Maximizing Your Techniques - - Chief Instructor's Blog June 2021

 

I have written serval blogs on how your focus, mindset and intention is important for your techniques to be effective. 

 In my November 2016 blog, Defend or Protect?, I discuss that even the words we use can make a difference in the effectiveness of your techniques.

 In my October 2017 blog, Training The Mind Through Attitude/Intent, I discuss the importance of the attitude/intent aspect of training.

 In addition, your goal when you have no other choice but to use your techniques to protect yourself or your friends is to maximize damage and end the fight quickly. 

 So, when throwing your techniques, your intention is to break, drive kicks and strikes through targets, and render your attacker unable to continue to do harm.  I really like some quotes from Choki Motobu, founder of Motobu-Ryu style of karate, that provides some excellent examples of that intention and aligns with how I have described this intention in classes:

•  "When punching to the face, one must thrust as if punching through to the back of the head."
• "When blocking kicks, one must block as if trying to break the opponent’s shin."

So, you need to practice each technique with the intention of maximizing damage (block to break, go through the target, etc.).  Obviously, we need to temper this when practicing with a fellow student, but in the air or against the bags, this should always be your intention. 

And, you need to practice so that your intention of damage is with every inch of every movement you make.  In the beginning of our training, we assume we strike or kick someone at an exact spot. The reality is that in the dynamic situation of a real attack, the exact spot and exact part of your body you strike or kick the attacker with may not be your original intention.  This is why it is critical you are thinking of maximizing damage with every slight movement you make.

If, when you are striking or kicking, your intention is damage only in the last couple of inches, what happens if your attacker moves in on you and is closer?  Most likely your technique will not be effective at all.

As you punch, the moment your fist leaves your hip, if you focus on damage with every inch, them it does not matter if the attacker has moved in or not and your punch will still be effective.  If you are throwing a high block, your intention should be your entire arm (elbow, forearm, bottom of the fist) is a weapon and all parts of the arm are ready to strike. If you are throwing a front kick, for example, you should perform the technique with the intention that the knee is used as a strike first followed by the kick. And even if your techniques do not result in breaking bones or damaging the body, this intent and focus will result in disrupting your attacker such that any follow-on attacks will not be effective or as effective.

The above examples should give you ideas on why and how you should be performing your techniques to maximize damage.  When you maximize damage, you will end the fight quickly. And, in ending the fight quickly, the more likely you will walk away with no injuries. 

Regards,

Kelly

“One cannot use continuous attacks against true karate. That is because the blocks of true karate make it impossible for the opponent to launch a second attack.” ~ Choki Motobu (1871–1944), Founder of Motobu-Ryu style of karate