Some of you might be wondering why we spend time working on some techniques (especially if the technique is considered part of the basics we practice the start of every class), if the utility of it does not seem that extensive. Some examples that come to mind are spear hand and high kick.
Spear Hand:
Martial arts masters used to practice spear hand in a bucket of sand or gravel to strengthen their spear hand. It is also said that some masters filed the tips of the first three fingers, so they were all the same length to make a more effective, stronger spear hand.
So, one may ask, if we are not training in this manner to make an effective Spear Hand, why do we practice the Spear Hand at all.
At a beginner level, the benefits to practicing Spear Hand include a simpler motion technique to enforce keeping arms close to the body during the strike, introduction to close in strikes, introduction to another open hand technique which in of itself helps strength the hands differently than fists.
At the intermediates level, the Spear Hand is another technique to train the body to throw techniques linearly, more practice with shorts strikes and utilizing the body versus just the arm, to continue to strengthen the hands, and an open hand technique that is usually easier at the beginning for students to practice flowing energy.
At an advanced level, the Spear Hand is an excellent technique for refining and practicing extending through the target physically, linear techniques, practicing throwing techniques energetically to be as effective as closed hand techniques without filing off the tips of the fingers.
High Kick:
At a beginner level, the benefits to practicing High Kick include improve flexibility in the legs, balance practice, understand the importance of a lock leg in a simpler motion, and preparation for learning Turnaway Kick.
At the intermediates level, the High Kick is excellent technique to practice focus and intent downward as well as upward, and to practice some basic leg sweeps.
At an advanced level, the High Kick is excellent technique to practice flowing energy in kicks and directing the flow in various directions (upward, downward, plus inside out and outside in) as well as refining sweeps techniques.
Everything we practice in our club has utility. Some of it may not seem obvious or may take time to master in such a way that the utility and effectiveness is understood, but all of it has value. The Spin Kick, for example, has selected uses - as a counterattack or a secondary move when the opponent has forced you to start a turn. However, the value of practicing includes improving balance, regaining your focus/intent quickly, and targeting, to name a few. This is why Mr. Kim would say about the spin kick: “Practice. Never use”.
So, even if the technique is limited or will take years to be effective in its use in a self-defense scenario, one should practice with the same focus and intent as every other technique.
Regards,
Kelly
"Do not place hope in finding a secret technique. Polish the mind through ceaseless training; that is the key to effective techniques." Kyuzo Mifune (1883 –1965), one of the greatest exponents of the art of judo after the founder, Kanō Jigorō and the author of The Canon of Judo
