This thought stuck with me for a long time after I heard it quite a couple of years ago. Being in the fortunate position to have studied this art opened my eyes in various ways. I have seen spectacular kicks and combinations - all in vein. I have also seen the simplest techniques and combinations - with shocking potency. Without realising it, I started training and concentrating on the 'simpler' things (techniques), since in most cases this always seemed to work. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the more complex techniques and combinations don't work. It's just that I have seen and experienced both the simple and more complex techniques, and although both can be effective, the simple basic techniques work.
This thesis is about my TOKUI-WAZA, how it is executed and taught to students, and how I have developed techniques around it for use to my own full benefit. It can in fact also be seen as a BASIS for general fighting techniques, as will be explained. In general, I don't believe in one favourite technique. It actually makes you a predictable fighter for your opponent to read, which makes you very vulnerable. I have found that most of my favourite combinations have the same basis, and that is my TOKUI-WAZA.
Someone once said: "If you hit the wall, go back to the basics". Building a favourite technique around basics will be effective, with the advantages that it is easy to teach, and easy to learn. With this simplicity as basis, one can easily evolve it into an advanced technique.
I will separate my TOKUI-WAZA into three categories: BASIC, INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED. This will give a better understanding on how to develop, grow and perform this technique/combination to be very effective. Some of the pros and cons will also be addressed and through this a greater understanding will be created.
I will separate my TOKUI-WAZA into three categories: BASIC, INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED. This will give a better understanding on how to develop, grow and perform this technique/combination to be very effective. Some of the pros and cons will also be addressed and through this a greater understanding will be created.
This basis, which is also my favourite technique, is "Gyaku-zuki, step Gyaku-zuki".
BASIC
The utmost basic of the techniques is "Gyaku-zuki, step Gyaku-zuki". Teaching this technique gives me great pleasure, and the advances in it are not always noticeable. Students of all ages and levels can start with this as the basis.
It is very important to correctly and clearly demonstrate to students what needs to be done, since this is the basic phase. I found myself breaking it up into two parts: starting with a stationary position and executing the first gyaku-zuki. This is very easily done. The second part is easily picked up since it is merely another gyaku-zuki, but with a step. The difficult part is to get the proper kime and coordination (hand and foot to arrive simultaneously). After this has been mastered via two counts, the students will do both techniques in sequence, but in one count.
This technique is easily learnt and I've found that most students master it quite quickly, although they are sometimes very mechanical in executing the technique. The more it is practiced and explained to the students to relax their shoulders, the easier and more fluent it becomes. If practiced with a more relaxed mindset, students will find it easier to relax. The fluency and natural movement is easily picked up because the technique is actually being practiced everyday without students even realising it. This technique follows the basis of normal walking movement, hand and opposite foot moving forward together, which all of us do naturally every day.
To rectify sequences, I normally add an additional "step Gyaku-zuki". Students start with the left leg in front, and end in the same position. "Gyaku-zuki, step Gyaku-zuki, step Gyaku-zuki" is thus the basis, as in normal walking. I found that mentioning this to students gives them a more open mind to execute the technique. To watch the simplicity of the move makes it easier for them to execute and understand just like walking how basic can it get?
The part that the student doesn't see or realise is the fact that they are learning to do more than one technique. The biggest problem I noticed in most competitions is that students only use one technique at a time. The basic human nature of trying to avoid getting hurt and thus attacking with one only punch/kick, needs to be overridden with a double execution.
Once the students understand the technique, they can start applying it against each other. Both students can start in a static "jiyu kamae". Here the student will learn to 'feel' distancing, which is normally a big problem at this level. Distancing problems can easily be overcome by just stepping through more deeply. Driving more with the hip can also help a lot. Problems occur if students over extend with punches or have 'body rock', which can be corrected when picked up. Again the technique is broken down into three counts. Students will progress with time and through repetition. The attacker will become more fluent and the defender learns how to avoid more than one attack, but still keeping distance for the counter attack. The defender must concentrate on proper body posture to avoid being hit. This will help the defender to be in reach when it comes to the counter later, in the intermediate level.
INTERMEDIATE
Moving up towards the intermediate level, it will be seen that the TOKUI-WAZA stays the same. The intermediate phase involves more distancing, closing the gap and learning to take over through using "go no sen" (first block then counter).
On the intermediate level the technique will start with a "Yori-ashi Gyaku-zuki," then followed with a "step Gyaku-zuki, step Gyaku-zuki". The basic gyaku-zuki step gyaku-zuki are thus still being executed. The intermediate part of the TOKUI-WAZA is in actual fact the crux of the TOKUI-WAZA. Students must be able to correctly and efficiently execute the intermediate stage before moving to the advanced stage. After mastering the intermediate level, students will be on a high level, able to be skilled fighters. The intermediate level has a very high skill level and due to speed and closing of distance, it is very effective. Students will learn how to use the TOKUI-WAZA with correct speed, and also the awareness of taking the initiative on an attacker that has stopped or paused his attack.
The student will again face forward, starting with yori-ashi gyaku-zuki, step gyaku-zuki, step gyaku-zuki. The effectiveness, again, lies in the preparation of the technique. Ensuring the correct height (low fighting stance but still movable) will ensure penetration and students will automatically have more intention and drive. Intention and penetration will be lost when students are standing too high. If students can work lower than their normal in jiyu-kamae, their actions and emphasis will be to drive forward into the opponent.
After the intermediate technique has been mastered, students will face each other to apply the combination. This time both students will be at a more comfortable fighting distance, just out of reach of the opponent, but still in a static jiyu kamae (front feet a foot's distance apart). The attacker now needs to close the gap via a yori-ashi gyaku-zuki when the foot lands, student must have executed the first gyaku-zuki. By pulling hard on the hikite arm, the gyaku-zuki will be much faster and stronger to ensure "Ikken Hissatsu", which literally means "to destroy with one technique" or "killing blow".
The defender will have to make use of a backward yori-ashi to not get caught and needs to just stay out of reach. Please note that the gyaku-zuki will be executed to jodan level, to force the defender to block at this higher level and, in so doing, create an open target on the defender. The attacker will now execute the step with the second gyaku-zuki towards the chudan level, and the defender will step back. The last part of the combination is then again executed to jodan level and the defender just steps back again. It is important for both the attacker and defender to return to jiyu-kamae, maintaining the correct fighting distance between them. Please note that the target of the gyaku-zuki will and can be changed by the attacker, as required during fighting or by the situation. Also bear in mind that all attacks of the combination must be executed with full intent - "Ikken Hissatsu".
From here, the next step would be exactly the same, but the difference comes in on the counter. On the attacker's last gyaku-zuki, the defender will defend with an "Osae-uke" (pressing down block) for a chudan attack or a "Nagashi-uke" (sweeping block) for a jodan attack. The defender will then become the attacker and this should be done instantly in an effort to catch the original attacker off guard. GO NO SEN (block first then attack) is then applied and the new attacker applies the same combination. Incrementally, GO NO SEN speed can increase, which would enable the student to react ASAP and take over the initiative.
This exercise is very intense and beneficial; it will enable students to start an attack with a simple and basic combination, which is very effective and which is very penetrating. The way it is implemented enables one to close the gap over long distances, especially when opponents are very defensive. For the more static defender it is more important to check the distancing and only a one step gyaku-zuki will be executed, followed by a double gyaku-zuki. On the defence side it will help the student to move away faster from an aggressive attacker, but still maintaining the correct distance to take over the initiative.
The faster sen no sen can be applied, the better the chance of the defender defending himself. The continuous sequence of events will force the students to stay focused and, typically, the first student that 'fades' and loses concentration, will fall out of sequence. Doing this exercise is all about helping the student to obtain the awareness and ability to attack as soon as the attacker stops and starts to move back to his normal non attacking position.
When a more free style jiyu-kamae is used, students must concentrate more on body posture, height and penetration. I found that a lot of form is lost in the process, and it is then better to return to the previous exercise. That is why the intermediate level is so hard to master. It is important to have the ability to repeat this sequence of alternating attacks as long and as many times as it is necessary to outplay your opponent.
BASIC
The utmost basic of the techniques is "Gyaku-zuki, step Gyaku-zuki". Teaching this technique gives me great pleasure, and the advances in it are not always noticeable. Students of all ages and levels can start with this as the basis.
It is very important to correctly and clearly demonstrate to students what needs to be done, since this is the basic phase. I found myself breaking it up into two parts: starting with a stationary position and executing the first gyaku-zuki. This is very easily done. The second part is easily picked up since it is merely another gyaku-zuki, but with a step. The difficult part is to get the proper kime and coordination (hand and foot to arrive simultaneously). After this has been mastered via two counts, the students will do both techniques in sequence, but in one count.
This technique is easily learnt and I've found that most students master it quite quickly, although they are sometimes very mechanical in executing the technique. The more it is practiced and explained to the students to relax their shoulders, the easier and more fluent it becomes. If practiced with a more relaxed mindset, students will find it easier to relax. The fluency and natural movement is easily picked up because the technique is actually being practiced everyday without students even realising it. This technique follows the basis of normal walking movement, hand and opposite foot moving forward together, which all of us do naturally every day.
To rectify sequences, I normally add an additional "step Gyaku-zuki". Students start with the left leg in front, and end in the same position. "Gyaku-zuki, step Gyaku-zuki, step Gyaku-zuki" is thus the basis, as in normal walking. I found that mentioning this to students gives them a more open mind to execute the technique. To watch the simplicity of the move makes it easier for them to execute and understand just like walking how basic can it get?
The part that the student doesn't see or realise is the fact that they are learning to do more than one technique. The biggest problem I noticed in most competitions is that students only use one technique at a time. The basic human nature of trying to avoid getting hurt and thus attacking with one only punch/kick, needs to be overridden with a double execution.
Once the students understand the technique, they can start applying it against each other. Both students can start in a static "jiyu kamae". Here the student will learn to 'feel' distancing, which is normally a big problem at this level. Distancing problems can easily be overcome by just stepping through more deeply. Driving more with the hip can also help a lot. Problems occur if students over extend with punches or have 'body rock', which can be corrected when picked up. Again the technique is broken down into three counts. Students will progress with time and through repetition. The attacker will become more fluent and the defender learns how to avoid more than one attack, but still keeping distance for the counter attack. The defender must concentrate on proper body posture to avoid being hit. This will help the defender to be in reach when it comes to the counter later, in the intermediate level.
INTERMEDIATE
Moving up towards the intermediate level, it will be seen that the TOKUI-WAZA stays the same. The intermediate phase involves more distancing, closing the gap and learning to take over through using "go no sen" (first block then counter).
On the intermediate level the technique will start with a "Yori-ashi Gyaku-zuki," then followed with a "step Gyaku-zuki, step Gyaku-zuki". The basic gyaku-zuki step gyaku-zuki are thus still being executed. The intermediate part of the TOKUI-WAZA is in actual fact the crux of the TOKUI-WAZA. Students must be able to correctly and efficiently execute the intermediate stage before moving to the advanced stage. After mastering the intermediate level, students will be on a high level, able to be skilled fighters. The intermediate level has a very high skill level and due to speed and closing of distance, it is very effective. Students will learn how to use the TOKUI-WAZA with correct speed, and also the awareness of taking the initiative on an attacker that has stopped or paused his attack.
The student will again face forward, starting with yori-ashi gyaku-zuki, step gyaku-zuki, step gyaku-zuki. The effectiveness, again, lies in the preparation of the technique. Ensuring the correct height (low fighting stance but still movable) will ensure penetration and students will automatically have more intention and drive. Intention and penetration will be lost when students are standing too high. If students can work lower than their normal in jiyu-kamae, their actions and emphasis will be to drive forward into the opponent.
After the intermediate technique has been mastered, students will face each other to apply the combination. This time both students will be at a more comfortable fighting distance, just out of reach of the opponent, but still in a static jiyu kamae (front feet a foot's distance apart). The attacker now needs to close the gap via a yori-ashi gyaku-zuki when the foot lands, student must have executed the first gyaku-zuki. By pulling hard on the hikite arm, the gyaku-zuki will be much faster and stronger to ensure "Ikken Hissatsu", which literally means "to destroy with one technique" or "killing blow".
The defender will have to make use of a backward yori-ashi to not get caught and needs to just stay out of reach. Please note that the gyaku-zuki will be executed to jodan level, to force the defender to block at this higher level and, in so doing, create an open target on the defender. The attacker will now execute the step with the second gyaku-zuki towards the chudan level, and the defender will step back. The last part of the combination is then again executed to jodan level and the defender just steps back again. It is important for both the attacker and defender to return to jiyu-kamae, maintaining the correct fighting distance between them. Please note that the target of the gyaku-zuki will and can be changed by the attacker, as required during fighting or by the situation. Also bear in mind that all attacks of the combination must be executed with full intent - "Ikken Hissatsu".
From here, the next step would be exactly the same, but the difference comes in on the counter. On the attacker's last gyaku-zuki, the defender will defend with an "Osae-uke" (pressing down block) for a chudan attack or a "Nagashi-uke" (sweeping block) for a jodan attack. The defender will then become the attacker and this should be done instantly in an effort to catch the original attacker off guard. GO NO SEN (block first then attack) is then applied and the new attacker applies the same combination. Incrementally, GO NO SEN speed can increase, which would enable the student to react ASAP and take over the initiative.
This exercise is very intense and beneficial; it will enable students to start an attack with a simple and basic combination, which is very effective and which is very penetrating. The way it is implemented enables one to close the gap over long distances, especially when opponents are very defensive. For the more static defender it is more important to check the distancing and only a one step gyaku-zuki will be executed, followed by a double gyaku-zuki. On the defence side it will help the student to move away faster from an aggressive attacker, but still maintaining the correct distance to take over the initiative.
The faster sen no sen can be applied, the better the chance of the defender defending himself. The continuous sequence of events will force the students to stay focused and, typically, the first student that 'fades' and loses concentration, will fall out of sequence. Doing this exercise is all about helping the student to obtain the awareness and ability to attack as soon as the attacker stops and starts to move back to his normal non attacking position.
When a more free style jiyu-kamae is used, students must concentrate more on body posture, height and penetration. I found that a lot of form is lost in the process, and it is then better to return to the previous exercise. That is why the intermediate level is so hard to master. It is important to have the ability to repeat this sequence of alternating attacks as long and as many times as it is necessary to outplay your opponent.
The idea is to get muscle memory in place and to take over via sen no sen. By mastering this technique correctly, a student will build a very strong and effective defence and attack.
What the student does and doesn't notice
Though this is very basic, it is in fact very advanced at the same time and students normally only notice the benefits from the attackers point of view - the opportunity to attack but, there is more..
On too many occasions I have seen students attacking with only one technique, sometimes two, but from a very stationary position. Through the above training students learn to use a more penetrating approach, and it forces them to close the gap.
It is very easy to speed up; the body movement is natural and comes from normal walking and running: opposite hand and foot moves faster and the whole technique is more effective and faster. Students can also benefit from the defence point of view: it forces them to move away, but still stay in reach of the opponent. It teaches them to apply sen no sen correctly and effectively; it gives them the mindset of not only being defensive, but also generates an ability of 'taking over'.
ADVANCED
The advanced stage of this combination isn't really the combination itself, but is focussed on how and when it can be used to your own benefit. It also involves what can be added prior to the combination, or at the end, to make it more effective and easier to execute. This would include tactics to close the gap, as well as advanced extensions on the TOKUI-WAZA to outwit your opponent. To gain a better understanding, I will approach the advanced level from the attacking and defending point of view. The advanced level will ensure that the TOKUI-WAZA can be executed effectively and will make it more difficult for your opponent to read when youre going to execute your TOKUI-WAZA.
Tactics, from the attacking point of view
This is the difficult part. The problem lies in closing the gap between you and your opponent. The best way to do this would be to initiate your combination with a tsugi-ashi/yori-ashi kizame-zuki. This forces your opponent to block, which is what you want so that the TOKUI-WAZA can be executed. The yori-ashi is more focused on the static opponent, where tsugi-ashi can be used on the more mobile opponent. The important aspect of the kizame-zuki is the fact that it should be executed with full intent and total focus on reaching the target.
Another attacking tactic is to start with a tsugi-ashi then a front foot ashi-barai (foot sweep) to break the opponent's balance. This approach is more difficult if the opponent is awake, and your front hand should therefore be ready to block any counter attack.
The last attacking tactic I use is via faking and attack or approach, just by moving towards the oppopnent. The idea is to instigate the opponent to attack so I can block with the front arm and apply my favourite technique. This is a kamikaze approach because the attacker can respond with a double counter. To avoid this, it is essential to get the front hand back to it's original position ASAP to assist with your defence, if needed.
Tactics, from the defending point of view
What the student does and doesn't notice
Though this is very basic, it is in fact very advanced at the same time and students normally only notice the benefits from the attackers point of view - the opportunity to attack but, there is more..
On too many occasions I have seen students attacking with only one technique, sometimes two, but from a very stationary position. Through the above training students learn to use a more penetrating approach, and it forces them to close the gap.
It is very easy to speed up; the body movement is natural and comes from normal walking and running: opposite hand and foot moves faster and the whole technique is more effective and faster. Students can also benefit from the defence point of view: it forces them to move away, but still stay in reach of the opponent. It teaches them to apply sen no sen correctly and effectively; it gives them the mindset of not only being defensive, but also generates an ability of 'taking over'.
ADVANCED
The advanced stage of this combination isn't really the combination itself, but is focussed on how and when it can be used to your own benefit. It also involves what can be added prior to the combination, or at the end, to make it more effective and easier to execute. This would include tactics to close the gap, as well as advanced extensions on the TOKUI-WAZA to outwit your opponent. To gain a better understanding, I will approach the advanced level from the attacking and defending point of view. The advanced level will ensure that the TOKUI-WAZA can be executed effectively and will make it more difficult for your opponent to read when youre going to execute your TOKUI-WAZA.
Tactics, from the attacking point of view
This is the difficult part. The problem lies in closing the gap between you and your opponent. The best way to do this would be to initiate your combination with a tsugi-ashi/yori-ashi kizame-zuki. This forces your opponent to block, which is what you want so that the TOKUI-WAZA can be executed. The yori-ashi is more focused on the static opponent, where tsugi-ashi can be used on the more mobile opponent. The important aspect of the kizame-zuki is the fact that it should be executed with full intent and total focus on reaching the target.
Another attacking tactic is to start with a tsugi-ashi then a front foot ashi-barai (foot sweep) to break the opponent's balance. This approach is more difficult if the opponent is awake, and your front hand should therefore be ready to block any counter attack.
The last attacking tactic I use is via faking and attack or approach, just by moving towards the oppopnent. The idea is to instigate the opponent to attack so I can block with the front arm and apply my favourite technique. This is a kamikaze approach because the attacker can respond with a double counter. To avoid this, it is essential to get the front hand back to it's original position ASAP to assist with your defence, if needed.
Tactics, from the defending point of view
In general, this is the preferred point of view and from here it is normally easier to execute the favourite technique. The only problem is to be able to deviate the attacker. The advantage is that if the attacker stops, the favourite technique can be executed. Distancing plays a big role and the defender (you) should just stay out of reach when the attacker attacks. When the attacker (opponent) stops his combination and pulls back, the defender (you) must react instantly with the combination, trying to catch the attacker of guard. The human body moves forward quicker and when the attacker gets caught on the back leg, it's over.
The other and preferred defence option is the use of GO NO SEN. While the attacker attacks either kizame or gyaku, and while blocking, the defender moves forward. Speed and surprise is the essence here. The danger lies in distancing, and ending up very close to you opponent is almost guaranteed. For this situation I would apply advanced technique 3, which would involve a take down (see advanced technique 3).
In advanced practicing, the use of tactics plays an important role, as described above. Advanced techniques usually involve more practice and mere skill doesn't always work. The opponent moves around a lot more, since it is free sparring. Advancement thus lies in how the opponent is being approached in order to execute the favourite technique. As for myself, I have 3 advanced technique combinations that I practice and concentrate on. As I pursue an opponent, I would use one of the 3 techniques or maybe a hybrid of them. All depends on what my opponent does, how and with which arm I block, or even if the opponent kicks or not.
The 3 Advanced combinations I work on are:
1. Yori-ashi, kizame-zuki, gyaku-zuki, step gyaku-zuki, step gyaku-zuki.
2. Yori-ashi kizame-zuki, gyaku-zuki, step gyaku-zuki, step mawashi-geri/ushiro-mawashi-geri.
3. Yori-ashi/Blocking, kizame-zuki/gyaku-zuki, step gyaku-zuki. If I am close enough, I will go for the take-down. All depends on the situation and which foot is in front, even if I have my opponents arm or shoulder.
The importance of and key to a take-down lies in breaking the opponent's balance. The other important thing for me is full commitment and driving the take-down through. I have seen too many take-downs fail due to insufficient pivoting/driving. Other problems come with distancing from the opponent. I have trained take-downs for my own maximum benefit, not just using arms and limbs as is usually done. Effectiveness lies in breaking balance, with close pivoting round the hip/foot and the accompanied pulling and driving with both arms.
I didn't elaborate too much on the advanced side of the technique, though I personally spend much more time on it. For me its all about setting a basic standard on how to start a fighting technique, or taking initiative away from an attacker. The emphasis is on whether the technique is efficient and easy to learn.
WHERE TO NOW?
The gyaku-zuki step gyaku-zuki is a very basic and effective combination. It is easy to learn and can be used almost in every situation. Incorporating this double combination into grading syllabus can be beneficiary. The longer it can be trained in a student's karate career and development, the more natural it can become due to muscle memory.
The student can then evolve/develop more tactics on how to attack and how to take initiative from the attacker (GO NO SEN/ SEN NO SEN). This combination is not the Alfa and Omega, but from personal experience Ive seen and found that it is very effective when your opponent is caught on his back leg and he cannot run away. The one position any fighter does not want to be in is on the back foot, trying to run or getting to a 'safe' distance.
This thesis is about the gyaku-zuki step gyaku-zuki, used as the basis for a fighting combination (TOKUI-WAZA). Its effectiveness lies in the ability created to close the gap and putting the opponent on his back foot. It is a strong and simple combination which can be explored in many ways.
I believe in simplicity and effectiveness.
The importance of and key to a take-down lies in breaking the opponent's balance. The other important thing for me is full commitment and driving the take-down through. I have seen too many take-downs fail due to insufficient pivoting/driving. Other problems come with distancing from the opponent. I have trained take-downs for my own maximum benefit, not just using arms and limbs as is usually done. Effectiveness lies in breaking balance, with close pivoting round the hip/foot and the accompanied pulling and driving with both arms.
I didn't elaborate too much on the advanced side of the technique, though I personally spend much more time on it. For me its all about setting a basic standard on how to start a fighting technique, or taking initiative away from an attacker. The emphasis is on whether the technique is efficient and easy to learn.
WHERE TO NOW?
The gyaku-zuki step gyaku-zuki is a very basic and effective combination. It is easy to learn and can be used almost in every situation. Incorporating this double combination into grading syllabus can be beneficiary. The longer it can be trained in a student's karate career and development, the more natural it can become due to muscle memory.
The student can then evolve/develop more tactics on how to attack and how to take initiative from the attacker (GO NO SEN/ SEN NO SEN). This combination is not the Alfa and Omega, but from personal experience Ive seen and found that it is very effective when your opponent is caught on his back leg and he cannot run away. The one position any fighter does not want to be in is on the back foot, trying to run or getting to a 'safe' distance.
This thesis is about the gyaku-zuki step gyaku-zuki, used as the basis for a fighting combination (TOKUI-WAZA). Its effectiveness lies in the ability created to close the gap and putting the opponent on his back foot. It is a strong and simple combination which can be explored in many ways.
I believe in simplicity and effectiveness.
4th Dan Thesis - SEPTEMBER 2005
Jannie Buitendag
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