In the beginning when two competitors faced off they would assume a stance to begin. This was how they all started, strike a pose and wait for the go signal. Once the go was given then all semblance of karate went out the window. The only way you knew it was a karate match was the use of the kicks and the white karate uniforms. The two combatants would do one of two things. They would charge in like a set of bulls, picture the bull fights of Okinawa, and pound at each other until someone called a point or they would posture and pose and move around waiting for the opportunity to bull it in and get the point.
Sometimes you would get the bouncy-bouncy thing. Regardless, the pose was the way a person could say they do karate and fight with karate but karate techniques mostly went the way of the doo-doo bird once the action began. What gives? In my humble opinion it came down to "got to get to the good stuff fast or I get bored or feel impatient and wanna quit syndrome."
I was lucky. My Sensei felt it important to actually utilize karate techniques. You know, the ones in the basic waza and from the kata. He made sure you knew the fundamentals and a fundamental level then at least one good solid kata BEFORE letting anyone attempt any sparring at all. When you began sparring it was one step, three step, etc. using a variety of techniques as a pace that allowed you to see, feel and do the technique in some semblance of karate form. Throwing someone barely in karate in the mix of a sparring thing was counter productive in his mind if your intent was to learn karate and therefore karate techniques.
Remember, once you get into a real fight with all the adrenaline effects if you have not practiced karate you won't be using karate even in a sloppy adrenaline pumped state fight because your mind and body will be using what is instinctive and since you didn't do karate it will pick up on what it feels is best and in all likelihood that will be the "freeze."
Don't take my word for it, go and ask those with combat experience, those who actually work in a "profession" that takes them in harm's way and those who actually teach traditional karate.
It comes down to this, you wanna learn real karate then you have to take the time, effort and spirit necessary to go the distance. The distance that is boring, monotonous and repetitive in nature. Drills, drills, drills; practice, practice, practice and then do it over-n-over-n-over-n-over again.
Hey, Attention on Deck!
Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!
When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:
I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me
I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me
I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull
I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death
I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed
I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes
I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados
I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers
The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn
Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung
WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE
The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)
“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)
“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne
I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.
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