| Hi All,
Thanks for feedback on the new look newsletters! The idea
of shorter and more frequent newsletters does seem popular! It’s been two weeks
since the last one, so I’ve got a few things to update you on!
The main theme of this newsletter is “Does technique trump
strength?” Read Section 1 for my thoughts.
Be sure to check out Section 4 for a fascinating discussion
on the history and origins of the various Rohai (Meikyo) kata.
Section 5 also includes some awesome Naihanchi / Tekki
Nidan bunkai, and a load of other cool stuff too!
Enjoy!
All the best,
Iain
Note: This is an opt-in newsletter and if you want to
unsubscribe at any time all you need do it click the link at the foot of this
email
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1 – Subscribers Questions
As mentioned in the last newsletter, in each edition I
will include a short article on a topic of a subscriber’s choosing. If you’d
like to suggest a topic, please email that topic to iain@iainabernethy.com
IMPORTANT: Please make the subject of the email
“Newsletter Question”. That will ensure the email is automatically forwarded to
the right place. I will then choose a topic based on what is most requested and
what I feel will be of most interest to the subscribers. I’m sorry to say that
time constraints, and the volume of email I receive, mean I will not be able to
answer each question individually. I nevertheless hope these question and
answers are of value to you.
NOTE: If your question was not covered in this
newsletter, you don’t need to resubmit it. All questions submitted will remain
on file and will be considered each time I do a newsletter.
Question:
Does Technique Trump Strength? from Martin Goffin
Technique vs strength is a common topic of discussion in
the martial arts. There is also often a martial arrogance on this topic. The
martial artist confidently believes that the big and strong non-martial artist
will find their strength is meaningless against someone as technically skilled
as they are. Strength and skill are often seen as two opposing aspects, and I
think that is a mistake.
In his book ‘Wado-Ryu Karate’ Hironori Otsuka (the
founder of the style) states that there are three kinds of strength: physical
strength, mental strength and technical strength. Otsuka points out that if any
of the three is too weak then that will be the downfall of the individual.
Otsuka then goes onto tell us the tale of a match he witnessed in his youth
between a Japanese judoka and a western wrestler. The judoka placed the
wrestler on his back and applied an arm lock. The wrestler, using his superior
strength, simply stood up and shook the judoka off. In Otsuka’s words, “It was
no contest.” Although strength is no substitute for technical competence, to
say that strength has no bearing on the outcome of a fight is foolish.
Rather than see strength and skill as opposing forces,
where the martial artist is encouraged to ignore the “foolishness” of strength
and make the wise choice of skill, we are better seeing them as being
complimentary.
Technique is the efficient use of movement. It is the
body that enacts all techniques. The body moves through the contraction of the
muscles. The strength of that contraction is therefore an ever-present element
of all techniques.
Utilising correct positioning, leverage, balance
breaking, coordinated body motion, etc will ensure the movement (contraction of
the muscles) has the greatest possible effect. If raw strength was all that
mattered, then martial arts training would be indistinguishable from weight lifting.
However, it’s a mistake to jump to the other extreme and say that strength and
size have no bearing on martial effectiveness at all. There is a reason why
pretty much all combat sports have weight categories. There is also a reason
why supplementary training (hojo undo) is a standard part of most karate
training.
Our performance, as Otsuka stated, is based on three key
elements: our skill (technique), our physical condition and our mindset. We can express it this way:
Performance = Skill + Fitness + Mindset
(Strength is one component of fitness)
Reduce any element and the others have to address the
shortfall if performance is to be unaffected. Start thinking negatively and
your performance will drop (reduced mindset). Pick up and illness or an injury
and your performance will drop (reduced fitness). Don’t practise for a while
and your performance will drop (reduced skill).
Conversely, when we increase any element, our performance
will get better. Practise more and your skill improves. Increase your anaerobic
capacity, flexibility, strength, etc and your fitness improves. Improve your determination,
commitment, focused aggression, and confidence and your improved mindset will
improve your performance.
When we accept that all elements matter, the question
then becomes which elements do we prioritise? I would suggest the following:
Mindset > Skill > Fitness.
Funakoshi was totally right when he said, “Spirit first,
technique second.” I don’t think we are doing the quote a disservice when we
add “fitness third.” While this order accurately expresses their importance and
relative influence on performance, it’s inescapable that they all matter.
If your “performance score” (skill + fitness + mindset)
is greater that the enemy’s then you win. If enemy’s performance score is
greater than yours, then you lose.
The original question was, “does technique trump strength?”.
The answer is therefore dependent on the relative ratios of both between you
and then enemy, with the additional key factor of mindset.
To maximise the chances of a successful combative outcome
we need to develop mindset, skill and fitness in training. You can’t ignore any
one element. They all matter. Mindset is more important than technique.
Technique is more important than fitness. But, once again, they all matter.
Fitness is a combination of all your body’s attributes as
it relates to combat. Strength is key part of that fitness. Strength therefore
has a bearing on combative performance. Whether it is the decisive component or
not depends on the combination of all elements when compared to the enemy’s
combination of all elements.
All the best,
Iain
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2 – Recently Added to the App Since the Last Newsletter!
In addition to the weekly messages, we have also added a
number of new videos to the app over the last two weeks! This pocket practical
karate database is HUGE and getting bigger every week!
KNIFE DEFENCE:
This has been a much-requested topic! This video covers
the four no-nonsense drills that I use in my own dojo to address knife-defence.
They are all about how to best facilitate escape on an attempted weapon draw
(drill 1), when the enemy is threatening you with a weapon (drill 2), then the
enemy is too far away for you to hit, but close enough than turning and running
is risky (drill 3), and when all hell has broken loose and you are involved in
the “mad scramble” (drill 4).
Location: Misc Techniques and Drills > Other
Stuff > Weapons > Core Knife Drills.
POWER GENERATION FOR LEAD-HAND HOOK:
This video breaks down how to throw a powerful lead-hand
hook – both on its own and in combinations – using the “double hip” principle of
power generation. We’ve had some great feedback on this video with many app users
reporting immediate improvements in speed and impact.
Location: Misc Techniques
and Drills > Other Stuff > Power Generation Principles > Lead Hand
Hook.
FUNAKOSHI’S ORIGINAL LEG-TECHNIQUES:
Kicking has changed a lot over the last 100 years! In the
app we look at Gichin Funakoshi’s Original Leg Techniques! We look at what has
been lost, what is new, and what has stayed the same.
Location: Misc Techniques
and Drills > Other Stuff > Funakoshi Leg Techniques > Funakoshi’s
Original Leg Techniques.
COMING SOON IN THE APP: How to protect others, Matsumora
Rohai bunkai, using the surrounding environment, and more!
WERE TO FIND THE APP: Search the App Store or Play Store
for “iain abernethy”.
NEED HELP JOINING? I appreciate that, like me, you may
not be that clued up when it comes to technology. I also appreciate that all
apps are different and hence it may not be obvious how to set up an account …
so let me do that for you! All you need to do is send an email to
app@iainabernethy.com with “New App Account” as the subject. I will then send
you an invite with a username and pin that you can use to sign into the app.
NOTE: You will not be charged anything until you personally set up a
subscription. The account I set up for you will simply allow you to sign in,
explore a little, and then set up a subscription should you chose to.
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3 – Suggested App Video
There is a huge amount of material in the app, so each
newsletter I will suggest a video to check out.
In this edition I recommend the footage of the Gakisai
Dai Ichi seminar I taught. This footage breaks down the bunkai in full and
shows a flow drill for the kata. It’s also important to understand that the
kata was created to be a summary of “naha-te” methods for karateka of all
styles. So, even if it’s not a kata you practise, I think you will find the
discussion of the wider kata principles interesting
Main Menu > Exclusive Seminar Footage > Gakisai Dai
Ichi 1 of 3 (17 mins)
Main Menu > Exclusive Seminar Footage > Gakisai Dai
Ichi 2 of 3 (15 mins)
Main Menu > Exclusive Seminar Footage > Gakisai Dai
Ichi 3 of 3 (11 mins)
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4 – Recommended Forum Topic
As you know, the forum has great set of contributors and
it’s definitely a community you should keep an eye on. I do appreciate there is
loads to look at though, so each newsletter I will pick out a thread I feel
will be of particular interest.
This thread looks at the relationship between the various
Rohai (Meikyo) kata. The relationship between these kata is one that fascinates
me. The most practised versions would be:
a) Matsumora Rohai (frequently mislabelled as “Matsumura
Rohai” because of people confusing Kosaku Matsumora and Soken Matsumura).
b) Shotokan’s Meikyo
c) The Three Itosu Rohai (Shodan, Nidan and Sandan).
Wado-Ryu’s Rohai is essentially Itosu Rohai Shodan.
These variations are all quite different, but there are
some commonalities.
In this thread, you can see videos of them all, and the community
explores the most probable origins, history and evolution these fascinating forms:
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5 – Recent things you may have missed but will absolutely
love!
A quick overview of Naihanchi / Tekki Nidan bunkai from
André Pedersen, Kenneth Attila Bende, Hedda Hagen Castle and Dag Philip Lango
Thorbjørnsen! Other forum members also add their thoughts:
“Martial Artists Whose Lives Should Be Movies!” from The
Martial Journeys Podcast:
David Hogsette looks at bunkai for the end sequences of
Pinan Shodan / Heian Nidan:
"Old School Karate? Cobra Kai’s Fangs Examined"
by Jamie Clubb:
Les Bubka shares more of his Pinan Sono Ni / Heian Nidan
/ Pinan Shodan flow drill:
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6 – Just for Newsletter Subscribers
A little reminder that there is a “long forgotten” and
free karate e-book on my website. It’s not linked to any other pages, so it’s
not easy to find. Well worth a download!
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7 – Open Seminars In the Next Three Months
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8 – World Combat Association
If you want a more formal association with me and what I
do, and you want to be part of ever-expanding international group of pragmatic
karateka, then please consider joining the WCA:
I hope you like the new look newsletters and I’ll be back
with more soon!
All the best,
Iain
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Twitter: @iainabernethy
Instagram: @iainabernethy
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