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Оглавлениеchapter 3 Theory of Karatedo
Throughout the centuries karatedo has been developed empirically as an art. However, in recent years the basic underlying principles of karatedo have been systematically and scientifically analyzed. This has led to the improvement of some techniques, particularly in Kenkokan Karatedo which has been responsible for a number of technical innovations now adopted by many other schools of karate.
A thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of karatedo should help the student progress faster in the practice of this art, leading to a better understanding and improving control of himself, thus making it possible to fully achieve the goals of karatedo and ultimately, self-realization.
1. Essential Principles
The amazing power of a karatedo technique is the result of a rational application of physical, physiological, and psychological principles that everyone, even a weak or aged person, can learn to utilize through assiduous practice. The principles have to be combined all at once in the execution of a technique and as such are somewhat difficult to dissociate. However, for clarity of explanation, they will be treated separately.
a. Physical Principles
Needless to say, the human body follows the physical laws of nature. For example, it is attracted to the ground with a force which is directly proportional to its weight; this is the gravity force. When you move, you generate a momentum which is the product (Mx V) of your weight (M) and velocity (V). If you hit the ground or a wall with a force F, it creates a reaction force R which is directly proportional to F and in the opposite direction. In general, for any action there is a corresponding reaction of proportional intensity. Also, the impact generated by a mass (or weight) M moving with a velocity (or speed) V is proportional to the square of the speed (kinetic energy = 1/2M x V2). Finally, the last important force brought into play in karatedo is the muscular force resulting from the contraction and/ or extension of some of the 400 muscles of the body. Certain muscles are very powerful but move slowly while others, less powerful, move much faster. One of the characteristics of muscular force is that it is cumulative. In other words, the effects can be added, two identical muscles producing twice as much force as one.
How can one apply these physical principles in karatedo?
Use of body dynamics
First, good balance is needed. Because of the law of reaction, a punch creates reaction in the opposite direction. Therefore, it would be completely ineffective if the body were to move back on impact. Thus gravity force is used to nullify the effect of the reaction force. The stability of the body is determined by three major factors: the weight, the base, and the position of the center of gravity. The weight is a constant factor: the base is determined by the position of the feet on the ground; and the center of gravity is located approximately one inch below the navel. As the surface of the base is increased, the mobility of the body decreases, the best compromise being when the feet are shoulder width apart. It can also be easily demonstrated that maximum stability is achieved when the center of gravity is located vertically over the center of the base. In this position, the weight is equally spread on both legs. The knees must be bent to insure a correct dispersion of weight on each foot and to be able to use the spring of the legs to move faster. The body should be kept erect so that its center of gravity continues to fall over the center of the base.
From this basic position of stability, the motion of the body can now be fully utilized. There are three kinds of motion possible: linear motion, which is a translation of the center of gravity; circular motion, which is a rotation around the center of gravity; and pendular motion, which is a swing of the center of gravity in a vertical plane. As the center of gravity is located between the hips, and as the hips and abdominal region account for about one-third of the weight of the body, it is clear that a considerable momentum can be generated by either moving the hips forward, rotating them, or swinging them. Thus, every action in karatedo must start from the hips. Another reason for this is that muscles of the waist and abdominal region are very powerful but because of their configuration can only be slowly brought into action and must therefore be contracted at the earliest stage of the movement.
A linear momentum is generated when the body is propelled forward by the rear leg. At first the hips are moved backward to shift the weight of the body on the rear leg. The spring of the leg (muscular action) and the reaction force created by the ground are then transmitted to the hips resulting in a forward motion. The center of gravity describes, in fact, a slightly curved trajectory because of the vertical component of the impulse force.
A circular momentum is generated when the body rotates around a vertical axis going through the center of gravity. The spring of the rear leg, the reaction force, and the force of the abdominal region are used to create a rotation of the hips, shoulders, and head in horizontal planes. The circular momentum is increased when the body is first twisted in the opposite direction, in a winding up motion, and by the antagonistic action of the hands (push-pull type of motion). These principles are used primarily in circular techniques.
A pendular momentum is generated when the hips swing backward and forward in a vertical plane going through the center of gravity. The pendular motion of the hips is used mainly in direct kicking techniques.
Concentration of force
The importance of the hips and abdominal region cannot be overemphasized. Because muscular force is of a cumulative nature, as many muscles as possible must be used in the motion (obviously these muscles have to be convergent and not antagonistic). Because of the reaction law, the long and flexible muscles of the extremities have to rest on the stronger and more stable muscles of the body to produce an effective result. Of all the profound muscles, the waist muscles are the strongest and therefore they must be contracted first to support the next closest muscles which in turn support adjacent long muscles and so on to the extremities of the body used for punching or kicking. The movement has to be executed fast to generate a high momentum. For the arm or foot to move quickly, muscles have to be strongly contracted. But if the muscular tension is kept throughout the motion, it will slow it down. Therefore the initial contraction of a muscle should be followed by a decontraction while the fist travels. At the time of impact, the muscles have to be tightened again to straighten the joints of the arm, insuring the maximum transmission of force. Otherwise, the reaction force will cancel out the force of the elbow. These periods of intense contraction and decontraction have to be well coordinated and it is only through intensive practice that one can develop a feeling for the right time at which the contraction or decontraction of the muscles should take place.
The relation between the force and the momentum is given by the equation: Momentum=M x V=FxT, T being the time during which the force F is applied to produce the momentum M x V. In the execution of a punch, M would be the mass of the fist; if M and V are constant, it can be seen from this equation that the force will increase when T decreases .
Thus the shorter the time, the greater the force generated. As a result, the force should be concentrated in as little time as possible. Therefore, speed being directly proportional to force, it is conceivable that a person of smaller physical structure (who is generally capable of greater speed than his counterpart of a larger structure) is able to create enough force to match and possibly supercede the force of a much larger man. Thus, it is said of a karate practitioner that size has no bearing on capability in the fighting art.
In modern karatedo, not only are the hips used in linear, circular, or pendular motions, but also the shoulders and head. This horizontal counterbalancing of the head and shoulders, added to (A) the horizontal pendular motions, (B) horizontal and vertical motions of the hips, and (C) circular motions of the feet, increases the momentum of the back counterbalance motion of the elbow. This supports and enhances the executions of the hand technique. This support counterbalance theory is particularly of importance in the Kenkokan system, where the motion is not stopped at the time of impact, but, in fact, followed through. With this, the acceleration of the striking mass is increased and thus creates a greater force M X A, A being the acceleration). Other reasons for using follow-through motions will be given in the next paragraph.
The reaction force
The reaction force is that which results from the application of a force to a specific point and directly opposes the initial impact. If you kick on the ground with your foot, using your muscular force and gravity, it creates an upward force in your foot and body which can be reutilized in another direction. It is this reaction force which is used by high jumpers when they stamp on the ground before jumping. It is used in karatedo in much the same way. The ground is kicked just before punching or kicking and the reaction force is transmitted through the body to the fist or the foot, adding a momentum proportional to the force of the kick on the ground [when there is no loss of momentum. (If the ground is soft it may' absorb part of the energy generated by the kick.)]
While the reaction force can be used positively, it can also have detrimental effects. When hitting a target, a reaction force results, which may lessen the force of your blow. This is why a strong stance is needed and explains the advantage of using follow through motions rather than stopping on impact, because the reaction force is completely nullified by the continuing momentum of the technique.
The law of reaction is applied in many different ways, as, for example in the use of antagonistic muscles. It is well known that the contraction of the biceps will produce an extension of the triceps (these muscles are called antagonistic muscles). This property can be turned to account in karatedo. Before kicking, the heel is raised backward, almost to the buttock, extending the fore-muscles of the thigh. When the heel is thrown forward, not only are these muscles strongly contracted, but the foot describes a longer trajectory and in doing so, gathers more momentum.
The reaction principle is also utilized in push-pull types of motion. If you are punching with your right fist, pull your left fist back to the side of your left hip. When kicking, pull your hands back to your waist or downward on each side of your body. In fact, a technique is not completed until after the blow has been pulled back. The punch or the kick has to be executed and retracted at the same speed and in a single continuous motion to take full advantage of the action reaction principle.
Inner power
This is perhaps the most important single source of power of the human body and also the most difficult to generate because it requires the coordination of physical as well as physiological principles. Physically, the inner power is the result of the force of the abdominal muscles located below the diaphragm. They are the strongest muscles of the body and take a prominent part in the transmission of force as they link the upper and lower body. When the abdominal muscles are contracted, the whole body becomes one single mass concentrated around its center of gravity; thus, in momentum MxV transmitted to the striking extremity, M represents the total weight of the body. Abdominal muscles must thus be contracted right at the beginning of the motion to solidify the body into one mass, on which, step by step, other muscles are going to rest to transmit the striking force.
The force of the abdominal region is developed by correct breathing and use of the centripetal pressure of the abdominal muscles. The proper way to breathe is to inhale deeply from the nose, lifting the diaphragm and filling up the lower abdomen (tanden) with air. The breath should then be held in the tanden and the abdominal muscles should contract to create an antagonistic pressure called centripetal pressure. This is truly the source of inner power. The lower abdomen should always remain slightly tensed, filled with ki, in a position of equilibrium between the centrifugal force excited by the breathing and the centripetal pressure of the abdominal muscles. This kind of respiration provides a constant massage of the internal organs (liver, spleen, and stomach) and facilitates blood circulation by pushing back to the heart like a pump, the blood irrigating the lower part of the abdomen. The movement of the diaphragm relaxes the solar plexus which is an important nervous center, and as a result, the functions of the central nervous system are better controlled and the mind becomes more serene.
Another effect of abdominal respiration is the lowering of the center of gravity. In normal respiration, the chest is inflated and the shoulders are lifted, thus the center of gravity moves up. Breathing with the lower part of the diaphragm creates a centripetal pressure by which the internal organs are pushed downward and the center of gravity is lowered considerably, thereby increasing the stability of the body.
Distance, timing, and speed
These three factors are lightly correlated and are extremely important for the transmission of a maximum force to the point of impact.
Distance refers, in this paragraph, to the length of segment joining the striking part and the target. Your reach is important for this particular technique. If this distance is too long, the force of the blow will be wasted. You may lose your balance and the opponent will have a chance to counterattack. If the distance is too short, the striking part will not have attained its maximum speed. Therefore its momentum will be small and the blow will be ineffective. Furthermore, if you are too close, the opponent will have a chance to hit you before you strike. The reach is usually the full length of the arm or leg, and is developed by practice with the makiwara (a board used for punching, kicking, and striking practice).
But in karatedo, the two opponents usually do not stand within reach but rather just over one step out of reach. Therefore, to deliver a blow one has to close the gap and bring the opponent within his own reach. Body movement to close the gap provides additional momentum, usually a linear momentum. The feeling for the right distance is developed through assiduous practice of pre-arranged kumite and shiai. The proper distance, called maai, depends on a number of factors, such as your own stance, the technique used, physical characteristics (size and speed), and those of your opponent. If he is moving, the direction and speed of his move have to be taken into account. It is like shooting a bird; you do not actually shoot at the bird, but at some point ahead on its trajectory.
If the opponent stands too close for you to properly execute your technique, you can either push him backward or step back or sideways to create enough distance. You can also change your technique, using elbow or knee techniques more appropriate for close fighting.
Timing refers to the propitious moment for the execution of a technique. It is the moment when your concentration of force is at its maximum and the opponent presents an opening in his guard at the right distance. Timing is thus the precise coordination of your own action with the opponent's attitude. Such opportunities occur when:
a) your opponent is just about to attack: at this time he is usually too preoccupied by his own attack to think about his defense. It is the most favorable time because in this case you win without actually fighting.
b) your opponent has just finished his attack and is about to withdraw: his energy has reached its peak and he cannot mount any resistance to your action.
c) your opponent is moving backward after an attack or away from you; he cannot offer any resistance because your energy goes in the direction of his movement.
d) your opponent is blocking your first technique; he is then open to the following one.
e) your opponent stops his motion or loses his concentration; there is a disruption in the flow of his energy
f) your opponent is exhaling or has just finished exhaling;he is losing his ki and his energy is at its lowest point.
g) your opponent is off balance, or changing stances, or shielding his eyes; he is then open to an attack.
Proper timing can only be achieved by intensive training in kumite and shiai.
Speed is important not only in reducing the risk of a counter-attack by an opponent during the execution of a technique, but also because speed is transformed into power. The kinetic energy of a mass M moving with a velocity V is proportional to the product of this mass by the square of its velocity. Thus the kinetic energy of a mass moving at 10 meters per second is 100 times greater than the energy of the same mass moving at 1 meter per second. This clearly shows the advantage of executing a technique with speed.
Speed is produced by muscular action. The coordination of the proper muscles can be improved by repetition, eliminating the contraction of antagonistic and unnecessary muscles.
An example will help illustrate how these different physical principles are utilized in the execution of punching and kicking techniques.
For an offensive technique, the preparation phase will consist of a forward body motion (using neko ashi or fumikomi ashi ), which generates a linear momentum used in the execution phase described below.
Hineri zuki:Twist punch: Standing in hanmi, 'half-face front' posture (body diagonal to the front), left foot forward, and breath held in the tanden:
1—Rotate your hips and shoulders 45° to your right in a winding up motion. Your right fist will travel a longer distance and attain a greater velocity.
2—Abruptly stop the winding up motion and, using the spring of your rear leg and the reaction force of the ground, rapidly rotate your hips, shoulders, head, and right leg 90° to your left,. This generates a circular momentum in which the mass is the mass of the whole body and the velocity is the circular speed of the hips. The reaction force and the spring of the leg add a linear momentum to this motion.
3—Throw your right fist forward, successively contracting the muscles of your arm and forearm. The muscular force of your arm is brought into play and develops a linear momentum.
4ᄂCounter-balance the motion of your right arm by pulling your left fist to the side of your left hip. This increases the circular momentum generated by the rotation of your hips and cancels the reaction force created by the impact on the target.
5—Tighten your elbow and wrist articulations on impact to insure a maximum transmission of force and put your whole mind and body into your fist.
6—Immediately after impact, abruptly stop the motion of your hips, rotate them rapidly in the other direction, and pull back in this order: right shoulder, elbow, and fist. In this manner the kinetic energy generated by your punch will be propagated through the opponent's body in an exploding way and not just push him backwards.
These six phases are combined in single motion performed with complete determination and at maximum speed. The momentum of the punch delivered at impact is the sum of the momentum generated in every phase of the motion including the preparation phase.
Hinerigeri: Twist kick:In a left foot forward stance or left cat stance:
1—Move your hips backward, lowering your body and extending your arms forward. This is a winding up motion to give more power to the hips.
2—Raise your right heel close to your buttock. This extends the muscles of the thigh and will allow the heel to travel a longer distance.
3—Swing your hips forward, to generate a pendular momentum, and use the reaction force of the ground by pushing on it with your front foot. Push your elbows backward to counter-balance the motion of the hips.
4—Press off the ground with your left leg to use its muscular force and the reaction force.
5—Throw your right foot forward on a 45° angle, successively contracting the thigh and calf. The muscular force is used to produce a linear momentum.
6—The knee and ankle should be tightened on impact to insure the maximum transmission of force.
7—Immediately after impact, first pull your hips back in a pendular motion, then the thigh and calf as rapidly as they were thrown forward.
In step 5, the leg is thrown with a 45° angle because this angle yields the largest resultant from the set of vertical and horizontal forces produced by the motion of the hips and legs.
b. Physiological and Psychological Principles
Considerations on breathing
Breathing is life itself. In the lungs, the inhaled oxygen is absorbed by the blood and carried to the cellular tissues where a number of chemical reactions take place. Among others, the combustion of glucose by oxygen provides muscular energy. The carbon dioxide resulting from the combustion is in turn carried by blood to the lungs and exhaled. Breathing also eliminates the lactic acid accumulating in the blood as a result of physical exercise. Lactic acid slows down the work of the muscles. The respiration process is thus a source of energy essential in insuring intense muscular activity and at the same time preventing the fatigue resulting from such activity.
The role played by abdominal breathing as a source of muscular power has been explained in the preceding section. Breathing is also the link between these physical and physiological considerations. It helps achieve the indispensable union of mind and body. When air is inhaled deeply and held in the tanden with correct centripetal pressure, the blood circulation is activated and the nervous system stimulated. As a result, the mind becomes more serene and mental concentration is increased. Perception becomes more acute and can detect any of the opponent's actions. The body can mobilize its resources to react in a split second.
In order to achieve these goals, respiration must become a conscious function which can be utilized at will. Breathing exercises should be practiced, inhaling deeply from the nose and lifting the diaphragm. The breath is then held in the tanden, the region around the navel, and a slightly downward centripetal pressure must be exerted by the abdominal muscles. It is at this time that the body can develop its maximum physical strength. The breath should not be held for too long, otherwise the blood becomes saturated with carbon dioxide and the muscles are slowed down. Expiration is done through the mouth. The rhythm of breathing must vary according to the circumstances of the fight. Your rhythm should always be concealed from your opponent who could otherwise attack when you are out of breath or inhaling. Inhalation should take place before the execution of any technique or move and the breath will usually be held until it is completed. In combination techniques, the breath may sometimes be held for more than one technique.
Kiai
Kiai is the materialization of the ki, the inner power resulting from the concentration of the mind and body by proper breathing. It is the expression of this power liberated all at once in a fraction of a second. In karatedo, techniques must always be executed with kiai. That is to say, they must literally explode from the body under the utmost internal pressure.
Kiai is often confused with the shrill sound caused by the rapid expulsion of a small amount of air which sometimes accompanies the execution of a technique. It is also some times thought that an ordinary scream which supposedly surprises the opponent and breaks his concentration, is kiai. But kiai is, rather, an unconscious expression of the ki and, as such, any attempt to consciously imitate it would only result in a waste of kiai.
Self-control
In karatedo the mind and body must be able to act at once and with determination. This requires a complete control over emotional disturbances which could affect the functioning of the mind. The mind should be clear, like water, to reflect the opponent's attitude. If the surface of the water is troubled, then the opponent's image will be distorted and his attack may surprise or confuse you.
The mind should exercise full control over the body. It is well known that all of our actions are commanded and controlled from the brain. Thus, if the mind is clear, then the body will execute whatever is required without the slightest hesitation. Likewise, a perfectly controlled body will execute a technique exactly as required.
Thus, self-control starts with the control of the mind and achieves the control of the body and of the techniques. How can control of the mind be realized ？ By mastering the techniques. When one has mastered the techniques, he is in full possession of his body, and his mind is liberated from emotional disturbances.
At peace with oneself, one will always win and ultimately fulfill oneself.
2. Conditioning of the Body and Mind
a. Junbi Undo: Preparatory Exercises
Preparatory exercises are necessary before practicing any sport. In karatedo, where the mind and body must respond at once with great speed and power, they are indispensable.
These exercises have a twofold objective:
Physical preparation. Every part of the body has to be prepared in order to eliminate the risk of injury resulting from harsh training. Preparatory exercises increase the intake of oxygen and stimulate the blood circulation. The muscular tissues are better irrigated and the combustion of glucose is more complete. This results in better elimination of the lactic acid resulting from the combustion of glucose and other carbon hydrates by oxygen. The muscles including the heart gain more strength and do not tire as easily. As the temperature of the body is increased, the muscles slip more easily into one another. This results in a gain of speed. The motor nerves of the body are also stimulated by better irrigation and chronaxy time is reduced, making reflexes more rapid.
As the joints are flexed, more oil is produced, reducing the risk of sprains. Every part of the body becomes better irrigated, stimulated, and more fit for training.
Mental preparation. The preparatory exercises relieve the tension preceding an effort and help the mind concentrate progressively on the training.
Preparatory exercises consist of general warming-up and loosening-up exercises as well as exercises more specific to karatedo. They may be performed either alone or with a partner. They should be neither too strenuous, to avoid any useless fatigue, nor too lax, in which case they are worthless. They should range from 5 to 10 minutes for an hour of karatedo practice and from 10 to 15 minutes for a two-hour practice.
All the preparatory exercises fall into one of the following categories: jumping, stretching, bending, twisting, and circling. They should be performed in a sequence starting with the extremities of the body and proceeding gradually towards the heart. Thus one should start with exercises for the legs (toes, ankles, and knees), then hips, trunk, shoulders, arms (elbows, wrists, and fingers), and finally the neck.
b. Seiri Undo: Supplementary Exercises
