In the beginning, we teach and
have students practice one punch, one kick.
We teach students a specific point of impact and have student’s practice
over and over again to get the targeting exact every time. Remember if it is not precise, it is not a
martial art.
In the beginning, you are
learning body awareness and control. You
are learning to feel exactly where every part of your body is and how it moves.
To support you in that learning we teach
you very specific target locations as part of basics in very specific stances
assuming the opponent is your same exact height. We teach you to exhale on each strike/kick
because this is, as well, teaching body awareness and control.
After you become more proficient
and more aware, you learn there are many different punches or kicks. The fundamentals all remain the same
though.
For instance, we always teach to
punch with the first two knuckles. We
always teach elbows in and do not allow them to flare out. However, we start to practice and be aware
there are many targets, not just the sternum (nose, chin, cheekbone, temple,
ribs, kidneys, groin, etc.) We also
practice and teach to throw punches in other stances: natural stance, closed
stance, cat stance, etc. We also
practice and learn we have a range of distances; from close in to elbow bent at
the end (as long as shoulders and hips stay square, stance is solid and
grounded, etc.).
Similar concept with kicks. For example, for front kicks we always teach
piston action and use of the ball of the foot.
Once we get the foundation down, we explore and practice various
targets: shins, knees, groin, abdomen (sternum and face if you have the
flexibility). We also practice and explore
various stances: closed stance, attack stance (as a rear leg kick), cat stance
(front and rear leg), etc.
When we teach hyung, the techniques
are specific, including location, where we look, etc. And again, this is to learn body awareness,
targeting location, precision. When
using these techniques in an application, however, the targeting may be
different and/or the intention of the technique different, for instance, but again
the fundamentals will be the same.
There is also intention – are
you trying to stop, damage, destroy?
The reality is there are hundreds of punches or kicks. There is not just one. There are different locations, different
stances, different ranges, different directions, and different intentions. The key is always the fundamentals (proper alignment,
grounded, focus, intent).
It is important to learn these
fundamentals and practice until they are second nature without being locked
into one concept of a punch or kick – this way, when you throw that punch or
kick no matter the target or direction it will be effective.
Regards,
Kelly
"Practicing a kata exactly is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another." ~ Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), founder of Shotokan Karate
