July 21st, 2013
From
Tamir
Sensei-Denshi-Shihan,
Ueshiro Neve [Oasis] Karate Dojo
Neve Yamin, Israel
Chasing an Opponent to Intercept an Attack Against Another
For this week's Technique/Thought For The Week (TFTW), I recall recently one of my deshi (Green Belt Boaz Goldenberg) who asked me during class a question that I was not asked before.
The question was if we have to step first to deliver an effective attack, then how do we deliver an attack while running; for example to chase an opponent who is running away from us to intercept his potential attack against another (e.g., our family member).
My initial answer was to run and as we near the opponent to launch into flying kick as in Kata Chinto.
I also told my deshi that I would consult with Hanshi for more options, and so I did.
Hanshi's answer is to "...kick, punch or strike him (elbow smash etc etc) asap even if you are moving (running). Another reaction would be to step onto his heels thereby tripping him up and then immediately strike him to further neutralize him." Domo Arigato Hanshi for continuing to teach us.
As I thought about and visualized Hanshi's answer, it became apparent that certain moves/techniques in our kata can lend themselves very well to an attack at the end of a running chase. These attacks include, but are not limited to (there are many others):
Chasing
punch from Jigotai-dachi as in Kata[s] Fukyugata Sandan
and Passai
Supported chest block/strike/tackle from Zenkutsu-dachi
as in Kata[s] Pinan Shodan and Pinan Yondan (even followed
by the double grab and knee slam as in Pinan Yondan)
Chest block/strike/tackle with side punch/covering arm from
Kotsa-dachi as in Kata Pinan Godan
Foot slam to (trip an opponents heels) from Naihanchi-dachi
as in Naihanchi Kata
Grab into double chest punch from double stepping Neko-ashi-dachi
as in Kata Rohai
Double forward low palm-heel strikes from Zenkutsu-dachi
as in Kata Rohai
Forward low palm-heel strike with other arm in simultaneous
upper palm-heel strike from Zenkutsu-dachi as in Kata Wanshu
Supported chest block/strike/tackle from Kotsa-dachi as
in Kata Passai
Front back fist with under-supported arm from Nekoashi-dachi
as in Kata Gojushiho
Flying front snap kick from Neko-ashi-dachi as in Kata[s]
Chinto and Kusanku
Trying to answer this question as well as others I encounter
from my deshi each workout, helps me continue learning and
practicing. Review with your Sensei and practice the above
examples and others you may research.
Try practicing these from a running start towards a target and practice how to stabilize yourself with your stepping. Ending the forward momentum into Zenkutsu-dachi may be the most stable, but one can achieve stability with the other stances mentioned above including Neko-ashi-dachi and Kotsa-dachi with sufficient practice and timing of the strike. Also consider striking the opponent such that when he falls back/down he does not fall on your family member; hence attack them from an angle NOT in-line with your family member on the other side.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu
Tamir Sensei
Denshi-Shihan
Ueshiro Neve [Oasis] Karate Dojo
Neve Yamin, Israel
Ueshiro
Shorin-Ryu Karate USA
Under the Direction of Hanshi Scaglione
