The Shindokan Deflection

[sensei8]

Key factors about Shindokan:

1) We never block an attack

2) We want to get behind our attackers

3) We want to be very close to our attacker

4) We don’t back up

Today, I briefly want to address key factor #1: We never block an attack; we deflect said attack.

Dai-Soke describes how we execute our Uke, deflection, in an interesting analysis. He says the Shindokan Deflection is similar to catching a football.

A) Position Your Body Correctly!! 

Poor body position will greatly affect your effectiveness. Therefore, one’s focus should be towards improving your position. 

Your position should be facing directly towards your attacker. Why?? Shortest answer: Shortest path between two points is a straight line; anything else is unnecessary.

B) Position Your Hands Correctly!!

With your arms in front of you at a 45 degree angle network. Network for us means that your upper body and hands are in agreement. Whether you’re in a front facing, half-front facing, or side facing posture.

In short, your position and hands should not be like you’re playing a game of Twister. 

C) Catch The Attack!!

Hand usages are not arbitrary nor are they suggestions. Rather they’re directives towards to either accepting said deflection or seizing said attack.

When deflecting, ones directing said attacking force where you want it to finish. Therefore you’re hands aide you to catch said attack. 

When thereafter, you seize the attack immediately either by with your hand(s) or your arm(s) or with your hand(s) and arm(s). Our strong desire is to not use our hands to seize said attack because a free hand is unlimited, while a engaged hand is limited; we hate to seize ourselves while we’re trying to seize said attacker.

D) Tuck The Attack!!

To control our attacker during a close range attack, we must tuck the attack like a football player would after they catch/receive the football. 

A football player doesn’t want that football to get away because if they do, either a incompletion or fumble will result.

Well, once we deflect, we want to control, and to control we must tuck said attack into me, not away from me but making said attack a part of my body so my attacker doesn’t get away from me.

All of those factors take minuscule amounts of time to execute. Our goal in any Uke for us is the setup that helps us to get behind our attacker.

Shortly, I’ll briefly address key factor #2 about Shindokan: Getting Behind Our Attacker.

 

 

Edited August 23 by sensei8

[sensei8]

In addition, in Shindokan, we move when the attacker moves. We don’t wait for the attack to reach us because, in our opinion, that’s not the proper way to control the fight.

>A+B= Ineffective/A waits for B to reach A

>AXB=Effectiveness/A moves whenever B moves 

[sensei8]

No comments?!? No discussions?! All opinions welcomed!!

Edited August 26 by sensei8

[Wastelander]

On 8/22/2025 at 3:25 AM, sensei8 said:

Key factors about Shindokan:

1) We never block an attack

2) We want to get behind our attackers

3) We want to be very close to our attacker

4) We don’t back up

Today, I briefly want to address key factor #1: We never block an attack; we deflect said attack.

Dai-Soke describes how we execute our Uke, deflection, in an interesting analysis. He says the Shindokan Deflection is similar to catching a football.

A) Position Your Body Correctly!! 

Poor body position will greatly affect your effectiveness. Therefore, one’s focus should be towards improving your position. 

Your position should be facing directly towards your attacker. Why?? Shortest answer: Shortest path between two points is a straight line; anything else is unnecessary.

B) Position Your Hands Correctly!!

With your arms in front of you at a 45 degree angle network. Network for us means that your upper body and hands are in agreement. Whether you’re in a front facing, half-front facing, or side facing posture.

In short, your position and hands should not be like you’re playing a game of Twister. 

C) Catch The Attack!!

Hand usages are not arbitrary nor are they suggestions. Rather they’re directives towards to either accepting said deflection or seizing said attack.

When deflecting, ones directing said attacking force where you want it to finish. Therefore you’re hands aide you to catch said attack. 

When thereafter, you seize the attack immediately either by with your hand(s) or your arm(s) or with your hand(s) and arm(s). Our strong desire is to not use our hands to seize said attack because a free hand is unlimited, while a engaged hand is limited; we hate to seize ourselves while we’re trying to seize said attacker.

D) Tuck The Attack!!

To control our attacker during a close range attack, we must tuck the attack like a football player would after they catch/receive the football. 

A football player doesn’t want that football to get away because if they do, either a incompletion or fumble will result.

Well, once we deflect, we want to control, and to control we must tuck said attack into me, not away from me but making said attack a part of my body so my attacker doesn’t get away from me.

All of those factors take minuscule amounts of time to execute. Our goal in any Uke for us is the setup that helps us to get behind our attacker.

Shortly, I’ll briefly address key factor #2 about Shindokan: Getting Behind Our Attacker.

While we didn't necessarily break it down this way, my late Sensei taught very similar methodologies attached to our Shorin-Ryu. We often used the term "block" because it is what so many people are used to, but we taught that it was so much more than "blocking," and that it was generally used to deflect and control the opponent. I look forward to the rest of your breaktdown!

[bushido_man96]

On 8/25/2025 at 5:29 PM, sensei8 said:

No comments?!? No discussions?! All opinions welcomed!!

Ha, my deflection worked!

Just kidding!

I do like the concepts you've laid out.  Instead of talking a specific technique, which can be limited, concepts can be applied to various situations and are therefore more successful.  Or rather, they make techniques more successful.

We discuss this at times when I bring up passing and pinning attacks.  When doing this, I also like to incorporate foot movement to get off the line (taisabaki basically).  I always like to gain a position of advantage as well.

Great stuff @sensei8, and I look forward to the rest of the discussion.

[Nidan Melbourne]

On 8/22/2025 at 6:25 PM, sensei8 said:

Key factors about Shindokan:

1) We never block an attack

2) We want to get behind our attackers

3) We want to be very close to our attacker

4) We don’t back up

Today, I briefly want to address key factor #1: We never block an attack; we deflect said attack.

Dai-Soke describes how we execute our Uke, deflection, in an interesting analysis. He says the Shindokan Deflection is similar to catching a football.

A) Position Your Body Correctly!! 

Poor body position will greatly affect your effectiveness. Therefore, one’s focus should be towards improving your position. 

Your position should be facing directly towards your attacker. Why?? Shortest answer: Shortest path between two points is a straight line; anything else is unnecessary.

B) Position Your Hands Correctly!!

With your arms in front of you at a 45 degree angle network. Network for us means that your upper body and hands are in agreement. Whether you’re in a front facing, half-front facing, or side facing posture.

In short, your position and hands should not be like you’re playing a game of Twister. 

C) Catch The Attack!!

Hand usages are not arbitrary nor are they suggestions. Rather they’re directives towards to either accepting said deflection or seizing said attack.

When deflecting, ones directing said attacking force where you want it to finish. Therefore you’re hands aide you to catch said attack. 

When thereafter, you seize the attack immediately either by with your hand(s) or your arm(s) or with your hand(s) and arm(s). Our strong desire is to not use our hands to seize said attack because a free hand is unlimited, while a engaged hand is limited; we hate to seize ourselves while we’re trying to seize said attacker.

D) Tuck The Attack!!

To control our attacker during a close range attack, we must tuck the attack like a football player would after they catch/receive the football. 

A football player doesn’t want that football to get away because if they do, either a incompletion or fumble will result.

Well, once we deflect, we want to control, and to control we must tuck said attack into me, not away from me but making said attack a part of my body so my attacker doesn’t get away from me.

All of those factors take minuscule amounts of time to execute. Our goal in any Uke for us is the setup that helps us to get behind our attacker.

Shortly, I’ll briefly address key factor #2 about Shindokan: Getting Behind Our Attacker.

 

 

Interesting analysis by your Dai-Soke; how do you teach it in your own words that haven't come from either your Soke your Dai-Soke? 

Its a smidge difficult to compare to our form of football and in itself catching a ball. 

On 8/22/2025 at 6:25 PM, sensei8 said:

Today, I briefly want to address key factor #1: We never block an attack; we deflect said attack.

This is an interesting concept; even if to a lot of people perceive "blocking" as stopping something. 

Something I was taught at school; blocking is just impeding one pathway, but forces a redirection to other pathways. 

When you think about it; when two things collide that energy has to go somewhere. Either going upwards or somewhere Left or Right - look at Car Crashes. 

Deflection you need to have the right angles; which i believe most of our "blocking" techniques work quite well for. As most are prematurely angled or have the angular force to move things. 

 

 

[sensei8]

3 hours ago, Nidan Melbourne said:

Interesting analysis by your Dai-Soke; how do you teach it in your own words that haven't come from either your Soke your Dai-Soke? 

Its a smidge difficult to compare to our form of football and in itself catching a ball.

Interesting analysis?!? Peculiar analysis, was what I thought for quite some time. Those that are immature in techniques, and I once was one like that for quite some time, do have difficulty in understanding his analysis. 

“It’s a smidge difficult to compare to our form of football and in itself catching a ball.” Is it really?!? At first, it was difficult for me!! Not anymore!!

If you’re asking me how do I teach it, the Shindokan deflection, well, it’s quite basic, which all teachings should be, imho.

First of all, my usages of the word “catch” is improper. We CAPTURE, not catch said desired attack. Also, while I use the deflection for its simplicity, what we’re actually doing is RECEIVING said attack.

At first, with the assistance of one of my instructors, I show my students several definitions, slow at speed, then speed up until full speed.

To teach, and bring alive Soke’s analysis, I use…well…of course…a football!! It’s a crude way to teach how we deflect, however, students quickly start to have their Aha moment through visual cues.

Not each and every deflection we use follows the football catch analysis. No. The only deflection that uses Soke’s analysis is when we want to bring said attack into our body so that we can either manipulate, control, or start to transition behind our attack.

I might deflect over and over until said opportunity makes itself available for me to manipulate, control, and/or transition behind said attacker.

Teaching that, well, here’s where the football, nerf football is safer, comes handy. I’d you’ve ever watched a wide receiver trying to catch a football that’s been thrown wide, and seeing that wide receiver with stretched out hands catch that football…what does that wide receiver do immediately once that football is in the clutch of his/her hands?? They tuck that football close into them with an almost vise like grip.

That’s the ending result of any Shindokan deflection!!

So yes!! We do a lot of playing catch with a football.

In time, I teach that football catch but that wide stretched out hands become closer and closer to the students body until the hands are directly in front of them; ready to receive said attack.

When the student decides to capture said attack is entirely up to that student. 

It’s quite rudimentary, imho.

4 hours ago, Nidan Melbourne said:

This is an interesting concept; even if to a lot of people perceive "blocking" as stopping something. 

Something I was taught at school; blocking is just impeding one pathway, but forces a redirection to other pathways. 

When you think about it; when two things collide that energy has to go somewhere. Either going upwards or somewhere Left or Right - look at Car Crashes. 

Deflection you need to have the right angles; which i believe most of our "blocking" techniques work quite well for. As most are prematurely angled or have the angular force to move things

Yes!! Yes!! Yes!! Yes!! I’ve never stopped anything, I’ve only received/deflected said attack.

Practitioner’s can label how they stop an attack anyway that their style dictates. Styles might disagree with other styles methodology and ideology, and that too is their right to do so.

We don’t block; we only receive/deflect!! Many practitioners can’t receive/deflect because they’re still afraid.

We only receive/deflect in a controlled manner!!

[Nidan Melbourne]

On 8/28/2025 at 5:04 PM, sensei8 said:

“It’s a smidge difficult to compare to our form of football and in itself catching a ball.” Is it really?!? At first, it was difficult for me!! Not anymore!!

For context; an Aussie Rules has a slightly weirder shape than an NFL ball. 

 

On 8/28/2025 at 5:04 PM, sensei8 said:

We don’t block; we only receive/deflect!! Many practitioners can’t receive/deflect because they’re still afraid.

Its funny how you phrase it like that. 

When I teach, I actually use albeit might appear to be very childish; is something that was in the show Avatar: The  Last Airbender. 

Everyone has a natural element that they have an infinity for; Earth, Air, Fire and Water. With each element having a different way of dealing with fighting. 

So for instance when I read your posts; I get that your more earthy - meaning that your steadfast in your movements and at times may be brutish. Aka strong defenses and not letting things through. 

But when I teach students; they learn that everything needs a certain attitude and with that they need the confidence to back themselves up. 

When we pressure test our students; it needs to be like  you said in a "Controlled" manner but still teaching them  how to overcome, manage and utilise those emotions that lead to fear as a positive force instead of a negative one. 

Now the difficult side is the Fight/Flight/Freeze Response; and that it is a natural response. But it is something we need to learn how control and work with

[sensei8]

Uke means to receive!! Our receiving at its core is having the ability to deflect at any given moment.

Receiving skills are really valued, and that such force is put into receiving speaks for both our methodology and ideology itself. Never initiate the attack!! Receive first, and then go on the offense!! Attacking always comes last!!

Yes, it is true, Uke means to block, literally meaning to block or prevent an attack!! In that, attacks are directionally deflected either into oneself or away from oneself. Receiving also means to catch or to accept!! 

How??

Destroy the force and take my attacker by surprise!! My attacker’s can’t advance so quickly!! Receiving is not just for stopping said attack!! The force received is redirected in my counterattack!! Receiving is the beginning of my counterattack!! 

The very skill of receiving lies in ending my  opponent’s attack quickly!! It’s far more easier to attack than receiving!! 

Just receive!! No need to attack!! When my attacker moves, so I move!! What if he does this or that, what do I do?!? That uncertainty comes from the fact that one’s afraid!! 

Reading my opponent’s intent, well, that’s where the maturity in one’s techniques begins!! if one is able to properly receive your opponent’s attack, you should never have to back down!! Once your attacker’s in control over you, it’s over!!

Imho, if one’s preoccupied in winning, there’s no possibility of receiving successfully!! You must remain calmly while receiving an opponent’s attack!! Receiving…It’s difficult at first, but it has to be done!! Like everything, it takes time!! 

The difficulty in receiving is that one’s not thinking deeply enough about receiving except in a more passing notion That’s dangerous!! Change the mindset, then receiving starts to improve!!

With receiving, don’t just back down and take it, but rather, go forward and receive it actively!! The very style and mindset of the martial arts, is to advance forward while receiving!!

To improve receiving skills, the attack needs to be improved as well!! Receiving is the strength to attack, and therefore they are inseparable. However, training in order to win, and training to not lose upon receiving, are completely different!!

Facing the opponent without running away, while also ending the battle without hurting the opponent, that is the true spirit of the martial arts.