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Practicing self-defense from a natural standing position (Shizentai / Yoi-dachi)

Updated: Jun 20

From a self-defense stand point, it is very likely that one will have to defend himself/herself from a natural standing position at some point. This is why it is very important to practice defending from this position as well, not just in fighting position. In the self-defense world, surprise attacks are very common. In this article, I will show a multi-answer defense strategy to practice against someone trying to shove you with both hands in the chest, while you are standing in a natural position.

The following strategy is based on multiple options, giving oneself options from simple to more advanced blocks. All of the answers below involve shifting your body back and outside of your opponent on either side while blocking. If your opponent is “double shoving” you with one hand slightly higher than the other, then the higher hand will dictate the side you should be evading towards (Evade on the same side as the highest hand on your chest).

These examples will demonstrate evading on your left side (your opponent’s right side).

Needless to say, you must practice until you are able to do this with speed in order for it to succeed.



(Attacker’s intent)


Number1: Simple answer

-Basic Yoko uke/Uchi ude uke (Middle block).

-Counter


Number2: Next level answer

-Basic Yoko uke/Uchi ude uke (Middle block) + ending with opponent single arm grapple.

-Pull and counter


Number3: Next level answer

-Yoko uke/Uchi ude uke (Middle block) with single prior palm block + ending with opponent single arm grapple.

-Pull and counter


Number4: Next level answer

-Kakete/Kake uke with single prior palm block (Hook block with opponent single arm grapple).

-Pull and counter


 Number5: Next level answer

-Kakete/Kake uke with double prior palm block (Hook block with opponent double arm/wrist grapple) [“Naha-Te” Kake uke]

-Pull and counter 


Number6: Variation on number5

-Kakete/Kake uke with double prior palm block (Hook block with opponent double arm/wrist grapple) [“Shito-Ryu” Kakete]

-Pull and counter

 (Notice the different position of the lower hand in the "Naha-Te" vs "Shito-Ryu" version)


Number7: Next level answer

-Mawashi Uke (Double circular block with double prior palm block) + ending with opponent double arm/wrist grapple.

-Pull/ throw and counter


Once you got a single limb hook on your opponent, keep pulling him downward in the same direction he was shoving you, as you evade on the side, in order to take advantage of his motion to get him off balance. This will put you in an optimal position to counter. The same goes for any double limb hook on your opponent.


In any of Number 5,6 or 7 above configurations where both opponent’s arms/wrists are held, should you be unable to get the second grip (on the lower wrist/arm), you will naturally fall back into the “single wrist/arm” grapple/control, and still be in a position of advantage to counter.


I believe all 3 blocks (Yoko uke/Uchi ude uke, Kakete/Kake uke, and Mawashi uke), are variations of the same blocking principle, with different outcome.


As usual, this article shows how Karate always has answers from simple to more complex, for beginner to advanced Karate-ka to use.

 

Time to practice!

  

Toronto, Alpha - KarateBoost blog

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