Welcome to the first video in the 'Context' Series. A series of videos where Coach Chris outlines how attributes developed in MartialBody training can aid us in a variety of martial Scenarios or situations. The aim of this series is not to teach technique, but to show how a trained body can benefit Martial Artists of all styles.
In this video we examine the way that the trained body can help us to slow down the progress of a determined grappler trying to throw or take us down. These attributes will not make you 'Un-throwable' But they offer a first line of defense in the progress of the opponent towards that goal.
All throws and take downs require the following processes to take place, either individually or in combination :
1) Distortion of the posture
2) Leading offbalance (Kuzushi)
3) Removal of support
If the opponent / partner achieves these three goals in combination, you will fall. Even if they achieve 2 or 1, it can sometimes be enough to be taken down!
With this in mind how does a trained 'MartialBody' help to mitigate against the progression of these three goals?
Distortion of the Structure
This is reliant on destroying our alignments, and the association of our joints with one another. The distortion can be seen in every Throwing art and usually is the first priority prior to the throw. If we are able to naturally resist the distortion of our posture by our partner this, first priority' can be diminished and the opponent must work extra hard to achieve their desired result. The training of alignment and connection in the StableBody & ConnectedBody foundations directly addresses this aim and with prolonged training it becomes extremely difficult for a partner to distort your structure
Leading off Balance
Called Kuzushi in Japanese throwing arts like Judo - Leading off balance is generally the second important phase of the throw or take down. A successful Kuzushi will cause the opponents balance to be broken down, leading them into their feet or heels. Usually Off balancing is achieved via a 'push or pull' on the opponent which will either make the opponent brace against the force, or be led in the direction of the force. Here, the 'HeavyBody' is at play in the natural resistance of the push or pull on our structure. The more acutely we can control our ability to be heavy, the less likely we are able to be led out of our feet forwards or backwards.
Remove Support
When in contact with a partner there are multiple points of contact, however, there are also multiple points where the partner is 'supporting' their body in some way. The most obvious points are the feet / legs, but also often grips or holds will be points of 'Support'. In the execution of the throw or take down, we will usually need to remove some of these supports to ensure that the partner falls, by sweeping the legs, lifting the hips or similar. A combination of heavy, stable and connected will reduce the reliance on the contact points with the partner. If we maintain these states whether in contact or not, we will not create the habit of relying on the partners body for support. Further more, the act of hitting the body that hasn't been contorted or led off balance, can stall the progress or a method of removing support. This final phase is somewhat reliant on the previous two.
In the following video i talk in more detail about this and demonstrate some of the ways in which a heavy / stable and connected body can mitigate the onset of a determined thrower.
NOTE : This work is simply for demonstration of the way in which martialbody training can help within the context of throw and takedown defence and is not meant as a technical instructional.