What makes a good martial arts technique?
Actually, it is easier to ask what makes a bad martial arts technique.
I think I’m going to write a bit on this on future blogs,
but let’s start with what I call a ‘poser.’
First, before I give you the facts,
go on youtube and ask for bunkai,
or martial arts techniques,
or form applications.
Now,
have that page open while you read this newsletter.
The prime example of a poser technique is
when the defender punches,
then waits for the defender to do his technique.
This flaw,
this ‘stop-motion’ in the middle of a technique
is the quintessential definition of a poser.
In a real fight people don’t throw one punch and stop.
Does a fellow stop in the ring after he punches?
Now,
take a look at the technique open on youtube.
Does the attacker stop motion after a punch?
If he does,
no matter what,
no matter how august the art,
or prestigious the artist,
that is a poser technique.
If it’s a really bad poser,
if the attacker is frozen for a long time
it’s fun to take a stop watch to him.
Now, here comes the bad news.
Film yourself doing techniques,
or just watch other students do them.
How many of your techniques are posers?
The answer is a lot.
Most arts are about 90% poser.
In my art we train extensively
with a matrixed form of Lop Sau.
In this perfect exercise
the techniques we practice are in use.
They are not slices of a form
designed to teach you something abstract
that is not necessarily useful in a real fight.
We train so that you segue directly into counters,
so you can handle the secondary attacks that MUST happen
because of the body position you are in
and the techniques you are using.
Anyway,
the point is that you must examine your art
no matter how much you love it,
and define and eliminate all poser techniques.
To not do this is to invite a beating.
Okay,
obligatory ad.
If you are curious about my lop sau,
my ‘perfect drill for fighting,’
check out
Nine Square Diagram Boxing
But DON’T get this version.
Look around and find the version with over FIVE HOURS of video links!
That’s five hours of video training
for the price of two books.
That is THE BEST deal anywhere!
And it will make your karate technically correct
and give you all the real techniques!
Okay,
guys and gals
thanks for being martial artists
you make the world a better place…
Have a great work out!
Al
Don’t forget to check out the interview
‘The Last Martial Arts Book’ has 12 ratings for 5 stars.
(There is a video version of this book with no stars yet)
My two yoga books have 9 ratings between them for 5 stars.
‘The Book of Five Arts’ has 8 ratings for 5 stars.
‘The Science of Government’ has 7 ratings for 5 stars.
‘Chiang Nan’ has 6 ratings for 5 stars.
My novel, ‘Monkeyland,’ has 5 ratings for 5 stars
That’s a lot of good ratings
so hopefully you’ll find the book that works for you.
How to Fix Karate:
A Karate Training and Workout Book
(Two Volumes)
Matrix Martial Arts 