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Mark B
Mark B's picture
applications from Naihanchi

Hi all

Two more quick applications of principles and techniques of Naihanchi.

The first teaches closing as we receive,  striking simultaneously (almost). It teaches the principle of controlling the opponents head, and how to do it, using all striking options available at close quarters (shoulder bump) and a reason for the head turn in applying this strike. The stamp kick speaks for itself,  but the drill teaches a more efficient method of taking the opponent to the ground.

The second begins with the same Uke Waza,  however we now look at one option for moving fluidly to the outside of the combative engagement,  learning sticking/heavy hand. We apply a strike out of Morote Uke to a primary target (jawline ). The act of pressing  to the opponents elbow in the Morote Uke teaches a subtle way to disrupt the opponents centre, reducing his ability to fire off with his free hand.

They're both very quick, and very easy, which for karate which is practiced for "the street" is an absolute must.

Regards 

Mark

 

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Hi Mark,

As with the other one you posted recently, I really like these! Good material and you do explain them very well. It’s not easy “teaching to camera” but you are getting all the information over in a very easy to follow way. Great stuff.

Thank you!

All the best,

Iain

Mark B
Mark B's picture

Hi Iain Many thanks. It was actually your advice during a private conversation which made me aware of how useful teaching to the camera can be, if you can get comfortable with it. Teaching seminars to strangers has also certainly helped. Thanks again for your kind words Regards Mark

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

These are great! Thanks for sharing. Clear explanations, direct and powerful techniques, and quite practical, seems to me. I'm wondering with the first drill: as you pull the head down and wind up for the knee stomp, what about kneeing him in the face first, then kick out his leg? I do like the shoulder butt in there, but I wonder how a knee to the face would work with the natural flow dynamics there.

Keep 'em coming!

Best,

David

Mark B
Mark B's picture

Hi David, Thanks for your kind words. There's a couple of reasons why I personally wouldn't look to knee strike. The first relates just to me - I'm short, so to get the knee to the face would mean drawing the head much lower, which would slow the process of completing and exiting by quite a bit. I want to apply and escape in as short a time as possible. A second consideration is the fact that after striking into the opponents face with your shoulder all the energy - controlling the head by drawing it forward, and down slightly, and striking into the knee/thigh/shin is designed to apply ballistic energy to take the subject in the desired direction (forward and down) in such a way that he's on the floor almost before he even realises. Striking with knee to the face, while certainly suitably effective in itself may unwittingly disrupt the primary goal of destabilising his posture to allow escape. The final point is the video was filmed at no more than learning speed. At full intensity the range is much tighter, obviously the energy is much greater and messier, so I find in my practice that the knee isn't really there. To apply it you may find yourself having to lean back slightly to create space, which would be a bad choice at that range,. Also it may inhibit the ability to draw your own weight straight back from the original knee stamp into the takedown. Add to that the fear and adrenalin of a "real" altercation and I personally prefer to keep it as simple as possible. All that said, analysis and application of any kata sequence is very much a personal thing, so if you (or anyone) tried that exercise and found the knee to be applicable and effective then that automatically makes it right for that person, so long as it works under a bit of pressure (in my opinion) Many thanks for your question and kind words, it's appreciated. Regards Mark

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

Mark,

Thanks--that explanation makes great sense. I see quite a bit of flashy, intricate bunkai around the web, and what so attracts me to this group is just how practical, pointed, effecient, and powerfully brutal (in the best possible way...LOL) the applications are. The combinations you presented do have an efficient and logical flow to them, and I agree it wouldn't be good to disrupt that.

Thanks again, and please do keep sharing your applications. I'm learning a lot!

Best,

David

Mark B
Mark B's picture

I'm glad I was able to answer your questions. I am planning on getting more recordings done in the near future. Regards Mark