Shawn Miller

I think allot of this was lost, from the 1920's up when the modern or sport karate very first started to take shape. Funikoshi has in several instances referred to how the karate we do today is nothing like the karate he did years ago. Showing a few new possibilities to people once in awhile does open their eyes and get them thinking on their own, it is suppose to be an art.

That is a good question, why indeed. I have my opinions on why this is the way it is. If you really research Karate history and evolution the answers are there, as to why. I do teach it as a basic block at first but I always tell them this is the elmentry version of the technique. I start showing the more realistic uses at 9kyu with the adults. I dont teach it to kids untill they are well ready for it.

SaiFightsMS you are on the correct path. Lets think back to the days of the Samuri and when Matsumura was the head guard at Shuri castle. Do you think they would wast time doing these same blocks we still do today if they didnt work? First if they didnt work they would get killed or thier famly would ect. Sport didnt really exist it was life or death. These blocks we learn and do are all very very effective but maybe not in the way you have shown. They are all strikes, Joint locks, arms bars and ect. as SaifightsMS said a down block can be a groin strike ,and really so much more its a great arm bar,or finger lock to . pm or email if your interested in more I have probably siad to much to the genral public now.