by George Mattson
An article and video, every Academy member should read!
In Uechi-ryu, we spend a lot of time training and practicing various ways of performing diffferent self-defense techniques. All new members of the Mattson Academy must go through the basic courses, regardless of their rank or time practicing other styles, or even different methods of Uechi-ryu. I have yet to find one of the hundreds of students who endured this basic training, relate to me that it was time wasted. All learn to take their basic, core principles and academy fundamentals, with them as they progress through the ranks and all admit the basic courses helped them succeed in this journey.
Level one of this training focuses on every basic move in Sanchin, Konshiwa and various drills and exercises. Each technique separates the various moves and teaches the value of each move as it relates to simple, yet important fighting situations. Students learn how basic moves, positions and techniques relate to a possible real-life conflict, argument or heated discussion. No blows or handling takes place during the first two actions. Only the third action involves an actual karate action technique. (submission/kick/blow)
Level two teaches the same kata, but combining an intercepting action, followed by a combined control action, timed with an attacking action.
Level three reacts to an incoming attack, with a body move and intercept, along with the take-down or karate counter-attack. Timing is essential, as all three actions are performed as one move.
This video talks about the way many people learn their karate, based on a what I call level one. However, what I call “pausing” adds still another timing interference to an action that has nothing to do with your defense or combating an incoming attack. Pausing, or creating a non-useful action, simply slows down whatever the student should be doing when being attacked.
The video covers another of the Academy’s basic “laws of uechi”. . . Regardless of which level of Uechi techniques being needed, once you have a target, your selected weapon gets there super-fast and no detours for wind-ups or posing!
Remember. . .
Train Often – Train Smart!
George E. Mattson
