It's another random video Friday at the Best Damned Martial Arts Business Newsletter, and here's what I dug up this week...

History of Okinawan Karate

This first video outlines some intriguing historical facts regarding the development of modern karate. 

If you've ever wondered why your karate looks like it does today, and why many modern practitioners have to reverse engineer applications for traditional kata, this clip may provide some insights:

"Street" BJJ?

There has been a lot of controversy and discussion over the last few years about the difference between "street" BJJ and sport BJJ. While it's obvious that no one is going to do a berimbolo in a parking lot, what I think people miss is the crossover between sport and self-defense.

Here's a video I came across that illustrates how you can find a self-defense application in a "sport" technique:

And speaking of "street" applications from traditional or sport movements, I have two more videos that I think you'll find of interest...

Shaolin Sparring

This video is pretty interesting. In it, the instructor shows examples of how drunken kung-fu might be applied in sparring. I don't know anything about drunken kung-fu, but he seems skilled, and it's kind of fun to watch him pull applications from his art:

Forbidden Judo Techniques

I stumbled across this video and thought it was worth sharing. In it, the instructor explains how common techniques in judo can be subtly tweaked in ways that make them much more damaging.

Apparently, these techniques have been banned from judo competition to prevent injuries. If only from a historical perspective, it's a neat video to watch: