Using Control

[tori]

I believe an individual that is going for her 2nd Dan shouldve learned control by now. I too have paired up with a black belt who was constantly striking me when we were doing and learning controlled self defense techniques. After one night of taking probably (and Im not kidding), 20 shots to the ribs, I told her "you have to learn control." I did end up with a broken rib. Ok, some of you may argue - "that's what martial arts is about." Yes it is, but I also have to go to work everyday and take care of patients. I can't afford to miss work because someone else has poor control, especially when we weren't even sparring. Since I told her to lighten up, she takes better care of not hitting her partners. My guess, is she was doing to everyone - even kyu ranks.

[Shotokan-kez]

Yep i wholly agree with you Tori, i don't work but i still have to look after the kids and go to college.

I was thinking when Karateka's do this do you think they just have a point to prove?

[bushido_man96]

Ok, some of you may argue - "that's what martial arts is about." Yes it is, but I also have to go to work everyday and take care of patients. I can't afford to miss work because someone else has poor control, especially when we weren't even sparring.

I agree with you here. Especially since most one-steps are done in a controlled, non-defending manner. Sparring is a bit different, especially when some level of contact is expected. At the same time, you get to actively defend, too, reducing the risk of getting hurt somewhat.

[pegasi]

I think the general summary here is that some moderate degree of contact is expected while (free) sparring, but not while executing controlled techniques, such as step sparring, where more control ought to be expected because one's partner (aka the target) is deliberately not getting out of the way for training purposes.

SO, to me, in a controlled situation like step sparring, the agressor is required to maintain proper technique and targeting, but to check the power in the technique at the final instant before any impact, so they don't damage their partner.

Maybe putting a piece of lightweight tracing paper in front of a bag, and practicing hitting the paper and wrinkling it, without tearing it, would be a good lesson in control? Kind of like an old japanese story I vaguely recall about silent walking, stepping on pieces of rice paper without tearing them. Dunno where that thought came from... maybe some movie... but the idea seemed appropriate.

[Shotokan-kez]

He pegassi that sounds like a great way to learn control, may have to have a go at that myself

[marie curie]

Yeh, we have some people without control in our group, but most of them are lower ranks.

I'd definitely talk to her about it- just like, "hey, I like fighting with you, but do you think that you could work on your control? most people at our level are pretty good about it, so I'm sure that you can." or something.

[sangngak]

It never ceases to amaze me how many of the basics of Karate have been dropped. Control for example. In our school we had a makiwara. A real one...back when they were made from 4 x 6 boards planed down. This makiwara was coated with very thick axel grease in which was mixed several broken up coke bottles. If you showed no control the teacher ordered you to hit the makiwara 10 times (or more) and each time you struck it you had to being your hand away with a bit of grease on each of the two knuckles you used in a seiken thrust puch. He'd wipe off the grease and you hit again...and again..and again. If you didn't have the sense to have control before this you usually had it afterward. Also he would spar with you and the rule was every time you failed to use control and hit him, before you could withdraw your fist he would have hit you in the mouth.

People who can't develop control do not belong in the MAs. The sooner they quit the better.

Teachers who let children free fight before they can even stand correctly are the ones who produce these kind of immature students who hit others.

If your school has people who have no control...go find a real dojo, where real karate or kempo is taught.