Saifa Kata

[cheesefrysamurai]

Any advice, key points, or insights?

The system I train in is Okinawan Goju Ryu

thanks

[GojuRyu Bahrain]

Hi Cheesef!

(I m new to the forums, so here in short: Goju ryu since 1989 continuously = 3rd dan, Shotokan since 2005 =2nd dan, Kobudo 2004-2005 =1st dan, Uechi Ryu 2005 =2nd brown)

About Saifa: Beginner kata that introduces to dealing with close range attacks, grabs, tackles, bear hug etc.. let someone grab your wrist (one hand left-left, left-right, two handed etc...) and do the first sequence of the kata. Experiment with the distance between attacker and you, the angle between you and him, and see what you feel: is it easy to break free? Do you achieve a wrist lock? How does the attacker react? If he moves downward-forward, why not hit him hard with otoshi empi (elbow from above to the back of the neck) or with a back fist to the face?

Second sequence : what happens if you are being wrestled down and you twist and move forward like in the kata: You can knee him where it hurts... Then press his head down and knee that one, too. Could that work, if you move exactly like the kata shows? The kata also shows that you can use the knee or the shin or the foot, depending on the distance, doesn't it? try what happens (carefully!).

Third sequence: Imagine somebody trying to "shoot" you, i.e. tackle you and grab both your legs. If you don't knee his face, "spread", i.e. move the front leg back and attack the exposed head with a hammerfist (or two?) to the temple. For good measure, twist the head until it comes off while doing mawate (rotate 180 degree)...careful-most people need their head the next day...

you get the idea, imagine realistic, close quarter scenarios and try, but try carefully, and stick to the exact motions in the kata.

+++ Disclaimer: Take care, this things do work and are very dangerous +++ Practice with extreme caution and under supervision of a qualified instructor +++

[infinitehand]

Good post Bahrain!!

Keep in mind the mindset of Saifa when training it. "Smashing and Tearing". Carry this attitude with you.

Great angels/off center line techniques.

Saifa is good for teaching how to sink or drop weight.

There is a really nasty throw in it.

Lots of brutal techniques involved (but which ones aren't?)

[cheesefrysamurai]

wow thanks guys.

Those are some great concepts that will help me absorb and own this kata