Technique of the Week (June 26th 2011)

From Kyoshi David Baker, Chief Administrator,
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA
founded by Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro
under the direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione
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Droping Chudan Zuki (Middle Punch)

Most people on “the street”, when fighting, are “head hunters.” They swing looping, roundhouse punches at their opponent’s head. Usually with their right hand.

And our trained, ingrained Shorin-Ryu instinct is to raise our arm to block it. Jodan-uke (high block). But if we’re quick enough, we both block and punch with the same arm in quick succession, as in the third defensive move of Yakusoku Kumite Shodan (Pre-Arranged Fighting Number One). Or we might body shift and counter.

But if we’re even quicker than that, we can just counter with our own technique before his lands. Even without the block. Just Jodan-zuki (high punch) by itself, with the elbow ready to block if necessary.

In addition, if the Ma-ai (distance) is right for it, such as that used in Yakusoku Kumite’s Yoi (ready) position, there is an effective technique for this timing that you may try, which is a quick Chudan-zuki, while dropping into Jigotai-dachi (wide-open leg stance).

That’s because this dropping
1) removes the target (our head) from his aim
2) generates maximum acceleration for our punch (32 ft/sec2), while it also
3) delivers up to 100% of our body weight (mass) to the technique

Therefore, because of reasons 2) and 3) above, we maximize the force of the technique by maximizing both factors of Newton’s Second Law of Motion (acceleration and mass.) It’s the same dropping force of gravity that we use to break wooden boards, but generated outward and downward, rather than straight downward.

Try it next time you practice “One step sparring.” (Which uses the same Ma-ai as Yakusoku Kumite.)
(http://shorinryu.com/thought.librarya/tho101109.htm)

And practice it (gently at first) on the Makiwara (striking board), which is where all techniques should be tested and practiced.

Domo arigato gozaimasu,
Kyoshi David Baker,
Chief Administrator,
Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA
founded by Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro
under the direction of Hanshi Robert Scaglione