First, I would like to take this opportunity to comment on the new web-publishing format of the C&S newsletter. First I think that we should acknowledge the hard work that all of the people involved in the past publication of the newsletter have invested over the years. Also, Grandmaster's efforts in making the transition from print to the electronic medium need to be recognized. I think that this is a wonderful transition into a more modern and cost effective method of keeping our members and their organizations linked in a tangible, visible way.
A newsletter serves to show students that they belong to an organization that is wide-reaching and professional in its conception and in its application. Without a method of sharing ideas and viewpoints, we quickly lose our sense of being part of a greater whole. Our Association is inclusive, rather than exclusive, it is constantly evolving, rather than static and stagnant, it is an association of ideas, philosophy, and serious martial study, rather than simply a group of schools sharing a common association name. And our newsletter is the best way to make sure that we all appreciate and support our founding principles.
And now for some discussion about grounding. Sometime ago, after I had given a demonstration of some of the work I had done on grounding theory, Sandan Tim House had asked me to jot down some thoughts on the subject. Recently he jogged my memory and I thought it might be appropriate to discuss some aspects of the subject in this forum. First let us define grounding.
For the purposes of this article, grounding is a temporary state in which one or both feet cannot be moved without a major shift in the body's center of gravity. Grounding by itself is not a bad thing and, in fact, is how we are able to walk, push objects, and otherwise do work, with our bodies. As we walk along, we put most of our weight into one foot and then shift our center, by propelling our torso, and shift again into the other foot. Perhaps skating even better illustrates the mechanics of this type of momentum shift resulting in forward motion.
The self defense application of this principle is that if we can manipulate the torso into stalling at some point, the opponent cannot shift his momentum, and becomes, again temporarily, stuck with his weight preventing movement. It is then that we can move to force him to fall, or to relinquish his hold on us.
Without turning a brief overview into a detailed instruction manual, let us use a simple illustration. If you were to assume a deep forward stance and extend one arm, an opponent could, by grasping your extended hand and pulling, ever so slightly, ground you into your forward foot. By swinging that hand, again ever so slightly, toward your outside and then walking toward you to a position just a body width or two off of that outside shoulder, you would fall to that side.
What has occurred is that your weight has forced that foot to remain on the ground, and in the same position. The slight forward pull has prevented you from pulling back and out of the grounding. The swing to the side has pulled your weight even more over the foot. The movement back toward you, but off to the side has forced your center so far over your grounded foot that you cannot remain upright, and you fall.
A simple practical application of this example is having someone grab your wrist with their hand, right to right, with the grasped hand waist level or below. Grab the grasping hand with your other hand and push all three hands down toward the floor. Again very slightly swinging the hand to the opponent's outside, rapidly walk toward a position behind the opponent 45 degrees off his outside shoulder, keeping the hand very low, passing just about a foot beyond right shoulder to right shoulder.
What has occurred is that he has been pulled into a position in which his weight, and now yours, is over his right foot. Your swinging his hand and walking past him to the outside has pulled his weight over that outside foot and, again, he cannot maintain his balance.
We have worked on many variations of this idea for breakholds, grounding in both feet, and in weapons defense. I hope that this has spurred some interest in others pursuing other variations of this, very simple, principle. Let me say in closing, however, that to do these kinds of techniques properly, using these methods, remember a few simple concepts.
- Movements must be very subtle. most people who have problems with getting the techniques to work jerk too hard and try to muscle their way through.
- The most effective way to drop a grounded opponent is to move in such a way as to pull them 45 degrees to the back and outside of their grounded foot.
- Keep low with movements and with hand/arm positions.
- And remember, as you will soon discover, falling from these techniques is often hard and at such an angle that breakfalls won't work. So be careful!
Let me know how you do with these and feel free to email me if you have questions.
I hope everyone weathered the summer season in reasonable fashion. It has been unreasonably hot and humid in the Midwest but we didn't let it dampen our spirits. Yondan Bushue brought students up from Texas to participate in a joint workout with the Illinois contingent, and a good time was had by all. We were very impressed by the level of expertise and the professional conduct of the Texans. They are a credit to their instructor. We also had our annual campout. And this year actual fish were caught!
As the welcome Fall season approaches, and gives us some relief, remember that this would be a good time to mention to a friend what a good time you have in karate, what it has meant to you, and that they might also reap benefits from participation. Like anything that is worthwhile in life, it is worth sharing. Help your program grow by word of mouth. We all benefit when new students join. I know "karate is my secret." but let's not be fanatics about it.
Master David Landers
