(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) The funny thing about writing on the martial arts is that sometimes people read what you said, nod in agreement – then repeat it back to you, only louder, rougher, and with more bravado. . I recently wrote that the martial arts aren’t about looking for a fight –…
Tag: Style
Restraint Is a Technique Too: Training to Fight, Learning Not To.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) In karate, a term that’s not heard very often is “Jissen” (実践 – じっせん). It translates directly to “actual fighting” or “real combat” – as in applying theory in real-world, practical situations. . This approach prioritizes what genuinely works in a real confrontation, often incorporating elements like grappling, throws,…
One Path Known, One Path New: Which Path Would Your Teacher Choose Today?
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) The martial arts are great, aren’t they? So much diversity, so many differences – steeped in rich traditions and varied styles. . While the pursuit of proficiency and personal growth is what most of us strive for, it’s not uncommon to encounter practitioners who show a certain stubbornness when…
Karate Then and Now: What Are We Really Studying?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) When karate was widely introduced to the public through the school system in Japan in the early 1930s, it had to meet certain criteria. To be accepted, the curriculum needed to promote physical health, build confidence, improve endurance, enhance concentration, and so on. . It specifically could not be…
Hikite: It Was Never Meant to Power Your Punch.
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) I was recently asked this question: “Since your piece on not throwing punches from a chambered position, I have wondered if you have modified your katas?” . No, I still perform kata as close to the original form as possible. That’s how they were created – at least as…
Beyond the Patch: When Loyalty Is Tested.
(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) Not every patch is a symbol of trust. . Over the years, I’ve seen many martial arts groups rise and fall. Names change, alliances shift, and new banners are flown – but the questions stay the same. . What does it mean to be loyal? What should an association…
The Living Language of Kata – If We Let It Speak Its Original Rhythm.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Over the years, I’ve had more than one conversation with experienced martial artists – and those with no interest in kata – about its purpose and function. . One question that comes up repeatedly is whether kata, as it’s practiced today, is really full of usable fighting techniques, or…
Revisiting Step-Kumite: Because “Beginners Have to Start Somewhere” Isn’t Good Enough.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) With regard to my recent article on step-kumite, someone argued that beginners need a starting point, and that step-kumite is often seen as an entry-level method. . He made the comparison to teaching a child how to catch a baseball – starting with a tennis ball at a short…
The Past Informs Us, But It Doesn’t Define Us – What Matters Is What You Can Do with It.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) I’ve always been fascinated by history. When I lived in a rural area of the UK, reminders of the past were everywhere – Bronze Age burial sites, a Roman town and amphitheater, a 10th-century church. You could almost feel the weight of time beneath your feet. That sense of…
The Lost Lessons of Kata: Is it Time to Move Beyond the Myths?
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) It’s hard not to feel frustrated when reading comments about kata. So many people speak with confidence – but little understanding – about what kata is for, how it works, or why it was created in the first place. . Most of the time, their explanations are rooted in…
Stop It Dead? No. Why “Block and Counter Is Not Enough.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) In a recent conversation about my article on preemption and self-defense, someone said to me, “There are some situations where a block and counter is your only option.” . At first glance, it sounds reasonable – but as a general principle for self-defense? It’s flawed. . There are moments…
Step-Kumite: Is It a Historical Misstep?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) The article I recently wrote about karate not being purely defensive – that preemption is often necessary – and that, in my opinion, teaching step-kumite at any level is inconsistent with karate for self-defense, drew the usual responses. . People telling me how wrong I am. I get quite…