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B Bates
B Bates's picture
Empi opening move

Hi all,

Here's some footage we filmed at the end of class after working Empi kata. We looked at the bunkai and some variations then worked it in a couple of drills.

Cheers

Brian

Jeremy McLean
Jeremy McLean's picture

Good stuff Brian. From a grappling perspective I can see the Empi opener as what wrestlers call a throw by. Assuming someone is on their back and using their feet to keep you at a distance,(gripping the feet, ankles, or pants cuff) tossing the legs off to one side and taking knee on belly fits well with those movements.

B Bates
B Bates's picture

Thanks for watching and for the comment. I think I can picture what you're saying Jeremy, that's interesting idea not something I considered myself but will have a play next time I'm in the dojo :)

Cheers

Brian

Wastelander
Wastelander's picture

That's actually one of my two my go-to applications when asked about that movement, although I don't practice a version of that kata, anymore. I recently had a friend from one of my previous schools discussing it with me, as he saw it in a non-karate book (Japanese jujutsu, I think?) and thought it fit that movement in the kata. Thanks for sharing!

B Bates
B Bates's picture

Thanks Noah, it's a simple and effective option for the opening move :)