In this video we cover a pad drill for the first half of Seipai kata. This impact drill mirrors a two-person bunkai flow drill; that the video also shows. These drills should not be isolated from the wider training matrix of which they are part. That training matrix also includes drilling individual techniques, alternate combinations, variations in line with underlying principles, and the free-flowing applications in both semi-live and live drills. It is obviously not possible to show the entirety of such a training matrix in one short video.

This video looks at some drills for the first half of Sochin kata (Shotokan version). The clip starts by looking at the kata’s illustrations of principle (i.e. example techniques). We then move on to drill the skill of moving past the limbs by applying those principles in a more free-flowing way. It’s important to understand that what is shown at that point is a drill for clearing the enemy’s limbs out of the way of the target. We therefore isolate that skill and extend the time practicing it. This is not meant to be a realistic recreation of combat.

In this video I discuss a problem I see forming on the fringes of the practical karate community. While the community continues to go from strength to strength, with more and more people adopting a practical approach, we have to guard against overlooking the need for high-quality technique. I don’t see this as a huge problem at the moment, but I see enough of it to warrant making this video.

This video looks at the one-legged turning sequence in Unsu kata that starts with a ridge-hand and ends with a reverse-punch. The karate of the past had a significant throwing component. Because many modern karateka don’t appreciate that throwing is a part of their art, many throwing actions in kata are misinterpreted. This sequence is a good example of that. What is clearly a throw, gets misunderstood as turning “block”, delivered on one leg, with the hands on the hip for no apparent reason!