Thursday, August 2, 2012

Evolution of the Cat Stance - - Chief Instructor's Blog August 2012

Last month I discussed the evolution of the attack punch. This month I will discuss the evolution of the formal cat stance.


Beginner

As with all techniques, the beginning is focused on the mechanics. The key mechanical aspects for a left Cat Stance are:

• Prep for hands will utilize the "beach ball" approach

• Hips and shoulders are allowed to twist during stance transition, but must return to a square position with stance locked into hip prior to the strike.

• Back straight

• Head up, chin level

• Front knee points in the forward direction, knee above ankle

• All body weight will be on rear leg; no weight on the leading foot

• Exact placement and angle of weight bearing foot will be dependent upon body type

• Left Knife Hand is forward motion strike, from the body (center)

• Right Knife Hand is downward motion (palm upward) across the body

• Elbows remain pointed downward and close to the body throughout the strike

For the very beginner, there is not much power, and the focus is to ensure the stance, body alignment, the motion and targeting are all correct.

Intermediate

Once the mechanics are fairly solid, speed and power are added to the technique. At this point, Green Belts and Beginning Blue Belts should:

• Shorten time between movement in stance and strike

• Focus on form, increasing speed and decreasing reaction time while maintaining mechanics

• Focus on form, adding force while maintaining mechanics

• Be able to transition quickly from cat stance to cat stance quickly and smoothly (moving left to right, front to back, etc).

More Advanced Blue Belts and Brown Belts should:

• Shorten the distance to the target working on generating force in a shorter distance

• Be grounded and remain grounded throughout the technique

• Forward projection to the strike with both hands

• Have power come from hips; driven by hip through elbow; arm is natural extension of the body

• Have consistent force throughout technique

• Have minimal upper body motion to generate power

• Project proficient force with intent to go through object striking

• Be able to use the Cat Stance in various practical applications

Advanced

Interim Black Belts and Black Belts should be grounded all the time and start projecting more energy and utilizing less mechanical force in their techniques. In particular, advanced students should:

• Have a minimal prep (beach ball is fairly non-existent) and minimal upper body twist

• Shorten the distance to the target working on generating energy in a shorter distance

• Have a stance that is rooted to the ground

• Have energy that flows from ground through legs to center creating strong base

• Be able to penetrate past the knife hand itself and shatter the target

• Use both hands to augment energy in a forward direction

• Demonstrate linear energy

As stated in the previous blog, the modifications and adjustments must be consciously and deliberately applied to hyung, self-defense, and sparring. Each step and progression of the technique is part of the journey. In each phase you will discover something new about the art form and how you demonstrate it and apply it. Enjoy the process.

Regards,
Kelly

“Karate cannot be quickly learned. Like a slow moving bull, it eventually travels a thousand leagues. If one trains diligently for one or two hours every day, then in three or four years one will see a change in physique. Those who train in this fashion will discover the deeper principles of karate. “ ~ Anko Itosu (1831 – 1915), Okinawan Karate Master, From Ten Precepts of Karate



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