We train Tactics all the time in Class, in fact I would venture that not a
single Karate class is run without the use of training in tactics. Step in
punch, step in kick, throw a round house kick/ back fist combo and you are
performing tactics. The use of physical movement to advance or counter is use
of a tactic. But it’s also not that easy. A technique is only a tactic if
its used in conjunction with an overall strategy, and most of the time we are
doing this subconsciously or without actually viewing it this way.
Most students do “Flail to not fail” Karate. They don’t look for a target, they
don’t think of follow up moves, they simply throw an arm or leg at an opponent
and pray it lands. In sport Karate this is fine, they tend not to think beyond
“Throw it and pray” kind of tactics anyways, but in Goshindo or Budo based
Karate one has to think like Chess when fighting, what is the move that will
flow this attack or defense….how can I draw them into doing what I want….how
can I react to a particular strategy to turn it in my favor.? All these
are true Budo reactions and use of strategy. Now the implementation of
the answers is tactical applications of Karate.
So, the tactical side of Karate is the actual use of techniques used properly
against proper targets to meet the needs of the situation and enforce the
strategy you have come up with. Now, practicing good Mawashi Geri on a
punching bag IS part of this. You need sharp weapons and you need to be able to
“hard wire” yourself to use them at a minutes notice so you can apply them and
work your strategy. Practice makes perfect after all, but you also need to have
a pliable mind and be able to change tactics to adjust to situational shifting.
This is often called “regrouping” Mentally.
My favorite tactic is to counter punch with a strong Reverse punch when I am
faced with a faster person and when faced with a slower or less experienced
partner I tend to do my “California blitz” and go for it…if you don’t know what
that is…I’m not telling because I may have to use it on you! I practice both
moves a lot so I can pull them out at a seconds notice. I tend not to block to
much, more just a push to the attack and blast the opponent. I also don’t
do sport Karate so Im not going for a fancy point…its ugly and not a great
strategy if I want to be a model. I tend to catch a fist in the face or chest,
but I know my punch has better accuracy and power and my redirection drains the
power from the original punch…so in a case of power vs power…I win.
Now, back to Dingman Sensei and his fight with Mr. Muller, The strategy was in
place…break rhythm, use speed to win and get inside his power zone. What
tactic did Dingman Sensei use to address the Strategy? He broke the
rhythm using his “Dingman Duck” its not a real duck…its when you lead with a
leg far out and sneak inside, you use hip motion with most of your weight on
your back leg while your front leg sneaks forwards. Its damn Dangerous if you
are facing a guy that sweeps a lot but Mr Muller did not do much of that
because his size let him avoid that need. Using the up and down bouncing and
the “Dingman Duck” he both got inside and broke up the rhythm of Mr. Muller.
The shifting around slowed Mr. Muller down as well because he knew Sensei was
faster so he kind of planted his weight and thought he would out wait the
smaller foe and then just counter…now Sensei had a immobile target.
Sensei found himself inside Mr. Mullers power zone really fast and he had
established a bad rhythm for Mr. Muller and now all he had to do was use a
different tactic to score the point. Keep in mind Sensei was still about
three to four feet away and Mr. Muller could rush forwards at any time….But he
was sitting stable for the time being. Sensei needed a Ippon or the dance would
start all over again and he would need a new strategy or set of tactics so Mr.
Muller would not catch on. So, what to do?
Sensei knew a Ippon would only come if Muller was struck (Sondom people…not a
real strike but close) in a spot that he was not defending that would show his
complete loss. THE FACE! Sensei finally set his weight on the back foot,
pushed off and rushed inside the three foot area and leapt up. He put his back
leg on Mullers extended front leg and pushed so he was now running up Mullers
leg to get the right distance and BLAM he shot out a solid straight punch that
would have taken Mullers nose off his face if he had landed it for real
and he Kiai’d to show the emphasis on his success in landing the perfect punch,
totally surprising the opponent and I can only imagine the ring refs surprise
as well!
The implementation of his strategy and the tactics he used won Sensei a battle
in a tournament that NO ONE thought he could win against an opponent that was
nearly two feet taller than him and way bigger than he was. The referee called
for an Ippon as Muller had his hands low and had not moved at all as the
smaller man rushed up him.
Studying Karate with strategy and tactics in mind will not only make things a
bit more clear but it will also make your karate more applicable in situations
when you really need them. My true thoughts on this is that you must train
tactics so they are second nature….use of specific moves and drills will help
you in any situation if you can use them with very little thought. Then putting
the use of strategy into the training will help you get ready and even asses
specific situations so you can then be more effective in them.
When teaching I am now working on implementing both these ideas and tools into
training brown and black belts and putting names to them as Dingman Sensei tended
to be more traditional and not name them, but he did teach us this way for
years. A student should learn the whys and not just the how’s and they should
not just dance in the Dojo with different techniques. They should know why they
are doing something, how to do it and the bigger pictures of Strategy and
Tactics.
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