Posted by: Prizewriter
Full contact Karate & the Sabaki Method - 09/21/11 02:27 PM
Hello folks.
I first heard about the "Sabaki Method" while doing Aikido. I'm aware that most karate styles do some sort of Tai Sabaki, but I was intrigued about the Sabaki used in full contact karate styles (particualrly Ashihara and Enshin). The idea, as I understand it, is to avoid your opponents attack while placing yourself in the best position to counter. Seems like a sound theory.
I'm still interested in the method, but in looking it up I've noticed something. Below is a demonstration of the Sabaki method in Enshin:
Agsin, seems sound. With all that said, what happens in the clips of Enshin matches or Ashihara matches I've watched is that there doesn't seem to be any of this method used. It always ends up looking like Kyokushin, all linear movement and straight on attacks. Here's an example of what I mean:
Is the Sabaki method only used in drills for "self defence" purposes or is it practiced in sparring too? I realize full contact striking sparring is tough and what you've drilled doesn't always come across in sparring, but there doesn't always seem to be a lot of sabaki in the Ashihara/Enshin fights I watch. I'm don't mean this in a critical, negative way, just curious as to why it is?
I first heard about the "Sabaki Method" while doing Aikido. I'm aware that most karate styles do some sort of Tai Sabaki, but I was intrigued about the Sabaki used in full contact karate styles (particualrly Ashihara and Enshin). The idea, as I understand it, is to avoid your opponents attack while placing yourself in the best position to counter. Seems like a sound theory.
I'm still interested in the method, but in looking it up I've noticed something. Below is a demonstration of the Sabaki method in Enshin:
Agsin, seems sound. With all that said, what happens in the clips of Enshin matches or Ashihara matches I've watched is that there doesn't seem to be any of this method used. It always ends up looking like Kyokushin, all linear movement and straight on attacks. Here's an example of what I mean:
Is the Sabaki method only used in drills for "self defence" purposes or is it practiced in sparring too? I realize full contact striking sparring is tough and what you've drilled doesn't always come across in sparring, but there doesn't always seem to be a lot of sabaki in the Ashihara/Enshin fights I watch. I'm don't mean this in a critical, negative way, just curious as to why it is?