Karate - A Mixed Martial Art

So what is a mixed martial art? I ask myself that question with humorous simplicity. "It's a blend of different martial arts, right?" But let's consider what that means: Boxing and Kickboxing, trained together, make you trained in mixed martial arts.

But wait, boxing and kickboxing are the same thing. I imagine that we would run into the same issue if we took a combination of Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, or Wrestling.  Okay, I'll give that. So let's try something a little more distinct. Take Western Boxing and the Chinese Wing Tsun. These are definitely different:

 Start watching at 14:20

Start anywhere ; )

Granted. These are distinct. But wait. If you say to Bob and Weave, you can't plant your feet in a solid stance and simultaneously make contact, if you are suppose to stay away and be light on your toes, bouncing around. So while these are definitely different martial art, they are not mixable.

Let's try another composition. Muay Thai and BJJ. A popular concoction. There are punches, elbows, knees, kicks, grabs, throws, takendowns, holds, joint locks, and chokes/strngulations all with some groundwork! This is a great mix. But, each one of those can takes years to master. So in order to gain proficeincy it is best to take a little from each, extend the time of training to master longer, but shorten the combined time for proficiency. We end up with a limited number of joint longs, escapes, strikes, and movement (footwork/groundwork). 

A friend of mine suggested: (Due to the limited number of arts and those which are "mixable") MMA is nothing more than a title for an introductory course of simple locks, groundwork, and some kicking and punching. I can't disagree too much. This really eliminates the "MMA" aspect to MMA.

But perhaps we should reconsider what art arts. The Traditional art of Karate considers striking, joint-locks, throws, breathing, meditation, breaking, weapons (each one individually), forms, and sparring, all their own distinct art form

 If we think of MMA broadly, it is a shame we don't treat the old MMA with the same respect.

I train MMA. I train Karate.

Train True. Train Hard.

Mahki: The Block

Karate will not be Karate until the block is more than a block; the punch is more than a punch; and the step is more than the step- without this, "karate" is only advanced boxing, with basic footwork.

Today I would like to write on what the block is. And what it is not. A block is the interception, attacking, bearing, and redirecting of another's attack on oneself. It is not a single movement of the body. As I type these words I hear the objections flooding my mind's ear: "But, Christopher, no one is saying that. There are any types of blocks, and each block can do everyone of those things!"

My inside-outside mahki is a movement of the body. But it's blocking power. This is more complicated. Have I brought my arm from below to upright? From a punch to vertical position? Did I start it at the hip or the solar plexus? Does it travel horizontally, or in a corkscrew? Am I pushing against the grain with it, or only side-breaking the attack?

If the above questions aren't making any sense for you, this post is for you.

When I am blocking, I am not simply engaging in an efficient motion or raw statistical data of what is effective or able to weather the best. When I am blocking I am living natural principles, learned studies of physics, even. A strait punch from a sunfist is push toward my chest. Do I intercept? Yes. But how? Do I receive, work against, or simply re-orient?

My example: The middle/inside-outside block twists the fore arm.

Now, as you execute your own, with your body, think about the translation of your WHOLE body. Am I receiving the blow, am I pushing against it, am I simply rolling it to the side?

 Try this experiment. snap the block as shown in this video, but step your whole, balanced body backwards. Then step your whole, and balanced body forward. Now execute it standing still (try "Sanchin Dachi" - "Hourglass Stance.") and feel your body leaning and its weight/power shifting through that blocking arm.

The first is one that drives the block inward, to where you want. The second pushes back. But, you must overcome their power. The last redirects the opponent's energy, but without your control once the arm is directed away from you. What is your intention? Which of the three blocks are you executing with your "inside-outside block?"


Train hard.

Footwork

Observe the footwork. Just observe it.

Now Observe this footwork.

What's the big difference? They are both bouncing. They are both inching their way to the attack. They both use first-strike and counter-strike methods. What's the deal, here?

The deal is the purpose of the bouncing. Bouncing does not make you a better fighter, or more agile. It DOES lock you into a predictable rhythm- this makes it possible for your opponent to gauge when you will be in the air and strike at that time, where you have only jump or flying attacks to utilize, at less power.

The purpose of the bouncing in the first clip is the kind that makes you light on your feet, and more mobile... but not more agile or effective.

The bouncing in the second clip is the kind that hides your footwork. When you use a proper bounce and stances you must retain your schooled footwork. How many steps are you taking, what kind? Where is your balance starting? Bouncing hides this fact. The drawback is that you are in the air 1/2 the time. If your opponent learns your rhythm and overcomes you by that, you need to stop bouncing. It's okay to do that, and you can still "win," if that is your goal. In a fight, bouncing can be dangerous due to the lack of rules on grappling. The footwork needs to be your principle concern in training. No bounce and learned footwork will beat out bounce with crazy footwork (by crazy I mean chaotic and undisciplined/uncontrolled). How do you secant the circle, dodge to counter, side step, switch in step, move in or out of range appropriately? Bouncing doesn't teach you that- it just looks athletic. Using a static stance- remaining on your toes, not on your heels!- can be more effective.

Bouncing right is a huge advantage. Don't get me wrong; it can increase your speed and hide telegraphs. Having said that: being in the right place and seen selectively is better than being unseen in all the wrong places at once.

Train hard. Train right.