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dhogsette
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Pinan Nidan/Heian Shodan Opening Sequence as Pre-Emptive Strike

Hello,

This semester in my college Physical Education Studies in Karate class, we are exploring applications from Pinan Nidan/Heian Shodan. In this video, we examine the opening sequence as a possible pre-emptive strike and takedown. This video shows a basic drill and an accompanying pad drill. Remember, this is a new set of students who have never trained before. They are doing really well, and we are having a fun time throwing each other around!

Note: I'm 6'1" (1.854 meters) and my uke is significantly taller than I am. This will be a fun semester trying these techniques on a much larger enemy!!

Best,

David

Marc
Marc's picture

A new semester, first video, and excellent ideas and teaching as we've seen with your last group of students. I'm looking forward to what's coming in the following months. Thanks for sharing, and thanks to your students for agreeing to be in those videos.

I am about as tall as you are (and a bit heavier), and I am always thankful when I get the chance to practice with even bigger training partners. It changes perspective. Just think of a small person getting attacked by a big guy like us. It's scary.

If you are much smaller it becomes difficult to get to the head (e.g. for a takedown as per your video). The solution then is often to cut them down a bit by driving your knee into their thigh, or by attacking other weak targets like the kidney. Once they sink or bend, it is often possible to attack or control their head.

And then, if you are the tall person and a small person has brought you down to their height, where they are strong, you will feel quite helpless, because your balance is completely disrupted. It's scary. :-)

Enjoy practicing with your new group of students,

take care,

Marc

Josh Pittman
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Oh, good, a new series from David! I really enjoy these ideas. Thanks for sharing!

dhogsette
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Thank you Marc and Josh for the encouragement! Marc, great suggestions on making adjustments when engaging significantly taller/larger opponents/enemies. I'm also finding it challenging to demo certain techniques in ways that don't hurt these taller guys. They are beginners, and so they aren't used to these drills, body movements, takedowns. I have been teaching them basic breakfalls and slapouts as I always do, but I still need to go slower and lighter on some movements. It's interesting how the perception of falling for taller people is much different--it's scarier for them, it seems, as the ground is farther away, literally. It's been an interesting challenge working with these taller guys (I have three students this semester who are 6'6" or a bit taller!)

This has been a crazy busy semester, but I hope to get some more videos of Pinan Nidan/Heian Shodan up soon.

Best,

David

Jeb Chiles
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Great material and explanations! I like how you're teaching the principles and getting them to work on different body types. Thank you for posting these! All the best, Jeb

dhogsette
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Thanks so much, Jeb!

BTW, I asked the uke how tall he is...turns out he's 6'10"!! Eesh! LOL.

Best,

David