One Strike of Rage

We warmed up with the 半棒術 hanbōjutsu kihon 合わせ投げ awase nage. We worked limiting the use of the upper body to achieve the result with positioning. And I shared a henka that skips to trap the opponent with his own grip.

I began class with the 坐型 suwari gata 一激 ichigeki. This starts from 不動坐 fudōza. This means you should have a very stable platform for your ground techniques. Unfortunately many people do not stretch or live healthy enough to use this kamae well. Therefore many students struggle before we even begin the kata.

You must be able to deliver a swift kick as you rise out of fudōza. Also, during the rise, you apply a gyaku to the grabbing attacker. This positions him for your final blow and escape.

I shared four directions for this strike. This kind of body control will cause the opponent to fall right where you want. Then you may escape or even stay and pin.

Next, I shared a more advanced idea I learned from Hatsumi Sensei where you mirror your opponent. He grabs, you grab. Your kamae matches his, but you control his shoulder. Soke told us, “It doesn't matter how the opponent grabs. You hold naturally. You have to be able to rest the opponent on your body so that you can move freely anywhere. And if you move, he sticks with you.”

Then I mirrored to the outside. I lightly press the attacker’s shoulder. But I just brush by as I use 膝行 shikkō to attack his rear leg. I even showed off by doing a spinning move from shikkō which my students could not replicate. Sometimes its the small things that make me happy.

Of Note: that which you avoid finds you