Winter Even Changes Your Self Defense Methods

Here in Connellsville, the sidewalks are snow covered today and when you try to walk it’s a challenge. Imagine if you had to defend yourself. That awesome spin kick that you’ve developed while you’ve ignored most of the basic techniques, may get you hurt before you even land a blow in this type of weather. Choice of techniques has to partly be based on surroundings, weapons at hand, terrain and definitely footing. If you’ve dedicated yourself to the quest of learning the world famous spin kick then you may fail.
Shotokan is famous for it’s repertoire of hand techniques especially the reverse punch, but Shotokan also has all of the kicks of any other style. Most Shotokan stylists realize that having an awesome reverse punch is never uncool. Shotokan is based on the premise of balance. Balance in you stance, balance in your training and balance in your application of techniques. Yes, in Shotokan Karate we have spin kicks and most any that you would see on TV. The idea of balance in your techniques will unbalance your opponent. Huh? Yep, he has no idea what may come next. An devastating reverse punch will set up your opponent for the fancy stuff. If he knows anything about you and he knows that you always kick high, then you may be in trouble. You may land and win the confrontation but what if he catches your kick. That changes everything.
Even though high kicks are so cool on TV, unless you have great footing and unless the opponent has no possibility of catching your kick, then it would be a bad idea. Imagine you throw a high kick and you slip. Low kicks and sweeps work well with poor footing. Sweeps are an important part of a practical selection of self defense techniques. Sweeps on slippery sidewalks are a good fight-ender. A good stance, good blocks and reverse punches may be a proper selection in this type of weather. Joint locks and some take downs which can be an important part of any winter self defense situation.
So in conclusion, yes I love spin kicks, I’ve been doing them since I was a white belt. Anyone remember Chuck Norris, the king of spin kicks. Yeah he was at his prime when I was a white belt and moving up. It’s amazing how he would take out twenty guys in a bar scene and amazingly the was never any beer on the floor. That’s Hollywood. When something happens to you, you don’t get to do a retake. So learn your basics well because they are the techniques that will always save the day.
Written by Sensei Perry Culver (Sixth Dan Shotokan, 7th Dan Ryu Goshin Jitsu, 2nd Dan Syu Sin Do)