First I would like to say thank you to Victor Smith for his posts. They are always well thought out. I'd also like to share something kind of neat. If you take time to go to this website, http://www.judoinfo.com/gokyo1.htm
you will find the Gokyo of Kodokan judo. The techniques are illustraited on the site. If you look at the still drawings such as ,Yoko Gake, Ushiro Goshei and Okuri Ashi Harai you can see postures that are very similar to Naihanchi. It may help the people that have difficulty imagining possible applications.

Great questions and great answers. Great original post, Raul!

Anyway, as far as the the uppercut punch with the other arm "reinforcing" it either above the joint, or with the elbow of the punching hand almost resting on it, you can interpret this movement in many ways. The head grab face punch was detailed, but the bottom arm can also be seen as a block against a punch to the body, grabbing/blocking the arm and pulling the attacker into a punch to the frenulum (philtrum) or nose bone.

It can also be interpreted as a wrist or arm release (against the thumb), the lower hand in turn trapping the attackers own arm as a strike is simultaneously executed to the nose or other face targets. Another analysis shows that it can be seen as a way to control the attackers head as he shoots in while delivering an elbow strike to the occiput ("brain-stem"). Still another can be turning the head/neck, and positioning the head face up while holding on to the hair or trachea and finishing with a elbow strike to the face.

You have to look at the feet and what they are doing, too. First, are you in Naihanchi Dachi ("pigeon-toed stance"), or does your ryuha do shiko or kiba dachi variations? The original kata before Funakoshi learned it was a sort of "Shuri Sanchin" training, where shime or slapping of the body was done as the pupil performed the kata. Keeping the legs rigid while the upper body is supple is a key aspect of Naihanch training. "Good roots, flexible trunk", as I like to say.

In some Shorin Ryuha this is still seen (shime training). Turning the feet in in a slight (not exaggerated) pigeon-toed stance trains rising or "spitting" power, a training element that pervades the Southern Shaolin and Southern Crane styles. You'll also notice that many NBA players use a Naihanchi, or modified Sanchin stance, to shoot freethrows. This gives them springing power and reminds them to use their knees for power generation. It gives you rooted, compact and explosive power in a tight space vs. jumping or lunging power where you leave the ground. It teaches one to maximize the earth's power and the role gravity and physics plays in fighting or any physical endeavor.

Nagamine and Funakoshi would emphasize pulling in your power at the knees and pushing out at the ankles, so as to get the "feeling" of being pigeon-toed. That will get the job done, if you understand what you're legs are suppose to be doing. I think the change from a naihanchi-dachi to a horse stance (feet pointing forward) was done to make the kata more asthetically pleasing for the Japanese (in Funakoshi's case) or because Asato or Motobu (one of Nagamine's sensei) did it this way. Regardless, if you understand what this stance training is for it makes applications a breeze.

So if you are doing the kiba dachi version you may not be getting some of the "qigong" or chi training that was an essential part of good Okinawan karate. I know I sound nit-picky, but these facets of Naihanchi, and many, many more, were strongly emphasized by both my Shorin instructors, one of which was a Shorinkan-ka and the other a Seito Shorin-ka. They didn't know each other at all, but they taught me the same things when I first trained Naihanchi (Shodan-Sandan).

One last long-winded thing [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]. Just because you're moving side-to-side doesn't meant that you will fight or train to fight for side-to-side fighting only, if at all. This kata is actually teaching the student the basics of change-body or body-change (tai-sabaki). Think of your movement being in all directions using Naihanchi stepping principles and you'll understand what I mean. Remember that kata are not always definitive movements, stagnant in interpretation and incapable of adaptation. They are general mnemonics to help the practitioner remember the original intent.

That's why if you are in a system with considerable drift attached to it, you must understand the more orthodox forms in order to interpret these intentions and lessons correctly. Putting yourself in a position to do something is one thing. Knowing what it is you're supposed to do when you get there is another thing.

Oh yeah! The fumikomi geri, or returning wave kick can be seen as a sweep, trip or even shoulder throw (Shorinkan version), as well as stop-kicks, low side kicks, foot traps, stomping kicks and several kazushi movements.

I have more, but I'm tired of typing. Later and have a great weekend!

I like the paticularly nasty kick which rotates out, strikes the leg with the ball of the foot, causes a spiral fracure at the knee.

forgive me if this theory has already been discussed but I have read somewhere that the naihanchi katas were developed by Matsumura and taught to the guards at Shurijo castle in order to teach them grappling techniques. To me this would make sense because in looking at the bunkai it is apparent it is for close quaters fighting. Just a thought!

as always multiversed posts a wealth of information. I presently train in shorin kan and we do iron shirt as part of our naihanchi training. Only one thing that you didn't mention is the difference between doing holds and locks in naihanchi and in shiko (or any other stance for that matter) they are much more concentrated and directed into the ground. They feel significantly more intense when you are recieving them too. We are taught that naihanchi is meant to be applied in a 45 degree stepping motion, similar to, I believe, sanchin.

To me, the entire series is about stand up grappling. The striking seems to go from short range to long range and is often a finishing blow.

I have been training for 11 years now, amd for a long time I underrated it.

Thanks reaper! Kata are a means to put yourself in positions "to do something about it". It's about very flexible mnemonics, founded on a solid base. Watch the drift!

Experience, creativity and good teachers allow you to understand what kata training truly is. It's not only about fighting, it's also about cultural respect, good health and living a long life. It's can be one of the "keys" to living a complete and lengthy life (pun intended).

Have a great weekend!