Kick start your child’s development with Karate

 
Physical, sensory, intellectual, emotional and social development all come into play
in the disciplined precise sport of Karate. When your child enters the Dojo they
learns to cleanse themself of the days matters, slip into their white suit and focus on
the principles of good character and attitude towards life.
 
Repetition of these traits brings the karateka’s approach to life to conscious mind.
They learn to take responsibility for their actions. This is a powerful perspective to
hold on life as it empowers them to own their life and lead it.

 
The physical and sensory benefits are extensive. The karateka will gain better
balance, co-ordination, quick reflexes, agility and strength. They will learn to trust
their body’s ability to move with accuracy without having to guide their movements
by watching every action. This is a result of their enhancement of their sense of body
position and balance, known as proprioception and vestibular sense respectively.

Muscle tone is boosted through the stretching elements of Karate. This means that
they will develop a better level of resistance in their muscles that provide a platform
to push against to make movements precise and rapid. Karate demands the co-
ordination of the two sides of the body which improves communication between the
two halves of the brain.
 
Intellect is brought into play as the katas demand memory skills and sequencing.
These are foundation skills for spelling, reading and mathematics. Commitment to
work towards achieving a higher level of skill teaches them to set goals and strive
towards them.
 
Obtaining a new level of skill feeds their emotional growth, self esteem and sense of
value. Through karate they will learn strength of character, effort, etiquette, sincerity
and self-control.
 
Bottomline: Karate packs a powerful punch in all aspects of your child’s
development.

Shihan Norman Robinson

Overview of a Self Defence Approach

When self-defence is mentioned, the average person usually expects some mystical technique or power that will enable the person that knows it, to neutralise any opponent - and even a number of opponents - without any effort. In the minds of a large number of people these techniques can usually be found in the martial arts.

The average martial artist thinks that he would be able to defend himself in nearly any situation, and even that he would be able to handle a number of attackers at the same time. Although technique - whether punching, blocking, kicking, throwing or a lock - may form part of a self-defence strategy, it is by far not the only element of self-defence.

A complete self-defence strategy should consist of a number of elements, namely knowledge of the attitudes and thinking patterns of the attacker, knowledge on how situations that require self-defence usually develop, the correct attitude and mental approach in such a situation, the knowledge of self-defence techniques that are efficient, and correct body conditioning to enable you to perform the techniques at the required level.

Self-defence, in a broader perspective, consists of a number of disciplines of protection which would include, inter alia, the locks and alarm systems installed in houses, protective clothing worn by policemen and soldiers, and protection of vehicles by armouring them. The discipline concerned with the utilization of various weapons for self-defence is also comprehensive.

It is obvious that a discussion of any number of self-defence disciplines falls outside the scope of this thesis. This thesis will concentrate on an approach for self-defence on a personal basis. It is clear that, as with a lot of other subjects in life, there will be different views on the matter based on the personal outlook and experience of the individual involved.KNOWLEDGE OF THE ATTACKER
For the average person affected by an attack, for whatever reason, it appears as if these incidents happen on a random basis and the callousness and viciousness of some of the attacks defy explanation. Although all persons that attack another person are not hardened criminals as such, their conduct is criminal, and I am of the opinion that the same basic mindsets apply as those applicable to criminals. To understand and prepare oneself it is important to take a look into the mind of a criminal.

Massad Ayoob indicates the following with regard to mindset of criminals:

1.     They regard human beings that conform to society as a resource, to be harvested like corn or complacent livestock for their bounty.

2.     Psychiatrists call them sociopaths. Sociopaths don't really care about other people. They see people as a resource, as food as it were. A sociopath criminal feels that he does it for the greater good of himself. The suffering of his victims does not concern him. He is isolated from them. He feels that he has his own problems that drive him to this lifestyle; the agony he causes to others is simply their problem. He murders, assaults and rapes with no more compunction than the manager of a local grocery store ordering stocks for his shop.

3.     The predatory people don't think like normal people.

Clive Murphy indicates that attackers are driven by the following:

1.    The first group attacks for financial gain. Ninety five percent of attackers in this category will have weapons to intimidate you. However, they do not plan to use the weapon. The main aim of this group is to your take your possessions to provide for their needs.

2.     The second group attacks to obtain resources to gratify a physical need. These persons usually operate in isolated areas and usually require your possessions to gratify an immediate need, like money to buy drugs and liquor.

3.     The third group is attackers with a domination need. This group is super violent and feels that another group, or someone else, has put them down. The main aim of this group is to experience your fear and submission for as long as possible. They will therefore isolate you by moving you to a secondary location and if you submit to their demands, they will start escalating the violence.

From the aforementioned it is clear that there can be large variations in the motivation of different groups of attackers, but that they have one trait in common: they are only interested in satisfying their own needs, no matter what the consequences or the impact of their conduct on their victims.
 
KNOWLEDGE OF THE COURSE OF AN ATTACK

Most victims of an attack feel that the attack takes place ran
domly. This is not the case. Attacking another person involves taking a risk, as the attacker may be hurt. He could, for instance, be shot and put in jail. Attackers are afraid of being hurt. They fear the police, police dogs and people with weapons. To minimise their risks they plan their attacks and select their victims. In this process, certain opportunities to prevent and nullify an attack are presented.

Clive Murphy describes the following four phases through which an attack usually goes:

1.      The first phase is the selection process. This is out of your control and will be done according to generic selection criteria e.g. the car that you drive or the colour of your hair. The attackers will take the way of least resistance and if they want your car, they will follow you home. The attackers will determine whether you display a victim profile.

2.      The second phase is the evaluation phase. The attackers will determine whether you fit the victim profile. They will walk into your personal space and observe your response; if you have a submissive response, they will select you. They will also test you physically by bumping into you, or verbally through sudden inappropriate dialogue. It is important to again determine whether you fit the victim profile or not.

3.      The third phase of the attack is the demoralisation phase. In this phase they will rush and intimidate you. The attackers will make their demands and defeat you mentally and physically by playing mind games to get you to submit. The attackers are professional liars and intimidators.

4.      The fourth phase is the need fulfilment phase. The attacker has gained control of you and is in charge. There is often a clear change in the attacker's approach and the edge to intimidate and control you, comes off. The attacker therefore relaxes and his focus changes. It is clear that this change in conduct presents opportunities to get out of the situation.
 MENTAL APPROACH TO SELF DEFENCE

From the information supplied in the above paragraphs it is clear that your mental state plays an important part in an attack situation. This can be divided into two main parts, namely the situation before and during an attack. The first part is before the attack and entails the following:

1.    Firstly it is important to not be selected as a victim. If you are in a state where it is clear that you are not paying attention to what is happening in your environment, you are displaying a victim profile. It is important to keep your head up at all times and observe your environment. Utilise your knowledge on the conduct of attackers and the attack situation to look for pre-incident indicators. It is important that you trust your gut feel in this regard.

2.    Secondly is your reaction when you are tested. It is important to decide beforehand how you will react if a stranger enters your personal space uninvited. In the heat and surprise of the situation there will not be time to decide on an appropriate response. The response should be a clear and non-negotiable statement. It is important to remember that the attacker will always base his final judgment on whether you are a victim or not on your body language.

An attack is taking place because there where either no observable indications of the attack, or the indications had been missed and it is time to react. In this regard the following:

The first problem that you will be confronted with is what is called the generic victim conflict, namely: are you going to resist or not. Although the final decision will be made on the basis of the situation, it is important that the decision and possible reaction be thought trough before the time because it will not be possible in the stress and distractions of an attack. This is a difficult decision because of the risks involved in resisting. It is important to have your priorities right in this situation. It is better to lose a possession, that can be replaced, than risk injury that may cripple you for life.

The first reaction is to escape immediately by walking or running away. According to research presented by Clive Murphy, this approach can be used in about 90% of attack situations.

The second reaction is to feign submission by taking on a submissive posture. The next step is to hand over the objects that the attacker demands from you. Step away slowly, staying in the submissive posture until you are outside of contact distance, then turn away and run. This reaction will be applicable in about 8% of attack scenarios.

Reaction three is to resist and attack the attacker. It is important to note that this approach should be utilised as a last resort only, when an attacker is already using a weapon on you or is blocking your only escape route. The techniques discussed in the next part can be utilised to attack your attacker. It is important to only fight until you can escape. During this process improvised weapons and, for instance, pepper sprays can be utilised. PRE-EMPTIVE TECHNIQUES

The pre-emptive techniques discussed below were generally determined as effective in a fight. However, the techniques should be performed on the basis of the following principles:

1.    If time allows, adopt a stance that - to the uninformed - appears submissive but is, in fact, a very effective 'ready' stance. The stance entails the raising of your open hands with the palms forward, almost as in the traditional cowboy 'hands-up'position. The position of the hands will depend on the distance from the attacker. For this purpose three distances are applicable, namely kicking distance, punching distance and close-up. With kicking distance the hands should be about shoulder width apart, with punching distance the hands should be in front of the face, with the one hand a little more forward than the other. These hand positions also control the situation to the extent that it suggests certain targets to the attacker.

2.    The technique to be performed will be determined by the distance from the target.

3.     It also important that the technique should be in relation to the threat. The eyes should for instance not be attacked unless your life is in danger, since such an attack may blind the attacker.

4.    The principle that applies is that closest weapon attacks closest target.

5.    The aggressor's body language should be observed closely to determent whether he is going to attack, in which case a first strike should be made. Telltale signs are, for instance, the colour of the aggressor's face - e.g. a white face indicates that he is at the peak of readiness and a red face that the peak has passed. The body posture and language should also be observed carefully to determine signs of training in for instance martial arts, boxing or concealed weapons. With regard to a hand in a pocket or a hand concealed behind the back, it should be accepted that it conceals a weapon like a knife.

6.    Self-defence encounters are usually very violent, but have a short time span. Preparation should therefore be made to meet this violence but you should also be ready to deliver a high number of punches in a very short time span. The first strike attack should therefore be followed up immediately with a continuous, fast and uninterrupted attack, until the attacker is neutralised.

7.    Although the attack should be fast and continuous, it should also be efficient and effective. It should therefore be accurate and aimed at definite targets. The vulnerable parts of aggressors, where a strike would have the biggest impact, should be attacked.

8.    It is also important that the techniques should be simple and straightforward because the more complicated they are, the bigger the risk of forgetting them or doing them incorrectly.

The following nine techniques are generally considered efficient and affective first strike techniques. They should al be performed from the ready stance discussed above:

1.      For close distance fights, deliver an empi strike to the jaw or the side of the face.

2.      Deliver a hooking elbow strike diagonally downwards, from the cheekbone in the direction of the opposite side of the jawbone.

3.      Kick the top part of the front foot upward in a snapping motion into the groin of the aggressor. Do not pull the foot back as if a mae-geri is going to be performed.

4.      Deliver a forward kekomi kick to the upper part of the leg.

5.      Strike the opponent's nose, side of his face or jaw with the open palm of your hand.

6.      Strike the opponent on his throat with the hand open, using the part of the hand between the thumb and the forefinger.

7.      Strike the eyes with the fingers of the open hand, like the strike of a snake.

8.      Push the thumbs into the eyes; hold the thumbs nearly parallel to the forefinger; the fingers should end up next to the head of the attacker.

9.      Strike the nose of the opponent with a tetsui strike motion, but rip the action down by bending the knees.
 
PHYSICAL PREPAREDNESS

Considering the fact that it will be required that a lot of punches and kicks should be delivered in a very short time span, it is of utmost importance that the self-defence techniques should be based on an acceptable level of fitness. It is clear that this subject, in itself, can form a whole separate thesis.

We are again confronted with the situation that there can be lot of different views on the matter, so the following is one possible approach. One of the approaches that can be followed is to do combat fitness training which can involve the following approaches:

1.    An approach can be followed where the class is divided into two groups. The one group has punching bags and the other group takes up position on the other side of the dojo. This group does, for instance, 10 push-ups, runs over to the group with the punching bags and do five punches with each hand and five kicks with each foot on the bag; they then run back to the starting point and do push-ups again. This exercise can be done in rounds of 1, 2 or 3 minutes, depending on the fitness level of the persons involved. Rounds should also be done to exercise different muscle groups, like the legs and abdominals.

2.    The exercise routines of using one's own body weight to obtain fitness and strength as described by e.g. someone like Matt Furey, can also be utilised. Some of the exercises that come to mind are Hindu squats and push-ups, and breathing and abdominal exercises.

3.    Regular work on a heavy punching bag is also important. This exercise should again be done with a very high intensity to prepare for the possible real life situation.

4.    Exercises to strengthen the body, like slapping and controlled punching, will contribute to strengthening and preparing the body for possible punches in an encounter.

Godan Thesis 
Gert Oelofsen

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.      The Truth About Self Protection - Massad Ayoob
2.      Presentation on self-defence - Clive Murphy
3.      Information given during numerous training sessions by my Sensei, Pierre Jordaan

Basic principles when defending against firearms and blunt instruments

This short article is intended to close the gap between traditional concepts of street defence against unarmed aggressors and the modern world of aggressors armed with firearms and blunt instruments.

Whilst one would not, by choice, confront an armed aggressor with "Empty Hands", you may end up in a situation where you do not have a choice: aggressors normally choose the time place for their attack.

Defence against an armed aggressor is "extremely hazardous to one's health" and, as a starting point, karateka would do well to remember:

-    Rather walk away; your ego will only get you killed.

-    Understand the principle of distancing when 'weapons' are involved:
    o      If you are out of range, you cannot be stabbed with a knife or beaten with a blunt instrument.
    o      If you are confronted by an aggressor armed with a firearm, you need to be close enough to defend yourself. If you try to attack from far away, you will be shot and possibly killed.

The views expressed here are my own, based on over 26 years experience in practical pistol shooting and over 10 years experience in Shotokan karate. Over the years I have been involved in numerous confrontations during which I have been attacked and shot at by armed and unarmed assailants. There is no romance or pleasure in facing death or taking another's life.

Firearms

There are two broad categories of hand guns, namely revolvers and semi automatic pistols. In confronting an aggressor armed with a handgun, the following points are relevant.

-    You cannot outrun a speeding bullet, i.e. you have to close the gap rather than extend the gap in most instances.

-     If you initiate an attack against an aggressor who is pointing a firearm at you, provided your distancing is correct, you will be able to deflect the muzzle of the firearm away from you before the aggressor is able to discharge the firearm.

-    The ability to render the firearm inoperative is a great advantage and for this reason a basic understanding of the mechanical workings of handguns is essential. 

Blunt instruments

Other than being completely out of range, it is generally better to be as close as possible when you are being attacked by an aggressor wielding a blunt instrument. The reason for this is quite simply that the end of a blunt instrument travels at greater velocity. The principle of "attack the attack" is of greatest importance in this situation.

 

Ian McLaren

What it means to be a black belt in JKS

I have had my Black Belt for nearly two years now and you would think that by this time the question would be easy to answer. Well, for me it has not been easy. I think that, in order to answer this question, you have to ask yourself why you actually did everything that was needed to get your Black belt. Why did I go through all of the hours of training, sweat, sore muscles, pain, frustration and sometimes disappointment, to work through the kyu gradings to get to Shodan level?

When starting this essay I went back to some of the notes and ideas that I had jotted down since the beginning of the year. I found that I had, even in this reasonable short period of time, changed and developed on those ideas and that I could still not fully answer the question in my mind properly. It only left me questioning my feelings and ideas even more.

One of the first things that came to mind when I started to try and answer this question, was the sense of self achievement that I had when I first put on my Black Belt. Self achievement from the fact that I had done what many younger, more athletic students, had failed to do; that I had persevered where others had given up. And, because of this, I had reaped the rewards.

Did that mean that I was a better student, that I was more athletic, more supple? No, it meant that I had continued despite the fact that it was not always easy. (This in some ways must point to something in my own character, something that I did not always appreciate) Yes, there were times that I doubted that I could do it properly but there was always somebody there to give an encouraging word or to push me a little further. But this means that I did not do it 100% alone, so the ￿self achievement￿ no longer holds totally true.

The second feeling I had was a sense of pride. All of a sudden I was being congratulated by colleagues and people I hardly knew. It gave me a little bit of a social status and this made me feel good. But, after a while, this wears off and you are back where you started emotionally.

So, I was proud of my achievement, but did that mean I was a better or a different person than the one before I got my Black belt?

In terms of Karate, most definitely. Not only am I much more fit, but I am also a lot more supple than I was before a started Karate. I have learnt to know my own body better and have surprisingly found that I can do more than I originally thought. I often get pushed to my perceived limits and have found that I can still continue beyond these. Also, from both a physical and health perspective, I can definitely see a difference in myself. I cannot think of where I would have been in these aspects had I not been doing karate for the last 7 odd years.

I started Karate because it has always been something that I was interested in, right from the days of the TV program ￿Kung Fu￿ with David Caradine, which I first watched in black and white on Rhodesian TV in 1972. This then progressed to Bruce Lee movies and the interest has not stopped since. According to my understanding at the time, being a black belt made you both deadly and invincible. And that is what I wanted to be, able to kill somebody with one chop to the neck, as in all James Bond (007) movies.

Did I want to achieve this rank in karate for only those reasons, pride, self achievement? I don￿t think so as I would have then stopped, and would not be here now preparing for my Nidan grading.

I admit that my goal was only to get a Black belt. But somewhere along the journey I learned that having that black belt did not make me invincible, and I realized that what I had learned to get my Shodan, was just a drop in the ocean. I came to realize how little I really knew and that the most unbelievable thing about it all was that this was just the beginning.

So why did I do it?

After reaching 4th kyu I stopped doing karate for more than eight years, so one reason I did it was to finish something that I had started and for some reason had stopped.

I did it to be a good example to my two boys, to try and teach them that you must not stop at the first hurdle, but to continue because although you may not always win, you will always learn something from the experience. These hurdles are tests in our lives and, often, more can be learned from failure than from success. What makes our lives individual are all of these experiences, it gives us something that makes life something to look forward too.

I did it because it was always something I had an interest in. Plain and simple. I cannot think of any other reasons. There may have been others reasons but I can no longer remember them.
Where to from now?
Having gone through all of the Kyu ranks means I have learnt many moves and techniques. However, now that I am a black belt, I have come to realize that I am in many instances learning more about those same moves and techniques while helping with the other junior students. Instead of just doing the movement, I am forced to think about the movement and about how to convey this successfully to the student. This forces me to think of the many practical aspects of the technique and, with that, the various applications as to how to use it. It is very satisfying to take a technique and to teach that to somebody: to see that they really understand why they are doing it the way they are, and to think that if I was taught it that way, maybe I would have been a lot less frustrated.

Many people have spent many hours helping me with my journey to Shodan and beyond. Without them it would not have been possible and to that I owe a debt. I may not be able to repay them directly, but in the spirit of Karate maybe I can help others in some way. By making myself available for other karate related tasks, such as competition judging, grading preparation, just giving a class or the likes, not only do I continue learning and expanding my own knowledge, but I may also free up others to do more important things. In this way I can start giving back to Karate some of what was given to me.

Karate movements and techniques are both physical and technical activities and as such are very difficult to describe correctly in words. The only true ways of continuing to properly teach these are through practically doing them, as well as showing or coaching the student the correct way. This then can be my contribution to continuing the JKS style of Karate to the next generation of karateka.

I have now grown to enjoy Karate despite often having sore muscles or joints or being frustrated because of something that is hard to do or difficult to master. It is also difficult to measure myself against others and to accept that there is only so much that I am capable of physically. This has however not stopped me yet, and a good coach does not necessarily have to be a champion.

I have no idea what is going to happen next. I am just grateful that I have been given and have taken the opportunity to learn something extraordinary. I now know that this is an ongoing experience in my life, that I still have much to learn and that this is just the beginning. My training to this stage has been very much the basics of Karate and I would like to expand and continue on this base. (I have not yet even obtained my Nidan, yet I catch myself already thinking about Sandan.)

I have also, on previous Gasshukus that I attended, been exposed to wrist locks, takedowns and close quarter fighting and I feel that this would be one of the future possibilities to explore and learn. Also, with information so freely available on the WEB and with any search of the word 'Karate' or 'Shotokan' bringing up literally thousands of websites, it is now a feeling of 'So much to learn, so little Time'.

I am again humble.

Shaun Everett

My Tokui-waza

I was once told that in the Second World War there was a debate on which martial arts must be trained by the Japanese Military. Masters from different martial art styles came together in this dispute. Most of the styles caused disagreement because it was too complex (Aikido, Judo) and it would take years and years of training to master it. The Japanese Military needed hand-to-hand combat training urgently since time was the factor. It was then decided that Karate would be used. Karate was chosen because it was easier to learn and it was very effective. Apparently the Japanese Military practiced (specialised more) on three basic techniques (Gyaku-zuki, Mae-geri, and Age-uke) and was sent into combat.

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. 

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.

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 attacker￿s 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 you￿re 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 opponent￿s 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 it￿s 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 I￿ve 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

The Effect of Weight Distribution on Distancing

DISTANCING

 

Distancing is key to any successful defence or attack. The defender must be able to effectively read the attack as it begins and then either move forward to interrupt the rhythm of the attacker and strike first, or move away from the attack effectively enough to be able to block it and still to be in a position to counter-attack. Moving away from the attacker can either be directly backwards, or in the form of a sidestep. Either way, distancing from the attacker is vital.
MOVEMENT

 

Very few attacks can be effective from a static position. The attacker or aggressor needs to move forward to land an effective technique. This applies whether the chosen technique is a grab, a strike or a kick. To land the technique the attacker has to rely on speed and momentum to be able to reduce the distance to the defender as quickly as possible.

The defender needs to control the distance from the attacker in order to deal with the attack. He starts at a disadvantage as he only reacts once the attack has started. This means that the defender has to be able to move quickly enough to effectively counter the attack, or simply avoid it.
THE EFFECT OF WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION ON MOVEMENT

Weight distribution has a major effect on one's ability to move fast and effectively. It also has a major effect on the outcome of a block or strike, as it has such an influence on the momentum of any movement.

Let's examine the dynamics of several different movements.

Front stance

The traditional front stance as taught in Shotokan karate is, in principle, a rooted stance and is really the end of a basic movement, with one's weight predominantly on the front leg. In order to move in any direction from this stance, one's weight has to be moved.

To go forward the defender has to either stand up, which has the effect of distributing the weight evenly, and then stepping, or thrusting the hips forward and rolling the front knee over the foot. This method is not natural and takes a lot of practice to be executed efficiently but, once mastered and done properly, a tremendous amount of forward momentum can be generated and a comparatively large distance covered.

Back stance

The traditional Shotokan-style back-stance is also the final end position of, typically, a backward movement, with the majority of one's weight situated almost directly above the back leg and foot. The back foot is at 90 degrees from the centre-line and direction of movement. To continue moving backwards, one's weight needs to be kept centralised whilst the front foot is drawn back. This also needs lots of practice and is difficult to execute as quickly as a front stance. Alternatively, the defender must stand up, centralising his weight, and then step either forward or backwards from there.

The back-stance does, however, offer the skilled practitioner an excellent method of evading a frontal attack, creating an excellent platform for a very fast counter attack: by merely shifting his weight backwards into the traditional back stance, the defender can create enough distance from a direct attack from where he can then simply shift his weight forward and strike his attacker without stepping. When used in conjunction with a front jab (kizami-zuki), this shift from back-stance to front-stance or a fighting stance is very fast and very difficult to anticipate.

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION

By analysing these basic Shotokan style stances, it becomes clear that it is vital to perfect a smooth and direct method of transferring weight to adjust the distance to the opponent. The speed with which a forward, back or side step can be made is also a product of this weight shifting principle.

Weight distribution will not only facilitate the speed with which the distance from the opponent can be changed, but can also drastically affect the force of a striking technique by increasing its momentum.  This is due to the unchangeable principle of mass x speed = momentum, and the more momentum behind a technique, the greater the force with which it will land.

The perfect way to transfer weight is to keep the body perfectly upright as the muscle-groups used to transfer weight are employed. This is particularly important when moving forward.

The reason is that a weight shift made by leaning the upper body forward from the waist will result in the face being presented forwards and into the reach of the opponent - a position from which it is very difficult to defend. Also, moving one's weight forward via the upper body makes it almost impossible to then quickly move backwards, or in any other direction. A backward movement made by leaning the upper body away from the opponent may result in the head being moved out of reach of an attack, but it again leaves the defender in an off-balance position from which it is difficult to continue moving.

UTILISING WEIGHT SHIFT TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE OR MORE TECHNIQUES

Once the principle of effective weight transfer has been mastered, the skilled fighter will be able to use it to dramatically increase the effectiveness of his attacking or counter attacking techniques. In fact, the Shotokan doctrine of landing one telling or killing blow in the shortest possible time relies on maximum force being applied instantly. To do this, maximum momentum must be generated and effectively applied. The karatekas entire weight must drive the technique at the highest possible speed.

This is the method behind the Shotokan system and explains how small and slightly-built Japanese karateka are able to effectively fight much larger and stronger opponents.

- by Clive Strugnell

Paper on an Aspect of JKS Karate

The longer one spends studying karate, the clearer one thing becomes: the fundamentals become more and more important as one progresses from one level to the next. Ultimate proficiency lies in the perfection of the basics, and if one understands that it is actually not possible to reach total perfection when it comes to basics, then one starts getting somewhere.

 

There are two important issues here:

1. Many karateka often neglect the basics as they reach higher grades. While they will of course never admit it, deep down they believe that spending too much time on fundamentals is for beginners, and that they are above trying to perfect, for instance, a "simple" mae-geri. 
2. They think they know how to do it, and therefore the basic elements of the mae-geri, i.e. back foot pointing forward, weight forward, hips square, knee up and snap back, are executed without any real understanding and therefore finally without real effect. 

 

This attitude is echoed by some senior karate-ka who will concentrate on, for instance, "advanced" katas at the expense of the Heians (the irony of course is that no single technique in any kata can be divorced from the basics: kime, posture, hip rotation and so on are the fundamentals of form, no matter how "advanced" the kata - or the karateka).
This is the main point of this paper: I believe that some very important basics are not taught to students at an early enough stage or, even if they are taught, these basics are not given the importance they deserve. This ultimately has a negative effect on the form of even some senior karateka, especially when it comes to kata.
While all the other elements of correct form are obviously also vital, I want to concentrate on a specific fundamental problem which I believe is evident among too many karateka today.

THE POSITION OF THE FEET

When in zenkutsu-dachi or fudo-dachi, many karatekas' back feet point sideways at an angle of more than 45 degrees, sometimes even a full 90 degrees.

When in kokutsu-dachi, the back foot often points backwards, and in kiba-dachi, few karatekas' feet are actually parallel.

The focal point of this paper is the position of the back foot when in front stance or fighting stance which, of all the stances, are most seriously affected by this problem - not only in terms of form in kata, but also because it curtails the effectiveness of one of the most common scoring techniques in kumite.

The Back Foot Position in Front/Fighting Stance, as it Relates to Kumite

 

One of the most effective and most popular scoring techniques in kumite is the gyaku-zuki. This technique can only be effective if the back foot is pointing forward, at the very least at a 45 degree angle to the direction of the hand movement.

 

If the foot is pointing further back than 45 degrees, a number of things happen which will nullify the effectiveness of the gyaku-zuki:

 

1. Because the fighter is literally on his back foot, it creates a negative attitude. If the back foot is pointing sideways, it is impossible to move forward with any significant degree of speed or force. The most likely direction for the fighter to move in is backwards, even if it is only by shifting his body weight onto his back leg. It follows that, if he is physically moving backwards, he is probably doing the same thing mentally. Either way, it is a sure recipe for defeat. 
2. A back foot that points sideways inhibits hip rotation to the point that it is almost impossible to execute a correct gyaku-zuki. In fact, there is a direct correlation between the effectiveness of a gyaku-zuki and the direction in which the back foot is pointing. 
3. If the hip can't rotate, distancing is also seriously affected. Again, there is a direct correlation between the reach of the fist and the direction in which the back foot is pointing (bearing in mind that, at the point of impact, the shoulder should be square and not in a gyaku-hanmi position).  
4. A lack of hip rotation leads to a huge drop in power. There is no comparison between a punch delivered with static hips and one delivered with "vibrating" hips.

  

Since the power in a karate punch is generated through the hips, it should be one of the most basic techniques which should be taught to any student. And, of course, one of the keys to correct hip vibration lies in the position of the back foot for both blocks and punches.

The Back Foot Position in Front/Fighting Stance, as it Relates to Kata

 

One of the first techniques taught in karate is oi-zuki. This technique is found in most of the katas, from Heian Shodan, right through to many of the black belt katas.

For oi-zuki, we are taught that the body should be in shomen position at the kime point, i.e. hips and shoulders should be square. Try this with the back foot pointing sideways: the hips cannot be square, which means that a number of things will happen:

1. There can be no real kime.
2. The leading shoulder is likely to be too far forward.
3. The body will lean forward.
4. There will be an over-reach with the striking hand.
5. Most important of all, because oi-zuki is a moving technique, if the back foot is pointing sideways it will drag behind the rest of the body instead of propelling it. The hip supposed to be the trigger for the striking hand will also be left behind, which means that not much of the technique is left.

Again, when one does gyaku-zuki while moving forward (e.g. with tsugi-ashi), and the back foot is pointing too far sideways, that foot will drag behind the body as well, with the same consequences.

 

Students are already exposed to gyaku-zuki early on in what is ironically called a "basic" kata - Heian Nidan. If the student is not taught the correct foot position for this technique at this early stage, the result is a weak foundation in terms of its future application.

In Heian Godan, the sword hand techniques (movements 21a and 23a) are impossible to execute correctly if the back foot is pointing too far to the side. There will be no kime point, because the hip on the side of the striking hand will not be locked in (one reason why the feet tend to be in the wrong position here is that the person doing the kata over-anticipates a change of stance and therefore moves too quickly from front stance to back stance).

The advanced kata Chinte is another excellent example of how the incorrect position of the back foot will totally nullify an important technique. In Chinte, the tate-zuki (vertical fist punch) is executed like a gyaku-zuki, but with the fist in a vertical position. The fist meets the palm of the other hand, which is extended as tate shuto uke (vertical sword hand block). The extended hand should not be pulled back to meet the striking fist. Instead, a sharp forward movement of the hip should give the fist enough reach to meet the palm of the other hand without any backward movement of the latter (the stance is fudo-dachi). This technique is totally impossible to execute correctly if the back foot is pointing too far to the side.

SUMMARY

While students are of course being told about the importance of the position of the back foot, it should be emphasised and focussed on far more than at present. It should become an ingrained part of their early training, which will ultimately result in fewer senior karateka suffering from this problem later on, when it is too late, or very difficult, to fix.

 

What it Means to be a Black Belt

Karate affects four aspects of me. It affects my body, my conscious mind, my subconscious mind and my attitude. There are four factors to karate which cause these effects on me. However, they are not mutually exclusive, nor do they affect only one aspect of me. They are integrated, their effects intersecting each other across multiple facets of my character and form. What is more pertinent to this essay, however, is the acceleration of the effects of these factors and how this acceleration is tied to the Black Belt.

When I first started Karate I was nine years old. It was my father's idea, but I really wanted to do it as well. My father was a Shodan at the time but I just used to tell people that he was a Black Belt. For me this was the final goal. I started karate because I wanted to be a black belt. I wanted to be a black belt because it seemed to impress people. There was something mystical about it for me. An action hero with a Black Belt was more hardcore than one who had a big gun. So, for me, becoming a Black Belt was my goal, my reason for doing karate.

I am a Black Belt now. I have been for three years. When I graded to Shodan I did not feel any different. In fact the whole thing was anticlimactic for me, especially considering my belief in the mystical powers of the Black Belt. I was a little disappointed when I woke up one morning and realised I was a Black Belt but I didn't have any super powers. I felt just the same as before.

Since then I have come to realise something about my training before becoming a Black Belt: all the basics, the intermediate gradings, the form work, the basic stepping sparring drills, everything was just building a solid foundation for my real training to begin from. Getting to Black Belt is about preparing the body physically for the next phase. It is about establishing the correct form of technique, the required level of fitness, the basic programming of muscle memory and the instilling of self-discipline in the Karateka. It is the foundation on which all future learning will be based.

Being a Black Belt means having this solid foundation, without it you are not truly a Black Belt. It is therefore important for Black Belts to teach other students. Not only to benefit students who are still in the foundation phase of training but also to continually improve and reinforce their own foundation. My technique, especially my form, improves greatly when I am teaching. This is because the mistakes I see in students recur when I cannot correct them and the most effective way to teach Karate is to demonstrate it. Thus my Karate is improved by teaching. My understanding of techniques also increases as I teach them. I am forced to examine them from a different point of view. I have to answer questions about the techniques. All of this contributes to my growth as a Karateka.

Upon becoming a Black Belt I had to refocus my goals for Karate. It has taken me some time and a lot of training but I think I have discovered what the key difference between my pre Black Belt training and my post Black Belt training is going to be. I think it will revolve around taking ownership of my training. Whereas before I would attend class because I wanted to, I often did so without looking forward to the class, even if I enjoyed it. There were some phases where I trained because I could think of nothing else I would rather do, but there were also phases where I trained out of habit.

Over the last year, however, my training has changed. Not in the sense of the actual training, but more in terms of my attitude towards it. At the beginning of this year I realised that from here on out there will always be instructors to coach me or teach me or correct me, but that if I was to really improve as a Karateka and become a real bona fide Black Belt, I would have to take responsibility for my Karate. Not just attending classes and doing what I am told, but really working on my own technique, critically and introspectively.

This change in attitude has allowed me to improve a great deal over the last year. It has revolved around this idea of responsibility. Whereas before I placed the responsibility for my Karate on my instructor, I now realise that this is incorrect and counter productive. How can I logically expect a man who is teaching a class of at least twenty students to be accountable for my technique? Since discovering that the best way for me to move forward is to invest more of myself in my Karate, I have awakened in me a desire to train that I have never had before. I never even contemplate missing classes any more and, as a result, I am enjoying training so much more. I also feel that my Karate has improved greatly in the last year.

I suppose the biggest lesson that I have learned over the last three years is that there is no place for ego in the dojo. It gets in the way, blinds us to what is real. A Karateka must have humility and know that he can never perfect his Karate. The fact that I understand that I know very little about Karate is what will allow me to keep improving. And this knowledge gives me confidence.

Karate creates this entirely paradoxical relationship between humility and confidence. Both must be present and in balance in order to improve. Too little of either one will stifle progression. It is necessary to have the confidence to believe that you can deal with whatever comes at you otherwise you can never develop as a fighter, and this makes doing Karate kind of pointless as it is a fighting art. But overconfidence prevents you from seeing that there is always room for improvement.

I woke up one morning and realised that I was a Black Belt, and in that moment of clarity I saw........ that it was just the beginning.
- by Ryan King

JKS Annual Gasshuku 2005

Gasshukus by the sea have always been popular with JKS karateka and our annual gasshuku 2005 saw us return to the same venue that was used to host last year's gasshuku, a seaside resort near Port Edward in Kwazulu-Natal. The weather was not as kind to us this year but still the spirit of JKS prevailed.

Gasshuku 2004 was always going to be a hard act to follow, but gasshuku 2005 certainly rose to the challenge. It was packed with loads of good material and instructors revealing a unique and exiting approach to their karate.

Once again the spirit and camaraderie within our JKS family were inspiring and topics presented by senior qualified instructors ranged from traditional karate to the more modern topics like street defence and new approaches to competition fighting.

The format was a little different this year. The idea was to alternate between 45 minute training sessions and 45 minute breaks, allowing students time to interact with each other between sessions. Most of the instructors ran out of times since the 45 minutes allotted to them was simply too short to cram in all the useful material they wanted to present.

The gasshuku also included a national grading. Congratulations to all the students who made their next grade and to those who did not make it: keep working hard guys, you can at least say that you are in good company if you fail.

Topics at Gasshuku 2005 included:
SHIHANKAI TRAINING SESSIONS

Focus in Movement - Shihan Norman Robinson (8th Dan)

Kata Empi was used to show how the elimination of unnecessary limb movement in kata (and karate in general) leads to a quicker and sharper action. Movements of the limbs are still kept large and full, in true Shotokan style, but any unnecessary movement is avoided as it wastes time and uses up energy unnecessarily.

Early Morning Wake-up Beach Training - Sensei Japie Storm (6th Dan)

 

Our 'regular, well-known and special' early morning training: an hour of FUN, vasbyt, no-gripe camaraderie and spirit building! Training on the beach and sometimes in the sea is what it is all about.

Body Conditioning and Street Defence - Sensei Pierre Jordaan (6th Dan)

 

This session was presented in two parts:

The Body Conditioning session showed methods to develop strength and power using just body weight, no gym equipment, to exercise the muscles.

The Street Defence session brought home the reality of conflict in our modern world and emphasized that, even though we may be skilled in combat, there are many reasons where it might just be smarter to avoid violent confrontation all together.

Competition Refereeing - Sensei Japie Storm (6th Dan)

A good standard of refereeing in our organisation is an important factor in maintaining the high standard of JKS karate. Competitions that are tainted by questionable refereeing can spoil it for the karateka, their parents and the spectators. As usual, the gasshuku this year featured a theory refereeing session and then a practical session to give our prospective referees and judges a chance to show off their new knowledge.

Distancing and Pressure Fighting - Sensei Andre Kok (6th Dan)

This session gave us a glimpse into the thinking and tactics behind a successful competition fighter. Being effective in competition is determined by the ability to close the gap on your opponent quickly and deliver a technique with utmost speed and accuracy. We practiced drills to develop correct distancing and learned how to counteract your opponent when under pressure.

SHORT TRAINING SESSIONS BY SOME OF OUR NON-SHIHANKAI SENIORS

Goju Ryu Kata - Sensei Lourencia Kok (5th Dan)

 

As our karateka compete in more and more All-Styles competitions, it is becoming necessary for our referees to learn and understand katas from other styles competing in All-Styles, as this provides a referee with better insight and fairness when making decisions. In this session students were taught one of the Goju Ryu katas.

The Fight of Life - Sensei Nic Charilaou (5th Dan)

This topic was presented by a senior instructor who has made it big in business and has shown by example how personal success can be attained. The message delivered was that life is full of many 'fights', some small some big, that can determine the path a person takes in their quest for success and how karate is the ideal vehicle to facilitate this journey.

Takedowns - Sensei Filip Houndalas (5th Dan)

Karateka were given an opportunity to practice methods to 'take' an opponent 'down' to ground. These methods are important in situations where it may be necessary to subdue an aggressor using minimum or appropriate force.

Footsweeps - Sensei Kobus Prinsloo (5th Dan)

Footsweep techniques can distract or unbalance your opponent and create openings for subsequent more damaging techniques. Once again the effectiveness of footsweeping was clearly illustrated.

Lower Body Dynamics - Sensei Mervyn Gounden (4th Dan)

The foundation of karate movement lies in the lower body (legs) and hips. This session examined the importance of flexibility and stretching in the lower body.

Muscle Control and Muscle Memory - Sensei Godfried Kotze (4th Dan)

Memory seems to go with age and this session reminded us how important it is to train the correct technique and movement in karate. All techniques were done in slow motion but the sweat poured for many as control in techniques was emphasized.

Linear vs Lateral Movement and Agility - Sensei Alan King (3rd Dan)

Various drills were presented to develop speed of movement going forwards and backwards. The merit of sideways movement in karate was emphasized, also in a world where agility has become an important factor in karate competition.

Spirit Training

 

Ending our gasshuku on its usual high note, with spirit only the JKS family is capable of, lead by Senseis Lisa Greenspan (5th Dan), Hennie Lourens (4th Dan), Werner van Staden (4th Dan) and Jannie Buitendag (4th Dan).

The variety of topics at this year's gasshuku clearly exhibited the explosion of creative ideas that are flowing from the instructors within the JKS organisation. Keep up the great work everyone!!!

See you all next year!

Stuart Swallow

To be a JKS black belt means - a woman's perspective

Second Dan thesis by Helena Grobbelaar

 

Since I can remember, I always wanted to do karate. Thinking back, it was probably triggered by the fact that I was the youngest child in my family.  Everybody (so it felt) tried to bully me. I then thought that there must be a way to defend myself in a manner where size and strength do not play such a major role.

My first opportunity to practise karate only occurred after I matriculated.  I then thought that a black belt was the ultimate achievement in karate. When I was awarded my first Dan, I realised how little I knew. Indeed, it was the first step in learning karate.

I realised how important it is to use your hips to generate power. Without this, the movement just seems so incomplete and powerless! 

The next fact I realised was that there was a vast difference between karate (competition), free fighting and street fighting. I am privileged to train with sensei Pierre Jordaan and to explore some self-defence principles and techniques that work in typical street situations. I realised that the two scenarios are worlds apart.  I made my choice to concentrate on self-defence rather than competition free fighting.

Self-defence techniques     

I find it fascinating to play around with the various principles. When analysed, you realise that it is actually common sense principles.

E.g. apply the principle of "closest weapon, closest target". While in defensive mode, (i.e. keeping your arms up and showing your open hands to your attacker, palms facing the attacker, simultaneously turning sideways to give him a smaller target area), you are already in a semi-attacking position!  Use the hand closest to the attacker to attack with. If you fake your defensive movements well enough, he will never expect you to attack in any case.

One should spend quite a bit of time practising to attack and not telegraphing the movements. I find it quite challenging to talk in an even voice while preparing to hit. The slightest twitching of an eye could be a dead give away.

A technique that I enjoy using is the 'double block' which sensei Pierre taught us.  While in defensive mode, use the hand that is slightly in front of the other hand to parry first, followed by a block and take-away from the back hand. By doing so you are making absolutely sure that your defence is solid, while simultaneously preparing for an attack. The hands should be automatically in the right position to make the attack.

Many of these techniques are not normal karate movements, but adaptations, though the basics stay the same. Remember vulnerable points and attack those. Revert to "dirty" tactics like biting, spitting, sticking fingers into eyes or "shredding", if required. You only need a split second to distract the attacker and then you can react quickly. This could be the difference between life and death.

The faking of defensive movements, while preparing to react, ties in nicely with a seminar of Clive Murphy that I attended with our black belt class, organised by sensei Pierre. Taking the current crime rate into consideration, you will be foolish to think that you could never be a victim of crime yourself.

Clive stressed to not pretend bravery and to assess each situation in a split second, reacting upon that. Unlike typical karate movies where everyone awaits their time to attack and the hero winning in the end, Clive encouraged us to attack when it is required to, and to then run to safety.  Previously I would have asked myself:  "How can I be a coward and run away?"  In real life I would rather run away and still be alive, than be killed by a bullet.  There is no fair play out there!  It is a matter of getting the mindset right so that, when needed, you are prepared.

We were also taught various ways not to become a victim of crime. An important principle in this regard is to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Another very important principle is one promulgated by Sensei Gichin Funakoshi, namely that the best way of self-defence is not to fight.  Emanating from this, one should avoid visiting dangerous areas and places. Where possible, rather leave the area than waiting for trouble to happen. The key is to remain alert at all times. Karate definitely increases your awareness and reflexes and makes it easier for you to react.

There are many different devices and tools available for self-defence. To always carry it on you requires a lot of discipline. The problem, however, when reaching for the torch/pepper-spray etc., is that the sudden movement could result in your attacker thinking that you are reaching for a gun. You might just end up being shot. These tools should be available and only used in the right circumstances.

Using your body and limbs as weapons, is still the ultimate. Just practise the effective use of it. If your body and mind is aware and alert, fears are replaced by knowledge and skill.  

Discipline

 

One has to be extremely disciplined to practise karate. Holding a full-time job, looking after a family, getting fitness levels up to scratch and practising karate, requires a lot of discipline and buy-in from the family. 

It goes without saying that karate techniques should never be abused in any situation. Always be defensive and only use your skills when absolutely necessary.

The physical aspects

I am a great believer in training the body in order to strengthen specific muscles or groups of muscles to practise karate techniques more effectively. If a technique is executed correctly, one does not need a lot of strength for it to be effective (although it will always be an added bonus!) Using the correct training methods, speed, power and endurance will definitely improve. 

You are responsible for your own fitness. One cannot expect to practise karate if your fitness levels are not up to standard. A basic knowledge of the different muscles or groups of muscles will always be an advantage. A visit to a professional biokineticist is always a good idea!  One's body gets too used to doing the same exercises all the time. New ideas are always refreshing. This always emphasises how unique our bodies are. No matter how fit you are, there will always be an exercise that will test your body in a different way. 

A healthy diet is very important. Looking after your body is absolutely important. What you put in is what you get out!  Our muscles definitely need a lot of energy and endurance in our mission to strive for perfection in karate! This way you stay active and healthy much longer and you can do karate for longer.

Psychological aspects

 

The mind plays a very important role. A strong mind is needed to succeed in difficult or stressful situations and to keep going when the going gets tough. 

Karate training is training of the body and the spirit. To be capable of inflicting devastating damage on an opponent with one blow of the fist or a single kick has indeed been the objective of the ancient Okinawan martial art (Best karate - sensei Masatoshi Nakayama). He mentions that the practitioners of old placed stronger emphasis on the spiritual side of the art than on the techniques.

In conclusion

To me, karate has become a way of life. It increases my awareness, reactions and reflexes. Being a woman of small posture, it gives me great confidence knowing that I can defend myself. That should immediately give me the element of surprise, as my attacker would not expect much resistance.

One should always strive to have a balance in life. Karate is one of the components to provide a balanced life for me. 

To be a JKS black belt means that I should at all times do justice to the art of karate.

Some Thoughts on Applied Psychology in Combat Karate

Through one's bearing and one's attitude it is necessary to firstly, project into the mind of the opponent an element of doubt in his own ability; secondly, a subconscious feeling of anxiety as to the outcome of the ensuing 'confrontation', invariably hampering his ability to think clearly and quickly; and, thirdly, induce a physical tenseness which hampers the speed of his movements.

I have found that when I do this, my adversary becomes subject to and dominated by my personality, unwittingly creating a mental blockage for himself and he then becomes distinctly aware of the possibility of defeat, creating doubt in his mind.

In addition to this, through my bearing in combat, I constantly face my opponent and look straight into his eyes, without wavering, conveying to him that I am quite relaxed, but absolutely alert. This attitude almost amounts to intimidation, without my making any specific physical gesture, or even uttering a word. Through close observation, I have learnt to "read" the reaction of my opponent once I adopt this attitude.

Invariably, irrespective of the confidence he had before the interaction started, an element of physical tenseness is typically discernible through a momentary avoidance of my look and I will typically recognise a feeling of subconscious anxiety. I will merely continue acting in this relaxed manner and attitude. The projection of my personality typically dominates the mind of my opponent, opening up a variety of avenues to me.

Dealing with specific types in combat, the following is the psychological approach I always adopted in relation to the various types of opponents I have had to deal with:

In the case of an "aggressor", i.e. one who hopes to succeed through his aggression, I have found that this can be countered by adopting an equally aggressive role and stance. Having to deal with a similar attitude, the aggressor tends to quickly show a loss of self-confidence, since aggression is usually the only combat attitude he knows. When his style is left wanting, or does not bring the results expected, the aggressor immediately realises that he is at a disadvantage, and this limits his combat capacity. When forced on to the defensive, panic tactics are typically adopted and the psychological confidence showed at the onset of the bout usually disappears. Shortcomings become more and more obvious as the bout continues.

Another combatant is one that I describe as "a waiter", i.e. an opponent with a limited capacity to attack and who, initially, chooses to merely defend himself in the hope that, somewhere in my attacking or defensive technique, he will be able to find an exposed weakness that can be turned to his advantage. I will typically play cat-and-mouse with such an opponent since he, through his defensive approach, typically limits his thinking and application of combat skill. I will display a variety of techniques without showing any weakness at all, making my opponent doubt that he can counter effectively or at all.

I find that such a person usually starts displaying a form of mental confusion and panic the longer the bout lasts. This then means that I have projected my personality and my abilities and 'brainwashed' him to such an extent that, subconsciously, he prepares himself for defeat, realising that he has a limitation in his skill for combat. I normally find this limitation becomes apparent early on in the bout.

by Norman Robinson