[quote=speedycerviche;2408803]"Now I was hoping to be able to address the next big issue which is when people who do not understand forms then teach and come up with two big fuck ups:
a) they just decide that forms are a total waste of time to work with
b) they teach the forms literally as in “the kata will show you how to fight, just imitate it.”
These misperceptions have destroyed what is in essence a very efficient method of conveying information to students about the art totally and conveniently."
Very true in most cases what do you think can be done about it?.[/quote]
People want to hold on to their hate more than they are willing to look at this issue with clear comprehension. Its a shame really.
here is what I will do about it tonight though:
When I teach my class we will be working on some Koppo applications, some of these are what people consider a block. Now if you look at a karate kata sequence it is obvious that the footwork and angle for that technique are missing. You guys are quite right that trying to block in the manner literally observed as such in the katas is wrong. But is that what is really going on?
So what do the kata’s reveal? they reveal that the type of blocking done should be done at a very different distance than what is taught and for a different purpose really. When Funokashi said every block should break could it be that he meant something that has been lost in how people interpret forms and the blocking applications that people assume are such in the katas?
If you put one stance length between you and the opponent as the opponent delivers his attack things change dramatically: first off you have so much distance by stepping back that your block has become an attack on his limb. Instead of tryng to beat his technique and risking a punch or kick to the head you are attacking his attacking limb. At this point if you use a body angle suitable for a 45 degree angle of attack you can hit his attacking limb very hard and not hurt your arm.
Why isn’t this taught as part of the kata? well first of all tai sabaki (body angling) changes from one person to another… Its the same reason hatsumi does not ever teach Tai Sabaki but used it is virtually every technique he does! A long arm swede and a stocky Puerto Rican from the Bronx will have to angle differently based on the difference in their body types. So you take the footwork and the timing and the strategy for the supposed block out of the kata and let people find the proper body placement for a 45 degree angle of attack on the attacking limb.
This is an example of how I use kata. I subscribe to the theory that I can make change happen in my backyard if nothing else.
Now: People will probably ask “how do you know this Darrell? who are yu to take this stuff and work with it?”
This is why I wanted Helmux to come back here and report… I only was part of one of the premiere fighting clubs in the washington Balto area. Through putting on the gloves you learn what works and how to train stuff so you can use it. I know from experience that if you step back and use a slightly smaller rotational movement on a high block for example, you can catch his arm in the space you stepped out of as you step out. And if you change the angle of that blocking movement it has deflection properties which allow one to enter with a strike or grapple.
My point in giving this example is that if you know what to look for in the kata… the information is there and what is not in the kata has a good reason for not being in the kata. Things that are relative to body type cannot be in a universal set of applications, the teacher has to do that part. But people misunderstanding the timing of a blocking movement comes from a lack of fighting experience and the resignated attitude that the kata is lacking haha.
I would recommend that any karate guys here try this out if you do not believe me. Instead of a big movement and trying to clear his fist out of your face with a block, step back as he punches and emphasize the rotaional movement of the block which has become a strike… and catch him at a 45 degree angle with a boney side of your arm… your footwork should clear you of the punch while you do this… Different Bunkai huh?
Hope this example helps