The Unaspired Head Turn!

[Chitsu]

For me - in my style - the answer is quite clear - Some kata incorporate a head movement (as a specific move) in its own right - Naihanchi for example, but in all other cases there is NO head turn prior to the body movement.

I don't subscribe to the whole "if you don't look first how do you know what you are moving into" - you don’t need to because this is kata.

Remember, kata is kata period. It is not kumite and it is not self defence, it is a component part that makes up the sum of Karate so you can fight - in themselves they are not fighting however. Kata are apparatus to learn correct form, movement, tools and stratagems – much more than just a sequence of waza.

Turn your head prior to moving, and you are not only adding a move, you are potentially looking away from another “imaginary" attacker. You are also cheating yourself as you are not learning how to use your karate "radar" – one very important and useful tool.

Your karate radar is not only peripheral vision it is hearing. By turning head and focusing in on a specific point, your body will not only move differently - compared to if you use a wider field of vision and look as you turn – you are running the risk of engendering a “tunnel vision” effect into your training – something we must of course try to avoid.

Peripheral vision is a far more useful tool than focused vision. The light sensitive cells around the periphery of your cornea have a higher sensitivity to movement. Due to the fact that there is a greater number of such cells around the outside compared to the inside, you are more sensitive to movement in the periphery of your vision.

The brain will also process this information quicker compared to using focused vision (looking / turning head before moving) - which involves the optical focusing then processing prior to any response signals being sent to the bodies arms and legs etc. - You will respond quicker as a result of picking up something in your peripheral vision.

As I understand it boxers train to use peripheral vision for exactly this reason.

But here is an added twist – in the melee of a fight, there will of course by a huge surge of adrenalin. What this hormone does is to reduce the effectiveness of your peripheral vision – in essence causing you to have a tunnel vision.

This is why imo, kata are designed to specifically practice ways to reduce this eventuality

Not so much a case of train hard fight easy, but focus wide during your training and (hopefully) reduce tunnel vision in fighting.

Have to look at old footage of the traditional Japanese kata to realise that it isn't common place (in Wado anyway).

Have a look at this Kata by Hironori Otsuka sensei (no head turn)

It’s the same with the Shito Ryu guys

That said, if your group does it then you must incorporate it. It is always good however to understand both sides of the argument.

Chitsu

[Chitsu]

We have the head turns through out each kata as well. There are certain turns that there is no head turn. Interesting thought is that while some instructors recognize the differences some do not. So what you get is a whole group of people that do things just a little different. And yet this gets passed down the line again.

Hi Jeffrey,

So, from a head turning perspective, what is closer to what you do?

or -

Chitsu

[sensei8]

I surrender that the reason(s) that some styles do or don't turn their head prior to any turn is possibly due to methodologies.

In any kata video that I watch, no matter the circa, I'm of two opinions. One; they're turning their head prior to any turn because it's their styles methodology. Two; they're simply demonstrating the waza's along the embusen for references,.

Methodologies are just that within each of the styles of karate; methods of doing many things.

Kihon translates to kata and kata translates to kumite. The Shindokan methodology teaches one to turn the head and if one doesn't turn their head during kumite, they run the risk of losing their head. Peripheral assited kumite is not only risky, but, at the same time, it's dangerious. Imagine what it must be like to drive any vehicle by using only ones peripheral vision; it's an accident waiting to happen. Blindsides are called that for a good reason; they're not safe! In Shindokan, we don't kumite at a comfortable distance. No, we kumite at very close-up proximities; the closer the better. Therefore, our Soke taught all Shindokan karateka's to TURN THEIR HEAD ALL THE TIME! Hence, the Shindokan methodology.

Turning my head does add a move, but that's truly not such a big deal in the scheme of things. No more, imho, than it is to adding the move of swallowing when one's eating, imho.

As what I've offered is the Shindokan methodology, well, so is the same thing as to what Chitsu is offering. Both of us are from seperate methodologies, in which, we're both proponents of.

Still, I think I'll keep looking before I leap, and this means I'll turn my head!

[Chitsu]

Peripheral assited kumite is not only risky, but, at the same time, it's dangerious. Imagine what it must be like to drive any vehicle by using only ones peripheral vision; it's an accident waiting to happen. Blindsides are called that for a good reason; they're not safe! In Shindokan, we don't kumite at a comfortable distance. No, we kumite at very close-up proximities; the closer the better. Therefore, our Soke taught all Shindokan karateka's to TURN THEIR HEAD ALL THE TIME! Hence, the Shindokan methodology.

Actually, driving is probably the best example of how using peripheral vision and your ability to use it well - will make you a better and safer driver.

I used the expression "wider vision" not just peripheral and I don’t think that by using ones peripheral vision it rules out the ability to see directly in front of you.

I have heard of another account where US coastguards / Navy are trained to look for survivors of sunken ships by using their peripheral vision to spot the tiniest of evidence in the vast expanse of open sea from their helicopters.

I am not saying that one "methodology" is better than the other - but to practice one blindly (if you forgive the pun) just because that’s the way your school does it - is an example of tunnel vision of the mind imo.

This is why there are kata that have a head turn (to learn one way) and others that don’t.

Problem is that overtime perhaps, this has got misunderstood as “all kata must have the head turn first”

Just my tuppence worth.

Chitsu

[JiuJitsuNation]

no katas. But I can grapple with my eyes closed! And thw head must always remain close to the opponent and be used as a lever. Sorry I just felt left out.

[Jeffrey]

We have the head turns through out each kata as well. There are certain turns that there is no head turn. Interesting thought is that while some instructors recognize the differences some do not. So what you get is a whole group of people that do things just a little different. And yet this gets passed down the line again.

Hi Jeffrey,

So, from a head turning perspective, what is closer to what you do?

or -

Chitsu

I will look at these once I get home.

thanks,

[Jeffrey]

Chitsu,

This is the best example of what we do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwsyJl9DrNQ

[Rateh]

We are taught to turn our heads prior to each turn in the form. Also the commands to start a form are given in korean, their english translation is "attention, bow, ready, (instructor yells out the name of the form and students reply with "yes ma'am/sir"), look, begin". When the instructor yells "look" the students sharply turn their heads in the direction of the first move, so the head turn is part of the beginning commands to start your form.

There are also forms where you are supposed to look in directions other than the direction you are going to move, then look the direction you are going to move. Usually it is looking left, right, then forward, then move.

[sensei8]

Actually, driving is probably the best example of how using peripheral vision and your ability to use it well - will make you a better and safer driver.

All I know is that there are a lot of blindspots that surround any vehicle. Therefore, a driver better turn their head before they have an accident. My wife WAS a mirror driver UNTIL she learned the hard way; turn your head while making lane changes and the like.

Peripheral has its positive merits within the martial arts, although other visual abilities had better assist in order to see the whole picture.

[sensei8]

I used the expression "wider vision" not just peripheral and I don’t think that by using ones peripheral vision it rules out the ability to see directly in front of you.

I have heard of another account where US coastguards / Navy are trained to look for survivors of sunken ships by using their peripheral vision to spot the tiniest of evidence in the vast expanse of open sea from their helicopters.

I am not saying that one "methodology" is better than the other - but to practice one blindly (if you forgive the pun) just because that’s the way your school does it - is an example of tunnel vision of the mind imo.

This is why there are kata that have a head turn (to learn one way) and others that don’t.

Problem is that overtime perhaps, this has got misunderstood as “all kata must have the head turn first”

The entire Shindokan student body doesn't follow our methodologies blindly because what our Soke has given us is a solid and effective martial art and if he says turn the head first, well, that's what we'll do...AFTER we/I test our methodology across the board. So far, the turn our head first thing works.

In OUR kata's we turn our head prior to each and every turn! Possibly we've already reached an impasse in our discussion. That's all I was offering; a discussion.