Newsletter 1129
Martial Arts Core Technique that Nobody Teaches
Actually, there are two martial arts techniques, or movements that are at the core of ALL martial arts, and yet nobody teaches them. To be upfront both of these techniques are in my, Dharma Combat. I’ll tell you about one here, the one that is in the book, but which I don’t emphasize.
When you do your forms the basis of movement, especially in the first forms (Taikyoku and Heian One), the basic movement is to take a step. You step forward and do a low block, you step forward and do a punch. Later on you might stand in place while you do a technique, or perhaps change or shift your stance, but the basic movement this is all based on is…to take a step forward.
When, in a fight, do you take a step forward? When do you face a person with your left foot forward, and step all the way in with your right foot, to attack?
And, of course, you simply don’t step forward to defend. Not at all.
There are advanced techniques where you will step in to affect a throw, or some other technique, but the basic movement of stepping forward is something you will almost never do in fighting.
So what do you do? You shuffle. You push with your back leg and step with the front leg when you want to attack, when you want to close distance. And how many arts teach that? Almost none.
I know that Hsing i teaches shuffling, and Pa Kua does, after a fashion. Bu I can’t think of any other art which promotes shuffle as the main spring of attack.
You will find individual techniques here and there, but virtually no art provides drills and exercises in how to shuffle, which builds up the precise muscles necessary to a good, ground closing shuffle.
If you are close, you can’t step forward with the rear foot, you are too close.
If you are too far away, the fight hasn’t started.
If you are in fighting distance you will edge forward in small shuffles and motions until you can launch your attack.
In Dharma Combat I provide three very small forms, seven movements each, which drill you on shuffling, and potential movements which result or are possible after shuffling.
And, in that book I go into, in depth, the hand movement that is at the core of virtually ALL martial arts techniques. I show this technique with links to seven videos.
Click on the link below.
It’s raining in Florida now, so I think I’ll go out and practice walking between the raindrops without getting wet.
Thanks for being martial artists, and may the Matrix be with you.
Have a great work out!
Al
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Have you read Insanica?
BTW ~ I only do video testing if you have prior experience and have a partner to demonstrate techniques on.
