(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) A key element in any self-defense situation is self-control. It’s not just about staying calm – it’s about staying in charge of yourself. . You can’t allow someone else to manipulate you by pushing your emotional buttons. I’ve been in situations where people have tried to provoke me, using […]
Finding Clarity in the Red Mist: Self-Control. Remaining Calm in the Chaos. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) Should we differentiate the various forms of karate or even consider renaming them? For instance, Sport-karate, Children’s-karate, Practical-karate, or 3K karate? . The failure to differentiate between contexts is widespread, and for me, it’s essential, especially when discussing what it is that you practice or teach. Criticizing sport-karate for not working
Karate Unboxed: One Approach Can’t Suit Everyone. Read More »
Before determining the best approach to training, it’s essential to ask: What am I trying to achieve? . Effectiveness depends entirely on its intended purpose. In the world of karate, this question becomes even more crucial, as the goals of sport and self-defense often get clouded. . Back in the 1970s and 1980s, I was
Winning Is Just the Beginning: Karate – Beyond the Trophies and the Medals. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) In a recent article, I shared an example from my time as an EMT, where I encountered a patient under the influence. I noticed he was about to ‘kick off’, based on his aggressive language, posturing, and movements. . Someone commented, asking how you train for awareness – how
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) If you’re like most people, you probably hope you will never find yourself in a self-defense situation. . The very best defense starts with avoidance of the threat altogether. The sooner you sense it coming, the sooner you can step off the tracks and avoid the freight train altogether.
Control the Threat: Recognize It, React to It, and Resolve It. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) If someone thinks that a lesson has no value, or is not relevant to them, then teaching them will be a waste of time. That person will simply go through the motions. . What I’ve found over the years is that some people just want to keep doing the
When Confidence Becomes Complacency: Locked Minds, Limited Skills. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) Someone commented on one of my articles: “Forget about learning self-defense techniques, which you are likely to forget anyway. Just run away.” . Terrible advice. . Learning to escape is paramount in self-protection, but reducing it to just “running away” oversimplifies a much more complex and nuanced skillset. .
More Than a Sprint: Running Away vs. Escape Skills. They’re Not the Same. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) We live in an age where knowledge is everywhere. The tools to enhance your martial arts practice – videos, books, apps, online courses – are more accessible than ever before. Yet, with all this information, why do so many karateka and dojo seem to struggle with defining what it
Karate in Context: It’s Not What You Know, But How You Apply It. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Imagine the massive advantage you’d have if you knew what your opponent was going to do before it happened. It would allow you to react instantaneously, adapting to their moves with precision. . A person’s unconscious, instant reaction to a stimulus is known as a reflex. If you touched
Predicting the Unpredictable: Every Movement in Combat Tells a Story. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) After decades of practicing and teaching karate, I’m still surprised by how many misconceptions and misinformation continue to swirl around this art. Whether in the dojo or online, I regularly hear the same misunderstandings repeated. . One of these misconceptions that pops up quite regularly is about ‘hikite’. .
Perfect Form, Misguided Function? The Hand That Pulls. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) I mentioned in an article recently that an Okinawan teacher showed his black belts a series of techniques meant to showcase ‘real’ karate. Unfortunately, expectations are never as exciting as reality. . Firstly, someone said to me in the comments section, “Can you provide a link to the video?”
When ‘Real’ Karate Isn’t Quite Real Enough: Static Steps or Dynamic Survival? Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) The problem with many karate techniques is that they are often taught as having a single, fixed use. Consider modern karate and the tools it provides. Let’s take an example: the “Jodan age uke”, the ubiquitous upper rising block. In modern karate, it’s typically used to block, deflect, or
Creativity in Motion: The Power of Possibility Through Asking the Right Questions. Read More »
