Martial Movements Kata/Forms

Yume Dojo

Shizenryu Jutsu

Glendale, Arizona

Arts of Shizenryu Jutsu:

Mixed Martial Arts Logo

Kempo Curriculum:

Hawaiian Kempo
Okinawan Kempo
Japanese Kempo
American Kenpo

Jujutsu Curriculum:

Japanese Jujutsu
Hawaiian Jujutsu
Okinawan Jutsu
Chin Na

New Waza (Groundwork) Curriculum:

Sambo

Welcome to the Yume Dojo

Martial Movements Page

This page is a New Addition to the Yume Dojo Web Site. We are very excited to add this page to the web site. The page will deal with Martial Movements. These are usually found in Forms or Kata but can also be isolated in Movements of technique. Many times one Movement can have several definitions or can be interpreted as something else. This page will focus not on techniques but rather look at Movement and see how it can be defined or interpreted. We hope people will find this interesting and useful, but mostly a different way to look at your training.

The one thing all Martial Arts systems have in common is Movement. All styles and arts have Movement, what differs is the way the Movement is defined, interpreted, and applied. In most systems, these Movements are studied in the form of Forms/Kata. A Kata is nothing more than a series of Movements. These Movements can be isolated and studied independently. Also, components of techniques can also be studied this way. This page is going to focus on the Independent Movement which is seen in Forms/Kata and technique. In some systems, like American Kenpo, Movements are pre-defined. What this means is that the Movements are set and related to technique. In Okinawan Karate, the Movements are subjective, or open for definition and interpretation. There is a Principle which states: "A Block is a Lock is a Blow is a Throw". What this means, is there is more than one definition for a block. This is not just confined to blocks but in other Movements as well. The definition one applies will be based on their experiences, their knowledge and their prejudices. So if someone does not know any throws, they can not see this in their Forms/Kata. Also prejudice can play a role in how one sees Movement. Many people do not see the worth of Forms/Kata and don't see beyond something for a test or idle Movements, they will not be able to see what is within these Forms or Kata.

This time we are going to look at the application of Blocks. Yume Dojo employs several Blocking Drills. Once the drills have been worked and the basic blocks are refined, application of the blocks is looked at. This month we will look at Jujutsu application, or joint locks as an application of the Blocks.

Lets take a look at the Block Set that we will employ.

Left Upward Block Right Upward Block

Left Outward Block Right Outward Block

Left Inward Block Right Inward Block

Left Downward Block Right Downward Block

The steps to this Block Set are:

Left Upward Block
Right Upward Block
Left Outward Block
Right Outward Block
Left Inward Block
Right Inward Block
Left Downward Block
Right Downward Block

Each Block is isolated and practiced in detail. Then put together and done as a set as fast as possible. This way Blocks become a instinct, a response to any attack. However, Blocks can be adapted and also lead to different applications. In this example we will look at Joint Locks.

Now lets look at the application of the blocks.

Left Upward block

Left Upward block Upward Block Shoulder Lock

This technique starts with the basic upward block. One the block is done, the other hand strike the ribs and come under the attacker's arm. The attackers arm is then folded into a shoulder lock. The Shizneryu version of this lock is a bit different. Instead of grabbing the attackers arm, we use our own arm as a fulcrum, and push the attackers arm down and over our own arm. this gives the feel of a 'hook" as much as a joint lock.

Right Upward Block

This application is based of a left grab. The upward block is done to the attackers wrist to fold the wrist. Once the wrist is bent, then the elbow comes over the attacker's arm to apply pressure to the wrist as shown in the second photo. This is a basic 'wrist flex' and applies tremendous pressure to the wrist joint. Also note, the elbow is in position to strike the attackers face, then applied down to apply this painful lock.

Left Outward Block

This application can be done from almost any attack. The application is just an outward wrist throw/lock, where the wrist is twisted to the outside. This is the exact same movement as the block. This application continues the wrist movement changing hands and locking the wrist again with a 'Gooseneck' Lock. The "Gooseneck" lock puts lots of pressure on the wrist but also this technique effects the shoulder of the attacker by raising the arm and effecting the shoulder of the attacker.

Right Outward Block

This application shows a variation of the wrist lock shown above. It starts with the same movement, and an outward block movement is done as shown in the first photo. The second photo shows how the supporting hand adds to this lock. By cupping the hand, this actually keeps the attacker from countering. The secondary hand keeps the attacker from dropping their fingers which can make room in the technique for countering. The secondary can also strike the top of the hand and break the wrist joint between the strike and wrist lock.

Left Inside Block

This application of an Inward block is the exact same movement as the block. It can be applied from any attack but works the quickest from a grab. The hand is takes from the grab/choke and the hand is turned back toward the attacker. There is a bit of a small circle applied to this lock. Remember its application of the movement, not just exact movement. Once the movement is applied to the attackers body, the arm can be pushed down which creates a tremendous amount of pain on the attackers wrist. By pressing down on the elbow, it creates more pain in the wrist. Notice it only takes a finger to lower the elbow.

Right Inward Block

For this application, it starts the same way as the application above. This is a variation of the wrist lock shown above. Once the wrist is turned to the attacker, the secondary hand comes under the attackers arm and clasps their own hand. From here the hand is moved toward the attackers arm pit, once again putting great pressure on the wrist joint. However done correctly, the fingers are locked as well, along with the wrist lock. You can see the movement is really nothing more than an inward block, done on a grab.

Left Downward Block

For this downward block, the attack is a grab. The attackers arm is lowered to the belt applying 'bone' to bone' wrist lock. The movement is done just like a downward block. The attacker's hand is not removed just slid down the body. This is a very painful lock as well.

This technique is based off a punch. A downward block is applied to the crease of the elbow. The arm is circled and the other arm does a downward block as in the second photo. This creates an elbow lock or can be a dislocation of the elbow. notice in the second photo the placement of the second hand (right) and how if struck could damage the elbow.

Please note: We are not saying that these techniques ARE application of a block, rather a possible explanation for them. Also, in training at Yume Dojo, movement is a KEY to remind us of a movement. We work different applications of movement, so that when a movement is viewed, an explanation comes to mind. While the main purpose of a block is to not get his, there are other applications for the movements. Again the movement serves as a key to our minds of what we can do certain positions and situations. Application of anything, movement, blocks, strikes etc. is based off the practitioner's experiences and knowledge. Not everyone is going to see what others do, our hope is to open doors for others to view in. We hope you find this interesting.

Downward Block/Outward Block

Outward Block/Downward Block

Now we will take a look at some possible applications for the Outward Block/Downward Block movement.

Interpretation #1

Wrist Lock/Hammerfist

This interpretation features the Outward Block as a Outward Wrist Lock and the Downward Block as a Hammerfist to the groin. The Hammerfist can be replaced with a Punch to the groin or bladder.

Interpretation #2

Release

This interpretation shows the Outward Block/Downward Block as a Release. Once the chest grab is done, the Outward Block knocks off the grab to the side, and the Downward Block knocks the grab off to the bottom. This is a basic Release for any grab.

Interpretation #3

Outward Block/Strike Groin

This is a very simple Interpretation. The Outward Block is simply a Block and the Downward Block is a Strike. The Strike could be a Hammerfist to the groin or hip, or a Punch to the Hip. This is a signature in the Kempo curriculum of Shizenryu.

Interpretation #4

Crossing Arm Bar

This interpretation is a bit more difficult to do and difficult to see. This Arm Bar, called Juju Nage, or Crossing Arm Bar, ties up the attackers arms. Notice the right hand is the Outward Block and the left hand is the Downward Block. This is a more advanced application of the movement.

Interpretation #5

Backfist/Punch

Release This is another very simple application of the movement. The Outward Block is a shown as a Backfist to the face and the Downward Block again is a Hammerfist or Punch to the groin or bladder. In the form, there are 'back to back' Outward Block/Downward Blocks. An explanation for this could be a release as shown on the right and then the strikes shown in the photo on the left.

Interpretation #6

Snake Bite Arm Bar

This is another more advanced application of the movement. The application here is another Arm Bar. The Outward Block (Left Hand) shows a Wrist Lock. The right hand then does the Downward Block and then 'snakes' up the attacker's body and locks out the shoulder. This lock is known as Ude Gatame, or in Shizenryu a 'Snakebite Arm Bar'. This advanced application may be a bit hard to see, especially if one is not familiar with the lock itself.