Isshinryu One Strike, One Kill?

[mathemajikian]

I've been studying Isshinryu for about two months now, and have noticed that most of the techniques from Chart 1 seem like One strike, One Kill types of movements. I'm aware that if any one of these techniques connects you'll be in a world of hurt, but if you don't take out the bad guy after the first few seconds, how effective will these techniques/Isshinryu be in a continuous fighting situation? What happens after the element of surprise is lost and the bad guys still there? I don't doubt Isshinryu in any way. I'm just trying to get a glimpse of the big picture.

[Wastelander]

I've been studying Isshinryu for about two months now, and have noticed that most of the techniques from Chart 1 seem like One strike, One Kill types of movements. I'm aware that if any one of these techniques connects you'll be in a world of hurt, but if you don't take out the bad guy after the first few seconds, how effective will these techniques/Isshinryu be in a continuous fighting situation? What happens after the element of surprise is lost? I don't doubt Isshinryu in any way. I'm just trying to get a glimpse of the big picture.

A one-hit kill (or KO) is so unlikely to occur that no one should expect to achieve it. The idea of ikken hissatsu is to promote intensity, focus and technique, because you should be trying to make EVERY strike capable of ending the fight, but you should not be intending to only throw ONE strike with that intent. That is how I see it, in any case.

As far as Isshinryu, specifically, is concerned, I have actually been reading Victor Smith's blog on his Isshinryu training and from what I can tell it tends to be a very structured system. What you are learning right now is most likely only a building block to the next step. Give it another year and you should have a much better idea of how the system is structured, but even then you probably won't be able to fit everything into the "big picture". If you think of that big picture as a mural done in pointilism, you will understand that you are still just seeing random dots. The further along you get you will be able to see colors, patterns and shapes, but it will take a long time for you to make out what the big picture really is.

[brickshooter]

I've been studying Isshinryu for about two months now, and have noticed that most of the techniques from Chart 1 seem like One strike, One Kill types of movements. I'm aware that if any one of these techniques connects you'll be in a world of hurt, but if you don't take out the bad guy after the first few seconds, how effective will these techniques/Isshinryu be in a continuous fighting situation? What happens after the element of surprise is lost and the bad guys still there? I don't doubt Isshinryu in any way. I'm just trying to get a glimpse of the big picture.

In the bigger scheme of things. If your first couple of punches fail, then your off hand will be busy doing some dirty stuff. Thumb in his eye, pulling his collar over his head, pulling his jacket down to tie his arms, rocking him off balanced. In essense, you have a striking-hand. And you have a dirty-hand that keeps him busy so that he can't reach for the knife tucked in his back pocket or any improvised weapon lying around.

[Harkon72]

A one hit KO is possible, you could hit him right on the button. My preference is the ABC approach; attack by combination until the opponent is still.

[Chunmonchek]

I've been studying Isshinryu for about two months now, and have noticed that most of the techniques from Chart 1 seem like One strike, One Kill types of movements. I'm aware that if any one of these techniques connects you'll be in a world of hurt, but if you don't take out the bad guy after the first few seconds, how effective will these techniques/Isshinryu be in a continuous fighting situation? What happens after the element of surprise is lost and the bad guys still there? I don't doubt Isshinryu in any way. I'm just trying to get a glimpse of the big picture.

I have never trained Isshinryu, but I can give you my Goju perspective.

The one punch kill thing has been taken out of context by many. It was never meant to be the end all or be all in conflict. It's a training construct that trains you to punch with the proper intent, so that IF it makes correct contact it will end the fight. It was never meant to mean that you should train to use only that one punch, with the thought that is all you need, or that you should not train combinations. To train your punch this way will make you more effective when you place this concept into the context of multiple strike attacks.

Just my .02

[Harkon72]

Many of the strikes taught in our style produce a KO when applied properly. But by no means are they a fail safe. Sensei has knocked me out a few times in the Dojo, out for a few seconds. I've seen it in Kumite a few times too. In my opinion the ABC approach is best, with each strike delivered with the sting the opponent deserves. Controlling and inflicting pain is one thing, but there are times when a KO is deserved.

[Dobbersky]

I like the idea, but being in a few altercations, I know under pressure its hard to do.

I think in the film Kuro Obi, the one strike ethos is demonstrated.

[Harkon72]

We can train all we like, but no preparation can plan for the moment of true need. A calm, focused response is a honed state of mind only experience can teach.

[MasterPain]

We can train all we like, but no preparation can plan for the moment of true need. A calm, focused response is a honed state of mind only experience can teach.

I agree and disagree. Training in a manner that closely simulates the real deal is essential when bad things happen. Also, you need to be firm in your philosophy on human violence or you may not be willing to act when you need to.

[Harkon72]

Only once in my life have I been in a life threatening confrontation. Ask me about it in detail and I have a haze of confusion and miss interpretation. All I know is that I left unhurt and very unsure of how I survived. Instinct and Spiritual strength were all I had to fall back on, I suppose my training and muscle memory stood me in good stead.