On my last bulletin, February 2021. I proposed the following question.
Body mechanics Challenge. I would ask everyone to do a straight punch only, no other move from your body, Just from your shoulder to your fist with palm up. Look at every motion and explain to me how many distinctive moves you made.
The responses I received were wide and varied from six to ten moves. Once you see and understand how moves work, you will know how to achieve maximum power; this power comes at a price through many hours of practice. I want get into the Physics of motion because it can be complicated. Refer to the circle that I have drawn on the last page.
First, I need to define a few terms. One: Linear motion, Two: Arc’s, Three: Angles. Followed by, Rotate, Torque, and Sequence? Linear motion also called rectilinear motion, is a straight line between two points in space. The three major types of simple linear motion are Constant Velocity Motion, Uniformly Accelerated Linear Motion, and Variable Acceleration. The basic physics quantities used to describe
motion of an object are position, displacement, speed velocity, and acceleration. “UAL” Uniformly accelerated linear motion will be the one that is most relevant in Martial Arts since UAL is variable acceleration or deceleration.
An arc is part of the circumference of a circle moving in a curving trajectory. While Rotate is to move in a circle around a fixed central point. If you move in along a circle and stop anywhere along the fixed point, you create an Arc.
Angle, to move or turn at an angle:
Torque is a measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. Just as force is what causes an object to accelerate in linear motion, torque is what causes an object to acquire angular acceleration.
Torque can be viewed as the “rotational force” of a technique. It is this force preceded by the proper execution of the technique that makes it work. Sequence, The following of one thing after another. This will be the most difficult motion to execute since this is where hours of practice will be needed to achieve maximum power.
The execution of the punch.
First, with the palm side up and your fist at your side. Left or right. As you punch forward. Note your arm/elbow will be moving in a straight line. This will be your UAL motion. At some point, you will begin to rotate your fist. You will see that you have made an approximate 180 degree turn. This rotation becomes an arc. Then at the last second, you punch forward; you have just made another linear move; otherwise, all you have done was a twist.
The execution of the arc and the linear motion sequenced at the right time creates torque.
The answer to the question I proposed is. There are only two distinct moves: linear motion and the arc. If you look at any other karate move, you will find that these are the only moves your body can create. As for has, I know It’s anatomically/mechanically impossible for any other move to be executed.
The sequence will define the technique while angles give you direction. In the end, it boils down to the arc and non.uniform linear motion.
Once you understand this, the hard part will be for you to learn how to time and sequence you’re techniques. Sequence, as I said, is one thing after another. Timing your arcs and linear moves is the Biggest Challenge. Take one technique at a time; go slow and be conscious of your moves. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Those of you that understand how your car runs will know what I am about to say here is true. Yes, there are a lot of things that could make your car run badly. But if you don’t have the following correct, everything else is irrelevant.
Timing: Every vehicle has a timing chain or a timing belt. It’s these items that control the degree of Timing. If the degree of Timing is set properly, your car’s engine will run smoothly. The Timing sets the sequence of the firing order of the cylinders. This, in turn, produces torque or maximum power.
Martial Arts techniques you use follow the same logic. It’s your Timing and the sequence of your moves.
Your front snap kick, shuto, high block, down block, etc., all follow the two distinct moves I presented. The only thing that changes is the part of the body you use. Try it, go slow. You will see those moves.
A technique is the ability to perform a task, were as skills is the ability to perform that task.
Skills are the ability that one possesses and its learned ability that will distinguish the difference between mediocre, good, and those who excel. So which one would you rather be? Note: Put yourself in the center of the circle. The outer edge of the circle is defined as the circumference. If you extend your hand out straight and just move it left or right along the circumference, you create an arc.
If you turn in any direction from the center of the circle, you are turning at an angle or a degree. A circle has 360 degrees. Your attack or your opponent’s attack will determine the angle of your punch or any other technique. Angle, in this case, defines direction only. The arc and the non-uniform linear motion follow the angle of your attack or block.
I hope this description simplifies my answer and that you can see how I came up with the statements I made earlier that there are only two distinctive moves you make in any martial arts technique.
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Fear is just excitement in need of an attitude adjustment.
Kaicho, Roy D. Davis III
NKJU ® National Karate Jiu-Jitsu Union and National Karate jiu-jitsu Union Int. 2691 Worth County Line Road Albany, Georgia 31705 davisroyiv3@gmail.com
March/April 2021 NKJU® Bulletin
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