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Wastelander
Wastelander's picture
Naihanchi Shodan Takedown Defense

Hello, everyone,

This week's Waza Wednesday takes a look at the simultaneous hammerfist/punch found in Naihanchi Shodan, and how that can be used as both a frame and striking method in conjunction with defending against a basic tackle/takedown attempt. Obviously, the lean required for a sprawling action is pretty impossible to have in a kata and remain standing, so that is implied, in this case.

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Wastelander wrote:
Obviously, the lean required for a sprawling action is pretty impossible to have in a kata and remain standing, so that is implied, in this case.

That’s a good observation. Sometimes the enemy’s body is what gives us the stability (i.e. we are leaning on them) or the weight of their body is what enables us to maintain balance because it is eating up the force (i.e. on strong pushes and pulls for certain throws). When there is no enemy there is nothing to lean on and nothing to eat up the force. So, to stop us falling flat on our faces in the solo form, compromises need to be made … which is not a problem so long as we realise they are there, practise with a partner where the compromise is not needed, and practise the kata with the mental image of full commitment / an understanding of the compromise being made.

All the best,

Iain