I did shotokan for awhile but why is there like two parts to a block? You brig your blocking arm back and then block. Would this work if someone throws a punch? Seems like it's a not needed step. Can you clear this up
@ttimothyp16 Thanks for the question. One of the main aspects of Shotokan is the idea of expansion and contraction (kind of like a rubber band). One reason we teach the basic blocks like this is to demonstrate this concept. We teach beginners a clear chamber hand to have them perform big expansive technique. The big movements promote strength and the feel of what a block should be. You are correct in that you would probably never throw a big block like this when sparring or in a real life
@MatsunamiKarate situation. The trick is to be able to deliver a block with the power of a big chamber from a much shorter distance using the hips to generate power rather than the arm. The big chamber give the hips the proper feel to produce power. During sparring or real life the natural tendency is to shorten the movement. By teaching it big, that shortened movement tends to be around the quarter of the size of a full basic block. The philosophy is that if you teach it big the hips can
@MatsunamiKarate produce the same power even if the arm moves at a shorter distance. Similarly you would never spar from a proper full front stance. What it boils down to is that its for training purposes not practicality.
I currently train in Seido Juku. I notice that in different styles the delivery of a punch, kick or block may be tweaked somewhat to distinguish the styles but the idea is the same. I like to see different movements to any given technique.
I did shotokan for awhile but why is there like two parts to a block? You brig your blocking arm back and then block. Would this work if someone throws a punch? Seems like it's a not needed step. Can you clear this up
ttimothyp16 3 months ago
@ttimothyp16 Thanks for the question. One of the main aspects of Shotokan is the idea of expansion and contraction (kind of like a rubber band). One reason we teach the basic blocks like this is to demonstrate this concept. We teach beginners a clear chamber hand to have them perform big expansive technique. The big movements promote strength and the feel of what a block should be. You are correct in that you would probably never throw a big block like this when sparring or in a real life
MatsunamiKarate 3 months ago
@MatsunamiKarate situation. The trick is to be able to deliver a block with the power of a big chamber from a much shorter distance using the hips to generate power rather than the arm. The big chamber give the hips the proper feel to produce power. During sparring or real life the natural tendency is to shorten the movement. By teaching it big, that shortened movement tends to be around the quarter of the size of a full basic block. The philosophy is that if you teach it big the hips can
MatsunamiKarate 3 months ago
@MatsunamiKarate produce the same power even if the arm moves at a shorter distance. Similarly you would never spar from a proper full front stance. What it boils down to is that its for training purposes not practicality.
MatsunamiKarate 3 months ago
@MatsunamiKarate that makes sense thanks
ttimothyp16 3 months ago
I currently train in Seido Juku. I notice that in different styles the delivery of a punch, kick or block may be tweaked somewhat to distinguish the styles but the idea is the same. I like to see different movements to any given technique.
Lionsblood 6 months ago