| Are you ready to modify one of your martial-arts | | | | experiment a bit.... |
| combinations? | | | | Changing Kick and Hit Timing |
| If you are a classical martial artist, then keep an open | | | | As I said, I made some changes to the original |
| mind. And if you are a more progressive practitioner, | | | | sequence. The modifications came from the principles |
| then also keep an open mind as we explore the | | | | I was learning in Jeet Kune Do at the time.... |
| more classical side to the martial arts.... | | | | In the original move, you punch and kick at the same |
| By the end of this article, you may have a new | | | | time. So, I tried two variations with the timing, which |
| variation on a classical martial-arts combination. | | | | left me with a total of three moves: |
| From Classical to Bruce Lee's JKD | | | | * I punched and kicked at the same time (original |
| I believe that most martial arts styles offer | | | | timing) |
| 'something' of value. Admittedly, sometimes, I am not | | | | * I punched first and then kicked. |
| perceptive enough to figure out what. (Yes, that's | | | | * I kicked and then punched. |
| my way of saying that some styles 'look' like pure | | | | I also varied the height of the kick -- I kicked below |
| junk. But there is something there -- I am sure of it.) | | | | the waist, instead of a normal Shotokan side kick |
| In the late 1970s, I switched off of Tae Kwon Do | | | | above the waistline. |
| and Shotokan. I started studying Bruce Lee's system | | | | Here is how I tried to use all the variations: |
| of Jeet Kune Do. | | | | * The simultaneous combination was used when my |
| Even though I went more eclectic, I don't want to | | | | opponent seemed intently focused on my limb(s). It |
| imply that the classical styles offer nothing of value. | | | | was the theory of focus on one, miss the other. |
| The better karate and tae kwon do schools do a | | | | * When I punched and then kicked, I found that |
| great job of training students to a specific level of | | | | sometimes my punch caused the opponent to lean |
| effectiveness. They both emphasize competition. | | | | back -- he tried to avoid a hit to the face. This |
| Neither were right for me, in the long run. I wasn't in | | | | increased the distance between us just a bit -- |
| it for the sport. I wanted a form of self defense | | | | putting him in perfect range for the low kick. |
| that emphasized efficiency of technique. | | | | * When I kicked first (and scored), the opponent |
| Starting with a Classical Technique and Then | | | | would bend a little forward (ouch). This put his face a |
| Modifying | | | | little closer in range -- perfect range for the back fist. |
| Here's a technique straight from Shotokan Karate. | | | | Also, perfect range to angle the back fist up a bit. In |
| After some experimentation, I modified it, and | | | | other words, aim for the face. |
| created two new uses: | | | | Can you see how employing one combination can |
| In Shotokan, there is a combination they execute. | | | | offer you a variety of uses? |
| These karatekas practice a simultaneous side kick | | | | And speaking of combinations ... |
| and back fist combination. They throw out their side | | | | Let's end with a little advanced consideration: |
| kick at the same time that they back fist (or back | | | | Advanced practitioners, play with timing even more. |
| knuckle) on a higher line. | | | | The two contrasts I would make would be first to |
| This is a pretty good move, if you know how to use | | | | adjust the moves so that the timing makes it an |
| it. It's the idea that if the bad guy focuses on your | | | | Attack By Combination (ABC). The timing is one |
| kick, then he (or she) gets hit in the face with your | | | | move right after the next. And second, contrast ABC |
| punch. And if the opponent focuses on your punch, | | | | with the exact same sequence but with the timing of |
| then you have a good chance of doing some | | | | a Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA). With a good PIA, |
| damage with your side kick. | | | | you'll interrupt the timing of your first technique with |
| If you haven't already, play with it. Get a feel for the | | | | the second move. |
| timing and the distance. | | | | And now, the advanced question of the day ... |
| Once you get the feel for the move, it's time to | | | | When would you use one over the other? |