In karate there is an exercise called sandan gi, or three level training.
Attacking partner does a stepping punch high, middle and low, using sanchin stance except for the low punch, in this case use shikodachi.
Partner doing the defence steps back as required, responding with upper block, middle block and lower block. The final one is done at an angle.
On the face of it, it's just a three-step sparring routine, but on close inspection it is quite interesting.
Goju Ryu karate is about close-in work, so halve the training range. The defender is going to have to really move now, the half distance is effectively double the speed (so whilst learning it, attacker should slow down!)
Suddenly there's no space to compensate, defender has to use the transition movements between the uke. Passing and parrying from one side to the other, pressing and receiving not simply bashing the arm out of the way.
At the end of the sequence the attacker is well placed to whack defender in the face, so go again. Doing the sequence twice before swapping roles provides a symmetry in training you get both right-bias and left-bias without having to stop and reorganise yourselves.
From the attacker's point of view the training ensures proper use of stance because a good defence will simply bounce the attacker away leaving him off balance. For the final attack, the attacker is obliged to move in at a 45 degree angle because a good defence prevents the attacker advancing. Angular stepping is needed to get past the guard.
It's not a fight, it's not self defence or anything like that. It's basics-with-a-partner while revealing some interesting strategies. The trick is to get close in.
And all this doesn't even include the benefits of working stances, transitions, practicing basics and learning how to attain a 'martial body'. Three level training sits very nicely alongside kata.
Just goes to show, there's basics and there's basics.
Attacking partner does a stepping punch high, middle and low, using sanchin stance except for the low punch, in this case use shikodachi.
Partner doing the defence steps back as required, responding with upper block, middle block and lower block. The final one is done at an angle.
On the face of it, it's just a three-step sparring routine, but on close inspection it is quite interesting.
Goju Ryu karate is about close-in work, so halve the training range. The defender is going to have to really move now, the half distance is effectively double the speed (so whilst learning it, attacker should slow down!)
Suddenly there's no space to compensate, defender has to use the transition movements between the uke. Passing and parrying from one side to the other, pressing and receiving not simply bashing the arm out of the way.
At the end of the sequence the attacker is well placed to whack defender in the face, so go again. Doing the sequence twice before swapping roles provides a symmetry in training you get both right-bias and left-bias without having to stop and reorganise yourselves.
From the attacker's point of view the training ensures proper use of stance because a good defence will simply bounce the attacker away leaving him off balance. For the final attack, the attacker is obliged to move in at a 45 degree angle because a good defence prevents the attacker advancing. Angular stepping is needed to get past the guard.
It's not a fight, it's not self defence or anything like that. It's basics-with-a-partner while revealing some interesting strategies. The trick is to get close in.
And all this doesn't even include the benefits of working stances, transitions, practicing basics and learning how to attain a 'martial body'. Three level training sits very nicely alongside kata.
Just goes to show, there's basics and there's basics.