(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) Recently I was criticized on someone’s page for saying the pioneers of karate, the masters of the past, preferred “function over form”. He asked, “What proof does he have?” . If I’m wrong, I have no problem admitting it. But in this case, I really don’t think I am….
Category: Street Fight
A Weapon Changes Everything – Your Life Matters More Than Your Wallet.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Real-world violence is nothing like what most people practice in the dojo. Throughout my life, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of facing real-world confrontations – both as a civilian and in my career. . It’s important to remember that most martial arts schools today teach some form of dueling,…
Karate Doesn’t Need More Choreography – It Needs Honesty.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) In a recent article I talked about learning from others, whether from people or other methods, it’s good to have an open-mind to everything, right? . Of course there are people who are deeply stuck in their ways and unfortunately, here is an example of just that. . A…
The Art You See Isn’t Always the Art You Need: Function Over Form.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) I was watching a video recently of bunkai performed at a tournament in Japan. . It was the usual two against one format. The individuals performing the applications were incredibly athletic, the choreography was really impressive, their techniques crisp, the timing and techniques impeccable. . It was really fun…
Beyond Fighting: Building Safety Before Darkness Arrives.
(Approx 2 minute read) It’s interesting that in my articles about self-protection or self-defense, several comments suggest that many people simply don’t need it. . For clarity, in this article I use “self-protection” to describe all the measures we take to stay safe – awareness, avoidance, preparation, and mindset. “Self-defense” refers more specifically to the…
Ever Seen Someone Freeze in a Fight? It May Not Be Fear – It’s Just Too Many Options.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) In a real fight, the one who hesitates usually loses. There’s a reason for that, and it’s not just instinct, it’s science. . Hick’s Law tells us that the more choices we have, the slower our reaction time becomes. . The brain has to sort through options before committing…
Unlocking the Combative Meaning Often Hidden in Kata.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) How do we use kata effectively? . I don’t mean the bunkai demonstrations you see at tournaments and in some dojo where you are attacked from many different angles by many people. I’m talking about real effective defense. . Someone recently asked me a simple question: “How do you…
Taking the Hit: Beyond the Bruises. Why Self-Defense Is More Than Toughness.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Taking the hit. . Someone commented on one of my articles, a Kyokushin practitioner, and said that the best you can do for self-defense is to practice taking the hit. . While I agree it’s important your training includes what it feels like to be hit, within reason and…
Functionality is Not an Addition – It Is Karate. Let’s Not Lose It.
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) Someone commented on a recent article of mine where I spoke about the realities of self-defense, where violence is messy, fast, and unpredictable. I gave examples of being attacked at an ATM, in a car or bus, in a pub, at a table in a restaurant, and so on….
The Limits of Technique: Practical Karate for the Unpredictable.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) Violence is messy, fast, and unpredictable. Thinking you can stand toe-to-toe and trade blows with an attacker is a dangerous fantasy. . Far too many people are under the misleading impression that self-protection is all about facing an attacker toe-to-toe, putting your guard up, and “dukeing it out”! ….
Beyond the Punch: Why True Self-Protection Starts in the Mind.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Karate – the ultimate in self-defense, right? . That’s what nearly every dojo and school claims. But how useful is it really when it comes to real-world situations? . Yes, karate teaches you how to fight. You’ll learn how to punch, kick, and even apply joint locks. But is…
Context Is Everything: Why Pic’n’Mix Doesn’t Always Meet the Goal.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) For those of us in the UK old enough to remember going into Woolworths with a little paper bag to make our own pic’n’mix of sweets (candy), karate today isn’t that far off, is it? Everybody picks out the bits they like and then somehow assumes the finished assortment…