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Mark B
Mark B's picture
Naihanchi training templates

Hi all

Here are a couple of the templates I teach & practice in my dojo. 

These two examples,  along with the other templates sourced from Naihanchi which practice serve to create a fluid close quarter system for problem solving.  These drills allow for some very vigorous training, and once the student becomes proficient Uke can intergrate random changes to the set template which creates a truly unscripted method for training.

Here the examples are taught at a steady (ish) learning tempo for ease of viewing.  

I hastily recorded these examples during training,  not wanting to disrupt the energy & intent the various drills were creating, also the dojo was extremely warmwhich creates a slightly  foggy look.

I learnt the basic regain of the inside from Iain many moons ago, the bicep bump/ shoulder blast I added later. I neglected to mention that on the recording.  Acknowledging the inside regain is important as it was one of the best drills I picked up anywhere.

I hope some of you enjoy these examples

Regards 

Mark 

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

I like both of those Mark and I appreciate you sharing them here.

Mark B wrote:
… once the student becomes proficient Uke can integrate random changes to the set template which creates a truly unscripted method for training.

Very important I think. People can quickly fall into the trap of doing drills to get good at drills. It’s important to deviate from the drill to get maximum benefit from it. The phrase I use is to “add in the dirt”. Take the “clean drill” and then add in variation, a degree of randomness, alternate ways in and out of the drill, alternate elements within the drill. The resulting practise is “dirty” and “ugly”, but it’s more realistic. It’s also the true traditional view of how kata and their applications should be approached:

“It is impossible to create two-person drills containing all of the techniques and their variations. However, if one practices kata correctly, it will serve as a foundation for performing any of the large number of variations that may be needed.” – Kenwa Mabuni

Mark B wrote:
I hastily recorded these examples during training,  not wanting to disrupt the energy & intent the various drills were creating, also the dojo was extremely warm which creates a slightly  foggy look.

Always good when even the camera sweats :-)

Mark B wrote:
I learnt the basic regain of the inside from Iain many moons ago, the bicep bump/ shoulder blast I added later. I neglected to mention that on the recording.  Acknowledging the inside regain is important as it was one of the best drills I picked up anywhere.

Thanks for the kind words and the acknowledgement. My own generic view is that when we learn something we then own it. As an example, my front kick is my front kick. If I was to list all those people who taught me it every time I use or teach it, then I already have an impractical list as long as your arm … and it gets worse if I add in all the people who taught them front kick, and then those who in turn taught them, and so on. I think we have the same thing here. The grappling to the inside is a common clinching method; so all I can take credit for is recognising that same motion as being present in Naihanchi … and even then I’m sure others would have come to the same conclusion independently. If you’d not seen me do it, I’m sure you would have come to similar conclusions anyway. And it’s just one part of a much larger drill.

It’s important to acknowledge the influence of those who were direct instructors / major long-term influences (neither being the case here); but I also think we need to caution against inappropriate or perpetual debt. This is your drill and I’m pleased the regain was of use, but overall the drill is 100% yours and hence, while appreciated, I don’t feel acknowledgement is needed.

I hope this does not come across as ungrateful (because I am) but I am taking the opportunity to make a general point. When I teach, I want people to make it theirs. I want them to make use of it and integrate the parts they like into what they do. In such a way it will become theirs (not mine) and I feel to expect acknowledgment following such assimilation and integration would be counter to my goals (maybe even a little arrogant?). So I appreciate the nod for that little part of the drill, but it’s not necessary from my perspective.

Once again, nice drills and thanks for sharing.

Regards,

Iain

Mark B
Mark B's picture

Hi Iain

Thanks for your post.

I've got eleven templates sourced from Naihanchi which we practice,  they consider what I believe to be the most likely habitual acts of physical violence.  We practice these things outside of the syllabus to try and get an energetic continuation of attack (s). The syllabus teaches a more sterile " do this application " , the templates expand on that. 

I absolutely agree that whilst getting good at drills is great fun it creates a false sense of security. Once the karateka gets to grips with the templates, the lessons, application principles & strategies those exercises are designed to teach need to be altered, or the timing can be changed, the uke can ask awkward questions by disrupting etc. That's when we find out how efficient we are in applying or kata, and which areas need work.

I call this "scruffy " karate, same idea as your "add in the dirt". This type of training allows for some real vigorous training too, as we're not concerned with how it "looks".Absolutely my favourite type of training. 

The 11 templates are what I teach at seminars  (shameless plug ☺) as I attempt to get my approach across.  Obviously 4 hours is nowhere near enough time but I find people can "free" themselves to some degree  by the end of the seminar which I love to see.

I appreciate your comments in response to my flagging up where I first came across the inside drill. You made good sense,  and I  share your sentiments in wanting people to own their karate. 

Thanks

Mark 

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Mark B wrote:
I call this "scruffy " karate, same idea as your "add in the dirt". This type of training allows for some real vigorous training too, as we're not concerned with how it "looks". Absolutely my favourite type of training.

Mine too. I refer to it as “the right kind of ugly”. It looks chaotic and messy, but you can see the skill within it. The “wrong kind of ugly” is when it’s just a chaotic mess of inefficiency.

I do love high quality kata, but I think that adds to what we are talking about. Paradoxically, there is something very special in seeing the “chaos within the solo form” (solo kata done not only precision, but also with intent and understanding) and the “solo form with in the chaos” (bunkai applied realistically and with authority). Both have an “appealing” look which is quite district from the “empty kata” we often see (no matter how precise the motions of that empty kata).

All the best,

Iain