Kumite techniques and tips

Kamae – step into kamae position fast and with power. Leave heel of rear foot off ground. Continue fluid motion in place until hajime – do not allow stance to become flat.

All attacks and defenses to occur in direct line

Mae ken tzuki, Gyaka tzuki
Block incoming gyaka tzuki, counter gyaka tzuki (come in low), strike uraken uchi (outside). This technique requires motion to outpace that of opponent
block incoming gyaka tzuki, counter with simultaneous uraken uchi (across inside)
leap and strike uraken uchi outside

Sanchin dachi technique names, and general thinking

I suppose it’s inevitable that in non Japanese speaking countries there will always be some variation in karate terminology both due to differing sources and through misunderstandings.

1. Chudan age tsuki
2. Shotei osa uke
3. Chudan tzuki
4. Kakate
5. Jodan Fura-ken uchi
6. Jodan yoko Uchi uke
7. Jodan yoko shuto uchi
8. Ura-ken uchi
9. Kentsui uke

As an aside; the way we practised these techniques in class last night was useful for helping me remember what they’re called. Each karate-ka named a technique and then shouted out the count for the drill.

I’ve done a good of study “Karate’s Grappling Techniques” by Iain Abernethy over the past few days. What a fantastic book. First and foremost it’s taught me that karate includes many techniques some of which I used to think were found only in the judo practitioner’s repertoire. Most surprisingly, hook punches and uppercuts (which I associated mostly with (western style boxing) should be in the karateka’s close combat arsenal too and as such, are found in the kata. It seems I missed them until now, because I was always looking for the big takedown or complex joint-lock.

I’d include these techniques in my teaching plans straight away – and part of me says “why not now?” The answer is I definitely want to try them in my own training regime before testing them out on a live class. Its one thing to go straight ahead and teach things exactly as I’ve been taught them, but something very different to teach them untried techniques from a book.

Tengun

This set of exercises is like kihon basics, though it seems the selection of moves is more practical than ido kihon since they’re practised in a more natural stance with less range of motion. This begs the question: why do so many drills I've been taught use zenkutsu dachi to start with?

Perhaps these drills are intended to help the karateka have a strong, rooted zenkutsu dachi stance whilst performing a mae-ken tzuki strike with the leading hand – rather than suggesting a stepping forward motion and punching with the hand that was in the hikite position.

Sword hand – equivalent to chudan shuto. Once first block has be accomplished, rest other hand on opponent’s blocked hand – this will allow sensitivity to whether they’re going to strike again.

Diagonal blocking – jodan haito uke and teisho uchi (downward strike is shuto also instead of palm heel).

Twist and downward drag – applied as a block, kakate and drop into shikodachi to take opponent down onto a throat strike.

Horizontal clamp – jodan haito uke, then kakate. Can’t remember actual application practised.

Wednesday class training

Shiai Kumite
Maegeri (rear foot)
Maegeri (lead foot)
Maegeri -> Mawashi geri
Mawashi geri to calf (feint) mawashi geri to head

Seisan Bunkai
Opponent grabs lapel
snatch their cuff, grab throat kekomi geri to rear of leading knee

opponent grabs both lapels
grab both cuffs, come forward with lead thigh into their groin
sweep opponent's RL (outside) with LL (inside)
Take down, kneel on groin and punch to head

Tai Chi reading - thoughts and extracts

“Power is rooted in the feet, controlled by the waist and expressed through the fingers”

Hara: Keep the centre weighted down

Practise jitte-no-bunkai (the section prior to takedown) with students repeatedly to develop speed.

Investigate different strategies required for fighting taller or shorter opponents.

Tai chi – let chi direct movement and do not start any movement until the chi has sunk to the dantian

Relaxation must take place prior to commencing kata practise – there is insufficient time during the kata to become relaxed or focussed.

Training for students should include more visualisations to assist in “feeling” technique.

Look up sticky hands

If weight is distributed more on one leg than the other it is easier to be aware of where the centre is.

Imagine that the top half of the body is extremely light, and the lower part of the body is extremely heavy. In this way speed of hand movement and deep rooted stances will be emphasised.

Shidoin checkpoints

Kihon
Heko-dachi chudan tzuki: slight twisting motion of foot is necessary when punching – promotes increased power.
Heko-dachi chudan geri: tension in abdominals and tilting of pelvis when kick is complete and foot is replaced into heko-dachi.

Zenkutsu-dachi: More hip rotation in all techniques.
Zenkutsu-dachi jodan age uke: always INSIDE

Jitte checkpoint: Final technique turning back into heisuko-dachi = heelturn. Use abdominal strength to make this technique more graceful.

Seisan checkpoints:

Foot movement in sanchin-dachi stance sequence requires more careful weight transfer. Shuto (RH) into open hand (LH) is a slow motion technique.

Tension in abdominals when R Knee is lifted to Sagiashi-dachi. Knee lift occurs in synch with lifting of both hands during break-off technique.

Tension in abdominals for knee strike and RA arm teisho uchi

Sanchin-dachi kakate. Small wrist motion is same as technique in Kururunfa. Hip rotation to accompany arm motions.

Bassai Dai checkpoints

Final 2 Neko-ashi dachi kakate techniques. Elbow of catching hand is used to strike the outside of opponent's arm before catching (and kicking mae-geri).

After empi uchi, block gedan harai uke, then swap hands to break-off a wrist grab. This break-off technique starts slower and finishes fast. NOT fast all the way through. Remember to use hip movement for this technique too.

Matsukaze - Complete Kata Sequence

Rei
Announce Kata
Yoi

Kamai: Turn 90º Clockwise (face east) Nekoashi dachi chudan shuto (RH)
Turn 180º Anticlockwise (face west) Nekoashi dachi chudan shuto (LH)
Change stance (same leg forward) to Zenkutsu dachi. Sharply bring both hands back to hakite. Look to NW.
Turn 90º Clockwise (face north) shikodachi chudan tzuki RH
Chudan tzuki LH.
Step forward into Zenkutsu dachi (RL), Juji Uke
Form fists, bring fists back to touch chest, then extend out to left and right (fast movement)

Turn 90 anticlockwise pivoting on RL. Nekoashi dachi Chudan shuto LH
Nekoashi dachi Chudan shuto (RH)
Nekoashi dachi Chudan shuto (LH)

Sagiashi dachi LL, chudan haito uke RH (Leave left hand in previous Shuto position)
Step out with RL, Zenkutsu dachi jodan tzuki LH (RH Hikite)
Step RL back up to sotohashi dachi, Chudan tzuki RH (LH Hikite)
Step out RL to zenkutsu dachi, haito uke LH (RH Hikite)
Leave LH in haito uke position and Step RL up to sotohashi dachi, Chudan tzuki RH

Turn 180 degrees anticlockwise into zenkutsu dachi, block LH gedan harai uke and Punch chudan tzuki RH.

Step forward into Nekoashi dachi RL, chudan shuto uchi RH
Nekoashi dachi LL, chudan shuto uchi LH

Sagiashi dachi (LL), chudan haito uke.(RH)
Step out with RL, Zenkutsu dachi jodan tzuki (LH)
Step RL back up to sotohashi dachi, Chudan tzuki RH
Step out RL to zenkutsu dachi, haito uke LH
Step RL up to sotohashi dachi, Chudan tzuki RH

Turn 90 degrees anticlockwise to face north Zenkutsu dachi LL. Block gedan harai uke (LH)
Step up RL into sotohashi dachi, punch chudan tsuki RH. KIAI

Turn 180 degrees anticlockwise to face South. into Zenkutsu dachi RL. Block gedan harai uke RH.
Punch chudan tzuki LH.
Kick LL mai geri chudan, step into LL zenkutsu dachi, punch chudan tzuki RH.
Kick RL mai geri chudan, step into RL zenkutsu dachi, punch chudan tzuki LH.
Kick LL mai geri chudan, step into LL zenkutsu dachi, punch chudan tzuki RH.

Step across front of body with LL, turn 180 degrees clockwise to face North, scoop and block with RH.

Yame
Rei

Kururunfa - Complete Kata Sequence

Bow
Announce Kata
Yoi
Kamai
Face 90 anticlockwise, Nekoashi dachi LL
Face 180 clockwise, Nekoashi dachi RL

Turn 90 anticlockwise to North, Sanchin dachi RL, RH jodan shote uke, LH gedan shote uke.
Kokutsu dachi gedan tesho uchi RH, LH shuto hikite
Sanchin dachi RL, RH jodan shote uke, LH gedan shote uke.

Step forward, Sanchin dachi LL, LH jodan shote uke, RH gedan shote uke.
Kokutsu dachi gedan tesho uchi LH, RH shuto hakite
Sanchin dachi LL, LH jodan shote uke, RH gedan shote uke.

Step forward, Sanchin dachi RL, RH jodan shote uke, LH gedan shote uke.

Turn 45 anticlockwise to face NW. Nekoashi dachi LL, block chudan haite uke LH.

Catch with RH (Hip rotation anticlockwise to assist).

Step forward Nekoashi dachi (remaining LL first) punch tsuki age chudan LH.

Kick maegeri chudan RL

Step forward into shiko dachi RL, attack hiji uchi RH.

Step back into Nekoashi dachi LL - LA out horizontally infront across chest, fingers extended.

Turn 45 clockwise to face NE and step back into Nekoashi dachi LR, block chudan haite uke RH.

Catch with LH (Hip rotation clockwise to assist).

Step forward Nekoashi dachi (remaining RL first) punch tsuki age chudan RH.

Kick maegeri chudan LL

Step forward into shiko dachi LL, attack hiji uchi LH. KIAI

Step back into Nekoashi dachi RL Facing North - RA out horizontally infront across chest, fingers extended.

Turn 90 degrees anticlockwise to face West. Sanchin dachi LL. Block chudan haito uke LH.

Kakate.

Turn 180 anticlockwise to face East using LL as pivot, finish in kihon dachi LL. At same time attacking behind with RH elbow as RH moves to hakite position. LA infront of chest across body.

Step forward with RL into sanchin dachi. Block chudan haito uke RH.

Kakete.

Turn 180 degrees clockwise to face West using RL as pivot, finish in kihon dachi RL. At same time attacking behind with LH elbow as LH moves to hakite position. RA infront of chest across body. KIAI

Turn 90 degrees clockwise to face north, stepping LL into naifanshin dachi. Wrap arms around body, RA over LA.

Extend arms horizontally to sides, at same time change stance to sotohashi dachi.

Bend arms at the elbow to point fingers upwards, forearms parallel to body.

Reach behind head, breaking off attack from behind. Change stance down into shiko dachi. Attack teisho uchi with hands to rearward opponent's groin. Thrust backside backwards, then tilt head sharply backwards (mouth open) to strike with back of head.

Step forward RL into Zenkutsu dachi, block both hands juji-uke (RH on top).
Turn 180 degrees anticlockwise to face S bringing LL to RL and assume Heisuko dachi. Bend over, arms straight and lower both fists.

Move 45 degrees clockwise into Zenkutsu-dachi RL (Facing SW) whilst extending RA and strike gedan teisho uchi LH. (Attacking opponent's knee joint.

Move forward into Zenkutsu-dachi LL (Facing SE) whilst extending LA and strike gedan teisho uchi RH.

Remain low and turn anticlockwise to face North and assume Nekoashi dachi LL whilst performing windmill block (?). Strike teisho uchi with LH (gedan position) and RH chudan position).

Yame
Rei

Chinte - Complete Kata Sequence

Bow
Announce Kata

Yoi

Kamai - Heisuko-dachi

RH Jodan tetsui uchi (Bunkai chudan harai uke blocking opponent's chudan jun tzuki) LH Jodan tetsui uchi.

Extend LL infront, Weight change Turn 270 degrees clockwise, LH jodan Kakete, shiko dachi chudan shuto uchi RH.

Nekoashi dachi, chudan shuto uke. RL
Chudan kage-tzuki LH

Zenkutsu dachi mae empi uchi.
Turn 180 degrees,

Nekoashi dachi chudan shuto uke, LH
Nekoashi dachi chudan shuto uke RH

Chudan mae geri LL,
Zenkutsu dachi - Yoko uke RH / Gedan harai uke LH

Scoop RH, Heisuko-dachi Jodan soto uchi RH. (LH Hikite)

Turn 90 degrees clockwise, Sotohachi dachi, RH jodan shote uke (upward block) Kakete (bring hand to forehead). Tesho uchi LH (breaking - slow with kime)

Reverse Zenkutsu-dachi gedan tesho uchi LH. (keeping elbow inside) (RH Hikite)

Change facing 180 degrees clockwise, Sotohachi dachi, LH jodan shote uke (upward block) Kakete (bring hand to forehead). Tesho uchi RH (breaking - slow with kime)
Reverse Zenkutsu-dachi gedan tesho uchi RH.

Both feet 50% move up to Sotohachi dachi. Urai uke (both hands).

Hiza geri (knee strike) RL, Both fists (palms down) to lap
Nekoashi dachi LL, Nakataka ippon ken strike RH, then LH. (attacking back of opponents hand, then top of forearm.
Chudan haito uke LH
Zenkutsu-dachi RL, jodan Nihon Nikite RH (Finger strike to the eyes)

Turn 180 degrees anticlockwise
Nekoashi dachi LL Chudan haito uke LH
Zenkutsu dachi RL, jodan Nihon Nukite RH
Turn 90degrees anticlockwise, to face S. At same time block gedan shote uke RH (blocking opponent's kick at the ankle) and attack gedan tesho uchi LH (breaking opponent's leg at the knee).

Step forward Zenkutsu dachi RL, arms in and up to chest, then extended fully to sides, hands as fist.

Turn 180 degrees anticlockwise to face N and assume Nekoashi dachi LL whilste attacking both hands chudan kage tzuki

Step forward into Nekoashi dachi RL chudan shuto uke RH
Chudan mae empi uchi (LH)

Step forward into Nekoashi dachi LL kage tzuki RH KIAI

Yame
Rei

Seisan Checkpoints

Shuto strike (RH) into flat of LH, then teisho uchi LH, Kakate RH whilst Jodan nukite. Timing in this sequence is important. 1...2.3.... Then next technique (fingertip rake to eyes).

Nukite strikes to groin - fingers pointing inward more, and arms closer to body.

Turning 180 degrees for the first time, then kakate sequence. Rising hand (moving from behind body) shows a small cupping motion prior to moving upwards for kakate technique. As yet I do not know the bunkai for this move.

Shiko dachi kakate sequence - hikite hand is actually palm down (maybe kakate also? check on this).

Bassai Dai Checkpoint

Mika-tzuki geri in Bassai Dai. Kick is direct - not a sweeping 90 degree angle. Having said this, do not turn 90 degrees then kick. Study this carefully.

Checkpoint

When changing direction of facing, turn head first. Kind of like spotting when spinning in dance. This aids balance, and shows understanding of body movement.

Niseishi checkpoints

1. Block teisho uchi LH (zenkutsu-dachi LL)
   
2. Punch chudan tzuki RH
3. Twist RA clockwise slightly, palm uppermost. Pull sharply back to hikite. Forward movement, Kentsui uchi LA
4. Move body to arm when turning 180 degrees clockwise for Yama tsuki. Do not move arms until punch.
   

Sweden checkpoints

Sanchin dachi Ido Kihon
1) Kentsui - arm slightly higher to defend face
2) Shuto uchi - hand straight, not bend back like Sepai
3) Checkpoint kakete hand position (hand vertical)
4) Urai uchi - Arms to side then strike central
5) Tzuki age chudan - arm horizontal then raise by one fist thickness
6) Shotei uke - More like turning pages- elbows inside
7) Uchi uke - keep shoulders level
8) Finish each technique with weight down - hips "joined"

Jitte Checkpoints
1) Shikodachi turning on centre of foot
2) Lower and longer stance when moving R Foot across - will assist in embusen finishing on start point.

Bassai Dai Checkpoints
1) Kosa dachi left foot 45 degrees (behind right)
2) Open hand LH assase uke - slip forward to trigger motion
3) Turning 180 degrees to LH yoko uke. L arm yoko uke - elbow finishes pointing inward (to belt knot)
4) RH yoko uke (kihon dachi) as 3
5) Smaller foot movement (bring R foot in only halfway) remember heel turn on L foot
6) Keep R arm inside line of body when catching kick, do not bring back behind line of body when following through. Finish soto hachiji dachi
7) Nekoashi dachi soto uke - move r arm and right leg before twisting L foot - promotes hips ensure R arm does not flex
8) Soto hachiji dachi kensui -> zenkutsu dachi jodan tzuki LA: Two moves R foot, 1 move L foot
9) Returning to sotohachiji dachi: Bend R Leg to spring up - no footwork for this move
10) Move across to RL Nekoashi dachi Gedan shuto: Ensure R foot does not move too far left
11) Arm Break: RH more away from body - on opponent's elbow
12) Turning Kihon Dachi -> Nekoashi Dachi chudan shuto: Bend RL for weight transfer. Use hip rotation - keep upper body in same vertical line. Heel turn still important. RH is performing empi uchi to rearward opponent. Hips basically perform two actions
13) Zenkutsu dachi double hikite (hands with backs uppermost) then shuffle to shiko dachi chudan tzuki
14) Heisuko dachi -> Shiko dachi kage tzuki. Use last part of footwork to promote hips, not first part. Kihon/Zenkutsu as midpoint before shiko dachi
15) Hand over hand: both feet shift within stance in order to promote hips.
16) Yama tzuki - get fist positioning more accurate
17) Gedan barai/flip down is two techniques. Block of kick then strike to groin.