The criticality of Impact Training (furthermore, their inclusion in both Kyu and Dan Exams)

Kizami mawashi-geri utilizing josokutei/koshi on the impact shield.

 While those who practice 武道空手 (Budo Karate) all practice ‘joint locks, attacks, holds and escapes’, ‘strangulation techniques’ and ‘takedowns, sweeps and throws’, it goes without saying that “…the ‘primary offensive techniques of karate are percussive blows’; namely, ‘uke—receptions’, ‘tsuki—thrusts’, ‘uchi—strikes’ and ‘keri—kicks’”.

Accordingly, “…to be able to impact with as much explosive power as possible is high on the agenda”. This is because this aspect largely determines the effectiveness of one’s karate.


Interestingly, for the most part (in the vast majority of Shotokan organizations), this capacity is not a part of examinations for Kyu nor Dan.


We rectified this in the 国際空手道松濤館 (“IKS” — International Karate Shotokan) Japan Grading Syllabus. Specific impact tests are conducted from 8th Kyu up to, and including, Nidan. This involves hitting a shield or sandbag with maximum power. Level One is 8th and 7th Kyu; Level Two is 6th, 5th, and 4th Kyu; Level Three is 3rd, 2nd and 1st Kyu; Level Four is Shodan; and Level Five is Nidan.


In this way, and like other aspects of the IKS Grading Syllabus, the requirements ‘direct our members to train karate correctly’ right from white belt; that is, Shotokan as actual Budo/Bujutsu. This is why impact training is a part of our daily kihon practice. We are ‘tempering the swords’ so to speak.


Think of solo kihon and kata as like practicing your ‘quick draw, positioning and aim’, whereas the impact training is like ‘firing at the target’ and ‘inflicting damage’. Do you have an ‘air-soft gun with plastic projectiles’ or a ‘.500 S&W Magnum with .500 S&W Magnum Cartridges’? While this is an analogy of extremes, it highlights that one must find where are ‘on the impact power spectrum’ and constantly seek to make one’s karate-waza as destructive as possible.

Otherwise, how can one’s karate truly be reliable?

It is obvious that karateka must constantly study and train to hit harder. Indeed, they must also be used to, and master, hitting with maximum force. Furthermore, when insufficient strength is found, one must address this by incorporating more strength training.

In actuality, solo form work must be coupled with impact training and an appropriate strength regime (specific for each individual). In the case of smaller and/or weaker karateka, this will inevitably require more work. Alternatively, in some cases, for those with more strength and/or mass, increasing speed might be of a greater focus.

Keep in mind, true karate cannot be developed by merely striking thin air; therefore, impact training and the assessment of impact power are inherently essential.

押忍！ 

アンドレ

Kaiten-uraken combination on the sandbag.

©︎ André Bertel. Oita City, Japan (2024).