Are You Afraid??

[sensei8]

Any army that cannot withdraw will find itself on the spear points of it's enemy in time. Withdraw is not retreat and you have to know the difference, when each must be employed, learn to read the circumstances and make the correct call. Even the kata teach use that there are times when we must withdraw in order to achieve victory.

Always falling back, retreating and covering are signs of lack of confidence in technique, and often natural timidity. Most people in these times have been conditioned to not hit people. To be meek in the face of physical threats. Part of an instructors job is to break that conditioning. Teach the limits for use of force, to temper the aggression that a good karate must be able to use. Yakusoku kumite re-enforce this point.

We were trained to give ground when it was in our advantage, or to steal it from the attacker. But no more than a step before turning, off angling. You were to look for a stronger line of attack, gain advantage. If you were to cover up, we were taught you will still get hit, and you will lose. That there is no defense good enough to keep you safe. You must go on the offense at some point. Your enemy must be put in a compromised position by your actions.

Solid post!!

Please understand, our way is just a way, but it's our way. We do yield, but the circumstances must favor to do so.

I have meant to come back to this for several days, but the works has conspired against me doing so. Sensei8, I didn't mean any disrespect in my post. A bit odd a devil's advocate perhaps. All movement, positioning, must be to your advantage. Always. Whether to get off your heals, gain a better angle of attack of more advantageous position of power etc. Small or large, movement has to better us in our moment of need.

Do you ever do anything to restrict students ability to retreat or maneuver? We have in the past cut the "ring" to a 4 or even 2 meter square, had the other students circle around like an encroaching crowd, and even tired them together at the belt at arm's length. All to restrict movement and force close range engagements.

No disrespect taken; it's all good!!

One of Dai-Soke's greatest training aides...

Put the student IN THE CORNER!! Can't back up; can only transitional shift left, right, in varying angles of left and/or right, and/or forward.

[CredoTe]

I remember years ago, my old Shotokan Sensei said something to the effect that you cannot take more than 3 steps backward in any situation because you've essentially run out of room. In my current system, we move back only as a last resort. We get inside as much as possible, and this is achieved by forward movement. Even when we go "back", it's not so much back as it is at 45 angles or side angles. If I am not stepping towards the opponent, I'm trying to deflect his attack and get behind him. My C.I. always says that "Shorin Ryu IS inside fighting".

Absolutely! Shorin Ryu contains many concepts, but is prominently about transitioning from distance, to Irikumi (in-fighting/inside fighting), and ending it with Tuidi/Tuite (grappling/locks/takedowns). As many have already said, none of this is possible without properly receiving an opponent's attack.