Time & Theories

Time just speeds by. I am feeling the crunch especially pronounced this weekend. UBBT has been an aggressive journey, and like all journeys, this one has a conclusion. Sadly, it's intended conclusion races closer, and I find myself with an entire list of things still unaccomplished.

My JM certification in one of the big reasons I'm feeling the pressure. Our season ends October 31, and that is the last opportunity to finish off my student dispatch requirements. The problem is, the past 4 weeks in a row have been garbage weather. Low ceilings, high winds, and snow this week just to make it interesting. I have until April of 2010 to complete my IAD's, but our season doesn't start up again until May 2010. You guessed it, I'm trying for an extension. Perhaps Fate will smile on me in a good way, as opposed to her twisted sense of humor kinda way.

One of my other requirements is to write a thesis on technique evolution. So since it's not sunny and +15 out there (like it was supposed to be) I'll put the short version up here.

Basically, as has been said so many times before, there are 18 basic concepts of motion in our style. The first 17 are the ability to properly align and snap and therefore transfer power.

Control (in a physical sense) is depth of penetration into one's target. The ability to adjust motion, target, and force dynamically is crucial to control. An ability developed over years of practice and repetition.

Through out the martial arts, it is important to fully UNDERSTAND a complete style/system. Having the ability to regurgitate technique on command is not the same as comprehension. With out proper understanding of a complete system, it is extremely difficult to adapt to another system. One can dabble, even become proficient, but one will never be truly great if their body is not trained along with their mind. Go ahead and disagree, and feel free to cram your argument where ever you traditionally cram things. I'm really not interested in debating the issue.

Moving on, the first phase of technique evolution is of course understanding your system, what ever system that is. Understanding where power is generated from, path or vector your technique follows, and how it will affect the intended target. Choreography is weakest when it lacks realism. One can have great ideas for technique, but if buddy just stands there like a fence post while you whack the stuffing out of him, it just doesn't look right. It is no different when you are applying technique. If you are attempting a wrist lock, and do not understand how that relates and translates to other areas of the body, how can you identify when you have achieved the lock? Not all people feel pain the same way, nor do all people have equal flexibility. If you are only relying on the "tap" to tell you when you have achieved the lock, you are missing the biggest part of the technique.

Not all techniques release power from the same area. To be clear, all power generates from the centre (in our style), but the point of release of said technique varies. There are hinged techniques, core techniques, extended techniques, and so on up to and including internal/external rotations. For example, a thrust punch is an internal rotation, and an inverted back fist is an external rotation. A round house is a hinged technique, as is a back fist. Where as a stiff swinging back kick is both a hinged techniques as well as an extended technique. Cannon punches are also extended techniques.

Once you understand your style/system, you can build upon the principles. This is where we get into follow up techniques and climbing techniques. Creativity is then brought into play. Technique follows a basic principle in our style. Deal with the attack, soften opponent to extend time, finish opponent. This can be simultaneous, or progressive. Intent behind the initial movement will determine this. It will also determine what the options available to you will be. Calming the Ocean is a great example. There are limitless combinations of follow through techniques with this one movement. They are all related to each other, and flow with in each other. Again the intent when begun dictates the initial response. Have you opened or closed your opponent? Are you utilizing soft or hard blocking? Are you using a simultaneous or progressive counter? Each application of initial movement directly relates to the finish.

Evolution of technique is how one builds on to basics. Moving from wrist lock, to shoulder lock, to neck submission. Taking the same initial movement and turning it into multiple variations of results. Results that may not remotely resemble each other at their conclusion, but are related in their fundamental mechanics.

Evolution also comes from building techniques together. Beginning with one technique and flowing into others. Understanding alignment and positioning come into play here. When does it become important to close/increase distance? Physics behind balance of your opponent in relation to the natural hinges of the body will affect what techniques will flow together. Is your opponent grounded, or extended and off balance? Are you touching your opponent allowing a sticky hands application, or are you at an increased distance, requiring another approach?

Where you build from is as important as what you build. And no, the relationship between techniques in our style is not written down somewhere for study. That would defeat the purpose. One has to learn evolution of technique by DOING the system/style. It is not something you can learn from a book or article. Muscle memory and ability are not something that come from reading. They come from sweat, focus, and passion. Like it or not, it's the only way to accomplish understanding. One has to think, apply, and train. It's not rocket science, but that doesn't make it easy. Course it wouldn't be worth doing if is was easy.