The Technique Thread

Yes, when I think of a forwards roll, I think of the same motion as you demonstrated, but starting from standing square-on and twisting into it. Just a terminology difference, not a technical one I think.

Yes, mostly

I don't have room to do it at speed at the moment, but I think my preference is to have the rear (first foot to meet the ground coming out of the roll) foot on the ball for projection, and the front foot either heel first or flat, depending on how much I want to leap out of it. Of course, if it's a running roll then both will be ball of the foot.

Though, thinking about it, I almost always roll from standing to standing, not from or to kneeling. Maybe that makes a difference? I'll try it out when I get the chance

Edit: the balance issue is about pivoting, as you said.

 

I always end up side-on, and always roll over the shoulder rather than straight along the spine (it's too painful on hard floors!).

I also keep the legs tucked, though it's not a conscious habit to keep my legs from being sliced off. Having the legs flailing in the air also slows the roll; it's that whole centripetal/spinning figure skater deal (if you know what I mean?).

Anyway, I'll have a study of your videos again. I've got classes tomorrow and friday, so I'll turn up a bit early and experiment with what you've shown. Rolling isn't specifically taught in our syllabus, although there are "gateway" techniques that hold the key to doing it effectively, so it's something I do without really thinking about it. In fact, all I really think is "rear foot ends up on opposite side of body by way of going over head"

 

Priceless information right there. Thanks for the video.

 

Appreciate the video and info Simon. This has likely been my problem. I have been told about it time and again, but I have a hard time really focusing on posture. When I spar my instructor, he admits I should be able to hit him with my jab all day because my arms are about 2" longer than his. The big issue is what you are showing and especially not turning the hip quite enough when throwing the jab. This is what I want though. All the info I can get to close as many gaps as possible. Thanks.

 

I echo UC's post. Whether its trapping, skipping or this one on telegraphing/leaning, your vids clearly deal with the topic in question.

 

awesome!

from a TMA perspective, this has a LOT to do with all the hullaballoo you get around use of the hara/tanden/dantien/autobot matrix of leadership*/whatever to lead your techniques. ultimately, it amounts to the same thing: get better aligned vertically while you move around, and everything moves at the same time, faster and more efficiently. do the opposite, and and you get body parts dragging on each other as you move (which i believe is what is called "being double weighted" in taiji?). getting your face out of the way of the other guy's knuckles is a pretty neat bonus too (and the results when the opponent fails to do it are hilarious** ).

*yes, i know, the matrix is inside the chest, not in the lower abdomen. sue me
**simplest way to exploit: once you spot the pattern, stand in a front or middle-weighted stance that lets you lean back and spring back forwards immediately. incite a cross, lean back out of the way and bonk the guy in the nose as he recoils from the punch (a stiff jab will usually do the trick nicely, but i've seen it happen with a rear straight in a krotty competition and it instantly put the other guy on the floor. it was beautiful :evil.

 

also, i haven't been able to meet up with ivan to do anything other than lift weights, but if anyone's curious about anything from krotty that i might be able to demonstrate without a partner, just holler and i'll pop up to the terrace and film it (or if all else fails i can try to persuade my bro to help me out).

 

Simon:

I'm working with your "Footwork" video. You indicate ( I think ) that one should give equal time to each leg for leading. I'm finding much trouble with smooth leading with the right - the "J" movement you begin demoing at around 8:40. for example.

You suggest spending time getting one's lagging leg up to speed early before moving on or will the slower side find its own eventually?

thank you kindly.

 

Its not superfluous - I see great utility in the movement, in fact its essential to developing the basics of good defensive footwork.

Keep it! Just expand on it - there's a lot of meat packed into those few seconds starting around 8:40 - enough to make a full meal of - if you follow.

If people are uncomfortable it is because we're thick as a brick - coordination wise. But there's great stuff there. Essential stuff.

You have people still stepping and dragging? You wonder if they really have their left and right down without too much thinking? Little quirks, gaps and short circuits in the wiring from one's brain to the various muscle fibres in the body get exposed right quick like in the ring, lol!

I knew from your skipping vids that when you got 'round to footwork and the dynamics of the ring, it'd be a challenge, but we all know here that's what it takes to bring it out.!

 

No, not complicated at all, but at times some of us feel like the ace ballroom dancing star who's had a stroke and is struggling to bring his dead side up to speed with the rest of him.

Well a bit of an exaggeration, then. lol. But the best are who they are by executing the fundamentals - the basics - really, really well.

I'm really regretting now I couldn't attend. Woulda been fun.

 

Wheres's the footwork video?

Thanks.

 

[ame="www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKXG3pQEbd8"]www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKXG3pQEbd8[/ame]

 

I have to admit the trouble I had was visualising how it was supposed to work against a partner. It felt like it should have been mobile, just I found myself being a little uncoordinated with it and unsure how to apply it.

If that makes sense.