Sometimes we remember and train hard to learn the 'big moves' that make up our individual arts, but neglect the small things, and those can have a very large impact on our ability to defend ourselves.
For example, when training, our opponent (uke) takes a step towards us and launches a punch. We respond (in this case) by performing a block or deflection that ends with a hand-trap (we capture the incoming fist).
Obviously, it is important that we avoid being hit. The response above is important to learn to do correctly for exactly that reason.
However, there are a number of little but important aspects of the trap described above that should not be neglected. Now that we have avoided being hit, what else can we do here?
By dropping our center of gravity, or by movement of our own bodies, we can pull the extended, trapped, arm of our opponent. This causes them to become slightly off-balance. Perhaps only by an inch or so.
That inch is very important.
First and foremost, when we humans lose our balance, our highest priority becomes regaining it. This takes the opponent's mind out of fighting you, even if only for a moment.
As fighters, we also train to align ourselves correctly to deliver power in the form of a punch or kick. We need good balance to be rooted to the ground, to generate power by rotating our hips and shoulders, and if that balance is stolen, we cannot generate power as we have trained ourselves to do.
An off-balance opponent is also weak in body structure, meaning that they cannot effectively strengthen muscle groups to gird against incoming body blows. What I mean by this is that a person who can normally take a strong punch or kick to the midsection is far less able to do so when they are off-balance.
When a person is off-balance, they naturally extend their arms, either to regain balance as a tight-rope walker does, or as preparation to catch themselves as they fall forwards. This opens up their head and body to attack as well.
So by all means, train yourself to intercept an incoming blow and to trap it. However, the real key to this defense is the subtle but powerful movement that drops your weight and/or turns your body to force the opponent to extend and thus over-balance themselves just slightly.
At that point, you are given a momentary free pass to do bad things to him. Use this to your advantage.
For example, when training, our opponent (uke) takes a step towards us and launches a punch. We respond (in this case) by performing a block or deflection that ends with a hand-trap (we capture the incoming fist).
Obviously, it is important that we avoid being hit. The response above is important to learn to do correctly for exactly that reason.
However, there are a number of little but important aspects of the trap described above that should not be neglected. Now that we have avoided being hit, what else can we do here?
By dropping our center of gravity, or by movement of our own bodies, we can pull the extended, trapped, arm of our opponent. This causes them to become slightly off-balance. Perhaps only by an inch or so.
That inch is very important.
First and foremost, when we humans lose our balance, our highest priority becomes regaining it. This takes the opponent's mind out of fighting you, even if only for a moment.
As fighters, we also train to align ourselves correctly to deliver power in the form of a punch or kick. We need good balance to be rooted to the ground, to generate power by rotating our hips and shoulders, and if that balance is stolen, we cannot generate power as we have trained ourselves to do.
An off-balance opponent is also weak in body structure, meaning that they cannot effectively strengthen muscle groups to gird against incoming body blows. What I mean by this is that a person who can normally take a strong punch or kick to the midsection is far less able to do so when they are off-balance.
When a person is off-balance, they naturally extend their arms, either to regain balance as a tight-rope walker does, or as preparation to catch themselves as they fall forwards. This opens up their head and body to attack as well.
So by all means, train yourself to intercept an incoming blow and to trap it. However, the real key to this defense is the subtle but powerful movement that drops your weight and/or turns your body to force the opponent to extend and thus over-balance themselves just slightly.
At that point, you are given a momentary free pass to do bad things to him. Use this to your advantage.
