Distance in Karate

                This past week end lots of our talk at the instructors table was about Distance in Kumite or Ma’ai in Japanese. Ma’ai is vital in doing Kumite and we learn lots about it in all forms of Kumite and even in Kata. One thing that most instructors don’t recognize however is we get our modern understanding of Ma’ai from Nakayama Sensei and before him Anko Azato as both studied different forms of martial arts, in this case it would be sword fighting.

                Aikido and other arts that have multiple distances they train at all get their distance training and understanding from the sword arts. An art like Judo or Sumo from Japan generally don’t have as many distances to work with as its all grappling ranges, but Karate, Aikido and sword fighting don’t work in such limited ranges. And not being a practitioner of Sumo I am just looking at research on line for info.

                Nakayama Sensei and Azato both studied sword fighting, Azato studied Jigen ryu. A system of Kendo and Nakayama Sensei came from a long line of Kendo-ka. They incorporated many aspects of the sword arts into their Karate development. A fact that is very interesting as those styles that came more from Itosu Sensei, such as Shito ryu and others shuri styles, would not have had this influence and thus had to adapt from Shotokan or early shuri teachings from Azato.

                Karate and Kenjutsu normally use three broad categories of Ma’ai, however there are several more that are used to clear up some cross over areas. The basic three of course are close, far and middle distance from a opponent. The Ma’ai will also dictate proper targeting and which techniques should be used to cover the distance and to keep the proper length between the two participants for safety and to avoid being taken down or being to far apart.

 

                Far distance is called To’ma or Gendo Ma’ai. In Kendo the definition means that you cannot touch your opponents Shinai and they cannot touch yours. You have to take between 1 ½ and 2 full steps to reach your opponent. This is seen as a safe distance to start your defense from. It should be noted that in Karate To’Ma or Tai-Mah are not safe areas, they are still seen as being a dangerous position as your attacker can get to you quickly and do damage despite having to clear a longer distance.

                Training in To’ma is a good way to feel out your opponent and tell how quick they are by how long it takes them to clear the distance between them and you past this open area.

 

                The medium range or Isoku Itto no Ma’ai, or Itto ma and Yodo Ma’ai are all the middle range distance. This is the distance that in Kendo you are 1 sword length away and can engage Shinai, but just the tips. In Karate it means you can reach the target in one or 1 ½ steps. In Karate I like to think of this as kicking distance, so Geri Ma’ai.

                Training in this distance is a bit dangerous if you have someone that is good at kicking and likes to use them. You have to be aware that the distance can change drastically in a short period of time at this range and be prepared to move in or out depending on the attacks. In Kenjutsu its known as the distance in which you can reach an opponent with one step or avoid an attack with one step back.

 

                Close range is called Chika Ma’ai or So-ou Ma’ai. It is literally ½ to 1 step away from an attacker and you can reach them with a punch in Karate. Not so close that you are crossing arms but close enough that you can hit your partner without having to cross to much distance. In kendo they say you can easily touch your opponent, but they can also easily touch you.

                Most Karate people make the mistake of staying in this range all the time. They think that they must use this distance to score points, meaning they are stuck in this position waiting to see if they can score a point. Some feel its much more aggressive to stay here but the truth is not only is it dangerous but it limits your flexibility in attacking and defending.

 

                In training one should train with a focus on varying the distance between your partners. This can be done in Jiyu Ippon or Jiyu Kumite or with drills to help with the distance. The idea is help you get used to adjusting distance based on the skills and ability of your partners so that you can master changing distances in Kumite to match the ability of the attacker.

                One has to practice the changing in distances to make it look natural and not to alert the opponent to your change in distance. The change in distance can be the difference between scoring on your opponent or being scored upon. The other major difference in distances is the techniques you will use during altercation. If you are a grappler you will want to be in close to grab and sweep, if you are a kicker then your distance should reflect this as well. Use the ability to change distances to your advantage when sparring and when learning for self-defense.

 

                One should also be able to note the perceived distances in Kata. Kata is a guiding tool that does not just give you insight into techniques but distance, movement and use of the techniques in real life situations. Use Bunkai training to understand the use and methods of training for distance. An example would be that Heian Shodan teaches long distance and reaching movements and Heian Nidan closer, mid-range skills. Heian Sandan teaches close range techniques and the rest of the Kata teach a variety of distances.

               

                Ma’ai training is very important in making karate work, it should be part of your normal training routine and part of your general training as well as focused on several times a week to improve and make it better.