Fighting ability is just one aspect of self-defense. It exists alongside other skills such as situational awareness, verbal de-escalation, escaping, weapons, protecting others, the law, etc. which many people unfortunately overlook. . Also learning to recognize and avoid, or verbally de-escalate potentially hostile situations, these are hugely important skills if your interest in practicing the […]
Common misconceptions in self-defense. Read More »
In boxing we were taught the importance of a good, tight guard. When you put up a guard you’ve just consented to a fight. . Self-defense is different. In self-defense if you lift your hands and wait in your perfectly aligned tight guard, you’ve lost the initiative, the ability to surprise, and control the enemy’s
A hands up guard may not be useful in self-defense. Read More »
“Karate doesn’t work”…… I hear this all the time. This is a meaningless statement without a qualifier. . Works for what? You have to define the goal and from there seek the solution. . For you, is it a martial art (culture, health, personal challenge, etc). Is it fighting, competition, tournaments (consensual). Or is it
Your Karate isn’t working! Read More »
When karate began to move across the world in the early to mid 1950’s the training emphasis was almost exclusively on striking. Kata was not properly understood. . Even today you can still find karate dojo that teach kata without ‘bunkai’ (analysis/breakdown). Those first generation Western practitioners then went on to perpetuate the bias of
Karate is NOT only a striking art. Read More »
I had a question from a potential student this week who was concerned over his (low) weight and how effective certain styles were for him. . Does size give people an advantage in a fight? . Size does matter in the martial arts, but not necessarily in the way you might think. . Generally speaking,
Does size give people an advantage in a fight? Read More »
For our students, fortunately injuries a rare occurrence at our Dojo. However, there are some injuries such as bruises, sprains and strains that can occur despite everyone’s best efforts. . Martial arts are a surprisingly safe form of physical activity, controlled training is statistically very safe. . Training injuries unfortunately do happen. If you train
What are the injury risks in karate? Read More »
Defense against knife attacks remains one of the most contentious parts of the martial arts. Very few instructors actually have any substantial experience of this type of violence and it’s a very difficult and complex topic. . Most of what is taught in martial arts classes is passed on by instructors who have never used
Knife attacks are complex. Read More »
In many dojo throughout the world you will see instructors and students moving up and down the dojo (social media too), moving backwards and forwards practicing block, punch, block, punch, in some sort of ‘renzoku’, ‘ippon’ or ‘sanbon’ kumite etc. . Everyone must learn the basics to become proficient in any of the martial arts.
Training in martial arts or self-defense only improves your chances in a real life scenario. A little training improves your chances a little. A lot of training improves your chances a lot. No amount of training will guarantee anything except to know that avoiding a fight is the best option, and you should have learned
Bad guys don’t play by a rulebook. Read More »
Kicks in kata are usually single in usage. However, there are a few kata that contain multiple kicks. So what use are these multiple kicks contained within the kata? . A kata that comes to mind is ‘Kusanku’ (there are others). The kick in question, often labeled as “Nidan geri” (二段). When I translate this,
Only a rank novice would open with a double kick. Read More »
There are many more hand techniques in kata than kicks, and when there is a kick, usually there is only one (there are a few kata with multiple kicks). . Kicking is probably the least effective of all the combative methods. Why? Because your motion and stability are severely reduced the instant you take your
When is it appropriate to use a kick in self-defense? Read More »
I have had the good fortune to have been in roles inside and outside of the martial arts, that have exposed me to a wide range of learning and teaching approaches and methods. One thing I have learned, is that I still have much to learn, and this learning will never end. . Just because
Nearly all the problems in the martial arts today can be traced back to poor teaching. Read More »
