Shotokan Karate style reverse punch

Article by: Ray Pompa

Producer for Bushidoproductionsonline.com

First there was any style against any style martial arts.

Then there was Jujitsu and and no one seamed able to defeat the ground game.

But something happened . The stand up guy figured it out. Neutralize the ground game and you can win.

Then the wrestler realized that he had to know how to fight on his feet before he could win on the ground.

now everybody had to learn a little (or in some cases allot) of the other styles in order to seriously compete.

They figured it out.

Mixed martial arts was born

So Why is Lyoto Machida; a traditional Shotokan karate stylist (who has studied his ground game by the way)

and is regarded somewhat as a cartoon character due to his training methods of traditional forms and Dojo training

winning in the UFC?

Answer: They can't figure him out.

Being a Shotokan student myself the answer is easy to see.

Timing ,Distance,Angles and punching style.

For example: #1. A lot of fighters never learn how to block a punch (properly) . They just take it.

#2. When they do block a punch it mostly comes from the outside. They block by covering with forearm and elbow to the side of the head. A shotokan fighter moves strait in with a strait punch or (reverse punch) and the other guy has no idea what to do but duck if he is fast enough.

#3. Combine this with timing. The karate stance is there for a reason. Back stance, forward stance and so on.

The Traditional style looks farther away than it really is so therefore there is the element of illusion. Each move from the opponent is anticipated and then countered without being hit (If you do it right of course) . Shifting back and forth,back and forth-then strike! as the opponent is moving in at the same time leaving himself open in many cases and generating much more power to the kick or punch. This is where 4 step-3 step-1 step and so on training in the traditional sense works very well for timing and distance.

#4. The best way not to get hit is not to be there. Muhammad Ali knew this very well. The reason Machida is the least hit guy in the fight game is because he trains that way. In Shotokan the first move in every form is a defensive move. Usually a block or counter because it was designed for everyday practical self defense (on the street-not sport) Being light on your feet and utilizing angles of deception is a good way to level the playing field against a larger opponent. And of course the whole idea behind traditional self defense is to level the playing field or to gain an advantage until you can escape.

Forms (kata)

Forms are there for a reason. There is a saying. "I do one thousand kicks for one perfect one"

Forms are practiced for the perfection of each karate technique as well as timing and balance. There are other benefits as well that are not discussed here.

So for now, we are back to one martial arts style "VS" another martial arts style; and I think that is good because it makes the sport more interesting.

So until this traditional style of discipline is figured out by others just as Brazilian Jujitsu was; You can count on more Wins in the future.