Kata and form as “muscle memory building tools” is a wonderful surprising truth to experience as a serious student of karate. I was surprised when kata just started coming out when sparring.
Thing is, the "uke means block" is not just a misnomer: it's actually completely wrong. Uke comes from the verb ukeru, which means "to receive, to accept" (in the sense of accepting the situation, in that context). So, any "uke" technique is just about how you react when your opponent does something to you. It CAN be a block, but it can also be a lock, could be a blow, or a throw. It simply means that the move is about dealing with the situation at hand. In fact, so many things about karate make so much sense if you pay attention to the meaning of the words. Love your vids by the way
@@KarateBreakdown Exactly. Learning what the words actually meant was a huge help in better understanding karate techniques. I think another example would be the word "tsuki" like in "oi tsuki", that is so often translated as "punch" when it actually means "thrust". By the way, I wanted to have your opinion on something... At the beginning of Heian Shodan (I think pinan nidan in Shorin Ryu?), what do you think of the bunkai of the oi tsuki followed by a turn and a gedan barai as being a kind of hip bump throw?
This got me to thinking of how many times people are amazed when I teach them that the three forward moving knife hand blocks in Bassai Dai are actually strikes making the person move back. I remember reading that from one of Funakoshi's writings somewhere, and never forgot it. Those three knife hands in Bassai can really get inside an opponents personal space and drive him back. And remember right after that you have the counter to a wrist grab with the side kick to the knee? You can also adjust that to grab the bad guy by his lapels and execute the kick to the knee just like the kata. Ironically, it was forms competition that opened up all the possibilities of applications to me. I had read of how much Funakoshi stressed the importance of katas, and it took me years to realize he was right. Sorry for the derail, I just love writing and talking about forms. Forms is what I do.
In Chinese marital arts a frame can also be a strike as a block could be a strike or both can lead to redirection. Which means that essential no matter the style or method anyone can use it.
In Isshinryu Okinawan karate we say "every strike can be a block, every block can be a strike". Yet, there's more to it than that, open handed blocks are often a pretext to a grappling/submission maneuver, rather than a striking maneuver.
A well trained block can also become an effective offence because against an untrained opponent you can cause them serious injury to their strike rendering them unable to continue their attack.
Never understood ( or being able to apply in free kumite) Shuto Uke. It makes more sense as frame for me. To be true, I start seeing traditional Shotokan teachers using the technique in different way that just a simple block.
It’s be easier to understand the context of the moves if we used the correct vocabulary. A block is stop an attack, to ward off is to frame like in the video, and to parry is to redirect the attack. The global karate training collective is actually a really good idea. I might sign up for that. It’s extremely difficult to get training partners. Even if there’s multiple dojos in town.
I like this approach to shuto, I get confused on strings of shutos moving forward bit what about in situations like the end of bassai dai or bassai sho?
The 45 degree shuto remind me of crashing into haymakers or someone who is swinging wildly, but the step to the angles can be potential foot sweeps or redirecting the opponent off the centerline
Kata and form as “muscle memory building tools” is a wonderful surprising truth to experience as a serious student of karate. I was surprised when kata just started coming out when sparring.
Thing is, the "uke means block" is not just a misnomer: it's actually completely wrong. Uke comes from the verb ukeru, which means "to receive, to accept" (in the sense of accepting the situation, in that context). So, any "uke" technique is just about how you react when your opponent does something to you. It CAN be a block, but it can also be a lock, could be a blow, or a throw. It simply means that the move is about dealing with the situation at hand. In fact, so many things about karate make so much sense if you pay attention to the meaning of the words.
Love your vids by the way
That’s a great point, a lot of things aren’t just lost in translation but just translated incorrectly to English. Thanks for watching!
@@KarateBreakdown Exactly. Learning what the words actually meant was a huge help in better understanding karate techniques.
I think another example would be the word "tsuki" like in "oi tsuki", that is so often translated as "punch" when it actually means "thrust".
By the way, I wanted to have your opinion on something... At the beginning of Heian Shodan (I think pinan nidan in Shorin Ryu?), what do you think of the bunkai of the oi tsuki followed by a turn and a gedan barai as being a kind of hip bump throw?
Thus uke in judo etc.
I wonder if dojos in Japan are better than non speaking countries
@@AreteAskesis they are. It's a bit tough if you don't speak Japanese though.
Karate would be way more effective if everyone was taught this.
Karate is Effetive one of the best martial arts in the planet very complete.
@@DouglasGomesBueno Yep. Training is the key. Tools are useless if you don't know how to use them.
This got me to thinking of how many times people are amazed when I teach them that the three forward moving knife hand blocks in Bassai Dai are actually strikes making the person move back. I remember reading that from one of Funakoshi's writings somewhere, and never forgot it.
Those three knife hands in Bassai can really get inside an opponents personal space and drive him back. And remember right after that you have the counter to a wrist grab with the side kick to the knee? You can also adjust that to grab the bad guy by his lapels and execute the kick to the knee just like the kata.
Ironically, it was forms competition that opened up all the possibilities of applications to me. I had read of how much Funakoshi stressed the importance of katas, and it took me years to realize he was right.
Sorry for the derail, I just love writing and talking about forms. Forms is what I do.
In Chinese marital arts a frame can also be a strike as a block could be a strike or both can lead to redirection. Which means that essential no matter the style or method anyone can use it.
In Isshinryu Okinawan karate we say "every strike can be a block, every block can be a strike". Yet, there's more to it than that, open handed blocks are often a pretext to a grappling/submission maneuver, rather than a striking maneuver.
A well trained block can also become an effective offence because against an untrained opponent you can cause them serious injury to their strike rendering them unable to continue their attack.
Shuto uke (and age uke )have been the bane of my Muay Thai training partners during clinchwork since I joined the gym 😂😂😂
I love it, do you mind sharing a strategy or 2
Never understood ( or being able to apply in free kumite) Shuto Uke. It makes more sense as frame for me. To be true, I start seeing traditional Shotokan teachers using the technique in different way that just a simple block.
It’s be easier to understand the context of the moves if we used the correct vocabulary. A block is stop an attack, to ward off is to frame like in the video, and to parry is to redirect the attack.
The global karate training collective is actually a really good idea. I might sign up for that. It’s extremely difficult to get training partners. Even if there’s multiple dojos in town.
Hey Man, you always make sense. Great video.
Appreciate it, I always want to approach martial arts with logic rather than just following what I’m told etc. thanks for watching!
Love it
Thanks!
I like this approach to shuto, I get confused on strings of shutos moving forward bit what about in situations like the end of bassai dai or bassai sho?
The 45 degree shuto remind me of crashing into haymakers or someone who is swinging wildly, but the step to the angles can be potential foot sweeps or redirecting the opponent off the centerline