So, the form looks like more kick and punch, but let's take a moment to really look at what is happening. There are two principles at work in Bassai So/Sho
1. The Follow. The follow is what I used to describe the second hand of a two-handed technique that could've been done with one hand. The opening move, for example, could have been achieved with one hand. The second hand serves two purposes, one immediate, one distal. The immediate application is the hand re-enforcing the first. The distal application is understanding the hand to be in a position to strike through the opening made by the first. This is like following close enough behind a stock-car in the Daytona 500. The first makes the work and resistance converge and break on it. The second take quick advantage of the weakness of the opponent's defense that naturally occurs in the blocking of the first hand.
2. The Grapple. Karate has stand-up and take down grappling. Yes, it does. Here is an ideal instance of the stand-up type. In the last 1/4 of the form, the side punches end with a hand rotate and grab. The Grab initiates and maintains contact and adds "roping" power to the succeeding punch. Roping is the description of pulling one's opponent toward the attack you launch, using the body's natural rhythm and counter-balancing. This is often seen with Muay Thai Fighters:
Train Hard, Train Creative.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The New Karate
I mentioned before, in my last post, that Karate is more than just Kick, Punch, Takedown (see previous clip).
What I didn't mention is why Karate is more than that. Karate, as a martial art, is principles. Karate is science and technique conjoined with spirituality.
Before you raise too many questions or objections, let me explain what I mean. Starting with the most culturally controversial: spirituality- Karate is from the inner most parts of who you are. Like its running counterpart, Parkour, Karate is about pushing your own limits and finding your own freedom. Karate is not just about brutal survival, it is about living. It is a way of life. As Ginchin Funakoshi said: Karate begins with rei. Rei is the Japanese word for what many Christians would call "agape" a mutual respect of the lives of others. As we know in the West: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Without this, there is no hope. There is no "life after the fight" there is just fighting. Not true fighting, but reckless violence. This is not Karate, this is unprincipled behavior where one no longer has control of the self. Without yourself, what are you even fighting for?
Secondly, Karate is technique. It is not simply choosing your target, or what to do, it is choosing your weapon, in accord with your intention, executing it rightly, and the most effective and efficient means of getting there (not in weighing one against the other in a computation, but finding that "place" where effeciacy and efficiency meet. This is art and technique. It requires practice, study, and determination- all conjoined with mental discipline. Here is where Karate is more than kick, punch, takedown on the physical level. Karate is toe kick, heel kick, blade kick, instep kick, inner foot kick, inverted kick, bahl of foot kick, two knuckle punch, sun fist, backfist, phoenix eye punch, hammer fist, knife hand, ridge hand, spear hand, one finger, two finger strikes, ox-jaw, palm, elbow tip, elbow smash, and continuing! What weapon do you use, and why and how? This is MUCH more than kick, punch. A wrongly executed instep kick to the wrong part of the body can destroy your foot.
Finally, Karate is also science. I do not mean "martial science of close-quarters combat survival." I mean study and implementation of the discoveries you find in you and in the storm of life. In yourself, if you cannot kick with your right leg because of a knee, ankle, or hip injury, you must know and work around that. In life, if your purpose is military, civilian, police, victim, rebel, etc. you have to act accordingly. In war you may be studying combat to take a life, but in peace you may need to restudy your actions to be in accord with a "live, and let live" principle. This is where I see the new Karate. I see the constant re-invention of Karate every decade in a new "ex-marine shares killing art" style. The fad in striking arts is elbows and knees. The muay thai style is popular because it is not only ancient but proves devastating. Krav Magna does much of the same work, but is re-invented in the modern era, and is revered because of its war proven effectiveness, so what's the difference? Techniques? Some. For the average laymen, perhaps kickboxing and hapkido may be the same as Krav Magna training. The difference: creative spin. Letting someone see how something is effective makes them a believer, which opens the door for learning. I see elbow blocks and strikes in many new "flow drill" and "gross motor strike" module systems for sale nowadays. I also knew about these for 10 years because I studied Tang Soo Do and utilized them as a green belt. Karate is being rebuilt from the ground up by fight survivors because there is not application of Karate in their lives.Here, Karate is more than kick, punch, by ingenuity. Only a teacher and student with creative minds truly take advantage of the extensive stand-up and striking art of Karate.I list Karate as both striking and stand-up for a reason, but that is for another post.
Don't re-invent the wheel. Train creatively, train traditionally, train hard.
What I didn't mention is why Karate is more than that. Karate, as a martial art, is principles. Karate is science and technique conjoined with spirituality.
Before you raise too many questions or objections, let me explain what I mean. Starting with the most culturally controversial: spirituality- Karate is from the inner most parts of who you are. Like its running counterpart, Parkour, Karate is about pushing your own limits and finding your own freedom. Karate is not just about brutal survival, it is about living. It is a way of life. As Ginchin Funakoshi said: Karate begins with rei. Rei is the Japanese word for what many Christians would call "agape" a mutual respect of the lives of others. As we know in the West: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Without this, there is no hope. There is no "life after the fight" there is just fighting. Not true fighting, but reckless violence. This is not Karate, this is unprincipled behavior where one no longer has control of the self. Without yourself, what are you even fighting for?
Secondly, Karate is technique. It is not simply choosing your target, or what to do, it is choosing your weapon, in accord with your intention, executing it rightly, and the most effective and efficient means of getting there (not in weighing one against the other in a computation, but finding that "place" where effeciacy and efficiency meet. This is art and technique. It requires practice, study, and determination- all conjoined with mental discipline. Here is where Karate is more than kick, punch, takedown on the physical level. Karate is toe kick, heel kick, blade kick, instep kick, inner foot kick, inverted kick, bahl of foot kick, two knuckle punch, sun fist, backfist, phoenix eye punch, hammer fist, knife hand, ridge hand, spear hand, one finger, two finger strikes, ox-jaw, palm, elbow tip, elbow smash, and continuing! What weapon do you use, and why and how? This is MUCH more than kick, punch. A wrongly executed instep kick to the wrong part of the body can destroy your foot.
Finally, Karate is also science. I do not mean "martial science of close-quarters combat survival." I mean study and implementation of the discoveries you find in you and in the storm of life. In yourself, if you cannot kick with your right leg because of a knee, ankle, or hip injury, you must know and work around that. In life, if your purpose is military, civilian, police, victim, rebel, etc. you have to act accordingly. In war you may be studying combat to take a life, but in peace you may need to restudy your actions to be in accord with a "live, and let live" principle. This is where I see the new Karate. I see the constant re-invention of Karate every decade in a new "ex-marine shares killing art" style. The fad in striking arts is elbows and knees. The muay thai style is popular because it is not only ancient but proves devastating. Krav Magna does much of the same work, but is re-invented in the modern era, and is revered because of its war proven effectiveness, so what's the difference? Techniques? Some. For the average laymen, perhaps kickboxing and hapkido may be the same as Krav Magna training. The difference: creative spin. Letting someone see how something is effective makes them a believer, which opens the door for learning. I see elbow blocks and strikes in many new "flow drill" and "gross motor strike" module systems for sale nowadays. I also knew about these for 10 years because I studied Tang Soo Do and utilized them as a green belt. Karate is being rebuilt from the ground up by fight survivors because there is not application of Karate in their lives.Here, Karate is more than kick, punch, by ingenuity. Only a teacher and student with creative minds truly take advantage of the extensive stand-up and striking art of Karate.I list Karate as both striking and stand-up for a reason, but that is for another post.
Don't re-invent the wheel. Train creatively, train traditionally, train hard.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Karate is More than Kick, Punch
Karate is more than Kick, Punch.
Consquently, it is also more than Kick, Punch, Takedown. Karate, as an art, is a number of things with the same name. In the broadest sense, Karate is the name for the conglomerate of weapon, empty hand, and partnered forms with individual techniques and demonstrable and repeatable pricniples associated with them. In the strict sense, karate refers only to the empty-hand fighting techniques, forms, and form-applications that have been handed down in a particular tradition.
Many take to either one of thee two extremes, simply based on what they believe is the "right way for karate." But, its just a name. It's not what you are calling it, it's what you are doing that is your art. The name is just something for inter-human communication.
Too often there is a sitting around of instructors and masters, alike, that simply make the assumption that the makers of the art took months of their life just decided on the most accurate and appropriate name for the arts they spawned or inspired. In the end, many names were simple utilitarian for communication. Shotokan for example: Shoto's School. Shoto was Funakoshi's nickname. Goju-ryu Karate: the Hard-Soft School of Karate. The name explained the primary distinction of the art, that there were both hard and soft techniques in this style of karate, and that was important.
The real importance is the substance being taught. Many people view karate as the eastern form of boxing. But it is much more. Karate, as we know it, employs the techniques and pricniples of the Chinese, the form traditions, interpretations, and rhythms of Okinawa, the one-strike methodology of some Japanese martial arts (like Iaido). Even now, in the Americas and Europe, Karate also employs the dynamic movement of Western Boxing and Wrestling. Karate, itself, is a mixed-martial art, and it is high-time its practicioners realized that fact. Not simply realizing it by acknowledging it, but by accepting and practicing it.
This is not to say that there is not more for karate-ka to learn. There is something to learn from Tai Chi Ch'uan, Judo, and Freestyle Wrestling, but it is important that karate-ka do not hold what valuable lessons and training they have learned and engaged through karate in contempt.
Karate is Kick, Punch, Takedown.
It is also so much more. Stay tuned.
Train hard. Train right.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Three-Step Sparring
Last night, Samdan Travis Morton had decided to grace our Dojang with his presence. At the same time, he brought a fantastic drill with him.
I have been familiar with the three and five -step sparring drills of the Okinawan Masters for a few years. I often saw value to them, but never had a chance to exercise anything remotely similar to them with anyone else. Samdan Morton offered such an opportunity.
Yesterday, he introduced a three-step drill. The three-step drill involved not only a striker and defender. Each step was seperated intermittently by an analysis. It was the opportunity of the defender to read the situation and positioning of the striker. The defender state his analysis, each time with less words, concise reasons, and greater certainty. It is the responsibility of the attacker to honestly and definitively decide and then slowly execute the technique.
This drills requires both honesty and determination. While the striker must have honesty in what he/she was giong to do, the defender also must honestly execute the block of what he had chosen. Due to the inherent risk of contact, the moves should be executed at half speed. Eventually the drill can be executed at higher speeds with quicker exchanges,. The drills, as is, is very well suited for both beginners and advanced students.
I found the timing, additionally amusing. I had just discussed the effects of such a drill with another Master friend of mine, for use of sparring with gear. This seems easily adapted and I will keep up posts if this happens in the future.
Train hard. Train smart.
I have been familiar with the three and five -step sparring drills of the Okinawan Masters for a few years. I often saw value to them, but never had a chance to exercise anything remotely similar to them with anyone else. Samdan Morton offered such an opportunity.
Yesterday, he introduced a three-step drill. The three-step drill involved not only a striker and defender. Each step was seperated intermittently by an analysis. It was the opportunity of the defender to read the situation and positioning of the striker. The defender state his analysis, each time with less words, concise reasons, and greater certainty. It is the responsibility of the attacker to honestly and definitively decide and then slowly execute the technique.
This drills requires both honesty and determination. While the striker must have honesty in what he/she was giong to do, the defender also must honestly execute the block of what he had chosen. Due to the inherent risk of contact, the moves should be executed at half speed. Eventually the drill can be executed at higher speeds with quicker exchanges,. The drills, as is, is very well suited for both beginners and advanced students.
I found the timing, additionally amusing. I had just discussed the effects of such a drill with another Master friend of mine, for use of sparring with gear. This seems easily adapted and I will keep up posts if this happens in the future.
Train hard. Train smart.
Monday, January 10, 2011
What to Expect at Our School
This is a post concerning what to expect when you walk in the doors of a Dojang.
Our Dojang, as with other schools, is accepting of walk-in students. In our Dojang, expect to walk in and, if class is not in progress, to be greeted by the owner or an instructor.
If class is going on, please feel free to either sit and watch class to its finish, or join to try it out. If you arrive to the Dojang when class ahs begun, please prepare yourself accorind to the protocol below, bend your left knee and place your right knee on the ground and wait to be acknowledged. Once the instructor sees you, he will find a place for you in class at the next break in action (no more than a minute or two).
Preparing yourself to enter the Dojang:
When you enter the Dojang, you will enter the lobby area. It is acceptable to wear your shoes, here. What you will see in front of you is the Dojang training floor. The training floor is, in sense, a sacred space. It is set apart for training the mind and the body. Shoes are not permitted. The only exception are shoes which are specially made for being worn in the Dojang and have no other use, so that outside contagens and dirt are not trekked into the school.
If you have more questions please call the Dojang any time of the day or evening:
724-610-5029
Our Dojang, as with other schools, is accepting of walk-in students. In our Dojang, expect to walk in and, if class is not in progress, to be greeted by the owner or an instructor.
If class is going on, please feel free to either sit and watch class to its finish, or join to try it out. If you arrive to the Dojang when class ahs begun, please prepare yourself accorind to the protocol below, bend your left knee and place your right knee on the ground and wait to be acknowledged. Once the instructor sees you, he will find a place for you in class at the next break in action (no more than a minute or two).
Preparing yourself to enter the Dojang:
When you enter the Dojang, you will enter the lobby area. It is acceptable to wear your shoes, here. What you will see in front of you is the Dojang training floor. The training floor is, in sense, a sacred space. It is set apart for training the mind and the body. Shoes are not permitted. The only exception are shoes which are specially made for being worn in the Dojang and have no other use, so that outside contagens and dirt are not trekked into the school.
If you have more questions please call the Dojang any time of the day or evening:
724-610-5029
Saturday, January 8, 2011
GRAND OPENING
GRAND OPENING
Instructors and Masters from the Asia Tang Soo Do Federation will be present to both witness and exhibit professional standards in Tang Soo Do.
We will also have our own Shihan Dan to demonstrate the Art of the Japanese Sword - Kenjutsu.
The event starts at 11:30 AM on January 15th, Saturday.
The Demonstrations will begin at Noon on that Day.
Steeler Game? No Issues: The event will be finished in plenty of time for your return to where ever to watch the game.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Don't Go Into the Tall Grass
Today's blogpost is insprired by the gooshy feeling-filled Jurassic Park III... which, odly seems better than Jurassic Park II, but it is yet incomplete.
As I watch I find myself using all of my prvious Jurassic Park Universe knowledge to try and yell out to the actors. "Don't go into the tall grass." This was Ian (Jeff Goldbloom)'s warning in the second movie. Granted, in this movie, the raptors are following Dr. Grant because the young Billy stole Raptor eggs, impulsively and in a misguided altruism. But there is a point to Ian's advice. Ian KNEW that only death waited in the long grass in the middle of the island. This leads to my first bit of advice: Don't go into the danger. If you go into danger, confusion will inevitably set in and luck will be the deciding factor.
Fighting, all fighting, revolves around the perception of conflict. This is not necessarily true or necessary conflict:
But that's a different lesson. The reason I introduce conflict as the principle to fighitng is so that we may see the difference between entering conflict and entering danger. Entering danger is even different from confronting it. Entering danger is a submissive position, one that waits in both fear and timidity and in despair (there is not ope or magnanimity, but simply the desire to survive). Confronting danger takes the wisdom to identify it and the courage to do what is needed.
If you are afraid to punch or kick someone, you won't do well in a stand-up fight. If you meet the danger that such a thing could seriously hurt you or another and realize that it is the inevitable and necessary course of action to defend yourself or a loved one, you can not only survive, but live. Meeting a danger requires intellect, training, and preparation. Suriving has to do with luck.
Now, despite the cheesiness of some things in Jurassic Park Universe, there is one thing to learn, be a Grant, not an Ian. Meet a danger if it has to be there, don't simply survive it and try to wait it to pass by. YOu could end up like the lawyer in the first movie.
Train Hard and Often.
As I watch I find myself using all of my prvious Jurassic Park Universe knowledge to try and yell out to the actors. "Don't go into the tall grass." This was Ian (Jeff Goldbloom)'s warning in the second movie. Granted, in this movie, the raptors are following Dr. Grant because the young Billy stole Raptor eggs, impulsively and in a misguided altruism. But there is a point to Ian's advice. Ian KNEW that only death waited in the long grass in the middle of the island. This leads to my first bit of advice: Don't go into the danger. If you go into danger, confusion will inevitably set in and luck will be the deciding factor.
Fighting, all fighting, revolves around the perception of conflict. This is not necessarily true or necessary conflict:
But that's a different lesson. The reason I introduce conflict as the principle to fighitng is so that we may see the difference between entering conflict and entering danger. Entering danger is even different from confronting it. Entering danger is a submissive position, one that waits in both fear and timidity and in despair (there is not ope or magnanimity, but simply the desire to survive). Confronting danger takes the wisdom to identify it and the courage to do what is needed.
If you are afraid to punch or kick someone, you won't do well in a stand-up fight. If you meet the danger that such a thing could seriously hurt you or another and realize that it is the inevitable and necessary course of action to defend yourself or a loved one, you can not only survive, but live. Meeting a danger requires intellect, training, and preparation. Suriving has to do with luck.
Now, despite the cheesiness of some things in Jurassic Park Universe, there is one thing to learn, be a Grant, not an Ian. Meet a danger if it has to be there, don't simply survive it and try to wait it to pass by. YOu could end up like the lawyer in the first movie.
Train Hard and Often.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Be a Student of Inches
Tonight hosted Manderino Martial Arts first classes.
Stillkin Kenjutsu made their first appearance this evening with Shinan and his two student for tonight. It was fantastic to see thee three men go to it with bokken in hand. They often say that the art of sword is an art of inches, the difference between a lethal and non-lethal cuts.
Stillkin Kenjutsu made their first appearance this evening with Shinan and his two student for tonight. It was fantastic to see thee three men go to it with bokken in hand. They often say that the art of sword is an art of inches, the difference between a lethal and non-lethal cuts.
At the same time though, so is striking: What is a difference between a head shot and a knock out? About the distance of your cheek to your jaw.
And is grappling, too (have you ever hear the difference between a choke and a strangulation: about an inch).
Martial arts, life, its all about the little inches. The winner of a 5 k is still the winner, even if the 2nd place person was 5 inches behind. And the second place person was still only second place. Does this mean you have to scrap for every inch? No, not in the sense that the 2nd place guy trips the one in 1st just to win it. But yes in the sense that the second place guy has to push to not be third, or to trive for 1st.
Tonight I learned that lesson. My first walk in came and went and I didn't even give out my card with my number, I was just caught unaware. We were in sight of my information and I forgot to give it. Luckily, for me, the guy took my number and the school name off the window. I suppose today my inches were hours beause it had been less than 24 that the phone number was put up.
To end with a happy note, four students came in for a trial class later on, as did a friend of that first guy. What an exciting day comapred to yesterday!
Train well. Train hard.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Safety and a First Night at the Dojang
When I was prearing to open the school, with lots of time in the pre-opening weekend, my fiance gave a very solid piece of advice. I'm proud of you. Don't be dissapointed when no one comes in on the first day.
No fanfare, no spot lights, no off the hook phone calls, the first evening came and went. But, on the plus side, I am most grateful I was able to amke it there. I woke up this morning and intended to go to my day job, then KABOOM, there was an xplosion in my head. My nose, my throat, my sinuses, chest, and ears were choc-full of bacteria inflammed. I started work then decided if I couldn't even focus on getting the books to the van, I probably couldn't focus on the road to safely drive. Like they teach you: safety first.
This brings me to my frequent post topic: Safety. Somethings are indispensible in your life. Your health and life, itself, are two of these. In you training, you need to push yourself, but if you can't do something, don't force it. Forcing is a concept we use for doing something a way you aren't suppose to be doing it.
The other invaluable piece of advice for training is preparation. Sure, this refers to warming up and stretching, but it also refers to your equipment. If you are going to spar, put in your mouthpiece, at the least. The largest bit of protection is worth more than smallest amount of rehabilitation or reconstruction. One roundhouse kick to the face gives a concussion, the other doesn't. The difference: the second kick had to contend a shock doctor.
Protect yourself. Train hard.
No fanfare, no spot lights, no off the hook phone calls, the first evening came and went. But, on the plus side, I am most grateful I was able to amke it there. I woke up this morning and intended to go to my day job, then KABOOM, there was an xplosion in my head. My nose, my throat, my sinuses, chest, and ears were choc-full of bacteria inflammed. I started work then decided if I couldn't even focus on getting the books to the van, I probably couldn't focus on the road to safely drive. Like they teach you: safety first.
This brings me to my frequent post topic: Safety. Somethings are indispensible in your life. Your health and life, itself, are two of these. In you training, you need to push yourself, but if you can't do something, don't force it. Forcing is a concept we use for doing something a way you aren't suppose to be doing it.
The other invaluable piece of advice for training is preparation. Sure, this refers to warming up and stretching, but it also refers to your equipment. If you are going to spar, put in your mouthpiece, at the least. The largest bit of protection is worth more than smallest amount of rehabilitation or reconstruction. One roundhouse kick to the face gives a concussion, the other doesn't. The difference: the second kick had to contend a shock doctor.
Protect yourself. Train hard.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Best Way to Defend the Head
Following the previous post, the question was posed: What did I think is the best way to defend the head?
I think the best kind of answer is not simply someone's individual opinion, but so as to not just ignore the question I will respond with the surest and true answer that works for everyone. Distance. Whether you are putting yourself out of range, ducking, dodging, or simply too close, it is the best defense. Distance is always the number one defense for anything.
There are, though, some more specific tactics that many may make work for them with a great efficiency. In any conflict there are a few things to always keep in your mind, or at least, be in harmony with them. 1. Objectives. 2. Targets. 3. Your weapons. Whatever fills these categories will determine a specific range of the multitude of tactic you may you to defend your head. If your objective is to cripple, and your target is the knee, and your weapon is the right hand, you will be relying on a distance of "too close," dodging, correct timing, and the obstruction of your head line with your attacking and off hand.
This brings me to the second best defense: positioning. Your position is the second greatest defense. If you are facing your opponent's back you are defending with heavenly fortitude. You have now cut out 95% of his arsenal, just by standing in the right place. That being considered, if your straight punch is accurate and striking his same side, he will not be using a cross on your other cheek if you've kept your correct positioning. You've simply made that distance too far, and the effort too great. Position is what I addressed in the last post, wherever your hands are, if they aren't obstructing the lines of attack that are most dangerous to you, you might as well save your energy and leave them down at your ribs or hips.
My third best defense for the head is the feign-to-win. You choose the target for him. This is a weapon of the mind-game. If you are drawing your opponent to your rib cage because you are purposely leaving it open, he ought to want it. When he takes the bait, take his head, or use a finishing strike to end the conflict. Just don't forget you are baiting him with it, get lazy, and then not be ready to counter, you got hit for nothing- and you gave it to him for free.
Train smart. Train hard.
I think the best kind of answer is not simply someone's individual opinion, but so as to not just ignore the question I will respond with the surest and true answer that works for everyone. Distance. Whether you are putting yourself out of range, ducking, dodging, or simply too close, it is the best defense. Distance is always the number one defense for anything.
There are, though, some more specific tactics that many may make work for them with a great efficiency. In any conflict there are a few things to always keep in your mind, or at least, be in harmony with them. 1. Objectives. 2. Targets. 3. Your weapons. Whatever fills these categories will determine a specific range of the multitude of tactic you may you to defend your head. If your objective is to cripple, and your target is the knee, and your weapon is the right hand, you will be relying on a distance of "too close," dodging, correct timing, and the obstruction of your head line with your attacking and off hand.
This brings me to the second best defense: positioning. Your position is the second greatest defense. If you are facing your opponent's back you are defending with heavenly fortitude. You have now cut out 95% of his arsenal, just by standing in the right place. That being considered, if your straight punch is accurate and striking his same side, he will not be using a cross on your other cheek if you've kept your correct positioning. You've simply made that distance too far, and the effort too great. Position is what I addressed in the last post, wherever your hands are, if they aren't obstructing the lines of attack that are most dangerous to you, you might as well save your energy and leave them down at your ribs or hips.
My third best defense for the head is the feign-to-win. You choose the target for him. This is a weapon of the mind-game. If you are drawing your opponent to your rib cage because you are purposely leaving it open, he ought to want it. When he takes the bait, take his head, or use a finishing strike to end the conflict. Just don't forget you are baiting him with it, get lazy, and then not be ready to counter, you got hit for nothing- and you gave it to him for free.
Train smart. Train hard.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Defending the Head: Three Most Common Mistakes
Defending the head is of great importance in any fight. Without it you lose four of your five main sense organs, balance, and your greatest weapon: your brain.
When working a positive aspect of your stand-up game, it can help to read the road signs on the way to success. Road signs tell us what to do, but what to avoid on and off the road: the road bending, lane shifts, up coming traffic lights.
I have my top three choices of the most common- and most lethal- mistakes when defending the head.
1. Dropping your hands.
It is important to defend your body. The liver, the spleen, the throat, et alia. It is also important to defend the head. To defend the body at the expense of the head is like cleaning your plumbing when your faucet is corroded and infected with disease. If your hands are down, you can't stop anything from hitting something that is up: your head. If you drop your hands even one inch, your head is done. Even a deflected blow can tear your eyes and knockout your teeth.
2. Holding your hands out.
Hooks and haymakers are devastating. But even these punches can sneak inside the strongest side guards. If you keep your hands to defend your jaw line, cheek, and orbitals (the bone ridges holding your eye in place) you can keep from getting cut by a punch or knocked out from a temple shot. It does not, however, defend your face or chin. An open high guard with your hands at the side of your face doesn't even do well to defend your jawline- unless its on your face.
3. Defending the face.
Your face is precious. Let's face it, for some, its the money maker, it might even be yours. If you'd like to keep your head, though, you've have to do it right. Keeping the hands in a closed high guard is fantastic to stop a strait, jab, or even upper cut if you have your elbows inside your shoulders. It is a poor choice for defending your head as a whole unit- or your body. If your hands cover your face, you cannot see beyond your gloves. On top of your self-blinding, you've sacrificed positional control of the sides of your head. You've left your head and neck (which is extremely vulnerable) open for any variety of attacks from hand, foot, weapon, bite, or even a long range headbutt.
Defend the head, but don't sacrifice a good position. Train hard.
When working a positive aspect of your stand-up game, it can help to read the road signs on the way to success. Road signs tell us what to do, but what to avoid on and off the road: the road bending, lane shifts, up coming traffic lights.
I have my top three choices of the most common- and most lethal- mistakes when defending the head.
1. Dropping your hands.
It is important to defend your body. The liver, the spleen, the throat, et alia. It is also important to defend the head. To defend the body at the expense of the head is like cleaning your plumbing when your faucet is corroded and infected with disease. If your hands are down, you can't stop anything from hitting something that is up: your head. If you drop your hands even one inch, your head is done. Even a deflected blow can tear your eyes and knockout your teeth.
2. Holding your hands out.
Hooks and haymakers are devastating. But even these punches can sneak inside the strongest side guards. If you keep your hands to defend your jaw line, cheek, and orbitals (the bone ridges holding your eye in place) you can keep from getting cut by a punch or knocked out from a temple shot. It does not, however, defend your face or chin. An open high guard with your hands at the side of your face doesn't even do well to defend your jawline- unless its on your face.
3. Defending the face.
Your face is precious. Let's face it, for some, its the money maker, it might even be yours. If you'd like to keep your head, though, you've have to do it right. Keeping the hands in a closed high guard is fantastic to stop a strait, jab, or even upper cut if you have your elbows inside your shoulders. It is a poor choice for defending your head as a whole unit- or your body. If your hands cover your face, you cannot see beyond your gloves. On top of your self-blinding, you've sacrificed positional control of the sides of your head. You've left your head and neck (which is extremely vulnerable) open for any variety of attacks from hand, foot, weapon, bite, or even a long range headbutt.
Defend the head, but don't sacrifice a good position. Train hard.
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