(Approx 3 minute read) A friend of mine recently posted an image of a downward block, or gedan barai, to show it could do something most people never expect: in this case, a throw. . For clarity, he placed text alongside the image that said, ‘Gedan Barai is not a block’. Oh crikey, I know…
Tag: Style
Good Teachers Are Measured by What They Inspire, Not What They Need to Prove.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) In a recent article I wrote about lineage, one of the comments I received said, “The worth of a teacher is not measured by the fame of their lineage, but by the depth of their understanding, their ability to transmit, and their humanity.” . He added, “…what truly matters:…
Kihon Misunderstood: Where Tradition Ends and Practical Karate Begins.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) My word it is hard to get through to some people sometimes. . Karate basics are often misunderstood. What are called soto uke, gedan barai, uchi uke, jodan uke, and more – many see these as literal blocks, designed simply to stop an incoming attack. . But if you…
Kihon done right – seeing the purpose beyond tradition.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) I wrote an article recently about keeping movements smaller and tighter to engage the kinetic chain. To stop exaggerating movements and making them too large. . Of course, there were comments saying you have to practice big first so you can become small later. Utter nonsense, of course. If…
Shrink the Motion, Reveal the Intent.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Over the years I’ve watched a lot of people perform kata, and one thing that often stands out is the size of the movements. . Arms swinging in wide arcs, steps that cover half the floor, hips turned so far that the intent of the technique gets lost. ….
The Hardest Lesson in Karate: Unlearning What We Thought We Already Knew.
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) ‘Fighting’. If you think about it, it’s not difficult, is it? Most of us had scraps as kids, play fights with parents, siblings, or mates down the park. We all had a fight now and then. . Then we joined a karate club, and suddenly it became difficult. We…
Standing on Shoulders of Giants: Forging a Personal Path in Karate.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) I’m often asked, “Who is your teacher?”, “What style is it you practice?”. Well, I like to say that I’m forging a personal path. . Ultimately, karate-ka who put in the training hours with the right teachers and mentors eventually end up doing their own thing, right? . After…
The Enduring Value of Naihanchi: The Kata I Keep Returning To.
(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) I’m sure many of you have a favorite kata. I have a few that just seem to sit well with me. One of those kata is Naihanchi. Simple in appearance but deep in application. It has a distinctive embusen compared to most other kata. . Gichin Funakoshi called the…
Lineage, Ego, and the Myth of Inherited Skill.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) People love to talk about lineage. Personally, I care more about ability. So, how important is lineage to you? . We all have a martial arts lineage of sorts. Some remain faithful to one, others, perhaps through no fault of their own, have several. There are those who believe…
The Map and the Mnemonic: What Kata Really Teach.
(Approx 2 minute read) Most people look at kata and see “blocking”. It’s the word everyone recognizes, drilled into beginners from day one. But kata teach far more than simply stopping a strike. A more accurate term is “receiving”. . So what does it mean to receive rather than block? . It’s common for less…
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…