Pressure Point Fighting

COMBAT Russell, tell us more about your views on Kata and the Kata Bunkai usually taught within the MA World

RS Well Paul, I am sorry to say that most of what is taught is absolute BS. There is zero chance or less of any of it actually happening in any environment other than the sanitised inner sanctum of the Dojo. The vast majority of the Bunkai taught is shown with a Karate attack, a reverse punch or lunge punch for example. Who has ever seen anyone, anywhere in the street attack like that?

Bunaki MUST be taught against the types of attack that most commonly occur. I wrote an article a few years ago that detailed the most common attacks and that we MUST practice against these attacks first and foremost.

COMBAT Surely, you can’t expect someone to use their Kata moves against such a ferocious attack in the first few months of training?

RS Like everything Paul, there is a learning process involved. But the problem is that MOST Karate Dojos do not start the learning process till it is too late, or they do not start ever! What I mean by this is that you must have a method and a reason for training. Whether it be Kata or any other aspect of the MA. Training without reason is pointless. Each and every Kata move has a reason. If you are not training a viable reason, then do not train it!

Look at it this way….. Let’s use a Boxing analogy. A boxer learns a Jab in thin air first. He learns the movement, balance, timing etc. Then he starts to hit a bag, pads. Then he would use it in partner work and at the same time learn some basic defences against the Jab. Then he will start to utilise the jab and the defences in controlled sparring. Then he will start to increase the level and intensity of this sparring. Then he will add in all the other punches and defences in his repertoire.

The SAME METHOD MUST be used to truly understand your Kata and the Bunkai contained within.

COMBAT So you learn one move at a time?

RS Not quite Paul. You are always taking on board new “moves” if you like. BUT only if they form a part of that Boxing analogy and are useable in that which you are doing. Let’s take a simple move like Low Section Block or Gedan Berai. What does it mean?

COMBAT Block a front Kick?

RS You like to wind me up Paul! You are well aware of the meanings! I do not want this to sound blasé or to sound like I do not want to give out any information. But, quite simply, it means what you want it to mean. It can be a block if that is all you want. Personally I would not want to use it that way.

Let me tell you how I teach it. I will first show the shape of the movement. Then I will pick one technique that it could be, for the sake of argument, we will make it an arm break. Then the student will learn that basic movement as an arm break. He will learn the balance, timing, co-ordination and the “feel” that is required against his training partner. His training partner is also learning the defences against this at the same time. They are learning how and why their own and their training partners bodies are working in terms of balance, resistance and ability to counter. Then the compliance is gradually taken away, the ferocity and savagery of the attack is increased.

Then the process begins again with the student being shown “high percentage” ways of getting their through the utilisation of BAR and Balance Points as mentioned in the previous part of the Interview.

This process then gives the students one technique but loads of ways of getting there.

COMBAT What about technique Log Jam?

RS What Log Jam? They only have one technique, an arm break. They have learnt “how to earn the right to land it” which is the most important part. Technique Lag Jam occurs when you have learnt techniques as oppose to principles. It can only affect you if you learn from a technique perspective as oppose to a principle based perspective.

COMBAT But what about all the other moves in the Kata?

RS I want them to be an arm break as well. So that is what they are.

COMBAT Russell, stop messing about, what are you talking about?

RS Paul, it all goes back to what I said at the beginning. Each Kata move means what you want it to mean. You just have to make that shape fit what you are trying to achieve.

If it is a low threat office type thing, you know where someone borrows your calculator without asking and things get a bit heated. There is no need to make that move an arm break. But by taking away a few of the principles learnt, it becomes an arm bar or a push away. BUT THE MOVEMENT is the same. The INTENT has changed, that is all.

It’s a bit like the Boxer who uses his Jab to taunt and annoy in light sparring, but tries to snap your neck with it in a real fight. The INTENT and distancing and power has been reduced to the level of the threat. In a fight it is increased to the level or hopefully beyond of the threat.

COMBAT So, what are the reasons for the other moves if they can all be what you want?

RS Everyone is different. Everyone has different build, character, demeanour, ability etc. What works for me, may not work for you and vice versa. So, by learning the nuances and intricacies of the movements contained within the Kata, you will find a way of movement, that works for you. Somewhere in that Kata, is the Key that unlocks the door to a better you. MY JOB IS TO SHOW YOU WHERE THAT KEY IS. This will enable you to vastly improve what you are doing with your Kata. My Kata DVDs, show you these various Keys, show you different meanings for the moves. One of these meanings, will be the Key that you need to unlock your talent.

During my UK Tour in March and the various Training Camps I will be holding in the UK, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, USA and Montenegro this year will explain this concept in fine detail.

COMBAT Thanks Russell. Can we chat more later

RS Sure thing Paul, off to practice some Kata now.