Techniques

BASIC PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING KARATE TECHNIQUES

Tsuki (punching), uchi (striking), keri (kicking), and uke (blocking) are the fundamental karate techniques. They are at once the beginning and the final goal of karate. Student can easily learn to perform these basic movements in little more than two months, but perfection in their performance may be impossible.

Therefore, the students must practice regularly and employ maximum concentration and effort in the performance of each movement. However, practice will not achieve its object if it is undertaken incorrectly. Unless students learn techniques on a scientific basis, under an instructor employing a systematic and properly scheduled training system, their efforts will be in vain. Karate training can be considered scientific only when it is conducted on the basis of correct physical and physiological principles.

Surprisingly, an examination of the karate techniques which our predecessors created and refined through continuous study and practice reveals that these techniques accord with modern scientific principles. However, further refinement is always possible. We must try to analyze our techniques in an unceasing effort to improve.

The following points are primary importance I the study of karate.

·       Form, Balance and Center of Gravity

Karate is not the only sport that concentrates on the optimum utilization of the human body or embraces principles taught in physics and physiology. All the martial arts and most other sports depend on correct form for the effectiveness of their techniques.

In baseball, good batting form is necessary to attain a high batting average. A fencer spends years perfecting movements which, to the layman, look easy. Such practice results in body movement, or form, which is physically and physiologically correct. Correct form is especially important in karate. All parts of the body must harmonize to provide the stability necessary to sustain the shock of delivering a kick or punch.

The karate student must often stand on one foot to attack or defend. Thus, balance is of prime importance. If the feet are placed far apart, with a consequent lowering of the center of gravity, a kick or punch will be strong. However, it is easier to move if the center of gravity is somewhat higher and the feet closer together rather than spread to the maximum possible extent.

Therefore, although stability is important, there is a point beyond which it is not worth going. If the student is overly concerned with stability, he will lose elasticity. If he bends his knees too much to maintain balance, his kick will not be effective. Thus, the position of the body and, consequently, the center of gravity, depends upon the circumstances.

The center of gravity is always shifting. Sometimes body weight is evenly distributed between both feet, and sometimes there is more on one foot than on the other. When performing yoko-geri (side kick), the weight is completely shifted to one foot. In this case, the student must stand on one leg, otherwise the shock of delivering the kick will upset his balance.

However, if he stands on one foot too long, his opponent can easily attack.

Therefore, his balance must be shifted constantly from one foot to the other. His center of gravity must shift quickly from right to left and back again to avoid giving the opponent an opportunity to attack. At the same time, the student must constantly look for an opening in his opponent’ defense.

·       Power and Speed

The possession of muscular strength alone will not enable one to excel in the martial arts or, for that matter, in any sport. The effective use of strength is important. The application of power to any movement depends on a number of factors. One of the most important of these is speed.

The basic punching and kicking techniques of karate achieve their power by the concentration of maximum force at the moment of impact. This concentration of force depends greatly upon the speed with which techniques are executed. Other things being equal, greater a speed of 43 feet per second, and generate power to destroy equal to 1,500 pounds.

Speed is an important element in the application of power, but speed cannot achieve its greatest effect without good control. The kind of movement needed in fundamental karate techniques is not one which will move a heavy object slowly, but one which will move a light object with maximum speed. Thus, the strong but slow exercise of power necessary to lift a barbell is not as effective in karate as power developed by hitting the punching board (makiwara) with great speed.

Another principle to remember is that greater speed can be generated if power travels a longer route to its target. For example, in kicking, the knee of the kicking leg should be bent as much as possible and the body so placed in relation to the target that the leg will be fully stretched at the moment of impact. The longer the course the leg travels to the target, the stronger the kick will be.

In order to increase power and speed, it is necessary to practice responding to sudden and unrehearsed attacks. Such practice, together with an undertaking and application of the dynamics of movement, will help shorten reaction time.

·       Concentration of Power

A punch or kick will be weak if applied with the arm or leg alone. To achieve maximum power it is necessary to use the strength of all parts of the body simultaneously. When punching or kicking, power moves from the center of the body the major muscles, to the extremities, ending in the hand or foot. The power moves from one part of the next at speed of 1/100 of a second.

The whole movement from beginning to end takes only .15 to .18 of a second if the momentum possible in this action is correctly exploited. Training should be conducted so that all available strength is focused in the foot when kicking or in the hand when punching.

It is important that the various muscles and tendons are kept loose and relaxed to permit instant response to changing circumstances. If the muscles are already tense, they cannot be further tensed at the moment of focus.

Power concentrated at the time of focus must be instantly the released to prepare for the succeeding action. Constant training in alternately tensing and relaxing the body is very important to acquire proficiency in the application of karate technique.

·       Role of Muscular Power

Power to move the body is supplied by the muscles. Well-trained, powerful, and elastic muscles are mandatory in karate. Even if the student is well-versed in karate theory and knows the principles of the dynamics of movement, his technique will be weak if his muscles are not strong enough. Therefore, constant training is necessary to strengthen the muscles of the body.

In karate training is to be conducted scientifically, it is also necessary to know which muscles are employed in the execution of a particular technique. When practicing a new technique, students sometimes use unnecessary muscles or muscles which actually hinder the performance of the technique.

 Therefore, beginners must carefully follow the advice of their teachers. When the proper muscles operate fully and harmoniously, the technique will be strong and effective. On the other hand, if unnecessary muscles operate there will result, at the very least, a loss of energy, and at worst an ineffective technique.

Finally, the speed of muscular contraction is important, because the faster a muscle is tensed the greater will be the power produced.

·       Rhythm

An essential element in the performance of techniques in the martial arts and other sports is rhythm. The proper execution of a series of movements in any sport is impossible without rhythm. Also, the rhythm evident in the movements of athletes is more complicated than, and cannot be expressed in terms of, musical rhythm. It is essential for the karate student to learn correct rhythm in both the basic techniques and in the more advanced sparring (kumite).

Rhythm is especially necessary in the performance of formal exercise (kata). We have been taught since early times that the three most important elements in kata performance are the application of strength at the correct time, the control of speed in techniques and from technique to technique, and the smooth transition of the body from one technique to the next. These requirements cannot be fulfilled without rhythm. The kata performance of a person advanced in karate is powerful, rhythmical, and consequently, beautiful.

·       Timing

Correct timing is of utmost importance in applying techniques. If timing is faulty, the technique will fail. A kick or punch which is directed at the target either too early or too late is often fruitless.

The start of technique is of first importance in any consideration of timing. To start of a technique is of first importance in any consideration of timing.

To start their particular movements more effectively, baseball player and golfers condition their swings with practice swings. However, there is no opportunity for anything like a practice swings. However, there is no opportunity for anything like a practice swing in karate, where the outcome can be decided in an instant. A failure in timing could be disastrous.

The attack in karate must be launched with the hands and feet in the usual position of readiness or defense. Obviously, the hands and feet must always be positioned so that techniques can be easily and quickly applied. Immediately after the application of a technique, they must be returned to their former position, ready for the following movement. Moreover, during the course of these movements that the body must be kept relaxed, but alter, with the muscles full of energy and ready for any eventuality.

·       Lower abdomen and Hips

Coaches of modern sports constantly stress the role of the hips in furnishing maximum power to any movement. For example, they say, “Hit with your hips,” or “Throw with your hips,” or “Get your hips into it.”

In Japan the importance of the tanden has been taught from early times. Teachers of the martial arts, and those of other arts and disciplines, have constantly emphasized the importance of the tanden in achieving competence. This region was emphasized because it was felt that here was centered the human spirit, and that this area provided the basis of power and balance.

The tanden actually is that area behind the navel, in the center of the body. When standing erect, the body’s center of gravity is located here. If the stance is correct in karate, the center of gravity will be found in the tanden. A correct stance will enable the student to maintain the balance of both the upper and lower parts of his body, resulting in harmonious interplay of the muscles and a minimum loss of energy.

If the power concentrated in the tanden is brought into play in executing karate techniques, the pelvic and hip bones will be firmly supported by the thighs, and the trunk by the spine. The interlocking support will produce strong techniques.

The center of the body, i.e., the lower abdominal area and the hips, plays a great part in our various movements. Therefore, try to punch with the hips, plays a great part in our various movements. Therefore, try to punch with the hips, kick with the hips, and block with the hips.

What are the potential risks with hitting someone hard in the Stomach or Solar Plexus?

Your question is in four parts.  I will answer as if they were one.  I have certain constraints with regards to my agreement with my publisher.  First I cannot use the medical drawings or photos used in the book.  And I cannot use the exact medical write up.  So I will refer to the page number and chapter and write in a simplified version.  The reader can get extensive material from the book.  You may order from www.integretedmartialarts.net . 

Ten specific medical implications are listed in chapter eleven, pages 48 through 53.  They are as follows;

1.     Damage or ruptured abdominal aorta due to a deep penetrating thrusting blow straight into the solar plexus center.  See drawing of body cutaway on page 50 and 51.  So this would be fatal.

2.     A deep fissure in the liver causing the loss of blood and bile into the                                                                          body cavity, the result would be peritonitis, a gradual tenderness and pain with an increasing board-like abdominal rigidity.  If not immediately treated, infection and blood loss would be fatal.

3.     The gall bladder could be torn with gastric acids and digestive juices being spilled into the body cavity.  Impending death as in number 2 above if not treated soon.  

4.     Rupture of the stomach with similar results as in #2 and # 3 above. 

5.     A compression injury of the duodenum against the lumbar spine would progress the same as # 2 and #3 and #4 above.

6.     A ripped pancreas resulting in the same as ,3, 4 and 5 above.

7.     Partial collapse of the lung due to a plural tear from the percussive shock from a heavy blow.  Resulting in difficulty in breathing.  See chapter 12 pgs. 56 and 57. 

8.     The heart could be injured also, depending on the angle of the blow.

9.     Severe intercostal rib, diaphragm and abdominal spasm resulting in paralyzed respiratory function.

10.                         Shock.  Shock as used here is a term describing internal injuries where extreme loss of blood and bile into the body cavity are present.  This can be immediately fatal or fatal sometime later.

There are four kinds of shock listed in chapter 25, page 108 and 109.

The medical implications are in greater detail and visual in the book.  See chapter 11, Striking the Solar Plexus, pages 48 through 53.  The damage to the anatomical target is dependant on the many separate and combined aspects of the event.

1.   Angle of penetration. 

2.  Weight and body armor of the victim and executer of the blow.

3.  Speed

4.  Follow through or snap of the weapon.

5.  Groundedness or imbalance of each opponent.

6.  Focus

7.  Breathing

8.  Intent.

These all determine the numerous possibilities of any martial art blow.  The most important factor in my opinion is the breath.  Your breathing timed with the blow can be the single most determining factor.  When you kiai or exhale with force you create a unified body structure either for defensive or offensive purposes.

You are both extremely vulnerable when not prepared and are breathing in, and you are easily penetrated.  Your body armor is not activated to ward off a strong well placed blow unless the brain intuitively sees the attack in the beginning stages and coordinates your breathing to create your body armor and unified focus to deliver a perfect counter blow.

In a tournament environment, a perfect blow to the solar plexus is the most popular point.  And as we can see has many reasons for being the number one target of choice in point tournament competition.  However we must remember that under ideal circumstances one can withstand quite a heavy blow to the solar plexus, abdominal area when prepared.

The disparity is usually on the street where the difference in weight and height might be the major factor in survival or victory.  A 100-pound minor woman against a 200-pound man clearly is at a disadvantage.  This disparity is the reason why boxing has weight divisions to compete in.  Tournament competition and sportsmanship have a set of different reality rules.  We test our strengths and weaknesses.  We push ourselves to see how much we can endure.  How strong a punch we can withstand?  We build body armor and test it.  I am all for experimenting in this way.  Yet you need to know your limitations.  I encourage men and woman to do the same.  But remember women typically have smaller bones, tendons and muscle than men even if they are the same height and weight.  So be considerate of differences between you and your workout partners.

I will site an experience I had in the late 60’s while training at Bruce Lees private school in Los Angeles.  This event surprised and scarred me at that time because I had just completed my book and was starting to understand the seriousness of my studies in martial art trauma.  I write this because what happened could be very much like a real life street event, and we will see a ‘down to earth’ reality as opposed to an ideal tournament setting with rules where everyone is well trained and ready to go.  This is important because if we are on the street and have the mental set (as in preparation for a tournament) we could be excessive with our force if we are not aware. 

The situation was that I had just begun my training there. I think it was probably my first lesson.  At that time I had a kenpo school in San Diego.  The training partner I was with that day was a Jeet Kune Do student of six months.  In those days most martial arts schools thought that their method was superior or more pure than rival schools.  So there was an atmosphere of “my style is better than your style”.  Often there was a lack of respect for the other.  In the middle of the lesson Bruce Lee would often be very casual and tell jokes or talk philosophy.  He would typically go around the room demonstrating on his various custom made bags and equipment.  It was on one of these occasions, when everyone was following him in a pack, that my training partner continued to preach to me the shortcomings of my Kenpo and the superiority of Jeet Kune Do. 

He had been doing this all day.  We were following at the back of the pack when he started up again, stating that if a Kenpo practitioner would do ‘that’ then a Jeet Kune Do practitioner would do ‘this’ as a counter.  So while we were in stride with poor balance and form, I gave him a quick rear hand snapping punch to the solar plexus.  I did this just to make a point that his “what if” scenario was good theory but reality may be different.

To my surprise he went down like a ton of bricks.  I only meant to touch him but he walked into it and my fist just kept going in and in and it felt like it went all the way to his backbone.  It happened so fast and I had expected him to be able to take a little touch.  He could not breathe and was huddled up on the ground gasping for air.  Fortunately my blow was not focused and I was off balance and in less than ideal form.  No one saw the event, so I was relieved and he never told anyone.  If he had I would have been at minimum kicked out of the school.  I saw him a couple of weeks later and he told me he still had abdominal pains.  I was lucky that it was not worse and I learned another lesson of how unpredictable events can be.  So the reality of it is that there are many possibilities in delivering a punch, kick, etc. You will need to quickly decide the intensity of the blow at that moment, and then be responsible for your actions.  (Refer to “When to Walk, Talk, or Engage. (This article from Brian Adams will be appearing on TSW in the next couple of weeks.)