Blocking Kata

[Johnlogic121]

I used to train in Isshinryu Karate. That style has about 20% of the material of its two parent styles, but has been highly influential in the history of martial arts. Isshinryu represents a bridge between old fashioned traditional styles and "modern" fighting styles. Because its unarmed techniques are taught though a series of basics and a total of only eight katas, private instruction five hours a week can lead you to black belt level performance in one year's time. Beyond that, the style tends to emphasize classical Okinawon weapons to preserve Okinawon culture.

I have been thinking about a blocking kata for Isshinryu that would consist of pairs of blocks in two-step sequences. There are many more than three blocks in the Isshinryu blocking system, but the basic three are the upper level block, the middle area block, and the lower area block. The same or similiar blocks occur in Kempo and a variety of other karate styles.

Most of the time, it is good to defeat the first attack coming against you and reply with a counterattack. But if the attacker has the initiative, he may be able to continously attack you with a minimum of two attacks. Thus, blocking twice in a row is a good idea. Three basic blocks on two sides of the body means that there are six ways you can initially block and then three ways you can block on the opposite side, depending on whether you are first attacked on the right or the left.

Here is the tentative plan that I have for the kata that I am working on. I would love to hear feedback from the forum about it.

"R" - Right; "L" -Left; "U" - Upper block; "M" - Middle block;

"G" - Lower level block (G is for 'ground'); "F" - footwork

start

LU,RU,F,LU,RM,F,LU,RG,F,

LM,RU,F,LM,RM,F,LM,RG,F,

LG,RU,F,LG,RM,G,LG,RG,F,

RU,LU,F,RU,LM,F,RU,LG,F,

RM,LU,F,RM,LM,F,RM,LG,F

RG,LU,F,RG,LM,F,RG,LG,F

finish

The footwork actions can be either marching forward or turns that rotate in the direction of the next block. Obviously, starting in a left guard stance changes the kata from starting in a right guard stance; the distinction is just what foot is forward. Turning motions are very conservative of the amount of space you have to work in, but marching footwork motions are more often required, particularly when you consider marching backwards while blocking. I feel that doing two blocks in a row is sufficient practice for doing three blocks or more in a row, which would make the kata more cumberome entirely.

What does everyone think? A few repetitions teach basic blocking nicely, except for the timing you need to develop by actually blocking live attacks from a helpful partner.

[yingampyang]

I have my own school, and i teach my stundents blocking techniques all the time, and i have them play it out agianst an oppoent and also in a situation.

Blocking is very important for martial arts and should be teached in every school

[bushido_man96]

I don't know if I would concern myself with making a blocking kata, or any other katas in general. Not that you can't, but I just don't think I would. I would prefer to use some basic floor drills to get the motions down, and then go directly to partner application drills. I think that will benefit the blocking aspects more than a kata would.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

I don't know if I would concern myself with making a blocking kata, or any other katas in general. Not that you can't, but I just don't think I would. I would prefer to use some basic floor drills to get the motions down, and then go directly to partner application drills. I think that will benefit the blocking aspects more than a kata would.

yes, i agree. blocks will mostly take care of themselves, but mostly if you do feel the need for improvement on blocking techniques, create combinations/pre-sets/one(two, three)-steps to help, its alittle more applicable and easy to see, rather than a whole kata.