bunkai question

Thomas wrote:

i had a question about a particular bunkai i came up with. it is regarding the low block. the extended arm of the chamber is a reverse punch, and the actual block is a hammer strike. this bunkai does not contain any grabs. since this bunkai does not follow what iain's clip said regarding strikes with grabs, is it acceptable bunkai?

If I understand what you are describing correctly, it is not an interpretation I would personally find acceptable. Not because it lacks grabs, but because the final position where the hand is on the hip would be serving no purpose. If the hand was doing nothing, then why is doing something in the motion?

You could easily tweak it though and make it more effective (in my view) and so that it used all motions. Use the “chamber” for the “low block” to move or deflect the enemy’s arm as you simultaneously punch underneath to the lower abdomen / bladder. By using the “high arm” in this way it creates an opening and gives it a purpose other than winding up of the following hammer fist. It also means you have a tactile feel for where that arm is.

As the “punching arm” comes back to the hip have it catch and control the enemy’s deflected arm so that a position of advantage is maintained as you deliver the hammer fist to the groin. It this way you still deliver the same strikes, but in a way that the non-striking arm hand is helping to deliver those strikes and no part of the motion goes unused. We should always be looking use both hands and to ensure we maintain a position of advantage. This recently video explain the basics of that if you missed it? I hope that helps.

All the best,

Iain

Iain's approach on this is the ideal one I think. Both hands should always be doing something in a fight - either protecting you or hurting him. Should never have a 'dead' hand in combat, it'll always be doin something - deflecting, grabbing, moving him, seting a datum point, hitting, etc. Never just idly sat around waiting for its turn! :)