(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) I wrote recently that no matter how much evidence you provide, people still will not see past their sometimes preconceived rhetoric. . You know, real martial artists are okay with it when they find out they are wrong. And to me, that is one of the greatest gifts that […]
Too Many Want to Be Right. Too Few Want to Know. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Being attacked with a knife, terrifying. I have seen the results of many of these attacks in my past careers. Some of them fatal. . Very few instructors have experience with defending against knife attacks, yet they teach it in their dojo. . But most knife defense training has
Real Knife Defense Starts With One Priority: Shut Down the Weapon. Read More »
(Approx 3 minute 20 second read) Some people will defend their style and their methods of practice until the very end. It doesn’t matter what evidence you provide showing that it might not serve the purpose it’s advertised for. . My recent articles on step-kumite proved this point. One individual posted a link to his
Stop Calling It Self-Defense: Understanding Step-Kumite’s True Purpose. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) Imagine stepping into an early Okinawan karate dojo around the turn of the 20th century. It was probably someone’s back garden, surrounded by a wall or fencing so no one could see what was going on. Unlike today, the environment was very different. . Teachers of the time passed down their
Old Karate, New Words: Understanding Karate’s Original Intent. Read More »
(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 –
(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,
Restraint Is a Technique Too: Training to Fight, Learning Not To. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) The martial arts teaches us many things, but one of the most valuable lessons is knowing when not to engage. You can spend years refining technique and self-discipline, but it takes real maturity to recognize that some battles just aren’t worth fighting. . And that maturity should come with
Ego Always Wants the Fight – Wisdom Knows When to Walk Away. Read More »
(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
Karate Then and Now: What Are We Really Studying? Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Most of the people who visit my page regularly – thank you, by the way – will know that aside from the header that clearly states Practical Karate, much of my writing centers around exactly that. . Recently, I received a message from someone who claimed that self-defense is
A Train Ride, Not a Showdown: Common Sense Before Combat. Read More »
Approx 2 minute 40 second read) Kata, kihon, and two-person drills are part of the language of karate. But none of these should be practiced in isolation or merely for tradition. They should all have a connection – each part serving a purpose, forming a blueprint for learning how to deal with violence. If it
(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
Revisiting Step-Kumite: Because “Beginners Have to Start Somewhere” Isn’t Good Enough. Read More »
(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
Stop It Dead? No. Why “Block and Counter Is Not Enough. Read More »
