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 PRINCIPLES
In order to have maximum efficiency one needs to properly position the body. In that way and from that way one can move and apply techniques with the slightest ease.
There are 3 basics.
- Move the body and hold the limbs in the same position. For example, arms remain in 90 degree angle.
- Move the body and leave the limbs at the same position, coördinates of the hand or foot don’t change
- Maintain the body and use limbs, done with the whole body
I would like to give some examples of all movements.
When, for example, one practises soto uke from naihanchi dachi - as a matter of kihon practise - one moves the fist across, moving the elbow to make it effective. However, I don’t see any point in moving the fist to prepare a movement in kumite – apart from feints and tricks - as it is not ‘just’ about basic movements, it is about interaction.
If ones right arm is on the right and the attack is in the center then uchi uke sounds reasonable. When the right arm is on the left and the attack is in the center then soto uke would be more proper to use. Off course it depends on the situation what would be of better use. It is after all not defense, in essence it is offense. For now, assume that the right hand is on the right and the attack is in the center. Uchi uke is then more reasonable, but we ‘must’ do soto uke without much effort. If we are not allowed to prepare the right hand to the left side, then the only solution is to move the body to a different position. Let’s say we hold kamae and move the body to the left, one is then in position to do soto uke without preparing the hand. Without preparing has tremendous advantage. No signal or telegraphing, no waste of energy. Also, this new position of the body weakens the attack as well as the enemies position.
In the second situation one moves the body and leaves the hand or foot. When an arm or leg is streched it is weaker then when it is bend. One should take care using this kind of movement. I wouldn’t advise to use this technique for the hands. As any movement must be done with the whole body this simply doesn’t sound like it as you leave parts behind. I would use it for the feet - or maybe call it stance – to create a position close to the opponent to shift the weight to. One can see this in tanto dori kote nage dori and one can use this for ashibarai as well: as one moves back to force the attack to be deeper (and leave the front foot) then ukemi will pass ones foot that has been left behind on purpose. From there ashibarai is easy.
The third situation is to keep the body and move a limb, just moving a limb is not effective. One has to use gravitational and or rotational energy at least to do proper movement. Imagine any technique done on the spot.
In kihon kumite one often ‘steps’ in a certain direction and uses koshi at the last moment. This step and koshi movement should be a flow. The ‘step’ is following the opponent (but can also be used) to position one’s self. The point is that even though it looks like two moves it should flow and connect as one movement. One can use all above methods in harmony, according to each other to suit the particular situation. I guess the most important factor is to allow flow in one's movement is moving and using the center of gravity, making sure one doesn't get stuck to the floor during transition or when one applies the technique.
Only stop the flow on impact (but not really).
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