Wado ryu Karate Principles for Self Defense: Part II of II

by Owen Johnston

Timings for counter attack
Consider uses for the body shifting methods.

Go no Sen - Defensive attack. Counter once the attack is completed, but before the opponent is able to attack again.

Sen - Simultaneously attack with the attacker. You will complete your counter first, and/or displace the attacker's movement.

Sensen no Sen - Preempt the attack with your own, by perceiving your opponent's intent. This will catch him/her off guard, breaking his/her mental balance.

Defensive movements
Heavily influenced by Shindo Yoshin-ryu jujutsu, these movements are used to control the opponent's energy. These movements apply maai and body shifting. Consider uses of the timings for counter attack.

Nagasu - Flowing / Fluidity. Move evasively off the line of attack but closely enough that the attacker's force can be used to add to your own. Often combined with penetrating into an opponent's side (irimi).

Irimi - Move to enter the opponent's attack.

Inasu - Move under, inside, or around the attack.

Noru - Control the opponent's movement.

Maai
The state of mind and spirit of the combatants, and the distance between them. Keep enough space to attack and defend. At a high level, you control the spirit and energy of a conflict. Draw a reaction from the opponent that will give you a tactical advantage. Practice the above principles to understand maai, and practice maai to apply the following. Never stop studying tactics so you may better see from this broad view.

Ki Ken Tai no Ichi
"Mind and Body as One". Coordination of mind and body in movement. Thought and action must become one; there is no time to concentrate on thought in battle.

Hei Jo Shin
"Calm mind and body". When the opponent feints or draws a weapon, you should not flinch, but be prepared. Harness the adrenal state so that you do not panic, but fight reflexively.

About the Author

The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina, where he also teaches at his Wado ryu Karate school. For more information about Karate and the martial arts, please visit Johnston Wado ryu Karate or the Johnston Karate Online Community.

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