INTRODUCTION
I’d
like to start right from the
bow. Not everyone does the
bow these days; which is unfortunate
as it is a part of the root
ceremony imported from Japan,
not to mention a darn good
technique as well.
What technique am I speaking
of? Why the head-butt of course!
Using you head
What
a perfect title to this element;
and a perfect demonstration
to the practicality of karate
ceremony. The head is solid,
and can be used on your opponent’s
nose & face.
The head-butt can be applied
to a rear, front or side attack.
When
being grabbed from behind,
you should immediately drop
into Sanchin stance to brace
yourself. By stepping out
with one foot into Sanchin
you will prevent yourself
from falling face first if
the attacker’s momentum
is carrying you forward.
If you have been lifted, you
will have less power for the
head-butt, however it will
still prove effective.
To
strike you can bend your head
into a bowing posture and
bring it sharply back into
the face (nose) of your attacker.
Take
caution as the impact of the
head-butt may cause yourself
injury; when dealing with
the subject of survival there
may be no other option for
you. If done correctly though
you can connect with your
attackers nose and avoid substantial
self injury.
To
defend against a front grab
using the head-butt you initiate
the first part of the bow,
that is to say dropping your
head forward. The forward
head-butt is in my opinion
easier as you are able to
see what you want to hit.
In
extreme close quarters combat,
you can use the head-butt
to attack the side of the
face as well.
Using
the bow & extracting the
head-butt application (although
crude) is an effective and
extremely valuable technique
which should not be ignored.
It is my belief that one should
‘wring’ the kata
dry of applications to better
understand it. No movement
should be overlooked!
Stepping into Sanchin
stance
The
opening foot work from Sanchin
appears to be relatively simple
and unassuming. However if
used when in close-quarters
this step can be used with
great effectiveness.
The
opponent has already moved
into a fighting posture, the
defender has yet to move.
This
is a great technique to work
on timing. As the attacker
gets into fighting stance,
wait a split second and then
move into your opponent’s
zone, hooking behind their
lead leg with your front foot
(Sanchin stance).
The
moment you plant your foot
(this must be performed fast
and without hesitation) sink
your body down and lean slightly
into the Sanchin. This will
apply tremendous pressure
to your opponent’s knee.
Continue
pressing until they go down.
Opening
Sanchin Thrusts
Here
are a few defensive applications
which can be pulled from the
opening thrust; these applications
presented are focused on an
attacker grabbing you.
1)
The Attacker comes in from
behind for a rear grab; the
defender drops a leg forward
for balance. (In kata the
first step is straight out,
same here. If you were to
attempt a half-moon step while
being pushed from behind you
will find you are liable to
fall forward.)
Then
sharply thrusts the hands
out. This motion momentarily
breaks the hold of the attacker,
or at least reduces some of
the pressure allowing you
to follow up.
The
counter used here is to swing
one arm back, aiming for the
groin of your attacker. The
same arm will then slide around
behind and grasp the back
of his collar/hair/skull while
your free hand grabs his opposite
arm.
To
finalize this application;
kick your leg back (closest
to attacker) into attacker’s
leg to set him off-balance;
and drive your opponent’s
head to the floor.
2)
This next defense is used
against the attacker who makes
a front grab to the waist
(trying for a bear hug) or
the neck (trying to twist
into a headlock).
As
the attacker comes in, the
defender has two options,
one is to ‘attack’
using straight finger nukites
from the kata, or two, a slight
variation by just placing
the hands on the hips of the
attacker. This will prevent
any twisting motions and stop
the attacker from getting
any closer.
From
either of these two variations
we can then move into a successful
counter.
Due
to the close proximity of
the attack a simple hip throw
will be employed to remove
the threat.
Choosing one arm, draw your
hand up into Sanchin position
while hooking your opponent’s
opposite arm. At the same
time you will twist your body
around pushing your hip into
opponent’s stomach.
Make sure you grasp your opponent
firmly; you do not want them
to slip out.
In
this instance use the hooking
arm to grasp the collar, and
pull his body around you.
Complete
with a throw.
3)
This final application to
be presented does not use
a throw of any kind; rather
relies on a signature Uechi-ryu
move to end the confrontation.
The
attacker comes in for a double
grab or lunging attack. The
counter is a slide back while
dropping the hands into the
opening thrust position. By
doing this you will keep the
attacker from making contact
and as you bring your arms
down; redirect the attacker’s
momentum downward.
This
downward momentum will carry
the attacker right into your
rising knee from Seisan Crane
stance.
Bringing
the arms into Sanchin position
Twisting
the arms into Sanchin position
teaches how to defend against
single & double arm grabs.
The
attacker grabs the wrist;
the defender twists his hand
into Sanchin. This can be
done smoothly and without
much effort on the defender’s
part.
The
arm of the attacker is twisted
now, the fingers are exposed
and can no longer grasp firmly.
The defender is free to pull
the hand away to break the
hold and/or counter as he
sees fit.
Now we see a wrist grab where
the attacker decides to use
two hands instead on one.
While
the hold may be stronger,
the defender will use body
mechanics and nullify the
grab & added power by
again twisting the arm into
Sanchin and pulling out of
it.
Here
is another variation of this
move. Instead of twisting
the arm into Sanchin and going
around the attackers hands;
try twisting into Sanchin,
and pull your arm straight
up through the middle of the
attacker’s hands.
CONCLUSION
Kata
are true wonders. Even if
the creators hadn't considered
certain applications in the
original form, it doesn’t
mean one should not look for
them.
The
applications shown here are
very basic, while thought
went into them these techniques
are usually taught at an intermediate
level. Sanchin is the core
of Uechi-ryu no matter what
organization you study under.
Many people simply do not
use Sanchin to explore self
defense applications; which
we feel is a waste of potential.
Sanchin
should be explored as both
a foundation form, a meditative
form, and of course a defensive
form.
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