NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/rec/martial/14743

Text File | 1992-11-23 | 3.2 KB | 67 lines

Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!hellgate.utah.edu!math.utah.edu!news.math.utah.edu!jon
From: [e-mail] (Jonathan Byrd)
Subject: Re: Question: fumikomi (foot-stamping)
Sender: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 18:53:30 GMT
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In-Reply-To: [e-mail]'s message of Mon, 23 Nov 92 14: 38:39 GMT
Organization: University of Utah
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In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Stephen Chan x4485) writes:


   In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jonathan Byrd) writes:
   >Very interesting.  I have been taught not to stop, but to accelerate
   >through.  In fact, I was taught that, at the time the front foot hits
   >the ground, the front leg's shin bone must be at least vertical, and
   >it is better if the knee is slightly forward of the ankle.

       I've kind of wondered about the method myself, but one thing about
   Hamilton's Karate style was that the stances were very high, so an overcommit-
   ment of your mass would tend to put your center in much more danger. That's
   kind of the explanation I eventually settled on.

In fact, Kendo stances are even higher than most Karate stances.

   >  That way,
   >you can continue to accelerate forward.  The reasoning is that the
   >faster you charge in, the less opportunity your opponent has for a
   >counterblow.

       But if you are overcommited to the first technique, then it will take
   you longer to launch the second technique. And you might end up grappling with
   your opponent, which is not what a Karateka wants to be doing.

Perhaps the difference in philosophy may be based on the art.  In
Kendo, you are considered "safe" at a swordguard-to-swordguard impasse
(tsuba-zeriai).  When you charge in for a strike in Kendo, you want to
spend the smallest amount of time possible in striking range.
Theoretically, you start from a distance too far to strike.  As you
charge forward, you briefly pass through the proper striking distance,
where you deliver your blow.  By continuing to charge forward, you
quickly pass into a distance that is too close for your opponent to
strike a counterblow in case you miss.

I will admit that I would be less enthusiastic about charging in to
close quarters if my opponent had a sharp sword, and could punch,
kick, and trip me as well.  Nevertheless, stopping precisely at the
striking distance does make you a prime target for a counterblow.

Speaking of commitment, Kendo is a great art for the cultivation of
late commitment.  The backstroke of the blade is always the same --
straight back -- so your opponent will not know your true intentions
until your blade is on the downswing.  You can sometimes win by
charging straight in, and waiting until your sword tip is fully drawn
back before you decide which target to hit.  If you're lucky, your
spirit will cause your opponent to flinch, and open a target for you.

--
jonathan byrd
[e-mail]