Yume Dojo

Glendale, Arizona

Yume Dojo

Shizenryu Jutsu

Jujutsu Arts

• Goshin Budo Jujutsu

• Torite Jutsu

• Hawaiian Jujutsu

• Sanuces ryu Jujutsu

• Sambo

Kempo Arts

• Hawaiian Kempo

• Okinawan Karate(Shitoryu Karate)

• Shorinji Kempo

• Eagle Claw Chin Na

Shizenryu Jutsu

Welcome to the Yume Dojo

Basics and Drills Page.

The purpose of this page is to introduce Shizenryu Jutsu Basics and Drills. Basics are done in various forms, and these will be explained in depth. Also there are many drills in Shizenryu and in fact is a 'signature' of Shizenryu. We take pride in all the various drills and how they are done, and applied. Take a look at the Yume Dojo Blog to see how they are used in each class.

Approach to Basics

     Shizenryu Jutsu takes a little different approach to training and teaching students than most Martial Arts schools. Basics, Drills and Applications are the key in the study of Shizenryu. Kata/Form is also studied in this manner, where the Form is viewed, the Basics are isolated, Defined, Detailed, and Application and Interpretation is viewed. There are several methods that are used in teaching Basics and Drills. There are many Drills in the system to help the student refine their Basics. In each of the arts studied, Basics of each art are stressed and Drills are Applied. Finally the Application of the Drills is shown in relation to that particular Art. Basics are done at EVERY class, though the method that they are taught varies. Here are some of the methods that Basics are practiced. (click on photo to enlarge):

•  Individually in the air

•  With a partner in the air (facing one another for a target)

•  Done on a partner. All Basics are practiced on a live body to get a 'feel' for a live attacker

•  Across the dojo floor. This is the dreaded one. Students dread the nights of walking all Basics across the floor.

•  4 Way Basics. The Basics are practiced in a 4 directions.

     Combinations are then added and then 'kata like movements' are practiced. This is the most preferred method for advanced and intermediate students because it incorporates Ashi Sabaki (footwork), Tai Sabaki (body positioning) along with Te Sabaki (hand movement). This version of the Basic practice teaches several things at one time and is used more in advanced classes.

Drills of Shizenryu Jutsu

     After Basics comes the Drills. Shizenryu Jutsu employs many Drills and these are used to refine and apply the Basics. Then each of the Drills are broken down, analyzed, and then the Application of the Drill or the Application of the Basic is shown. Applications teach many things, however in Shizenryu, close attention is paid to Jissen or how to make the Applications street-worthy self defense. All Drills have some Application attached to the Movement. Here are some of the Drills of Shizenryu, be sure and click on each photo to enlarge:

• Kumite Waza Drill-These are sparring drills that were shown to us by Soke John Simmons and are kept in the same manner that were taught to us. The drill emphasizes different tools that can be used in sparring or in self defense situations. Note the similarities in the Boxing Drill below. These 2 drills are done every night in class.

Kumite Waza 1

1. Jab

Kumite Waza 2 ("Triple Jab")

1. Three Jabs

Kumite Waza 3 ("1-2")

1. Jab

2. Straight Right

Kumite Waza 4 ("Triple Change")

1. Jab

2. Straight Right

3. Straight Left

Kumite Waza 5 ("High-Low")

1. High

2. Low Punch

Kumite Waza 6 ("Jab-Short Punch)

1. Jab

2. Short Punch

Kumite Waza 7 ("Kick-Grab-Punch")

1. "Flick Kick" (Groin)

2. Grab Arm

3. Punch (Ribs)

Kumite Waza 8 ("Kick-Jab-Punch")

1. "Flick Kick"

2. Jab

3. Punch

Kumite Waza 9 ("Double Ridge Hands")

1. Ridge Hand (Head)

2. Ridge Hand (Head)

• Boxing & Kick Drill-This Drill works Boxing Punches and then adds Kicks to the drill. The Drill allows the student to refine the Punches but also to work on combinations. Finally, by adding Kicks, one can combine boxing and kicking in the same Drill. This is another drill done every night in class.

1. Jab

2. Straight Right

3. Hook

4. Uppercut

5. Overhand Right

6. Overhand Left

7. Uppercut

8. Front Snap Kick to Front

9. Front Snap Kick to angle

10. Side Kick

11. Raising Heel Kick

•  Block Flow Drill-This Drill focuses on how to use Blocks, or Bunkai of Blocks, and how to apply Blocks as Strikes.

1. Inside Block-Hammerfist to bicep

2. Outside Block-Backfist to face

3. Downward Block-Hammerfist to groin

4. Upward block-Forearm to Chin/Jaw

•  Block and Break Drill- This Drill works on Blocking,  Striking, and also how to use a Block to dislocate an arm.

1. Inside Block

2. Outside Block to second strike (Left Punch)

3. Inside Block-Hammerfist to Face

4. Outside Block-Hyper-Extension of Elbow (initial punch)

•  Motobu Flow Drill-This Drill focuses on how to make Blocks flow and then application of the Block Flow. Notice how the Drill goes back and forth between the two partners.

1. Outside Block to the outside

2. Outside block to the Inside

3. Downward Block on the Inside

4. Backfist

5. Opposite Outside Block on the Outside

6. Opposite Outside Block on the Inside

7. Downward Block on the Inside

8. Backfist

• Kyokushin Block Drill and Application-This Drill is a simple Block set Drill. The blocks are worked and then Application of the Blocks is worked on.

1. Downward Block

2. Upward block

3. Outward Block

4. Inward block

5. Application-Hammerfist groin

6. Application-Forearm to chin

7. Application-Backfist to jaw

8. Application-Longarm/Forearm to neck

• Boxing Drill-This Drill works the basic boxing punches employing the use of mitts and catching the punches as well.

1. Jab

2. Cross

3. Hook

4. Uppercut

5. Overhand

6. Overhand

7. Uppercut

•  Kicking Drill-This Drill is all about kicks. Combination kicks are the focus of this Drill.

•  Chinese Kicking Drill-This is another Kicking Drill however it is done by switching positions with the partner after each kick. Also simultaneous striking and kicking is sometime done.

•  Walk the Body-This Drill teaches the student where the targets are on the body and what weapon to use to strike them. This Drill walks all around the body stopping where it started.

•  Fast Hand Drill-This Drill focuses on speed and hitting target areas with great speed. This Drill also teaches how to set up striking.

•  Non-Aggressive Drill-This Drill is done from a Neutral Stance (Shizen Tai) or Natural Stance. All strikes are done from a relaxed, non-threatening position with the focus of getting your hands as close to the attackers body as possible.

1. Poke to the Eye

2. Chop to the throat

3. Punch to Psolar Plexus.

This is the basic form of the Non-Aggressive Drill. However more steps can be added:

1. Hammer to the Groin

2. Forearm to the Chin/Jaw

From here, two more steps can be added:

1. Hook the head

2. Forearm with other Arm

•  "Open the Door" Drill-This drill works off a push and how to react to a push and counter. This drill is really about how to blend with an attack and then counter. In Karate Kid ll, Danielsan asks Miyagi Sensei, "Is there a counter punch" when Miyagi Sensei gives Danielsan the drum. This technique can be represented by that drum or rattle. Its focus is how to blend with the punch and then all of the counters.

•  Technique 1- The technique starts with a punch as shown in the first photo. To "Open the Door" the body turns to allow the push to go through. Notice the Tai Sabaki or the Body Change/Body Posture shown in the second photo. As the Door is Opened a counter strike is done. In this technique the counter strike is a backhand to the groin. The strike is done at the exact same time as the Door is Opened, then another strike high to the attacker such as an elbow shown in the third photo. These techniques are very quick and only have 2-3 movements in each technique

•  Technique 2-Once again we start with a push, and also once again the Door is Opened. This time the attackers push is captured or trapped and then the backhand strike to the groin. trapping the arm is very important. The idea here is that the attacker actually get s little push before the Door is Opened. Trapping the arm does take some practice but with a little practice becomes a natural movement. The arm is barred across the chest and the tricep is effected as well. After the strike, and arm bar is created and rotated down as shown in the third photo. The attacker can be taken down and restrained from here.

Now when Opening the Door there are two variations: one is to let the push go through as in the second photo or to capture or trap the arm. Any strikes from either of these positions can be done. Below are some examples of strikes that can be added.

In the first photo the Door is Opened and a backhand strike to the ribs/chest is done. In the second photo a Hammerfist is done to the Psolar Plexus or Diaphragm, after the arm is trapped. In the third photo a chop is done to chest/throat depending on the severity of the situation. Once again the push/arm is trapped. However, for this particular drill any of the strikes shown can be done without trapping the arm, and just allowing the attack to go through. The drill can also be worked with the attacker pushing with the other hand or trying to push and punch. Once the student learns how to open the door and counter punch, then trapping techniques come into play as well as strikes. Finally, the student is then encouraged to freestyle, Opening the Door and Ad Libing or doing what the student feels like doing. This Drill is focused on allowing an attack to move through and blend with the attacker.

• Kake Te-This Drill is a signature of Shizenryu and teaches many things. What makes this Drill unique is that many aspects can be taught from this Drill. Joint locks, Throws, Takedowns, Chokes and Striking can all be added to the base of this Drill. This Drill has been done almost every night since the Drill was added. This helps the student link all his weapons, be it Striking, Kicking, Locking and Grappling together, by teaching all the different ranges. The Drill goes back and forth between the partners and is practiced on both sides.

1. Outside Block (Clash Forearms for conditioning)

2. Palm to the Ear

3. Break (Hyper-Extension) Elbow

4. Elbow on the Inside

5. Elbow on the Inside-Hyper-Extension to Elbow

6. Side-Thrust Kick to Knee on Outside

•  Shuto/Hook Drill-As the name suggests, this drill works Shutos and Hooks. Blocks are incorporated with striking combining Boxing and Karate.

1. Double Shuto(knife edge block)

2. Shuto to Neck

3. Left Hook to Ribs

4. Right Hook to Ribs

5. Right Hook to Head

• Jujutsu Drills-This Drill is a series of locks linked together to teach beginners basic Jujutsu Locks as well as the ability to link them together.

•  Kenpo Jujutsu Drill-This Drill was taught to us by the late Grandmaster David German. Much like Walk the Body this Drill uses Jujutsu to go around the body employing various locks, throws and chokes.

     After the Drills the Application of each Drill is shown. Each Drill has inherent things within the Drill to focus (Kime) on. This may be the aspect of speed, or flow, sometimes the focus may be learning distancing, timing and alignments. ALL Application of the Drills focuses on Jissen or Street Worthy Self Defense. The student is taught how to separate how things work in the Dojo and then how to make it Street Applicable. Application plays a very important part in not only Drills but Kata/Forms as well. The same process is used to teach Forms. Nothing is set in the Application phase of training, rather adapting to the situation and or confrontation. The idea is to teach the student to react, not memorize. The guiding Principle of Shizenryu is Action-Reaction-CounterAction, which leads to the next section, Concepts and Principle.

Approach to Concepts and Principles

     The next step is where Concepts, Theories, and Principles are the focus of the training. Techniques are used as a 'vehicle' to learn these Principles, Concepts and Theories, and in turn, are used to make the techniques more effective and efficient. The "why" of the techniques is stressed more than the how, and the components of the technique are viewed more importantly than the technique themselves. Every technique is broken down into its components, Principles and Concepts are applied and the technique is put back together again. Each piece of the technique is studied, and new techniques evolve from each component. There are no 'set techniques' in Shizenryu, all technique is based on reading the attacker, attacking his openings, with techniques based on the Concepts and Principles that have been taught. The Laws of Nature are also applied, and the techniques are based on Natural movement. Techniques, and Kata are not just done for the sake of adding them to the arsenal, rather a study of natural movement in relation to technique. This is the Shizenryu Way.

     Shizenryu Jutsu takes a somewhat different approach to learning techniques. The components of the techniques are more important than the techniques themselves. The Laws of Nature and the Natural Laws of man are used as an approach to learning technique. All techniques, Principles and Concepts are linked to Nature and applied with Nature in mind. Techniques such as The Wave Throw, Tsunami Throw, Typhoon Throw and Snake Arm Bars are good examples of techniques applied to Nature. Also techniques are linked to movements in Kata/Forms which are also taught with Jissen or Self Defense in mind. Shizenryu Jutsu breaks down techniques into 3 basic components:

• Entrance

• Technique

• Pins

Entrances are key in Shizenryu. How one ‘accepts’ an attack is the most important part of the technique. An entrance to an attack should be so strong, that it becomes the technique. Shizenryu employs the Concept of Irimi, or entering with destruction, to destroy the attackers body structure( posture) and neutralize the attack. In the picture on the left Inaba, Shobu Hanshi demonstrates a strong Irimi movement. By pulling the attackers arm to his hip destroying the body structure by off balancing (Kazushi) will facilitate the  next stage where the technique is applied. Attacks can be redirected, evaded, avoided or stopped. When looking at Tai Sabaki (body movement) one can move the attack, move their body, or do both. The main concept is to neutralize the attack, by “attacking the attack” (Sen No Sen).

Shizenryu employs some 40 different entrances or ways to respond to an attack. The driving Concept in Shizenryu is Action-Reaction-CounterAction. This Concept can be seen in every Martial Art. Action of course is an attack. Without an attack, we need nothing to apply technique to. In the case of Reaction, it is how we respond to the attack. In Shizenryu this stage is the Entrance and how the Entrance will set up the technique stage. In the picture on the right a simple outward block is applied, but done with a back knuckle strike to the arm. This is done to neutralize the attack In the photo on the left a pary is done to evade the attack and then a vertical punch to the ribs sets up the attacker for a counter. These are all ways of handling an attack in the Entrance stage.

     The Counter Action stage is where technique can be applied. It is here that differences occur. Different arts will approach this stage differently. Judo may use throws, Karate will use striking, kicks, and sweeps, Jujutsu locks and throws. The picture on the left shows a basic Jujutsu wrist lock that can be applied from most Entrances. It is imperative to "set up" the attacker or prepare the attacker for the CounterAction. No matter the art, they all are counteracting, doing something to Counteract the attack. In this stage technique kicks in, whatever the attacker offers is what we take advantage of. There are no set Counteractions in Shizenryu, only taking advantage of opportunities that the attacker leaves open. Shizenryu  Concept dictates leaving the attacker on the ground, so in this stage, pins or finishes to the attacker occur.

For more on Concepts and Principles see the Kempo Technique page and the Jujutsu Technique Page to see how to use Concept and Principle within Techniques