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Mark B
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Passai /Bassai Dai opening sequence

Here is an extremely effective response to a wild haymaker type attack which we recorded very quickly at the end of last nights session. 

John
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Looks like Rory Millers Dracula's cape move with a follow up. That makes total sense too. Never thought that if I just bring up the elbow a bit it completely changes the possibilites.

Mark B
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I know the technique you're referring to. When I practice the Passai kata my elbow is high, which reminded me of the Dracula Cape idea. The same motion is widely taught in modern combatives , and arts that are considered more "real" such as Krav Maga, hence my comment regarding perception based on the uniform the demonstrator is wearing. As I said on the clip, in my eyes the application is simply a template out of Passai kata, and it once again demonstrates the efficiency of old style karate practice. We just need as many people as possible (general public) to start seeing this type of stuff in their minds eye when they hear the word "karate", as the truth is that karate is often a really hard sell. Regards Mark

Iain Abernethy
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Mark B wrote:
I know the technique you're referring to. When I practice the Passai kata my elbow is high, which reminded me of the Dracula Cape idea. The same motion is widely taught in modern combatives , and arts that are considered more "real" such as Krav Maga, hence my comment regarding perception based on the uniform the demonstrator is wearing. As I said on the clip, in my eyes the application is simply a template out of Passai kata, and it once again demonstrates the efficiency of old style karate practice. We just need as many people as possible (general public) to start seeing this type of stuff in their minds eye when they hear the word "karate", as the truth is that karate is often a really hard sell. Regards Mark

As Donn Draeger said, “There is nothing new under the sun … except maybe the very old”. Since Tribe A first came across Tribe B human beings have been fighting one another. When it comes to unarmed combat, there can’t be anything truly new; just things that seem new to a given individual or group. Like most here, I could be seen as having one foot in the “Traditional Karate” camp and one foot in the “Reality Based Self-Defence” camp … but in truth I see little difference. As Gavin Mulholland once remarked, “Our styles are not what we do, but how we train what we do”.

When it comes to “default covers” we can see “Dracula’s cape” here; the “Spear” in the very first move of Kushanku / Kanku-Dai (also in the Bubishi as “Two Dragons Play in the Water”); the “Crazy Monkey” as the very first motion of Naihanchi Shodan; and so on. That’s not to take anything away from the individuals who have put these methods forth in the modern day and devised solid training programs around them (they are true innovators); simply to say that what works now worked in the past and hence it should come as no surprise that common conclusions are reached by those in the modern world and the martial artists of the past.

All the best,

Iain

Mark B
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Hi Iain., I agree with everything you said there. The point I was making was about the public perception of karate. Often times I find that people who want "real" will look to Krav Maga etc based purely on how karate is seen in their minds eye.

Th0mas
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Hi Mark,

I like your interpretation of the opening move for Bassai for two reasons: 

Firstly, as others are alluding to, It plays to the opening crash and necessary disruption strategy that is an obvious theme for dealing with the initial phase of a physical altercation.

Secondly it nicely leads onto the follow up throwing techniques (turn and inside out side "blocks" which only work if you have created the space (if you are in a clinch), applied distraction through pain and shock and shifted the balance of your assailant. 

I have always regarded the drop down and cross step as a transition to the follow up throw as it leads nicely onto the twist and foot extension.

I am not sure how practical the throw is, as I have not used it in anger outside the dojo :-),  but the follow on techniques have always tickled my curiosity in terms of what the original intent of the turn and subsequent blocks was.

Mark B
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Hi Thomas 

Thanks  for your comments. 

This application is one I will be teaching at a seminar in Wigan later this year. I've got the sequence that follows as a redundancy in a couple of ways.

The first considers that the opponent is still well in the fight, due mainly to the failure to land the impacts in the opening sequence.  I employ the left Soto Uke as an inside forearm  strike to the base of the opponents skull (Soto Uke preparation ). The completion of the Soto Uke is applied by seizing the opponents hair/chin, vigorously turning, hopefully effecting a takedown. The right Soto Uke is applied as a percussive technique (elbow /hook punch) should the takedown fail.

I also consider using the two Chudan Uke with turn on failure of the initial entry as a redirecting of the opponents responsive energy, the idea being to reposition myself to the opponents rear.

The second (clockwise ) turn with Uchi Uke is an additional "what if" , I usually apply as a takedown applying pressure to the opponents tricep tendon  (right arm), or by encircling the opponents neck with my left Uchi Uke in conjunction with vigorous right Hikite  and clockwise turn, as in the kata.

They're just a few options, and as always it "all depends " :-)

Regards 

Mark 

Wastelander
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One of our applications for the opening of Passai is similar to this, as is an application to Kusanku. The entries are a bit different, is all, really. Thanks for sharing!

Iain Abernethy
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Mark B wrote:
The point I was making was about the public perception of karate. Often times I find that people who want "real" will look to Krav Maga etc based purely on how karate is seen in their minds eye.

Understood. I was echoing that sentiment and underlining the fact that most of what can be found in systems and methods perceived as “new and shiny” has been part of karate for a long time. Indeed, if you dropped the label “karate”, and took of the gi, “old-school” karate and much of modern day RBSD would be indistinguishable.

I think the perception of karate within martial circles is changing too. I get quite a few practitioners of modern systems at my seminars who enjoy exploring the commonality of the methods. Ultimately, all that really separates is that we karateka have a supplementary method of solo practise and “box” to put things in that we call kata.

All the best,

Iain

Mark B
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Hi Iain. I think you're probably right in that the perception of karate is changing within martial circles, it's the perception of people outside those circles that's the problem, particularly if an individual is considering beginning a martial art. Karate is often low on the list if the individual is wanting "real self defence" which is a real shame, not only because karate studied through kata is so rewarding on many different levels, but also because many good karateka struggle to maintain their clubs with ever diminishing numbers. Regards, Mark

Marc
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A really nice application. Thanks for sharing.  

Mark B
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You're welcome. Thanks

dhogsette
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Mark,

Thanks so much for sharing. I like this application quite a bit, as I enjoy seeing how other styles/systems perform and apply a similar technique differently. The underlying combative principles are quite similar to the way we perform this opening move in Matsubayashi-Ryu. Generally, we keep the hands low, and the reinforced fist doesn't go above our shoulder, thus we often interpret it as a wrist release and using the movement and quick weight shift to wrench the person and twist him up (if he continues to keep hold of the wrist). However, I can also see it as applying a shoulder bump as well, and your demonstration helps me see that more clearly. And, of course, nothing wrong with applying the forearm smash as you do here. I like it. Some in my style would say, "You are changing the kata!" To which I just politely smile and note that the kata remains the same, but applying the underlying combative principles reveals a variety of possibilities. (And then the K-Pop song "Crayon (Why So Serious)" by G-Dragon pops into my head, and I laugh...)

Thanks again!

Best,

David 

Mark B
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Hi David, thanks for your comments. With regards to changing the kata - Passai /Bassai Dai is so widely practiced, and there are so many versions that I don't see it as changing anything. Some versions step out with the left foot first, some don't, same with the knee lift, and as you mention some have a lower position of the arms, some don't. As I don't subscribe to a "style" and am not shackled by association regulations I'm free to choose which versions of any form I prefer based on my personal combative preferences , which is why I personally like to use this particular template in my Passai. I'm glad you enjoyed this interpretation of the sequence . Thanks & regards.