Homer Simpson: “No, no…this scheme is SURE to make us rich.  And quick!”

One of two things is going to happen in this post - either I’m going to reveal some fantastic money making secrets, or I’m going to use ‘getting rich’ as an analogy for training.  You take a guess.

***

There are all kinds of ‘brilliant’ ideas people create to get rich quick.  The most famous is the pyramid scheme.  These ill-conceived concepts crop up because it can be very arduous building up money.  Heck, I know if I could get $100,000 tomorrow I’d look into it.  It’s also the reason why we play the lottery (and ignore the mathematical improbability of winning).

Sadly, the same is true when it comes to martial arts. Instead of financial pyramid schemes we see promotional pyramid schemes, where groups of ‘experts’ get together and promote themselves to extremely high ranks.  I’m still waiting to hear about the world’s first 20th dan…it’s bound to happen.  More harmful are the schemes where instructors ripoff their student body through inflated monthly fees, testing fees, belt fees, etc etc.

But lets focus more on the training side of things.

At home I’ve got this gigantic glass jar where I keep all of my loose change.  You’ve probably got something similar, yes?

I’ve put a ton of coins in there and have been storing up for years and years.  Despite that, the damn jar looks virtually empty!

Also, the bb gun hole wasn’t my fault.

It was a great day when I first realized I could no longer see the glass bottom of the jar because I had saved up enough change.  But since then, I’ve gone on autopilot.  I no longer really watch the level of the coins rise because it’s such slow progress.  I know I’m putting money in, but to constantly fret over how much (or how little) is in there would be wasted energy.

Martial arts training can be very similar.  How many workout sessions can you think of where you really thought to yourself, “man - I’ve improved by leaps and bounds today!”  If you’re anything like me, those occasions are few and far between.  Most of the time training seems like a struggle against futility, improving skills so slowly that it barely seems like any progress is being made at all.

At first, I watched my progress in karate like a hawk.  I was really pleased about things I could do and opined about things I couldn’t.  But since then, I’ve gone on autopilot. I’ve simply done my best when either stepping onto the dojo floor or exploring martial arts on my own.  The journey in itself is becoming more and more the goal.

So to you I say keep dropping that change in the jar!  I know it doesn’t seem like a lot.  Whether you’re in top form and toss in fifty cents each time, or if you’re struggling and only have five cents, remember - you’re building the total and one day you’ll take a peek at the jar and wonder where all that money came from!

This seemingly masochistic piece of human nature is one of the reasons why martial arts are so important in modern society; but I think true martial value might come more in overcoming the little bad guy inside, rather than a big one outside.

Self Defense…Value and Limitations

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  As far back as human history goes, there has been a need for one individual to protect him/herself against another.  That’s why when discussing martial arts, one of the first topics always brought up is self defense.

Karate…BJJ…Kung Fu…they’re all methods of combat, and unless you’re a soldier, you’ll be fighting as an ordinary citizen.  Thus, learning a combat art is an extraordinary way to increase your physical capability of defending yourself.

Furthermore, we live in a society that does not permit the casual carrying of firearms. These laws have pulled us out of ‘old west’ mentality, but have also delivered the bad guys a distinct advantage against the good guys (us).  One recourse left to the modern citizen is combat training.

Yet, when you boil it down, the greatest fighter in the world can still get shot from ten feet away or stabbed in the back. So…why even bother with martial arts if their primary purpose is so compromised?

Sure, Kick and Punch (But Also Think)

As you’ve probably heard me harp about before, the benefits of mind and spirit are just as critical in training as body.  For example, a skilled instructor can not only teach a student how to fight, but also how to detect and avoid bad situations.  An experienced martial artist is just as adept at conflict resolution as he is at conflict “resolution” (Seagal style).

Furthermore, a martial artist will analyze his surroundings at all times and realize ways to avoid potentially risky environments.  In doing so, the probability of getting into a brawl or encountering a desperate gunman are drastically reduced.

But…be that as it may…no one can completely control the world around them.  Bad things will still happen no matter the effort and attention payed.  Once again, why bother with training?

Reality Landing

So bad things are going to happen and we can’t stop them.  What an uplifting post.  But don’t worry, there is a little light at the end of the tunnel.

Let’s think statistically - how often do people get robbed or assaulted in their life? Once or twice?  Some unlucky few experience it more often, but many experience it less.  On average, we are all likely to face scant few situations where fighting is called for.  Now how often do we think about getting robbed or assaulted? bullied? accosted? raped?

It’s much more often.  This is true for everyone.

What martial arts really gives us is the strength to face these fears with courage.  Rather than shiver at the thought of walking to our cars alone, we can command a straight posture and say to ourselves “sure you might attack me, but it won’t be as easy as you think.”

We can use our training to solidify our spirit and determination, which will exude from us in a way that deters would-be aggressors, prompting them to try an easier target.

Ultimately, we transform our internal bad guy into a constant reminder of our martial calling, using him to spur us forward and remind us that we aren’t so easily drawn down into dread and fear.

Sure, any of us could be shot.  Any one of us could be gone tomorrow. But I’d rather go knowing that I didn’t live in helplessness.

Martial arts…Budo…is what we can thank for that.

Word got out that there is a new Karate Kid movie in the works.  This film is projected to be a continuation of the Karate Kid storyline that will “borrow elements” from the originals (as opposed to being a strict remake).  Slated for the lead role is Jaden Smith, 10 year old son of Will Smith.

Some other tidbits about the production-

“‘The Karate Kid’ will be produced by Jerry Weintraub (who launched the original franchise) and Overbrook Entertainment’s James Lassiter, Will Smith and Ken Stovitz. It will be the second movie on which Will Smith and his 10-year-old son Jaden work together.

The shooting will start next year and the remake will be written by Chris Murphy. The movie will reportedly continue the plot of the 1984 hit and will go with the action in more exotic locations such as Beijing and other cities. China Film Group Corp. will co-produce in China.

Just like in any other karate movie, Jaden will play the role of a bullied kid who is eventually trained by a mentor in various and unexpected ways (remember the waxing method?) to finally beat the bullies.” - EfluxMedia

Also -

“The part of Pat Morita’s inimitable Mr. Miyagi has yet to be cast, but given Jaden’s apparent inability to appear onscreen without pops by his side, don’t be surprised when Big Willie’s Dojo takes on Cobra Kai in this updated version.” - Variety

I’m a fair guy, so let’s start off with something I like about all this.  Will Smith is a pretty fantastic actor.  I’ve enjoyed Independence Day, the Omega Man remake (I Am Legend), and of course Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Now, this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down…

Will Smith is great.  And honestly, there is nothing wrong with his son either.  He is a talented child actor.  The problem is in the principle.

The Karate Kid Movies (1 and 2 especially) were a rare occurrence.  They were films that brought together entertainment, culture, and martial arts in a way that had never been done before.  I can’t think of any other movie that tries harder to express real martial spirit (not just ass kicking).

Furthermore, the original movies were steeped in Goju-Ryu, a legitimate karate style. The training done by Daniel (paint the fence, sand the floor) were all taken within the context of Goju-Ryu kata.  Amongst those kata, Tensho was utilized most predominantly. (Tensho shown below)

It’s extremely rare for a movie writer who cares about moral message and historical relevance to get together with producers and film makers who care about the same thing.

That’s why, when it happens, you appreciate it and leave it alone.

Or…if you’re a Hollywood exec…you try to squeeze a couple more pennies out of it. like so:

The Next Karate Kid was a corny, canned remake of the original plotline, which was an especially bad idea because Karate Kid III was already a pretty corny, canned remake of the original plotline.  The additional problem with Next Karate Kid is that they threw out all of the things that made Karate Kid plausible.  Instead of focusing on Okinawa, now the focus was on mysterious Chinese monasteries (real original) and proving that Hilary Swank, with a weeks worth of training, could beat up 6 or 7 dudes without breaking a sweat. Blech.

Unfortunately, it seems like Hollywood didn’t learn from its failed resurrection attempts and will have another go at it.

Premature Predictions About The New Karate Kid:

Jaden will be 11-12 yrs old when the filming of this movie starts…what karate are we really going to see here?  When I teach kids, I focus on very simple self defense techniques like foot stomping, shin kicking, and calling for help.  What do you think Jaden is going to do? (Answer: spinning hook kicks while surrounded by 5 bullies).

Replacing thoughtful commentary between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi will be canned “lessons learned” moments.

Replacing a coming of age story will be super adventures to “exotic locations” and pouty “stop picking on me!” scenes.

Will Smith will be funny, entertaining, and maybe even a little moving…but it still won’t excuse the fact that they chose to throw the original Karate Kid movies under the bus in order to get a little extra publicity and buzz.

***

I’m dying to hear some of your thoughts in the comment section.  Am I overprotective of the original series??

As martial artists constantly endeavor to increase their knowledge and ability, they make internal connections that hadn’t existed years, days, or even seconds before.  Just as memories and experiences burn new pathways through the psyche, so does every moment pursuing “the martial way”.

Furthermore, no living thing starts off matured.  Even the tallest redwood tree begins as a tiny seed.  The same is true when practicing the arts.  In karate, there is a symbol known as Mitsu Domoe that can be used to demonstrate the kernel of knowledge that every martial artist begins with -

In dojo all over the world, instructors are sitting down with fresh beginners and stating very simply, “your training is a combination of body, mind, and spirit!”

Unfortunately, the prongs seem woefully far away from each other.  As the beginner struggles to punch and kick properly, he/she is hardly concerned about character development.  Truly, body, mind, and spirit appear perpetually separated.

Of course time goes by and diligent training continues.  Practitioners learn more and more about each portion of their art, and eventually come to understand that there is more to each piece of the Mitsu Domoe than initially stated.  For example, body doesn’t simply mean physical fitness.  It involves a complex combination of movement and ability.  In fact, it could be broken down inside the “body” prong like this -

Here we see “body” made up of speed, power, and technique.  If the martial artist maintains a balanced perspective in his training, soon his understanding of mind and spirit will grow as well.  He’ll begin to think like this -

Arriving at this stage is noteworthy because it can be very tempting to make training lopsided.  For example, it would feel rewarding to achieve a deeper level of knowledge in the body aspect of the arts.  In order to experience that feeling more often, a practitioner might focus predominantly on body, leaving mind and spirit behind.

But let’s say time and dedication has allowed the practitioner to acquire skill in all three aspects of his training.

Despite his efforts, there is still a disconnect.  As you’ll notice above, there are substantial white gaps in his knowledge and understanding.  He must continue to dig and explore, which can be intimidating.  Having achieved a level of ability (and maybe even a black belt), he could easily “accept his limitations” and call it quits.

But should growth continue, it would look something like this-

An odd tapestry begins to develop and connections are made where there were none before. Navigating between aspects of the arts becomes easier, and body/mind/spirit doesn’t seem so impenetrably separated.

Of course, there are still plenty of white gaps, agitatingly prominent inside a finely woven web. Should they ever be filled, the shape would turn into this-

Dazzling and intricate!  It’s funny to think that this was built one piece at a time.

As he’s dug deeper and deeper, more gaps in knowledge have been revealed to the practitioner.  Where the beginner saw one gap, now the experienced exponent sees many.  Perhaps more than he could ever tackle.  Of course, the joy is in the journey, so the exploration must continue.

Hereafter something fascinating happens.  Technique, mental acuity, and keenness of spirit  have become so interlocked and interwoven that the Mitsu Domoe has taken on a unique form-

Unusual - this phase seems less impressive to the eye and actually has some bumps and ridges.  The crisp definition of one aspect from another is gone and it’s tough to say where one prong ends and another begins.  The center seems to permeate outward.

What exactly are we looking at here? Is this the same karate that we saw our beginner practice?

No, this is a bugeisha’s art.  An art that has followed the way of balance, and is taking on its own form.  At any time this art can be broken down into basic elements, but when used fully, can barely be recognized as anything other than unique.

At this point, it is a matter of will more than anything that allows the bugeisha to continue onto the next phase-

The void.

It’s everything, and it’s nothing.  Through decades of filling the mind with techniques, theories, philosophies, and strategies, the bugeisha eventually arrives at nothing at all.  This nothingness cannot be achieved by lesser means, and it cannot be penetrated by anything lesser than itself.

The bugeisha and his art are one thing, which is no-thing.

Recently, creator Nathan Teodoro of TDA Training moved the forum to a new site, located here.  The new “COCA” utilizes ning, which is very functional, flexible, and easy to use.  Now COCA has the ability to add friends, create groups, chat, and a bunch of other cool social media stuff.

If you’re a martial arts writer, it might be worth checking out. If you’re a reader, you might want to stop on by and see if there are any discussions going on that interest you.

www.karateescorial.com

Now that’s a neko dachi you can set your watch to!  Back foot at a perfect 45 degree angle, front foot with the heel raised in a high pointed fashion.  Both knees unlocked.  Most of the body’s weight being supported by the back foot, allowing the front foot to kick quickly.

This is a great stance…but a little obvious, don’t you think?

One of the most important parts of traditional martial arts is hiding intent and technique.  An opponent who is given no clues as to your next action has little chance to defend against it. This is true in both sparring and street self-defense.

If you drop into a perfect neko dachi, what does this tell your opponent?

Why telegraph both aggression and intention like that? Instead, it’s much wiser to drop the heel back down to earth and make a more subtle shift of body weight onto the rear foot.

This guy is just hanging out…or is he?  Now granted hands-in-pocket is a bad idea, but our focus is more on the stance.  This gentleman is just as prepared to kick as his karate counterpart, but could easily fit into any public scene without sending signals.

Q: So why train in the photographic, heel pointed fashion?
A: Good habit development!

If white belts were trained to be casual right off the bat, they might not grasp the proper weight distribution and heel alignment.  The instinct to balance themselves evenly or improperly would be very strong.  By keeping the heel up and the knees flexed, instructors can analyze from across the room how good a stance is.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to get stuck in that mindset and never play around with adapting neko dachi into your day-to-day life.

Here’s something fun - in normal conversations with people throughout your day, try setting prime kicking distance, and settling into the natural neko dachi that I’ve shown above.  Hypothetically, if the person you’re talking to suddenly made a move (secret ninja attack!), you should be able to stick them right in the floating ribs or knees with a solid front kick. If you’re getting weird looks from the people you’re talking to, you know you aren’t casual enough yet.  Keep tweaking it.

final thought - what we’ve got here is karate training everyday, outside the dojo, that improves technique, distancing, timing, and mindset.  What a beautiful thing!

If you recall in my last post, I spent a few days down in Miami Beach on business.  That post ended with me on the beach and I didn’t really dive into what happened afterwards on the flight home…

Being a veteran of one whole flight, showing up at Miami Airport did not fill me with dread.  In fact, it was dark out so I was looking forward to seeing the city lit up from 10,000 feet.

Boarding went smoothly, and as we took off, the view did not disappoint -

Periodically throughout the flight, from the first moment we sat down until we all departed, I chatted with two women who were seated next to me.  They were roughly 55 and 65 years of age, but age is just a number - the stories they told suggested that I was sitting next to two very youthful spirits.

While Miami was my original destination, the two women were merely connecting through Miami to Philadelphia.  They had previously been on an excursion through the rainforests of Peru and Urugauy.

Their trip was astounding.  Landing in Uruguay, they found the airport flooded up to knee level (the plane landed “safely” but had to wade through the deeper water to get to the terminal).  They had to carry their luggage on their shoulders in order to traverse the streaming water.

Later, while on their trek, they found themselves in one of the only hotels in the region with electricity.  As luxurious as that was, they still had to walk up a flight of 70 steps every time they wanted to get clean water.

As we chatted back and forth about our recent trips, they both seemed amused by me.  They gave slight chuckles and possessed glints in their eyes that said ‘very nice young man, but wait until you see more of the world!’

The older of the two (65) was carrying a unique handbag with stitchings of lamas and other native designs on it.  I asked her about its origins, and she told me she had bought it in Peru.  Turning the conversation away from herself so as not to seem self-involved, she then commented about how pretty the girl on the front of the airline magazine was (Mila Kunis). We joked about how I might have to read that article first.

Our conversation wasn’t forced; we merely traded thoughts periodically throughout the trip. Even after the plan had landed, the women joked about their excursion being ‘quite a trip’, and their enthusiasm caused people in the adjacent rows to smile and listen. We all wanted to hear a little bit more, but the flight was over.

These women possessed ikigai in travel.  Their thirst for adventure gave them vitality and longevity that others in their age bracket could only wish for; not to mention boldness that would impress anyone of any age.

I didn’t get either of their names, and, unfortunately, I doubt they’ll ever know how much they impressed me!

Last time you heard from me I was reporting on some Elite XC shinanigans.  Since then, I have been wheeling and dealing down in Miami Beach.  I’d like to tell you a little bit about that trip, and about how my martial arts training affected the whole experience.  Plus I’m going to include some sweet pictures.  Like this one -

That was the view out of my hotel window, and I definitely enjoyed it. But let’s start at the beginning…

The Call and the Flight

A few weeks ago I was at work when we got a call.  It was an invite to present our company (ClassicWines.com) at the Miami International Wine Fair down in Miami Beach.  This event is usually relegated to wineries and retailers, but we’ve been in touch with other businesses in Miami so it seemed like a natural extension to have us there as well.  It was agreed upon and plans were put into motion.

Time went by quickly between the call and the event, and before I knew it I was double checking my carry-on and setting out for Philadelphia airport.

You may be surprised to hear this, but this was my first flight! Somehow or another, there’s never been a time when I couldn’t drive or take the train to my desired destination.  Naturally, I was very precautious and made sure to check everything twice.

As I was going through security, the metal detector alarm went off.  Three armed gaurds came running at me very quickly, trying to subdue me.  I was able to roundhouse kick one in the face while tossing pens at the other two like shurikens. (Sorry, I thought this part needed a little extra spice).

No, I actually used martial arts to improve my mindset.  In a situation that could be very stressful (crowded airport for the first time), I was able to calm my mind and absorb the commotion around me.  This helped me navigate around wayward travelers and traverse security with speedy precision.  In fact, when in a calm, focused state of mind, I also find that I am more pleasant and cheerful.  The folks working at the airport no doubt appreciate a smile now and then amongst the grouchy passengers in a hurry.

Miami, and the Weather is Fine

My first flight went very smoothly and we arrived safely in Fort Lauderdale.  With winter weather quickly bearing down on my native PA, sights such as these were very welcome -

and

On the Scene - Miami Wine Fair

When we got to the wine fair itself, it was easy to let myself slip into a little bit of intimidation.  After all, there were a lot of wine-knowledgeable people in attendance.  I wanted to blend into the crowd for awhile and not draw attention to myself.  Unfortunately, I knew blending wasn’t an option (Sorry Aikido folks, not this time).

In a self-pep-talk fashion, I reminded myself about the other stressful experiences I’ve overcome.  After all, if I can pass my sandan testing in front of the watchful eyes of Hanshi Heilman and the Renshi Kai board, I can do this right?

So I went to it, and after my first few successful interactions, the ice wore off and I was ready to go.  It reminded me a lot of sparring: as you are padding up before the first fight, doubts and fears are still running through your mind.  Your body is still drumming up complaints, instinctively trying to keep you out of harm’s way.  Yet, after the clock starts and the match begins, anxiety melts away inside of mushin and kokoro.

Miami After Hours

Outside of the conference itself, I had a really great chance to sample Miami life.  For example, the condo we all hung out at after the conference had this for a view -

The island you’re looking at is where stars tend to buy their pads.  I was not invited to that island.

The night life was equally as interesting.  I’m sure you’ve heard from TV and word-of-mouth about South Beach being a very trendy, very club oriented scene.  These rumors are true.  We checked out some fantastic restaurants and they really do spare no expense.  Very attentive, very courteous. Very loud 80s music (I guess it’s ironically hip?)

One thing I learned about myself while doin-it-Miami-Vice-style is that I’m a very basic individual.  I’ve spent many years through training trying to strip down the layers of myself that I didn’t care for or that I thought needed improvement.  Experiencing even a modicum of lavishness put me right out of my element.

After All Was Said and Done

This was a great, eye opening experience; but it was my initial intent to make it so.  I wanted to walk into the airport, the city, the convention center, the restaurants, and the beaches with fresh eyes.  I wanted it to feel new because it was new, and I didn’t want to let myself get buried in all of the contingencies and worries that could have eaten away at me.

I wanted to own the moment.

If you’ve heard of Elite XC, it’s probably due to their two main stars: Gina Carano and Kimbo Slice.  These headliners drew a lot of attention - some good, some not so good.

Guess which one is Gina!!

Elite XC was a relative newcomer in the world of MMA, and was not at the same level as UFC by any means.  Despite that, they made a pretty big splash through a combination of hype and antics.

Gina Carano, who came from a Muay Thai background, became a quick fan favorite as she racked up wins.  Showing poise and skill inside the ring, Gina made her way up to the top of Elite XC and currently has the MTIA championship belt.  Another reason she became a fan favorite - see picture above.

Kimbo Slice is perhaps one of the most controversial MMA fighters…ever?  I don’t know, that might be a bit strong.  But he really does have an interesting story.  Getting his start in backyard brawls, Kimbo quickly made a name for himself by taking the beat-knuckle to all comers.  For example:

(warning: harsh language and…you guessed it…violence).

This video is actually one of the tamer ones of Kimbo on Youtube.  Unfortunately, this brawling success didn’t transfer as smoothly as everyone thought it might into MMA.

In his last match, Kimbo got knocked out in 14 seconds by Seth Petruzelli, a good fighter but not a superstar by any stretch of the imagination.  Kimbo’s previous fight had been won on a controversial decision.  Despite his grooming for success, things just weren’t panning out.

Ultimately, losses, legal mishaps, and mismanagement all built up into one final collapse.  I found it surprising at first to hear about the shut down due to the high profile nature of Elite XC events.  They were on national networks and had all the trappings of a big time scene.

But, behind that was a general sense of sleaze.  The members of the Convocation of Combat Arts discussed this a little while ago, and we all generally agreed that the fireworks, dancers, and hooplah smacked of cheesy “pro wrestling” style affair.

Steve of BJJ Log stated: ” if they had put together a decent card I might forgive some of the spectacle, but the spectacle only served to perfectly frame the lack of substance in the rest of the broadcast.”  I think he’s right.

You’d think I’d be sad to see Elite XC go (what with the above dancers and all), but I’m not.  MMA is walking a fine line these days between where it was and where it is going.  MMA used to be a testament to no-holds-barred combat between two people of any style and any weight.  The goal was to have the better man win, no excuses.  These days, UFC MMA has turned into a bonafide sport with exceptionally skilled and trained athletes.

I think MMA will be a better place now, until the next profiteer rolls along and tries to do the same thing.  It’s inevitable with big business such as this.  Eventually the pomp is likely to stick, but then the next underground fad will start and the cycle will continue.

Your thoughts on the joys or laments of losing Elite XC?

Base level bunkai is very useful and shouldn’t be over looked.  By base level I mean: a block is a block and a punch is a punch.  If kata tells you to block down three times in a row, that’s exactly what you do.  You block a left kick, a right kick, then a left kick.  After that you finish up with a punch, or whatever else kata tells you to do.

Deciphering base level bunkai for kata can take a very long time as many of the moves will seem cryptic and unwieldy.  There’s no reason to be concerned by that, and no reason to rush it (as I explained in a previous post).

But sooner or later, you’ll probably find yourself scratching your chin and saying ‘yea…but what else can I do!?’

This is the rut I speak of, and just like with writer’s block, it can be tough to pull yourself out without an external nudge.  I figured I might present a nudge here that tends to help me think outside the box when I need to.

Opponents: One or One Hundred

How many opponents are you fighting when you practice your kata? One?  Two? A handful? More than you can count?  This is a very important question as it will change the entire dynamic of how you perform your kata.

One Enemy

Imagine that you are facing just a single opponent.  While keeping alert for other dangers around you, you are free to orient yourself entirely on that opponent.  That means you can afford to be a little more stationary, and make small moves with your body to adjust for the maai (distance from your opponent).  You can then use your techniques to slip slight angles as your aggressor attacks and counterattack with ease.

For example, let’s say you have a kata that blocks on the left 45 degree angle, then the right 45 degree angle, like so:

(Yea the guy in the picture has a giant head. so what.)

With a single opponent, you can use those techniques to intercept and retaliate:

**entering maai**

You’ll notice our brave combatant in the black intercepts the red attack and cuts the angle inward, reorienting himself/herself for a vital point strike to the temple, eyes, throat, or anything else he pleases.  This small shift in angle clears him from the oncoming second punch of his opponent.

With a single opponent, this “block, block” becomes an invasive disruption.  Since it’s just one attacker, the next step in your kata, whatever that may be, should be used to take this opponent out, or at least to the ground.

Two Enemies

One opponent was nice, but now you’ve started trouble with two guys.  What did you do??

Well, whatever you did…they are looking for trouble.  Let’s look at the same technique with two individuals coming at you in quick succession (or even at the same time)…

This time our hero in black has to move his body around a bit quicker.  The subtle angles he used with one opponent aren’t as applicable because he can’t afford to get tied up with in-close fighting while the other opponent rushes in toward him.  Instead, he uses a simultaneous block-strike motion as he shifts into each fighter.  Many times in kata we find ourselves blocking or striking.  Really, why have one hand in motion while the other remains stagnant?  Many movements in kata have inherent counterstrikes built in; we just have to allow ourselves to use them in quick time.

Multiple Opponents

The last situation is that of multiple opponents.  The exact number of opponents isn’t really important, but it’s obvious that there are a whole bunch.  Let’s say they are pretty smart too, and manage to partially surround their target (our hero).  Using this same technique, it would look something like this…

Our fighter is using a very wise strategy - get out of Dodge. The first thing he does is analyze as quickly as possible the largest hole in the encirclement.  He recognizes that the right side, where the brown attacker is, is very cluttered.  Instead, he breaks for the red opponent.  Using the same kind of technique as before, he blocks and strikes to the face violently at the same moment.  This time, he uses his angling to shift to the outside of his opponent and pushes the red attacker into the blue attacker.  Bundling up the two closest individuals, he escapes as quickly as possible.

Final Thoughts on Opponents

When doing bunkai, it’s important to think about your opponents, especially regarding how many there could be.  If you train in-tight against single opponents all the time, you might leave yourself tangled up with them too long for multiple opponent use.  However, if you are constantly floating around to different attackers, you might miss the more intricate uses of technique and how they can result in takedowns and groundfighting.

Be wary of leaving opponents too soon.  If you’ve successfully blocked an opponent, but haven’t dealt them a severe strike or takedown, it is probably unwise to move on to a new attacker.

Be careful not to get stuck in the habit of using 8,9,10 attackers in a kata.  You may be moving around and facing different directions, but that doesn’t necessarily mean every technique is intended for a new person.

***

I hope this was helpful.  It’s just a method I use to expand the parameters of bunkai, but it can be a great way to add realism to your kata.