Topic: Missing Moves

[Huw]

Reading through SKM I found an interesting article about the various forms of Empi (elbow strike). Is there any reason this doesn't appear in 'normal' kihon ? As the article pointed out it's one of the most practical 'self-defence' techniques in karate - so why don't we give it more time ?

[Moley]

I think that the basic reason for the neglect of "Empi" is the introduction of Juy Kumite and competition Karate. Empi although a very effective technique is a close quarter attack and therefore not suitable for the modern Juy Kumite bout.  My theory is that when the Japanese "developed" karate in the Universities, the "young guns" wanted some sort of competition so that they could "compete" against other universities. A sort of a "My gang is better than yours type thing" and introduced the Juy Kumite as we know it with all it's safety rules !!
Empi survived in the syllabus but fell into neglect through lack of practice.

[dogberry]

I think that the basic reason for the neglect of "Empi" is the introduction of Juy Kumite and competition Karate. Empi although a very effective technique is a close quarter attack and therefore not suitable for the modern Juy Kumite bout.  My theory is that when the Japanese "developed" karate in the Universities, the "young guns" wanted some sort of competition so that they could "compete" against other universities. A sort of a "My gang is better than yours type thing" and introduced the Juy Kumite as we know it with all it's safety rules !!
Empi survived in the syllabus but fell into neglect through lack of practice.

Does this mean that if it were used in JUY KUMITE it would be frowned upon...............cause if used it would no doubt have the desired effect  

[Mushin]

Competitions are fine as a warming up exercise
but
Fight to defeat your opponent
physically
Not technically

[Moley]

Competitions are fine as a warming up exercise
but
Fight to defeat your opponent
physically
Not technically

Impossible to do this I'm afraid.
Karate is like using a firearm. You cannot use it on a living thing. But enthusiasts wanted to a) Practice shooting b) test their skill c) Compete against others (For FUN !)  therefore they aim at targets.
Same with swords, Tameshigiri is practiced on Makiwara. (They don't even practice on condemned prisoners or bodies nowadays - It's called "Living in a civilised society" )

[JimmyTheHoover]

Competitions are fine as a warming up exercise
but
Fight to defeat your opponent
physically
Not technically

Impossible to do this I'm afraid.
Karate is like using a firearm. You cannot use it on a living thing. But enthusiasts wanted to a) Practice shooting b) test their skill c) Compete against others (For FUN !)  therefore they aim at targets.
Same with swords, Tameshigiri is practiced on Makiwara. (They don't even practice on condemned prisoners or bodies nowadays - It's called "Living in a civilised society" )

Moley,

Could it be that you are missing the (an important) point here ?  

Think about what Huw said earlier (in the thread about what you think about during Competition) - it's what's in your Heart and Head that matters - NOT whether you actually pull the blows/cuts/insults    that REALLY matters !

Just my convoluted thoughts of Course  

Cheers,

JTH (HIC!)