Japanton – Chronicles of Anton in Japan!

Sven-Eric Bogsater said that the more realistic the weapon the less realistic the training. This applies to weapons mostly but once explained you may see that the same applies to taijutsu and martial arts in general.

There are many whom are involved in the “Fighting Sports” who maintain that if the technique does not work in the ring it will not work in real life. There are those at the opposite end of the spectrum (like the majority of the Bujinkan) whom say that exercises like sparring are not needed to learn effective technique.

I will admit right now that I have spent years in a martial art where there was sparring on a regular basis. There are many things that I have learned through that experience. I do not however agree with the statement that if it works in a ring then it works on the street.

There are a couple problems I found (find) with sparring:

1. Someone wants to win.

When someone is trying to win techniques are not learned. If you learn a technique during class and want to practice it, how will you do that in a sparring situation? Your partner knows what you are trying to do because he has seen it as well and will counter you. Once this happens you will start to rush and muscle techniques.

2. Concern for safety

If you are not a soulless monster, you will hold back. You are concerned for the safety of those with whom you train. How can you not be. This creates a situation where real attacks are not thrown for fear of hurting the other person.

3. Safety gear

To solve the previous problem we add safety gear to the mix, this allows us to hit harder and go faster, but now we can also take liberties. With sparring gloves, wist locks are near impossible and punches can be blocked boxing style without fear of arm damage.

The question of course is what can we do to solve this problem? What can we do in lieu of sparring which will give the same skills? Well once again thank Anton’s legendary munificence cause your about to find out.

There are two progressions which you can use to increase the effectiveness of your techniques.

Progression one Striking drills:

1. Exchange attacks 3 at a time.

Make sure you establish which attacks are allowed (punches, kicks, elbows, knees…). You can start limited and then expand later. Throw the attacks as seamlessly as possible and make the change from defense to attack have a little gap as possible. The goal is not speed but a constant flow while making sure that your kamae does not break down.

2. Exchange attacks 1 at a time.

This is similar to the last one however the distance will change and your defense will rely primarily in your footing.

3. Exchange attacks 3 to 1.

In this drill one of the partners attacks 3 times to each 1 counter that the other does. This allows little time to setup where you want your opponent to be based on your attacks so once again it will rely heavily on footwork. In this you can not forget the happo sabaki gata.

4. Free exchange

Now it is up to the defender to find a spot to take the initiative. Once you have a pace going and it is clean then you can start to increase the speed and intensity until it breaks down.

5. Add weapons

This seems self explanatory but it is not. You must use the weapons like and extension of your body when attacking through all these steps. You must also not change the defensive movement because your opponent has a weapon. Why? Because you don’t know if he has one or not. Pretend that if he has a knife, every attack he throws is just as deadly as the knife. When defending with a weapon in your hand, realize that you don’t have to use it. If he was the one who started with the weapon, you have taken it from him, are you going to now take his life with the weapon. If you can (legally and mentally) good for you. But don’t forget what you are doing.

Progression two kihon applications:

1. Teach one of the kihon (though it can be any technique.

2. Teach that same technique against a punch.

If it’s omote gyaku, you should be able to do it against someone who is punching right.

3. Teach that technique from a moving start.

Don’t line up for the technique, start outside of range, move into range and then begin.

4. Use the technique from a moving start against more than one punch.

Don’t assume that once the technique is started your opponent will be helpless, find out by having him continue to persue you with attacks throughout.

5. Apply the technique during step five of the striking drill.

Exchange back and forth and when the correct situation appears, take the opportunity. This is where the temptation to chase after the technique appears, this must be resisted. If you find that attacks are changing to avoid having the technique done, provide a technique and it’s reverse. Omote and ura, ganseiki and musha dori, etc…

Hope this has helped because if it hasn’t, I wrote a lot for absolutely no reason. Oh and as always feedback is good. So criticize or just let me know that you are reading.

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