting.
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Karate throws should be relatively simple (compared to Judo), opportunistic, and brutal in application, so as to avoid going to ground if possible; but also include practice drills to explain what to do, should a throw go wrong and you do end up on the ground. ??
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? Photo Credit: Iain Abernethy.
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