http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/Essays by Dan Djurdjevic on the martial arts and related disciplinesennoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:02:22 PSTBlogger http://www.blogger.com221125noreply@blogger.comnoEssays by Dan Djurdjevic on the martial arts and related disciplinesdandjurdjevichttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/fFqXpis6fY4/legend-and-martial-arts.htmlRonald NiedermanMillenium SeriesJack NicklauslegendJulius ChaninternalRoberto PaoloBruce Leeadvanced techniquesnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:39:30 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-1633467030849942365A long history of tall tales...Chinese martial arts – in particular the Daoist internal arts1 of taijiquan, baguazhang and xingyiquan – have long been associated with mythological tales invoking superhuman feats; acts that defy the laws of physics. Such myths are not only incidental to the traditional histories and lineages; sometimes they are deeply wedded to them. It seems that virtually no 2012-01-25T11:39:30.929+08:006http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2012/01/legend-and-martial-arts.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/hLWm8K6NlHo/internal-arts-and-daoism.htmltaijiHong Yi Xianginternaldaoismbaguaxingyinoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:49:53 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-3846084740128364567I came to the internal arts through both the study of physical martial arts training and philosophical reading. It was in the mid-80s while watching the BBC television series “The Way of the Warrior” (in particular the episode on Hong Yi Xiang and the internal arts - see the full episode embedded below) that I first learned that the earliest of the internal arts – xingyiquan – is said to be a 2012-01-11T07:49:53.672+08:004http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2012/01/internal-arts-and-daoism.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/hPTtuQa_g2Q/bridging-gulf-between-karate-and.htmlbridging formsRichard NortoninternalPatrick McCarthygekisainoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:01:53 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-7350950900201066928Introduction: isolating the essential “yi” (concepts)In Part 1 of this article I discussed the interest many karateka have in the Chinese martial arts, particularly the internal arts of xingyiquan, baguazhang and taijiquan. I also discussed how many karateka are dissuaded from pursuing a study of the internal arts (or any other Chinese forms) because of their perceived complexity and “overly 2012-01-07T16:01:53.525+08:000http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2012/01/bridging-gulf-between-karate-and.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/d_foIJSwVYM/surviving-surprise-attack.htmlsurprisecivilian defenceRory Millerlate initiativeblocksimultaneousnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:56:19 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-676032396763696173Introduction I have been asked recently by email what it is I have against "simultaneous initiative". For those who have come in late, "simultaneous initiative" is where you effect a simultaneous block/deflect and counter - or alternatively strike in a manner that negates the need for any block1 or deflection. By contrast, "late initiative" is where you are forced to evade or block/deflect, 2012-01-08T14:56:19.550+08:002http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2012/01/surviving-surprise-attack.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/3kWyh7xJ1nU/king-of-cool-side-thrust-kick.htmlside thrust kickJim KellyBruce LeeBob Wallbasicsnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:27:07 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-6317562807314220377IntroductionFollowing on from my article on refining the front snap kick, here are some more kicking tips, this time in relation to the side thrust kick. The side thrust kick is possibly the second most useful kick in the civilian defence arsenal after the front kick (many people think it is the roundhouse kick, but I disagree - more on that another time). And apart from any usefulness inherent2012-01-01T07:27:07.416+08:0016http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/12/king-of-cool-side-thrust-kick.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/mAxmCtX0TXE/advanced-techniques.htmlMartin Wattsdestructive cyclexingyiadvanced techniquesnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:08:57 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-410127237441255188IntroductionRecently the subject of “advanced techniques” has been debated on the Traditional Fighting Arts Forums.I think it is self-evident that there are some techniques or forms are much harder to learn - not just because they require mere athleticism, but because they require subtler kinaesthetics and the ability to execute them depends on years upon years of “precursor” training.They might 2011-11-20T14:08:57.666+08:007http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/11/advanced-techniques.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/WhF6UI-rxVc/front-kick-body-leaning-back-or-forward.htmlhipsfront kickleanGordon Fouliskururunfamae gerinoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:43:46 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-4012418680546158267You will recall that I recently answered a question from Dave T about the chamber of the ankle in the front kick. Dave had a second question, which was as follows:"I was once showed a front kick where the body is leaned forward towards the target. The kick is similar to the karate version except for the deliberate forward leaning motion of the body.Some reasons for the forward leaning body:1. 2011-11-04T14:43:46.742+08:002http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/11/front-kick-body-leaning-back-or-forward.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/jBArzEh8T-4/dynamic-context-drills.htmlembu2 persondrillssituational reflexdynamic contextnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:38:17 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-419812766041619220IntroductionIn my article “Situational reflex: the key to martial effectiveness” I discussed the importance of appropriate situational reflexes in martial arts. Then in “Rhythm and its importance in developing situational reflex” I discussed how such reflexes might be developed – ie. through drills that set up the relevant situation in a dynamic context. A “dynamic context” is, of course, one 2011-11-04T16:38:17.064+08:004http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/10/dynamic-context-drills.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/xI2xVO6nOX0/standing-start-drills-whats-wrong-with.htmlstanding start drillssituational reflex blind spotsituational reflexdynamic contextnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:08:09 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-3680572238798746386IntroductionIn my recent article “Rhythm and its importance in developing situational reflex” I discussed the need for martial arts drills to take place in a “dynamic context” – namely a context in which a rhythm can be established so that situational reflex can be inculcated.But what do people usually do when they wish to practice a technique? They isolate the movement into a “standing start” 2011-11-03T14:08:09.352+08:005http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/10/standing-start-drills-whats-wrong-with.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/NbxMYuT-pqc/rhythm-and-its-importance-in-developing.htmlsituational reflex blind spotrandori2 persondrillsrhythmsituational reflexPatrick McCarthydynamic contextnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:44:14 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-2211981676730674872IntroductionIn my previous article “Situational reflex: the key to martial effectiveness” I discussed the need for martial artists to develop “situational reflexes” – ie. appropriate reflexive reactions for the potential situations we might face.To do this, I think the first (and most pressing) issue is to identify the situations that we are likely to encounter. These include what Patrick 2011-11-02T14:44:14.720+08:000http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/10/rhythm-and-its-importance-in-developing.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/PUE4L4kX570/front-kick-ankle-chambered-up-or-down.htmlfront kicktaekwondoankle orientationtoesnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:51:26 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-5676057703022737387IntroductionI recently received two queries from Dave T on my article "Back to basics: the front kick". Because the queries raise quite important points I thought I'd canvas them more completely (and hopefully more clearly) as separate blog articles rather than as a reply in the comments section.Dave's first question: ankle chamberDave's first question was as follows:"What is your opinion of the2011-11-06T12:51:26.774+08:005http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/10/front-kick-ankle-chambered-up-or-down.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/kzVFVVk1wbI/situational-reflex-key-to-martial.htmlsituational reflex blind spotfront kickreaction timeLyoto MachidaAnderson Silvasituational reflexnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:49:35 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-4989381454124296096IntroductionIn a recent post I discussed a query from a Traditional Fighting Arts Forums member, Emero, about how to deal with circular kicks such as roundhouse kicks, spinning kicks and crescent kicks. In particular Emero wanted to know how he could improve his responses to his master’s use of those kicks in sparring.Clearly, the goal for a martial artist is to develop reflex reactions. Emero’2011-11-23T09:49:35.357+08:000http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/10/situational-reflex-key-to-martial.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/r7bi07jHzp8/dealing-with-circular-attacks.htmlsouthern mantiscircular kickmoving on the insidewing chunmoving forwardBas Ruttenevasionashibo kakebak meimoving on the outsidecrescent kickcapoeiranoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:10:30 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-2908952116592729329IntroductionRecently a member of the Traditional Fighting Arts Forums, Emero, posted a query where he asked how one would defend against a spinning kick and a reverse crescent kick, pointing to the 2 examples below:A video showing the spinning back kickA video showing the reverse crescent kickI answered Emero on the particular thread, but I thought the question was appropriate enough to pose, and2011-10-28T17:10:30.867+08:004http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/10/dealing-with-circular-attacks.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/45WtzAR360U/blocking-with-goldilocks-zone.htmlcivilian defenceblockGoldilocks zonedeflectionnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:51:33 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-6624429290483516985IntroductionI have often spoken about what I call the “Goldilocks zone” - the optimal place on your forearm for intercepting and deflecting or blocking strikes and kicks. However it occurs to me that I haven’t even properly explained what I mean by that term.As you will recall from the children’s fairytale, Goldilocks sampled three bowls of porridge at the bears’ house - one was too hot, one too2011-10-25T06:51:33.357+08:000http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/10/blocking-with-goldilocks-zone.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/iMcK2KPL4jQ/refining-your-front-snap-kick.htmlfront kicksnap kickforcemae geriCharles Rhumondnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:29:38 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-4754669913996593039IntroductionFurther to my recent articles on the front snap kick, I thought I’d go through some of the finer points of how to do it. I hope this will be especially useful to beginners since this is the sort of information I found very useful early in my career. In fact, I still have these points in the back of my mind every time I practice front kicks. I think it is important to keep trying to2011-10-21T15:29:38.296+08:007http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/10/refining-your-front-snap-kick.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/-9tbCo8ie74/locking-your-joints.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:25:27 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-2469557390799786506IntroductionThere is a tendency among beginners to think that karate and other traditional martial techniques involving a thrust or straight arm/leg involve pushing the joint to full “lock out”. This impression is exacerbated by the fact that they often hear a “crack” with the technique which they might assume is from the joint being taken to its fullest extreme.In fact, nothing could be further2011-10-28T20:25:27.856+08:000http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/10/locking-your-joints.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/46w16LG3zpQ/interview-with-john-will-part-2.htmlbjjradioSportFMJohn WillRigan Machadonoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:29:24 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-7819162977828446487[This is a continuation of an interview I conducted with John Will for SportFM in April 2010. In this Part, John talks about his introduction to, and early training in BJJ, his unique experiences in the Indian art of vajramushti and some of his personal philosophy on training and life in general. This is a very special interview - so enjoy!See also Part 1.]DD: You were just talking about the 2011-09-28T15:29:24.884+08:001http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/09/interview-with-john-will-part-2.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/-bz9m1Hr6OQ/back-to-basics-front-kick.htmlfront kicksnap kickmae gerinoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Tue, 04 Oct 2011 02:05:10 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-6246293093863727023Introduction: the basic front kickFollowing my recent "back to basics" theme and my article "Enter the front snap kick", I thought I'd discuss how to go about doing a basic front kick. Apart from discussing the basic form and some of the finer points (eg. hip use), I thought I'd also go into the differences between (and the relevant uses of) the front ball of foot kick vs. the heel kick.Step 2011-10-04T17:05:10.460+08:006http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-basics-front-kick.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/so04yZfp9O8/bridging-gap-between-karate-and.htmlbridging formsinternalnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:16:10 PSTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-4344769337937997247IntroductionMany karateka I know have a lingering fascination with Chinese martial arts (even if they sometimes don’t or won’t acknowledge it publicly). That is to say, they want to know more about the Chinese arts to see whether this knowledge will enrich their understanding of karate. After all, karate is said to be a descendant of the Chinese martial arts: even its name “karate” is a 2012-01-04T12:16:10.154+08:0012http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/08/bridging-gap-between-karate-and.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/YUEA_OeqlLg/check-your-brain-in-here.htmlyogagong futaijicalligraphydisciplineeffortattitudenoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Sat, 30 Jul 2011 03:46:47 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-7614484997711576810Occasionally folks who come to try out my taijiquan (t'ai chi ch'uan) class will "turn up their noses". "It's too complicated," they say in an accusing manner, as if I've deliberately tried to make them look stupid by giving them an impossible task or required an "anal" level of detail. They want to "flow" or "move their spirit" or "be one with their mind and body" or some other vague new-age 2011-07-30T18:46:47.293+08:008http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/07/check-your-brain-in-here.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/w_WwYFFmAn0/internal-arts-fact-and-fallacy-double.htmlshakingdouble hipdouble weightinginternalflownoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:32:14 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-6369190847371828217Introduction There is a classic principle in the internal arts (specifically taijiquan) commonly referred to as “the rule against double weighting”. To me, this is one of the most misunderstood principles associated with the internal arts. Many proponents of this principle will insist that the body should never “double-weighted”. In other words, weight is always biased on one leg or the 2011-08-08T15:32:14.459+08:008http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/07/internal-arts-fact-and-fallacy-double.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/GPfCDJC-Arc/why-blocks-are-not-strikes-in-disguise.htmlstrikeage ura zukiblockchudan ukeage ukenoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:30:51 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-938180718139880219IntroductionThere is a sentiment that I’ve often come across in the martial arts to the effect that “all blocks are actually strikes”. If they aren’t strikes, then they are “locks, holds, throws” – in fact anything other than “blocks”.To my mind this is a modern slant brought about by a misunderstanding of how “blocks” actually work. In this article I propose to explain exactly why traditional 2011-07-20T11:30:51.080+08:0010http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-blocks-are-not-strikes-in-disguise.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/_4cBh2BmLYE/what-i-mean-by-contextual-hip-loading.htmlshakingcontextualdouble hiphipskoshinoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:51:00 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-6481048457275676338IntroductionI have written a number of articles concerning what I call “non-contextual” hip loading or pre-loading (starting with "Whole lotta shakin': pre-loading the hips"), however it occurs to me that people might not realize what I mean by this.When I refer to loading the hips “contextually” I am not referring to “loading them against an opponent”. I mean loading up naturally and 2011-07-18T14:51:00.805+08:004http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-i-mean-by-contextual-hip-loading.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/W0imZ9E1Vvw/internal-arts-fact-and-fallacy-raising.htmlrising blocksteepleblockinternaldeflectionnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Wed, 20 Jul 2011 05:38:51 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-3443701016775106472IntroductionOne of the most commonly heard criticisms of karate that I hear among internal martial artists relates to the humble rising block.You’d think that such a common, garden-variety technique that is so demonstrably effective would be common to all traditional martial arts. And to some extent it is. However there is a school of thought in some internal arts schools that would suggest 2011-07-20T20:38:51.598+08:009http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/07/internal-arts-fact-and-fallacy-raising.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/dandjurdjevic/~3/KokShUvWdNo/hard-blocks.htmltorquesoft blockwing chunblockspiralErle Montaigue hard blockdeflectionnoreply@blogger.com (Dan Djurdjevic)Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:55:16 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5135073576999431197.post-4782646406202524554IntroductionI have made my views very clear on this blog that I believe "blocks" (better termed "deflections") work. However, now comes the hard question: How should "blocks" be performed? Many karateka and other martial artists (in fact, some of my most esteemed friends and colleagues) believe that the "hard" block is the "mainstay" of their art. I find this view particularly common in the 2011-07-17T15:55:16.163+08:0033http://dandjurdjevic.blogspot.com/2011/07/hard-blocks.htmlnonadult