General Knowledge of the System

Fields of Knowledge within Shuri-Ryu

Anatomy, Biomechanics and Newtonian Principle

Punching, Blocking, Kicking, Stepping and Dodging, Joint-Locking, Trapping, Throws, Sweeps and Reaps, Kyushu-Jutsu (concise point striking), Kobudo (the art of ancient weaponry), Anatomy, Diet, Nutrition and Exercise Physics (biomechanics and human engineering).

23 Characteristics of Shuri- Ryu

1. Low Stances – Exceptionally low in Kata. (Form).
2. Seiken Punch – Slightly downward and center of body mass.
3. Shuri-Ryu Fist. Index finger is extended under the thumb and the thumb binds the fist.
4. Definite forward hip movement.
5. Back Fists – 4 arm and 4 shoulder.
6. Blocks – 5 Major Blocks, circles within circles.
7. Head must rotate toward the direction you move.
8. 1000 Hand exercises, Rice Hand 5 and 6, and the Sun Fist.
9. High Rising Block covering center of body mass and comes from the hip.
10. Teeth Clenched.
11. Wide, wild eyed stare.
12. Eight Faces; solemn, unconcerned, shock, fear, anger, contempt, confident, friendly.
13. All kicks, blocks and strikes are 90% circular in nature.
14. Kicks – For every forward kick there is a reverse kick.
15. Punches – 12 detailed punches, 6 short and 6 long.
16. Block, punch and cover. Obvious in all Shuri-Ryu techniques.
17. Block, punch, shift and cover. Obvious in all Shuri-Ryu techniques.
18. Te-Katana and Te-Uki covers. (hidden arm bars or neck snaps)
19. Body completely relaxed until moment of impact. (contact)
20. Form sparring, focus stance sparring and free style exercise. (Form)
21. Ippons, Taezu Naru Waza and Kihon Waza.
22. Mention of Matsumura, Motobu, Hsing, Trias, Pachivas, and yourselves.
23. Pine Tree Symbol – Strength, Longevity and Endurance.

The Nine Moving Forces (Undo Chi Kara) Of Our Village Karate

1. Proper breath, Ibuki and Nogare (soft and hard breathing) - Ibuki, in through the nose and out through the mouth. Nogare, in through the nose and out through the nose.
2. Appaku – Pressure points. Basic level 12 points of applied pressure, advanced 36 points. Knowledge of Body Meridians and Katsu (healing).
3. Kensetsu Waza – Arm bars, wrist locks and shoulder holds.
4. Kote Aite – Body conditioning, absorbing and controlling pain and punishment.
5. Atemi Waza – Striking vulnerable and penetrating areas.
6. Shime or Jime Waza – Choking and rendering unconscious. Blood, Wind and Concussion choking.
7. Nage Waza – Throws and Sweeps.
8. Katame Waza – Ground Grappling.
9. Kaeshu – Counters to all of the above. Counters and counters to a counter.

Types of Attack

1. Direct
2. Defensive
3. Passive
4. Hit and Run
5. Counter
6. Circle
7. Surprise
8. Sacrifice

Performance Categories

1. Kime Dachi Kumite – Focus stance sparring.
2. Jiju or Sessen Kumite – Freestyle sparring.
3. Kata Kumite – Form Sparring.
4. Ippons – One step or point.
5. Taezu Naru Waza – Fluidity of body movement.
6. Kihon – Shifting and controlled body movement.
7. Juji Undo – Freestyle Form.
8. Kata – Mainstay of the system.

7 Kogecki Movements (footwork)

1. In and out step. Like normal movement forward. Knees and feet touch each other.
2. Half-Moon step. Foot moves in a crescent.
3. Step and Slide.
4. Hopping. Both feet move together.
5. Foot replacement. Feet move one at a time on same line and each foot replaces the other.
6. Hook to the front. Legs cross each other. Kage Dachi.
7. Hook to the back. Legs cross each other. Kage Dachi.

 
Strategy (Mental Timing)

   1. Sen no Sen
   2. Sen Sen no Sen
   3. Go no Sen

Ukemi – Breakfalls or to “receive the ground”

1.    1. Bite – Clench your teeth together
2.    2. Bend – Bend your chin to your chest
3.    3. Breathe – Exhale sharply when making contact with the ground
4.    4. Break Fall – Strike the ground upon impact (Ha Uchi,  can dissipate up to 80% of the force of the fall)

Taisabaki – Avoiding or Dodging. 10 angles of attack or defense.

1. Forward
2. Back
3. Right side
4. Left side
5. 45 degree forward to the right
6. 45 degree forward to the left
7. 45 degree back to the right
8. 45 degree back to the left
9. Up
10. Down

When avoiding you are at the same time entering. Do not think about only avoiding, dodging or blocking. Think of attacking from angles to the opponents oblique or back. Thus, avoiding and attacking become the same.
 
Kuzushi -  Breaking Balance

4 levels of breaking balance

1. Ankles or Feet
2. Knees
3. Hips
4. Shoulders or Head

To imbalance we use Kuzushi to create the state of Kyo (an opening or an entrance). Once we have an opening then we can manipulate our opponent for Nage Waza, arm bars, joint locks and striking.

Important Principles in Martial Arts

1. For each action there is an equal & opposite reaction.
2. The same force applied over a smaller area increases penetration.
3. The lower the center of gravity the stronger the “stance”.
4. Fluidity of motion increases speed.
5. The greater the internal pressure, the more force/power available to be utilized. (Kiai)
6. Mind like water reflects the moon.
7. Uncomplicated motion increases endurance.
8. The best defense is a well coordinated offense.
9. Change of inertia is the difference between controlled & uncontrolled impact.
10. Ki & Kime is the difference between controlled an uncontrolled power/force.
11. A base pushes against the “feet” with the same force the feet push against the base (Ground Reaction Force).
12. Position can mean defeat or failure.
13. The willow always “snaps back”.
14. Force/Power is greatest in the direction in which it is applied.
15. Seven times down & eight times up.
16. Composed mind eliminates trivialities.
17. Karate is Kata.