Principles or techniques

[IOM Combat]

Hi All,

 

At IOM Combat we tend to work a lot more along the lines of principles than I've encountered in other arts. Namely we focus on the bits that should make up a technique (waveforms, pressure points, vibration etc) more than the techniqe itself. This seems at odds to me with a lot of styles who teach a "this is a punch, this is a kick" (oversimplified I know but you get the idea) system. We do it to allow the student to develop a much more unique style tailored to them than might otherwise occur. I was just wondering how many groups out there also took this approach?

 

Cheers

 

Dan

[VinnieDaChin]

what the hell is vibration?

[Red J]

It's not uncommon for Kempo style schools to teach principles through techniques and combinations. Once the beginner learns the basics, its all about principles and from there you start to develop on becoming a martial artist, IMO. With understanding of principles, the practioner really has a better grasp on material and can see the variations that suit different situations.

[cross]

Our style contains a bit of both. You learn the basic techniques, from there you apply the principles you learn from theses to an appropriate situation when you are faced with one.

[traz]

In my Hapkido school, it seems to be that the beginner levels learn more techniques, and then once you become more advanced, the principles behind all the techniques are taught, allowing the student to properly perform the more advanced techniques once he learns them.

[siufeifei]

In most cases, it is easier to teach someone to do something as a set technique before teaching why it works.

[SevenStar]

both, but I am a big fan of principles. Once you learn the basics, understanding the principles is what will really help you to advance.

[IOM Combat]

Hi Guys,

 

Thanks for the replies. As we (in the OCI do a lot of research into principles I was wondering if you could cover a few which you would use in an average strike.

 

To give you an idea I would start with the following for a basic tech(for example when using a hammerfist)

 

heavy hand,

 

direction of feet,

 

balance points + balance square

 

mind/breath/body

 

intent

 

visualisation

 

waveforms (internal + external)

 

weapon to target choice

 

time on target

 

penetration of target

 

Target zones/ pressure points,

 

quadrant theory

 

and would probably also utilise a flinch reflex and body alarm reaction.

 

Cheers

 

Dan

[delta1]

Techniques teach principles, which improves your technique.

[IOM Combat]

Techniques teach principles, which improves your technique.

 

I've sadly not always found this to be the case. What you tend to find is that certain techniques contain certain principles but miss others. For example a club I recently ran a seminar for did have (a variation of) the heavy hand and waveforms we utilise in everything. They recognisd the principle but were only using it in a single technique. By isolating the principles they can then be added to every technique.

 

By merely focusing on the techniques we also find that individuals tend to hit the "technique log-jam" that Geoff Thompson mentions in a couple of his books whereby the individual goes for a set technique as a response against an attack which may not be set. If a atatack arises which they have notr encountered in training they tend to either a/ freeze up (BAR efect) or try to foce through an unworkable techniwue. In comparison we find that a better understanding of the principles lends itself to a higher level of adaptability. Seems that this is why most clubs take a similar approach, doing techniques first but then extracting and improving the principles at a higher level.

 

Dan