Beer-monster

For the opening movement obviously, but would a name based one one motion have any bearing one the rest of a kata. I mean Chinto is called Gankaku for the Crane stance despite the fact that the martial artist Chin To was said to be a highly profocient grappler. Then again I'm just tossing balls here

But isn't the name a new Shotokan thingm so that Karate would appeal more to the Japanese?

A quick query. I've been thinking through the bunkai to various kata, both when I train them but also on the bus and such. The part of the Kusanku kata when the practicioner drops has been described many ways, as a duck etc. Iain Abernethy (very smart man) described it as a possible low tackle like a shoot or morote gari. However it occured to me that it may be then defense against such an attack. Kata are said to display the most effective responses and it has been shown that a very effective defense against such takedowns is the sprawl. Perhaps this would be an effective application oif this movement, and the shuto uke in back stance that follows (in Kanku Dai) would well demonstrate slipping around or redirecting an opponent after the sprawl. Just wanted to know what you guys think of this . Anyone ever tried it as such?

Vertical backfist? Never seen one of them in Karate? For the usual type of Ura-ken I find that Teisho-uke (or palm slap block) works best. Its fast and efficient as takes no effort. Aim the block at the thick part of his forearm about a fists width from the elbow. Slap with a relaxed hand but with a tight pam with your fingers held in, and follow through don't just block; PARRY! Kncok the incoming fist away and downwards if possible, but don't swing you arm in an arm just whip it across. Hope that helps ^__^

A bit common so he'll probably suss what your up to but here. As he tries to complete the pin use the forearms closest to him to press against his neck and create some space. Then scootch your hips away so you can get on your side. Then if you are flexible you may be able to bring your leg up towards your chest on hook his headfrom there you can push him down into an armlock juji-gatame. Up heres a link I found that may show it better. Doesn't show the lock though http://bjj.org/techniques/intheguard/kesagatame/ Alternatively when you have your space, you can hook the leg over his and move so you are on top (why you move your hips). He'll try to keep you in a head lock but you use your arm (with another to support it) to drive you weight on his neck until he has to loosen his grip, then take his arm from around your neck and fall back into the lock again. Damn I suck at desribing this stuff...hope it helps though heh

I've just moved down south to Oxfordshire and am looking to get back into Karate, after a year of concentrating on Jiu-jitsu and my degree (I still kept with Karate just not as seriously as usual). I've got a grade in Shokukai karate however those clubs seem few and far between. I've also tried Wado-ryu. However locally there is a Shotokan club, so my question is- Is it easy to swap over to Shotokan from another style or should I try to find something a bit more like my old style? Also just as a curiousity to those who teach clubs themselves. When someone comes to you from another Karate style (recently trained too) do you let him keep his grade but give him time to adjust to your style or do you insist he starts from the beginning or something else?

If they hit you yell "Thank you sir, may I have another!" That should freak em out

Head twist takedown, stamp and run like Forest Gump

*nods* That's the reason I feel everyone should learn a little ne-waza. Coz even if you're really good at striking or throwing, if a guy knows what he is doing and wants you to meet the floor with him. You will.

Just to follow from what Treebranch said about Judo throws potentially being nasty. Something to remember about the throws we see often is that they are being performed on someone who know how to fall correctly and with minimal damage. Take a person without that ability and most throws are brutal (good example with the Suki Nage Sho-ju ) In TJJ one of my favourite throws is Kuki Nage (air throw). Its simple and effortless, though occasional hard to apply. I admit it is also considered a very pretty throw (I know you shouldn't judge a technique by it appearence but we all have to acknowledge the aesthetics occasionally take the flying juji gatame). The reason it looks so pretty is that when you throw a class mate he immediately goes in a flipping break fall (what we call an over the belt or peg leg fall) and it looks great. Do the move on someone who can't do the flip and what you get is you grabbing their head and slamming them face first into the floor. Not as pretty but very nasty and painful. Kote Gaeshi is another good example. Looks good, can be done without hurting if they can fall from it. If not, they drop to the floor with a mangled wrist and twisted arm joints. Just something I thought I would add, feel free to ignore me

Just to follow from what Treebranch said about Judo throws potentially being nasty. Something to remember about the throws we see often is that they are being performed on someone who know how to fall correctly and with minimal damage. Take a person without that ability and most throws are brutal (good example with the Suki Nage Sho-ju ) In TJJ one of my favourite throws is Kuki Nage (air throw). Its simple and effortless, though occasional hard to apply. I admit it is also considered a very pretty throw (I know you shouldn't judge a technique by it appearence but we all have to acknowledge the aesthetics occasionally take the flying juji gatame). The reason it looks so pretty is that when you throw a class mate he immediately goes in a flipping break fall (what we call an over the belt or peg leg fall) and it looks great. Do the move on someone who can't do the flip and what you get is you grabbing their head and slamming them face first into the floor. Not as pretty but very nasty and painful. Kote Gaeshi is another good example. Looks good, can be done without hurting if they can fall from it. If not, they drop to the floor with a mangled wrist and twisted arm joints. Just something I thought I would add, feel free to ignore me

Sorry to hijack you're post Rich but I thought that since this is a guard defense post, it would be best to mention my similar problems. I have the same problems as you but mostly I have no idea what offensive moves to do from a guard, all I can do hold tight and defend chokes, I can't get Ude Garame (Kimura) to work as it should and any attempts at chokes are mostly pushed aside (or we end up choking each other). Any tips, suggested techniques or help with using strangles instead of chokes.

The original form of Kodokan judo was very close to TJJ (as was karate orginally), but modern ideals of fitness and competition made it into the sport it is today. Whether Judo and MT are traditional. Well Judo is not really that old less than 100 years. Muay Thai however has a rich history. However how many MT fighters outside of Thailand give the history its due respect and adhere to its traditions (its rare that you see a Wai Kru or that head band thingy I never remember the name of). In such a term can it be considered traditional? And what respect is there to tradition is Judo beyond bowing (this is an actual question?, any Judo guys want to field it...we once shared the uni gym with the Judo club because of double booking and I never saw a bow, but I may have missed it.) Also to fully answer the question one must first answer the great point. When does a sport end and a martial art begin? Are some MMA champions more sportsman than artist? Its a controversy and I really dont know the answer (and most guesses would get me in trouble with someone). Also to make a point Karate is labelled a traditional martial art...however the way it is practised today is not very traditional at all. Even Gichin Funakoshi said Karate now is not what he was taught (mostly thanks to his own modifications). Some say that ancient karate may have had elements similar with Muay Thai and wrestling with practicioners pounding heavy straw bags and makiwara and engaging in wrestling matches of the native grappling art of Tegumi. So where does that leave today's Shotokan? Finally, if not using a gi is important then would Sumo work?

Not sure about most other TJJ styles Satori, but in the school I practise there are very few throws that require a grip on the clothes (though it some may as a matter of pure preference). Traditional Jiu-jitsu favours the use of control and wrapping of the extremeties mostly the arms and head, as this makes it easier to break the balance and is harder to resist (so you dont get so much pulling and pushing as in Judo). For example the basic hip throw O-goshi is performed with your arms wrapped around the opponents at just above the elbow (usually as an underhook which brings you close where control is optimum) and the other arm slip under the arm pit and usually the arm is simple pressed against the back pointing upwards as it draws them over your hip. This allows you to throws people no matter what they are wearing, however it is much harder to pull off with out alot of practise and sparring ,for MMA fights as to us most throws are practised defensively, most of us are happy as such but the subject is MMA so I should mention that. It is much harder to wrap the arms of a trained puncher without developing some timing, unless done from the clinch, but then you have limited room (good for Uke goshi or Uchi mata but not so for some others). Its even harder to achieve aiki throws which require leading control on a trained person (shame really as I love those throws). So the TJJ fighter is at some disadvantage, but I put that down towards the training rather than the techniques which most of which are functional (may need some slight revisions). However maybe one day a TJJ guy will do the training and sparring required and do well in Pride and the UFC, but then maybe not as traditional martial artist are not that type (usually)

Well taking an amateur's guess, most pins work by applying pressure to the chest, impeding motion and making it hard to breath thus harder and more tiring to move. If you are on your side and guarding your chest it would probably be harder to apply this pressure and thus making a pin unlikely.

thats for sure

What's wrong with TJJ, in your opinion Sevenstar. Afetr all, all the BJJ techniques are derived from TJJ?

I was hoping I could get advice from some grapplers and groundfighters I study TJJ among other things, and my new sensei (the old one is in training for his next dan and just had a kid ) being an ex Judo champ has been bringing in more and more groundfighting. Usually starting back to back. This used to be the part of the session I hated, but as I improved (Thanks to practise BJJ videos and you guys ) I've really started to like it. However being quite small and with very little muscle I'm having trouble escaping some pins, particularly mune gatame, yoko shiho gatame (which are similar in principle to a side mount but with more limb control-I think ) Does anyone have any tips, methods for escaping side mounts and any other tips for this kind of sparring (any specific to b2b?) for the little guy. Most appreciative if you do

Get to know the people in your class, and what they can take. I've had some people yell in pain before I even think I've applied the lock (such as when I'm just setting my posture or secure the grip), and then had another person not even feel it until I pushed really hard (and one guy who just doesn't feel pain).

Just to clarify is that the recent Mike Tyson, or the pre-prison hey day Mike Tyson. Also in this imaginary bout that always seems to arise in these threads (go figure ) is Mike Tyson using boxing or ear-biting brawler style?

Yes it is all interpretation. And many people are seeing the value in kata and finding useful bunkai, however in my opinion I think people are making things to technical. They view everything as flow charts and databases, but this aint a buisiness proposal its martial arts. I believe kata are a mneumonic, they teach small sequences with exaggerated movements as an aid to memory. And the simpler the bunkai the better.

Is that any less BJJ. The question is is BJJ good in multiple attacker situations not just mere grappling.

BJJ on the ground. I suppose its like with many other martial arts, the techniques are there but there not trained. similar to how Karate and other TMAs can be used on the street if people would wake up and stop thinking reverse punch kiai. In the same vein, BJJ practicioners tend to be rather pre-occupied with a host of ground chokes submissions and armbars, and they are the best at such techniques (bows respectfully to BJJ people ). However such techniques are not suitable for multiple attacker scenarios. But BJJ does have techniques that are for instance the knee on chest immobisiation and several other techniques that remain from TJJ (at least my BJJ friends do ). However these techniques are not trained enough in many BJJ schools. Those of you who do train such techniques should take a bow and feel proud. In my jiu-jistu style multiple attackers are usually treated with movements and pre-emptive. First we continuous move and circle (hopefully looking for an opportunity to leg it), and then at the momenets when the opponents paths cross and one is in front of the other we attack. A favourtite method is a hard strike to a weak spot. The groin kick may not be all-powerful buts its damn useful, the thing to remember is that it is a start, you cant just leave it at that. This is usually followed by a very simple take down. If I used a groin kick and downwards elbow to the 3rd vertebrae area. If I used a hand techniques (I like knuckle strikes to the eyes throat or temple, palms heels to the nose, crosses and hooks to the chin and jaw, and occasionaly a strong knifehand to the carotid but thats probably the karateka in me I also prefer open hand strikes to the head.) I would usually follow with a a head twist take down as it ius very simple and can be painfully applied if you get a good grip on there hair, eyes, cheek or ear (but careful ears are easily torn off ). Also with such a throw you can give a few more punches as you take them down. Other good throws are simple sweeeps and props (Osoto gari/gaki and Kosoto gari/gaki, a harsh gaki to the outer knee can break the joint if you wanted.) I was always taught to keep a light contact and bring them down at your feet (usually by dropping my stance). That way I know by touch and instict where I've put them, and so dont need to look at them when I whack them with a few choice punches or axe stomp there head or neck). If I wanted to be brutal and didn't care a bout the law, there are some snappy and simple joint locks that can be used quickly to break or dislocate joints and put the out of the game. Our style uses these techniques at higher levels to deal with mutltiple weapon attacks. I once saw some nidans train for this with real knives. It scared the living SH*T out of me. Mainly varients of kate gaeshi, kohono gaeshi and nikkyo wrist locks. Once thats done run or take out his mate. Another thing that is sometimes used (kind of fun but a bit risky) is if you want the time to run away (ionly if you KNOW you can escape successfully) you can forgoe the stomping finish and apply some push and twist to you head take down, to make it a projection. With some skill you can then fling you first opponent into the second. But personally I just think stomping on there heads easier.

Yes but without a Japanese master in your pocket and so many MC Dojo's about, it is up to the student and his own common sence to decode the wealth of information in the kata.