Training Self-Tests

(This article originally appeared in the August 2006 issue of Shoto-Mag.)

Some of us, particularly those who are teaching others, often do not have enough time to train with other people, as much of our time is dedicated to helping others improve. And even when we do get a chance to work out, we are usually still focused on the students and may not be able to think about our own improvement as much as we would like.
 
In this article, I would like to introduce several ideas for self-checks for teachers, as well as students who may not have enough time to come to the dojo as often as they would like.
 
First, I would like to remind everyone that thinking about karate can greatly increase the efficiency of the learning process. Doing repetitions mindlessly may be a good workout. But improvement through mindless repetition training may be limited. Thinking alone is also of only limited value; physical training is crucial for improvement. The best way is to combine the two. Think as you do.
 
There are many ways we can involve our minds into our training schedule. We can read books, watch videos and have discussions with others. In Funakoshi’s time, books were even hard to come by. These days, we have more information on the internet relating to Shotokan than there was information in all forms on all martial arts put together only 50 years ago.
 
While reading about others’ experiences and watching tournaments on tape have it’s value, what we will be looking at in this article is specifically how we can think about our own training. The same resources are available for this purpose as well. We can keep a training journal, we can videotape our own performance and we can discuss our own technique and training ideas with others.
 
There are various ways we can look at ourselves to check our technique. One of these is by simply looking down. This has its value, but has many potential problems.
• Posture may suffer, especially if it becomes habitual
• Focus leaves the opponent (imagined in basics, but potentially real)
• Errors may be subconsciously corrected during the process of looking down.
• This is not usually the angle from which an opponent would view your technique, so the value of that view is limited.
 
A better way to look at ourselves is in a mirror. A full-length mirror is of course the best, to see the movements of the entire body, even if concentrating on one small movement at a time. For the most part, the abovementioned points are not a concern when looking in the mirror.
 
The best way to look at ourselves, however, is on videotape. Of course many instructors, including myself, tell students this. But how many of us follow our own advice on this subject? It takes time, a suitable location, proper equipment, good lighting, the proper angle from which to film…If we had that much time, wouldn’t we just go to the dojo and have a more thorough training? What makes video so valuable is that we can store the images. Not simply to show your grandchildren…We can review the same tape with various ideas in mind, to see if we were making a certain mistake that we were probably not considering at the time of filming. When looking for errors by looking down or in the mirror, we have certain points that we are checking. With video, we can catch ourselves on various points. You may record yourself initially thinking you would like to check if your heels are coming up as you step back. While watching the replay, you may also notice that your posture is going off or you could decide to check hand/foot timing and other details you were not consciously thinking of as you were being recorded.
 

It can also be very valuable to incorporate a variety of equipment in our training, such as a makiwara, heavy bag, or objects that we may kick over top of. These can all be used while training alone to give unbiased feedback.
 
At this point, I would like to show a few examples of a category of self-check method of training I sometimes use. This training requires little space and does not require a partner. It can be a great way to check for some bad habits, and is particularly useful if you only have a few minutes.
 
Face the wall such that both your feet are no more than 6 inches from the wall. Turn to the right into

front stance, keeping both feet within about 6 inches of the wall, and extend your left arm for reverse-punch. Hold your hand within an inch or two of the wall. Return the fist to the left hip and punch again a few times. This is primarily to check if your elbow is going out on reverse-punch. Now, let’s try to the other side to make sure we work on both sides. Next, alternate. As we speed up, it becomes more difficult to keep the elbows from coming out but the wall helps tell you if you are doing this. Also watch that you are not poking the hips back during the transition in an effort to help distance yourself from the wall. See video clip 1, below, for an example.
 
Next, start the same way and do a front-kick. Again, as we advance to alternating sides, it becomes more difficult to do correctly, without letting the kicking leg go out as a result of the inherent centrifugal force.
 
Ushirogeri/back-kick: Face away from the wall and turn around towards the wall as you kick. For more difficult practice, if you have access to mats or other large objects, you can arrange a few of them together and kick between them. This is a great way to work on accuracy of the kick but particularly to make sure the kicking path is straight. See video clip 2 for an example.
 
Mawashigeri/round-house kick: Face away from the wall and kick with the right leg to the left of you, then alternate. The is a good way to make sure that you are following through properly to a more realistic depth than we often employ when doing controlled kumite. See video clip 3 for example.
 
There are many other ways to use the wall for self-training, including target practice involving precise control of attack depth. Also, we can check our stances, such as bending the front leg against the wall in front stance, checking to be sure the knee stays still as we turn the hips between shomen and hanmi. Or, put the back leg against the wall in back stance (see photo). Or, turn to the side in back stance and practice shuto-uke, making sure the body parts are properly aligned and the entire blocking arm is almost flush against the wall.
 
There are various other possible self-checks that we can perform while training by ourselves, including target practice for distance, timing, or impact checks. Training with inner-tubes was covered in a previous article on ShotoMag. And we can work on altered kata to reach a greater depth of technical and application understanding. What I have introduced and reviewed here are just a few of those that I use and/or teach. My hope is that people will continue to train when they can and work toward self-improvement, independently if needed.
 



 

The “Standard” 45 Degrees

(This article originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of ShotoMag.)

I am generally very supportive of the idea of setting and maintaining standards. I am also known for my ideas on experimenting with variations. This article is meant not as an exploration into variations. But rather offers an opinion as to when to consider a “standard” something that should not always be considered the goal but rather a “minimum acceptable level.” I would like to use two examples here, both dealing with “45 Degrees.”
 
“Hips 45”
 
We will first look at the hip positioning as we move in front stance between hip front position (shomen) and hip open position (hanmi).
 
When we pull the opposite hip back for blocking, in certain strikes or in preparation for a punch, most instructors seem to advise students to have their hips at “45 degrees.” While this is not bad, I think most of us can do better, and should. I think 45 degrees should be considered the minimum, for those who lack flexibility.
 
Are you stopping at 45 degrees? Can you go further? Try this:
 
Hold a staff (bo) or some other long, straight stick or pole (a broom should work fine, for example) at your hips, parallel to the floor. If you do not have such a staff or stick available, place your hands on your hips or stretch your arms out straight to the sides. This will help you more accurately determine the placement of your hips as you move. Start with your hips straight ahead (shomen)(photos A & 1). Pull your hip back to 45 degrees (photos B & 2). Bend your back knee further to make sure the hip does not rise or go back while you push your hip back past 45 degrees (photos C & 3). You may not be able to go much further. But every inch can make a difference. 60-65 degrees is probably about as far as most people can push it without distorting the stance and/or posture.

Photos A & 1:


Photos B & 2:


Photos C & 3:

 
By bringing your hip back further, the hip can move a larger distance, which can help in generating more power. If launching a punch off this hip, the fist will travel a greater distance as well. Not only does the hip move further, as well as the fist launched from it. But it can also be a more powerful movement due to that the rear leg should be bent further (photo 4). The stretch of the leg from this “loaded” (bent) position is the primary driving force behind most techniques that involve a change from hanmi to shomen hip positions.

Photo 4:

 
One must be careful, however, when testing the limits of this hip turn. The knee of the front leg may have a tendency to turn in and the rear knee may turn out. Alignment of the knee and other body parts is not only better for your health but usually better for making stronger and/or more efficient/faster movements as well.
 
Some positive points related to larger hip movement:
• Bigger hip movement => more hip in the technique
• Bigger arm movement
• Greater bend of back leg gives more power

Points to watch when trying to maximize this hip movement:
• Without sufficient flexibility and muscular development/control, the back hip may poke back/up, compromising posture and overall body control.
• Increased range of movement may result in longer execution time
• Watch that the back knee is not turning off to the outside and is not overtorqued (Photo 5)
• Be careful not to let the front knee turn in (Photo 6)
 
Examples Photos 5 & 6:

 

“Back Foot at 45 Degrees”
 
Now let’s move on to the position of the back foot when in front stance. Most instructors seem to be telling students to situate the back foot at 45 degrees. Not bad. But again I think most of us can do better.
 
Of course few people are flexible enough to be comfortable (or even capable) of placing the back foot straight forward while in a reasonably deep, correct front stance. But I think we should do what we can to work toward this goal.
 
Self-examination:
 
Get into a good front stance (as wide as your shoulders, twice as long, with front knee over the toes). Look at your back foot. Also look at your back knee. Are they pointing the same direction? If not, your misalignment could be causing your body harm over time. If you are driving forward with a deep stance and your back foot is off to the side too far, you could be hurting your knee. You could also be slowing yourself down by effectively dragging your back foot. If your back knee is pointing in the same direction as your back foot and your back foot is pointing too far to the side, you can also be damaging your knee and/or other parts of your lower body.
 

 
Try pointing your back foot as far forward as your flexibility allows. If your heel rises, that is too far. Notice that your alignment should be better; your knee and foot should be pointing the same direction (or at least closer to it). This should reduce injury to yourself. But pointing the foot more forward should also be more conducive to a fast/efficient movement forward and back.



Some positive points related to turning the back foot more forward:
• Better alignment helps reduce harm to your joints (particularly the knee)
• More efficient stepping forward/backward
• More torque of the back leg

Points to watch when trying to maximize this forward turn of the back foot:
• Heel rising
• Over-torque of the back knee
• Limits on hip turn due to lack of flexibility

Please note that the above is offered as suggestions to consider as goals when performing basic front stance. Other stances involve different points and self-defense obviously does not require such attention to detail and the above is primarily suited to direct forward/back movement with a single opponent in mind.
 
There are many other areas in Shotokan where our “standards” should be considered “minimums” rather than “ultimate goals.” We should set our goals high and not always settle for the “standard.”

The “Standard” 45 Degrees

(This article originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of ShotoMag.)

I am generally very supportive of the idea of setting and maintaining standards. I am also known for my ideas on experimenting with variations. This article is meant not as an exploration into variations. But rather offers an opinion as to when to consider a “standard” something that should not always be considered the goal but rather a “minimum acceptable level.” I would like to use two examples here, both dealing with “45 Degrees.”
 
“Hips 45”
 
We will first look at the hip positioning as we move in front stance between hip front position (shomen) and hip open position (hanmi).
 
When we pull the opposite hip back for blocking, in certain strikes or in preparation for a punch, most instructors seem to advise students to have their hips at “45 degrees.” While this is not bad, I think most of us can do better, and should. I think 45 degrees should be considered the minimum, for those who lack flexibility.
 
Are you stopping at 45 degrees? Can you go further? Try this:
 
Hold a staff (bo) or some other long, straight stick or pole (a broom should work fine, for example) at your hips, parallel to the floor. If you do not have such a staff or stick available, place your hands on your hips or stretch your arms out straight to the sides. This will help you more accurately determine the placement of your hips as you move. Start with your hips straight ahead (shomen)(photos A & 1). Pull your hip back to 45 degrees (photos B & 2). Bend your back knee further to make sure the hip does not rise or go back while you push your hip back past 45 degrees (photos C & 3). You may not be able to go much further. But every inch can make a difference. 60-65 degrees is probably about as far as most people can push it without distorting the stance and/or posture.

Photos A & 1:


Photos B & 2:


Photos C & 3:

 
By bringing your hip back further, the hip can move a larger distance, which can help in generating more power. If launching a punch off this hip, the fist will travel a greater distance as well. Not only does the hip move further, as well as the fist launched from it. But it can also be a more powerful movement due to that the rear leg should be bent further (photo 4). The stretch of the leg from this “loaded” (bent) position is the primary driving force behind most techniques that involve a change from hanmi to shomen hip positions.

Photo 4:

 
One must be careful, however, when testing the limits of this hip turn. The knee of the front leg may have a tendency to turn in and the rear knee may turn out. Alignment of the knee and other body parts is not only better for your health but usually better for making stronger and/or more efficient/faster movements as well.
 
Some positive points related to larger hip movement:
• Bigger hip movement => more hip in the technique
• Bigger arm movement
• Greater bend of back leg gives more power

Points to watch when trying to maximize this hip movement:
• Without sufficient flexibility and muscular development/control, the back hip may poke back/up, compromising posture and overall body control.
• Increased range of movement may result in longer execution time
• Watch that the back knee is not turning off to the outside and is not overtorqued (Photo 5)
• Be careful not to let the front knee turn in (Photo 6)
 
Examples Photos 5 & 6:

 

“Back Foot at 45 Degrees”
 
Now let’s move on to the position of the back foot when in front stance. Most instructors seem to be telling students to situate the back foot at 45 degrees. Not bad. But again I think most of us can do better.
 
Of course few people are flexible enough to be comfortable (or even capable) of placing the back foot straight forward while in a reasonably deep, correct front stance. But I think we should do what we can to work toward this goal.
 
Self-examination:
 
Get into a good front stance (as wide as your shoulders, twice as long, with front knee over the toes). Look at your back foot. Also look at your back knee. Are they pointing the same direction? If not, your misalignment could be causing your body harm over time. If you are driving forward with a deep stance and your back foot is off to the side too far, you could be hurting your knee. You could also be slowing yourself down by effectively dragging your back foot. If your back knee is pointing in the same direction as your back foot and your back foot is pointing too far to the side, you can also be damaging your knee and/or other parts of your lower body.
 

 
Try pointing your back foot as far forward as your flexibility allows. If your heel rises, that is too far. Notice that your alignment should be better; your knee and foot should be pointing the same direction (or at least closer to it). This should reduce injury to yourself. But pointing the foot more forward should also be more conducive to a fast/efficient movement forward and back.



Some positive points related to turning the back foot more forward:
• Better alignment helps reduce harm to your joints (particularly the knee)
• More efficient stepping forward/backward
• More torque of the back leg

Points to watch when trying to maximize this forward turn of the back foot:
• Heel rising
• Over-torque of the back knee
• Limits on hip turn due to lack of flexibility

Please note that the above is offered as suggestions to consider as goals when performing basic front stance. Other stances involve different points and self-defense obviously does not require such attention to detail and the above is primarily suited to direct forward/back movement with a single opponent in mind.
 
There are many other areas in Shotokan where our “standards” should be considered “minimums” rather than “ultimate goals.” We should set our goals high and not always settle for the “standard.”

The “Standard” 45 Degrees

(This article originally appeared in the June 2006 issue of ShotoMag.)

I am generally very supportive of the idea of setting and maintaining standards. I am also known for my ideas on experimenting with variations. This article is meant not as an exploration into variations. But rather offers an opinion as to when to consider a “standard” something that should not always be considered the goal but rather a “minimum acceptable level.” I would like to use two examples here, both dealing with “45 Degrees.”
 
“Hips 45”
 
We will first look at the hip positioning as we move in front stance between hip front position (shomen) and hip open position (hanmi).
 
When we pull the opposite hip back for blocking, in certain strikes or in preparation for a punch, most instructors seem to advise students to have their hips at “45 degrees.” While this is not bad, I think most of us can do better, and should. I think 45 degrees should be considered the minimum, for those who lack flexibility.
 
Are you stopping at 45 degrees? Can you go further? Try this:
 
Hold a staff (bo) or some other long, straight stick or pole (a broom should work fine, for example) at your hips, parallel to the floor. If you do not have such a staff or stick available, place your hands on your hips or stretch your arms out straight to the sides. This will help you more accurately determine the placement of your hips as you move. Start with your hips straight ahead (shomen)(photos A & 1). Pull your hip back to 45 degrees (photos B & 2). Bend your back knee further to make sure the hip does not rise or go back while you push your hip back past 45 degrees (photos C & 3). You may not be able to go much further. But every inch can make a difference. 60-65 degrees is probably about as far as most people can push it without distorting the stance and/or posture.

Photos A & 1:


Photos B & 2:


Photos C & 3:

 
By bringing your hip back further, the hip can move a larger distance, which can help in generating more power. If launching a punch off this hip, the fist will travel a greater distance as well. Not only does the hip move further, as well as the fist launched from it. But it can also be a more powerful movement due to that the rear leg should be bent further (photo 4). The stretch of the leg from this “loaded” (bent) position is the primary driving force behind most techniques that involve a change from hanmi to shomen hip positions.

Photo 4:

 
One must be careful, however, when testing the limits of this hip turn. The knee of the front leg may have a tendency to turn in and the rear knee may turn out. Alignment of the knee and other body parts is not only better for your health but usually better for making stronger and/or more efficient/faster movements as well.
 
Some positive points related to larger hip movement:
• Bigger hip movement => more hip in the technique
• Bigger arm movement
• Greater bend of back leg gives more power

Points to watch when trying to maximize this hip movement:
• Without sufficient flexibility and muscular development/control, the back hip may poke back/up, compromising posture and overall body control.
• Increased range of movement may result in longer execution time
• Watch that the back knee is not turning off to the outside and is not overtorqued (Photo 5)
• Be careful not to let the front knee turn in (Photo 6)
 
Examples Photos 5 & 6:

 

“Back Foot at 45 Degrees”
 
Now let’s move on to the position of the back foot when in front stance. Most instructors seem to be telling students to situate the back foot at 45 degrees. Not bad. But again I think most of us can do better.
 
Of course few people are flexible enough to be comfortable (or even capable) of placing the back foot straight forward while in a reasonably deep, correct front stance. But I think we should do what we can to work toward this goal.
 
Self-examination:
 
Get into a good front stance (as wide as your shoulders, twice as long, with front knee over the toes). Look at your back foot. Also look at your back knee. Are they pointing the same direction? If not, your misalignment could be causing your body harm over time. If you are driving forward with a deep stance and your back foot is off to the side too far, you could be hurting your knee. You could also be slowing yourself down by effectively dragging your back foot. If your back knee is pointing in the same direction as your back foot and your back foot is pointing too far to the side, you can also be damaging your knee and/or other parts of your lower body.
 

 
Try pointing your back foot as far forward as your flexibility allows. If your heel rises, that is too far. Notice that your alignment should be better; your knee and foot should be pointing the same direction (or at least closer to it). This should reduce injury to yourself. But pointing the foot more forward should also be more conducive to a fast/efficient movement forward and back.



Some positive points related to turning the back foot more forward:
• Better alignment helps reduce harm to your joints (particularly the knee)
• More efficient stepping forward/backward
• More torque of the back leg

Points to watch when trying to maximize this forward turn of the back foot:
• Heel rising
• Over-torque of the back knee
• Limits on hip turn due to lack of flexibility

Please note that the above is offered as suggestions to consider as goals when performing basic front stance. Other stances involve different points and self-defense obviously does not require such attention to detail and the above is primarily suited to direct forward/back movement with a single opponent in mind.
 
There are many other areas in Shotokan where our “standards” should be considered “minimums” rather than “ultimate goals.” We should set our goals high and not always settle for the “standard.”

<i>Age-uke</i>

(This article originally appeared in the Feb 2006 issue of ShotoMag)

One of the first techniques taught to beginners and one of the most common techniques practiced in kihon (basic repetition training) and kihon kumite (basic sparring) in most Shotokan dojo, age-uke is obviously considered important to a lot of people.

But is this "rising block" really worth all the effort? Is there more to it? Or less? We do not see this technique used often in free-sparring situations. So is it just something to teach the beginners and then ignore as we become more experienced and find other blocks that can do the job better?

I feel that age-uke can be a great training tool. But directly applied as a block, it is rarely the ideal technique.

Let's start by breaking down the term, age-uke into its two parts:
Age means "rise"
Uke means "receive"

So age-uke basically means that one is "receiving using a rising movement". I will leave to a future article the debate about what "receive" means in relation to "block". Regardless, when an attack comes in, usually toward the head, age-uke can be use to deflect the attack upward. I believe most would agree that this is the most basic use of age-uke as practiced at most Shotokan dojo worldwide.

Whatever exact terminology you use, the arm moves in an upward trajectory, with the fist beginning at or near the hip and finishing just in front of and above the forehead.

This upward movement can be used to block a jodan (upper-level) attack, such as a punch to the face. It can also be used to block a falling attack from overhead. When the attackers wrist/arm is grabbed following the block, a takedown technique can be applied. There are many uses for age-uke. Let us examine a little closer the idea of blocking itself.

I recall an instructor at a university karate club once reporting that he conducted experiments with his new students almost every time a new session began. He would have them start with their backs to him and turn around one-by-one on his command. He would then lower a "stick" (I believe it was a long piece of rigid foam) toward their head from above. The relatively inexperienced "defenders" would almost always raise their arm in reaction to this, in a position that is roughly what we call age-uke.

So age-uke is a natural reaction to an overhead technique. As it is natural, do we really need to put any effort into training it? Do we put any effort into training biting and scratching, which are also natural self-defense techniques? If we are planning to use age-uke as a defense to an overhead attack, I think a little fine-tuning is all that we would need.

As for being used to push a direct attack (such as a punch) upward, it can work and to work well does require training. But is raising the attacking limb our ultimate goal in such a situation? I would like to present two related points to consider:
1. Particularly when considering takedowns, having the attacker's body (not just his limb) higher can more easily result in an unbalanced position of the attacker, a position which can be taken advantage of when counterattacking or trying to force the attacker down by grappling and/or sweeping.

2. The defender being in a relatively low position helps to keep stability. Whether the attacker rises or not, if the defender lowers himself under the attack, this can create a strategic advantage to the defender.


If we take this concept a step further, and concentrate on relative position, by making an effort to lower the defender's position (as opposed to raising the attacker's), I think age-uke can be an important training tool.

Please consider the following training exercise:
1. Begin as in normal kihon-ippon-kumite (basic one-step sparring), with the attack side starting in a guard position (most places start in zenkutsudachi/gedan-barai) and the defense side starting standing (yoi position). See Figure 1.

2. As with normal kihon-ippon, the attacker steps forward to attack the face of the defender and the defender steps back and raising his arm (age-uke).

3. After practicing a few times in the normal fashion, slow it down and have the defender raise his arm to meet the attacking arm right in front of his face and pause, without yet stepping back (attacker's arm should not yet be fully-extended and wrist not yet rotated, stance only half-committed at this stage). See Figure 2.

4. From this position, the defender should not try to force the attack upward but keep it from coming down as the defender moves back into the stance. The defender then steps back and the arm should end in the age-uke position with the attack above the head (or, more appropriately described as "the defender is lower than the attack"). The attacker should continue stepping and punching as the defender steps back and completes the movement. See Figures 3 and 4.

5. Repeat, gradually increasing speed and intensity.


Figure 1:


Figure 2:


Figure 3:


Figure 4:


Figure 5:


Note as in Figure 5 that the attacker should be aiming into the face of the defender where it is at the initial position. The final position of the defender's age-uke should simply keep the attack where it was headed, not deflecting it upwards but also not allowing it to come downard.

Please note that we should be able to apply the same principles to other techniques, such as soto-uke and uchi-uke. But, as a training tool, I think age-uke is ideal for this. For this reason, I believe this sort of practice can be very useful for a beginner and anyone interested in developing the self-defense aspects of training. Please note as well that, as structured as kihon kumite is, starting defense from a standing (yoi) position can be considered relatively realistic for self-defense practice, as compared to starting in a "guard" position as in free-sparring. So basic sparring can actually be considered more realistic in this way.

Age-uke may not be a common technique in tournament sparring and may have limited use as a basic block applied directly as many traditional dojo teach it. But by using this type of exercise and putting some thought into it, I hope you can appreciate the value of age-uke as a training tool.

Copyright © 2006, Jon Keeling

<i>Age-uke</i>

(This article originally appeared in the Feb 2006 issue of ShotoMag)

One of the first techniques taught to beginners and one of the most common techniques practiced in kihon (basic repetition training) and kihon kumite (basic sparring) in most Shotokan dojo, age-uke is obviously considered important to a lot of people.

But is this "rising block" really worth all the effort? Is there more to it? Or less? We do not see this technique used often in free-sparring situations. So is it just something to teach the beginners and then ignore as we become more experienced and find other blocks that can do the job better?

I feel that age-uke can be a great training tool. But directly applied as a block, it is rarely the ideal technique.

Let's start by breaking down the term, age-uke into its two parts:
Age means "rise"
Uke means "receive"

So age-uke basically means that one is "receiving using a rising movement". I will leave to a future article the debate about what "receive" means in relation to "block". Regardless, when an attack comes in, usually toward the head, age-uke can be use to deflect the attack upward. I believe most would agree that this is the most basic use of age-uke as practiced at most Shotokan dojo worldwide.

Whatever exact terminology you use, the arm moves in an upward trajectory, with the fist beginning at or near the hip and finishing just in front of and above the forehead.

This upward movement can be used to block a jodan (upper-level) attack, such as a punch to the face. It can also be used to block a falling attack from overhead. When the attackers wrist/arm is grabbed following the block, a takedown technique can be applied. There are many uses for age-uke. Let us examine a little closer the idea of blocking itself.

I recall an instructor at a university karate club once reporting that he conducted experiments with his new students almost every time a new session began. He would have them start with their backs to him and turn around one-by-one on his command. He would then lower a "stick" (I believe it was a long piece of rigid foam) toward their head from above. The relatively inexperienced "defenders" would almost always raise their arm in reaction to this, in a position that is roughly what we call age-uke.

So age-uke is a natural reaction to an overhead technique. As it is natural, do we really need to put any effort into training it? Do we put any effort into training biting and scratching, which are also natural self-defense techniques? If we are planning to use age-uke as a defense to an overhead attack, I think a little fine-tuning is all that we would need.

As for being used to push a direct attack (such as a punch) upward, it can work and to work well does require training. But is raising the attacking limb our ultimate goal in such a situation? I would like to present two related points to consider:
1. Particularly when considering takedowns, having the attacker's body (not just his limb) higher can more easily result in an unbalanced position of the attacker, a position which can be taken advantage of when counterattacking or trying to force the attacker down by grappling and/or sweeping.

2. The defender being in a relatively low position helps to keep stability. Whether the attacker rises or not, if the defender lowers himself under the attack, this can create a strategic advantage to the defender.


If we take this concept a step further, and concentrate on relative position, by making an effort to lower the defender's position (as opposed to raising the attacker's), I think age-uke can be an important training tool.

Please consider the following training exercise:
1. Begin as in normal kihon-ippon-kumite (basic one-step sparring), with the attack side starting in a guard position (most places start in zenkutsudachi/gedan-barai) and the defense side starting standing (yoi position). See Figure 1.

2. As with normal kihon-ippon, the attacker steps forward to attack the face of the defender and the defender steps back and raising his arm (age-uke).

3. After practicing a few times in the normal fashion, slow it down and have the defender raise his arm to meet the attacking arm right in front of his face and pause, without yet stepping back (attacker's arm should not yet be fully-extended and wrist not yet rotated, stance only half-committed at this stage). See Figure 2.

4. From this position, the defender should not try to force the attack upward but keep it from coming down as the defender moves back into the stance. The defender then steps back and the arm should end in the age-uke position with the attack above the head (or, more appropriately described as "the defender is lower than the attack"). The attacker should continue stepping and punching as the defender steps back and completes the movement. See Figures 3 and 4.

5. Repeat, gradually increasing speed and intensity.


Figure 1:


Figure 2:


Figure 3:


Figure 4:


Figure 5:


Note as in Figure 5 that the attacker should be aiming into the face of the defender where it is at the initial position. The final position of the defender's age-uke should simply keep the attack where it was headed, not deflecting it upwards but also not allowing it to come downard.

Please note that we should be able to apply the same principles to other techniques, such as soto-uke and uchi-uke. But, as a training tool, I think age-uke is ideal for this. For this reason, I believe this sort of practice can be very useful for a beginner and anyone interested in developing the self-defense aspects of training. Please note as well that, as structured as kihon kumite is, starting defense from a standing (yoi) position can be considered relatively realistic for self-defense practice, as compared to starting in a "guard" position as in free-sparring. So basic sparring can actually be considered more realistic in this way.

Age-uke may not be a common technique in tournament sparring and may have limited use as a basic block applied directly as many traditional dojo teach it. But by using this type of exercise and putting some thought into it, I hope you can appreciate the value of age-uke as a training tool.

Copyright © 2006, Jon Keeling