MAKING A FIST

I have been helping teaching kids (and adults) and watching children (and adults!) I realized that step number #1 in karate, regardless of the style, school, dojo etc., should be actually a lesson of HOW TO MAKE A FIST.

About 4-5 years ago I went through a very dramatic self-revision of my karate and one of the fatal mistakes I had identified in my own karate was the actual fist formation. With a weak fist a punch will never be powerful enough. Makiwara is a good test for it and I am planning to write about it later.

So, what was the issue? Little finger was not tight enough and the thumb was not in the right place. It has been fixed since. I believe I need to review it again. Therefore I am asking for your help and advice regarding any issues my theory and my application currently has. 

Making a fist (as I see it) should be happening in the following sequence:

1. Open the palm

2. Bend all four fingers (no thumb included) to their base in a way that the highest level of tension is created by your little finger, yes the "pinky" :-) Stay focused on that one during the rest of the procedure.

3. Roll them further towards the base of the palm creating a fist with a thumb still pointing out.

4. Now bend your thumb in a way that it makes a latch preventing the first two fingers (index and middle) to get released from the tight hold.

The way I see it is if the pinky is not tight enough the whole fist will be weak and if the thumb is not in place creating a latch the elements of the fist will be disconnected. All these lead to a weak fist, potential injuries, impossible work on makiwara and punching the air as the only use of one's karate.

And of course all this is supposed to be done as one and very fast. So, the more you practice the better. Nothing new, right?! It has to become as hard as a stone. Test it on the even flat surface (I use wall). Do not hit it (why would you do it?) but rather just softly put your fist against the wall the way you punch and see how strong or weak your fist is. Now imagine when you hit an opponent who is approximately 90 kg and potentially moving towards you throwing his attack at you... Right? Your fist should be extremely strong and placed correctly to survive the impact and create some damage to the opponent. Considering the fact that it is weak in connection to your arm point anyway.

Please feel free to comment, advise, criticize and just give any input you wish. This blog is the right place for it. Thanks in advance. 

Ossu!

UCHI UKE

I have just finished my midday practice that included:
- SOTO UKE - GEDAN BARAI - UCHI UKE - GYAKU TSUKI
- EMPI and JUNRO YONDAN.


I have to come to one of the most difficult for me points, UCHI UKE. Somehow application of this technique goes better than KIHON (that's how I see it at least!). UCHI UKE - a block from inside. It should start from the HIKITE creating compression (potential energy) and making the whipping snap (kinetic energy) in order to stop in front of the body covering its "edge". Usually performed on CHUDAN level.


Please watch my video and point out as many of my mistakes as possible. I am going to review this technique during the the next two weeks.

Introduction. And so we begin or Why this blog

There are many pages on the Web dedicated to the Japanese art of karate-do (as many as of any other subject I guess). Here and there they provide useful information on the subject. Some of them contain interesting video footage, some written advices, many of them criticize the rest, forums, blogs, discussions, etc. I have been one of those addicted to the art for long time now and thus very interested in developing my karate, reading advices from the advanced karateka and trying to see different points of view. My karate is getting better. Slowly but surely. I have all my life (the rest of it) in front of me to continue this progress yet. No hurry though. I take my time.

Suddenly I realized that probably the best way to get my karate-do better is just to let all karateka Worldwide  to criticize my technics and to answer my questions (I have a lot). This blog will be following this bright idea!! ;-) I will be posting something of my karate (not necessarily something very advanced) and you, my brothers-in-art, are very welcome to crash my Ego with your notes, criticism, sarcasm and hopefully useful advices.

Please do not hesitate! I do not promise that I will take on board all of those ideas but I should and I do promise to read all and not to argue over any of them. My goal is to learn. So, "the cup is empty".

Thank you in advance. Ossu!

The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate: The Spiritual Legacy of the Master