(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,…
Tag: Fighting
Sensei Under Fire: The Unexpected Downside of Karate Titles.
(2 minute 28 second read) If often receive damming comments when I write an article which has anything to do with belts, grades or titles. . The whole system of awarding belts, grades and titles, seems to be a sensitive topic for many karate practitioners….. and for those that don’t practice. . The “Shogo” (称号)…
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…
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…
The one who controls the distance in an encounter, is the one who controls the situation.
(1 minute 56 second read) The one who controls the distance in an encounter, is the one who controls the situation. . “Maai” (間合い) is a Japanese term that means “interval” or “space between”. It refers to the optimal engagement distance in combat, encompassing both physical separation, and the timing of the attack and defense…
Are you a traditionalist, a pragmatist, or both?
(2 minute 41 second read) From the comments on a recent article, many people seemed to be offended because of my use of the word “traditional”, some calling me insulting, rude, offensive and more. . I wrote the article with the intention of shedding light on instructors who falsely claim to teach self-defense, who are…
It’s high time to confront a harsh reality: the karate you’re practicing, being taught, is a sham.
(2 minute 14 second read) It’s high time to confront a harsh reality: the karate you’re practicing, being taught, is a sham. It’s utterly ineffective when it comes to actual real-world combat. . The crux of the issue lies in the fact that people are being duped into believing that traditional karate will protect you,…
“Everyone thinks Shuto is a technique that uses the hand like a sword or knife. As the definition implies; therefore, the technique becomes deadlocked.”
(2 minute 3 second read) The effectiveness of karate for self-defense hinges on a fundamental principle: simplicity. . In the face of a sudden threat, clear, concise movements hold the key to an effective response, even if that response is simply to escape. . In the face of a sudden threat, you will experience a…
“It is obvious that kata must be trained and practiced sufficiently, but one must not be ‘stuck’ in them.”
(2 minute 26 second read) For me if you have a true interest in the martial arts, I believe it is important that practitioners have some understanding of the history of your art. . And while studying that history, the claim of practicing an “original” kata, as taught by a specific master, raises a crucial…