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PASmith
PASmith's picture
Bunkai concepts in action

I watch a lot of martial arts technical breakdown videos and was struck by some things in the following video, breaking down some facets of Conor McGregor's game, that chime with some of the kata and bunkai concepts Iain (and others) have brought to the fore in recent years. I love seeing these sorts of linked martial arts themes and commonalities.

In particular how he uses his non-hitting hand to set datums (data?), create space, deny the clinch, sense the direction, movement and energy of his opponent, etc, How he hits where his right hand was in order to better target his left hand in the midst of the chaos. Stuff that's very easy to miss when you watch Conor fight and see the more flamboyant kicks, show boating, slick slips and counter lefts.

JD
JD's picture

Hi PASmith,

Great vid setting examples of real time datum setting, fence/frame and distance control work during combat.

Whoever has taken the time to collate them clips and analyse them has done a good job and has done well to make the connection and identify the tactics Connor's deploying. Same with yourself for wanting to post it on here, great evidence of control and using the limbs efficiently, same as the bunkai Iain and many other's teach like you mention above, enjoyed watching it... so thanks.

Although I'm not the same calibre as Mr Mcgreggor, I too use an extended front hand to measure distance, put the opponent off, cover/block when fighting from kick/punch distance and also to engage and disengage in clinching, great tool to use and easy to pick up with some dedicated live sparring practise. I prefer to utilize this from a more forward facing stance than Mcgreggor does, but still works fine either way.

If you like the concept used in this video, watch Anderson Silva use similar head control and datum setting in this vid below, there's other vids of him doing different types of hold and clinch's to feel and contain his opponent ultimately giving him time to explore openings. Skip to 3:24 and watch til the end from there to see him use control and datum setting... simply sweet!

All the best,

JD

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

PASmith wrote:
I watch a lot of martial arts technical breakdown videos and was struck by some things in the following video, breaking down some facets of Conor McGregor's game, that chime with some of the kata and bunkai concepts Iain (and others) have brought to the fore in recent years. I love seeing these sorts of linked martial arts themes and commonalities.

That’s a really good video which shows these things being done at a very high level. Thanks for sharing!

I too love seeing these martial commonalities across systems and contexts.

It’s probably worth mentioning that in the “Oshima Hikki” (Note of Oshima), an eye witness to Kushanku’s fighting methods stated that he was not physically strong and yet he defeated much stronger opponents with ease. We are also told that his methods involved placing one hand on the opponent whilst striking with the other hand. So as far back as the 1760s we have documentation of this being a notable part of fighting methods that were later labelled as “karate”.

The creator of Kushanku (Kanku-dai) kata was Tode Sakugawa. He is said to have created the kata after training with Kushanku the man. “Tode” is an alternative way saying “karate” (Chinese hand) and the nickname was given to him by his teacher Peichin Takahara (real name was Kanga Sakugawa). Tode Sakugawa was also Sokon Matsumura’s teacher.

The point is that the label “Chinese hand” / “Karate” was strongly attached to Sakugawa. One of the earliest eye-witness accounts of the fighting methods that became labelled as “karate” therefore has controlling with one had while hitting with the other is listed as a distinctive part of the system. And yet, we don’t see that in modern 3K karate. Of course, we do in the “bunkai based” approaches based on the older methods … and it seems we see the same concepts applied at a high-level by Mr McGregor too :-)

All the best,

Iain

JD
JD's picture

Hi Iain,

Thinking in a completely crazy manner...

Given the fact over the last few years, your teachings have spread and you've become well known for what you do, in the coming years you're surely to become even more popular and have a greater following, who teach and train your applied bunkai and kata based sparring.

With the above in mind, as another direction to venture down, would/could you hold a competition for karateka to showcase the more practical version of karate and encourage even more into taking up the applied bunkai karate route?

They could show their kata in it's omote state and then indulge in it's bunkai as is the case with current competitions but instead of fantasy application, they'd show the pragmatic orginal bunkai you promote, to which they'd be marked on and judged, in groups or indvidual with 1 partner?

As for kumite, a combination of fighting from kicking punching distance but with the allowance for up close clinch work and takedowns, encompassing what the kata's teach and in effect been ''competition kata based sparring''? Pupils could wear protective equipment in order to prevent injury and some techniques could be banned such as the obvious, neck cranks etc...

Surely that would make for some interesting viewing and participating, more would be able to join in due to the fact it doesn't rely on athletic, explosive abilty like 3k, but more natural body mechanics.

This might not be the right thread to post in regards the subject, but what got me thinking was you saying ''And yet, we don’t see that in modern 3K karate.​'' The idea of taking what you do and allowing the ever growing fan base you have to test and showcase their skills learnt for rewards might be interesting?

I'm almost thinking out loud here and it's maybe a non starter for certain reasons, however, whatever minor hinders are apparent, i'm sure you - better than anyone - could find a way of making it work. Just thought it was something to consider for the future, maybe it's already been considered or suggested on another post, if so I apologise for repeating history.

All the best,

Josh

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

JD wrote:
would/could you hold a competition for karateka to showcase the more practical version of karate and encourage even more into taking up the applied bunkai karate route?

It’s a great idea, but I don’t think I’m the right person for that job. A good friend of mine is already perusing that line of thinking though:

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/shogun-practical-karate-tournament-middlesex

There’s this video of me talking about it too (may only be visible to those in the UK?):

https://www.facebook.com/iainabernethy/videos/1749687021755206/

All the best,

Iain

JD
JD's picture

Hi Iain,

Oh well at least I was making sense :-), I'm surprised you think you're not a good fit for setting something up like this, with the attention to detail you have, I'd put you down for being ideal for organising such an idea.

Great to hear it's possibly in the pipeline, would certainly make for better viewing and more enjoyment to participate in than the jumpy 3k stuff, would bring karate back to it's roots also.

Thanks for the links and reply...

All the best,

JD

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

JD wrote:
I'm surprised you think you're not a good fit for setting something up like this, with the attention to detail you have, I'd put you down for being ideal for organising such an idea.

Thank you for the kind words. In my “early days” (up to 4th dan) I competed a fair bit, but it was never where my heart was. I also officiated quite a bit too; eventually being a chief judge of national level kata finals. So, I do know how competitions “work”, and I’d like to think I know a thing or two about practical karate. The big shortcoming though is that I have zero experience of organising competitions. I really like what Doug is doing and I’m helping out in the ways I can, but he is defiantly making a much better job of this than I could.

All the best,

Iain

JD
JD's picture

Hi Iain,

Iain Abernethy wrote:

Thank you for the kind words. In my “early days” (up to 4th dan) I competed a fair bit, but it was never where my heart was.

I can fully understand this feeling and have been there myself... good fun, but feels hollow in a sense, bit like an chocolate easter egg - good on the outside, but nothing on the inside.

Iain Abernethy wrote:

I also officiated quite a bit too; eventually being a chief judge of national level kata finals.

That's really interesting, certainly some pressure and responsibility being in that position, not something I'd be eager to do, especially with some of the competitor's hopes and wills being as dedicated and strong as they are.

Iain Abernethy wrote:

I’d like to think I know a thing or two about practical karate.

haha - yeah just a bit! :-)  
Iain Abernethy wrote:

I really like what Doug is doing 

After searching the link and looking on his website for more details and rules of the comp, I think it has the potential to become very popular and do well, I hope it gets the support it deserves from the practical karate community and I'm sure Doug will do it justice with his previous competition organising experience... but I still believe you could give it a good crack though! 

All the best,

Josh