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dhogsette
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Clearing Limbs Application for Opening Moves of Pinan Shodan

Howdy,

In self-defense, we are fighting in order to escape, not to “win the fight.” Thus, a primary target for our striking is the head, with the goal of knocking the enemy out, or at least to knocking him to the ground, so that we can then escape or deal with other attackers. However, if you cannot get the jump on the enemy with a pre-emptive strike, or if he is still standing after you strike, he very well may raise his arms to cover his head or to jamb your strikes. We need strategies for dealing with limbs that are interfering with our ability to strike the head. This video explains one possible way to clear limbs to clear a path to the head, using the opening moves from Pinan Shodan/Hein Nidan.

Best,

David

Marc
Marc's picture

Hi David! You already know that I love how you introduce different principles by re-using the same combination from Pinan Shodan/Heian Nidan in your course. Thank you for sharing yet another one.

I might be wrong, but I think I can see that your students kind of struggle a bit with this drill. The reason, I guess, is that although they're dominating the fight (opponent is protecting their head) they are instructed to clear the limb to the outside for them to attack from the inside. To me that seems unnecessarily risky, and maybe your students intuitively feel the same. As soon as they get to the next bit where they go to the outside and apply the arm bar they seem to feel more comfortable with where they are.

Maybe the drill could be modified by pulling the limb across from the outside so that the uppercut would attack from the outside to the side of the head (or the floating ribs). From there it flows easily into the arm bar. Granted the combination then would not look exactly like in the kata but it would use the same elements.

Thanks again, and take care,

Marc  

dhogsette
dhogsette's picture

Marc,

Yes, I agree, the students are struggling a bit with this drill. I think, as beginners, they are reaching max capacity! LOL. One thing that didn't get in the video was a brief discussion of how we cannot always get "safely" to the outside, given enviornmental constraints and such. So, we need some strategies for fighting "on the inside" while still working angles to keep away from the other hand that is likely coming soon enough.

I will teach them something similar to what you are suggesting, when we get to the Pinan Nidan (Heian Shodan)--the low block step punch sequence. There, I have a drill in which they pull the limb downward (low-block motion) and get to the outside, then step in and punch to the head. Personally, I prefer that technique in this context. But, it's good to have options.

Thanks for the feedback! You make an important observation and point.

Best,

David

Marc
Marc's picture

dhogsette wrote:
I think, as beginners, they are reaching max capacity! LOL.

Possible, but that's why it's a great idea to re-use the same sequence for all those drills and principles.

dhogsette wrote:
One thing that didn't get in the video was a brief discussion of how we cannot always get "safely" to the outside, given enviornmental constraints and such. So, we need some strategies for fighting "on the inside" while still working angles to keep away from the other hand that is likely coming soon enough.

Thanks for the explanation. A training video is always but a glimpse.

Take care,

Marc