Modern Versus Traditional Jujutsu Continued
In live self defence
you must be able to explode quickly from wherever you’re standing into fighting mode with minimum effort. The small compact stance gives you this, plus you can bob, weave, slip, duck, twist and turn against your opponent’s attacks. Wide rooted stances may work against an attacker telegraphing one `big shot’ but no good against a wild swinging opponent coming in at you like a raging bull you will be swept over with the tide of sheer naked aggression!
3. Fighting stances (white) Traditional, (dark) Modern.
Classical blocks just don’t work in `live’ situations. The majority of traditional blocks were never intended to be blocks anyway. In a boxing match or UFC encounter how many classical blocks have you seen used, come to think of it how many have you seen used in a point Karate Match?
The modern Goshin system works on close quarter parrying, slipping, ducking and instinctive cover up blocking. In realistic punching distance this is all you have got. Realistic distance meaning no more than arms length. A street attacker will not step back into stance and put up his hands to spar. He will hit you from where he’s at with a big right hand or a hook or a head butt. If you pressure your blocks and perform them at realistic distances you will find and it may be the hard way what works and what doesn’t.
Better in the dojo than the street! Put on a pair of sparring mitts and throw punches at a realistic distance and see the results.
Spectacular
A lot of the classical Jujutsu throws are spectacular to see and perform. But most of them are too intricate and long winded to be street effective, again times changes some may have been effective centuries ago or in competition but on the streets against an angry, non compliant attacker who may be boosted with alcohol or drugs it’s a different story. The simple non-eye catching sweeps, throws and takedowns are the ones that will work. You should spend more time adapting the `bread and butter’ throws to make them effective than looking for fancy `spin offs’.
Again I can do these throws, they are great to practise and can round out your Jujutsu knowledge but they can’t be passed off as `street effective’! One of the classical Jujutsu throws is the hip throw. Most systems will practise it by putting the arm around opponent’s waist, and grabbing their sleeve with the other arm and hoisting them up and over their hips for the throw.
Entering for a classical hip throw can expose you to punishment.
Around the neck hip throw, a safer and more practical answer.
In reality as I put my arm around my opponent’s waist I would be exposing that side of my head for a vicious hook punch or elbow. Remember your attacker will not just stand and freeze while you throw them. A better alternative is to put your arm around their neck. One, it can stifle any punch and two, you have automatic control of opponent’s upper body. Again though keep your other hand on their arm and don’t just throw in a crude headlock. The reason being if you throw with just the head you will have to go to the floor with them to control them, which is not always the desired thing on the street. If you hold arm and neck you can hip throw them but also remain upright for a finish.
Another common technique in Jujutsu is to pin opponent on the ground with your knees to administer one of the many joint locks. The traditional systems show both knees pinning, one on the neck of opponent, one on the ribs. This method limits your mobility if someone else comes in to attack you, because you cannot rise quickly. Also if opponent struggles and rolls over you are in danger of falling with them.
A more effective option is kneel with one knee in neck or ribs. This puts your body more upright so you can see around you for other attacks and you will be more mobile if you have to suddenly move.
Last option – going to the floor!
Going to the floor is a last option of the modern street orientated Jujutsu person. Although groundwork and floor grappling is fascinating and great fun it’s the last place to be on the street. Some styles will have students `diving’ to the floor at any given opportunity. The motto must be `learn to fight on the floor’ don’t go to the floor to fight, unless it’s absolutely necessary or it is strategical right. When you do then atemi, gouging and biting is the order of the day over joint locks, chokes and submissions, neglect floor atemi at your peril, you will need it in an `anything goes’ floor fight. Remember if you are really training in a `combat art’ your floor work isn’t for competition or submission fighting it has to be for survival.
Lastly, weapon work must also transcend time.
Traditional weaponry is nice to practise and keeps the roots of the classic Budo Arts but most are outdated in today’s society. Remember they were only farm tools anyway. If you are moving with the times then explore modern expedient weapons from today’s tools and household items, you will be amazed at what you can find. Traditional weapons that have modern counter parts are Jo Staff, Baton, Yawara Bo and Fighting Knife and to some extent Nunchakas, most of the others don’t.
From this article you will feel I am anti-traditional. I am not. It is important to keep the roots of the martial arts for historical reference. But you can’t just stick with something because that was the way the `Masters’ did it. Remember they performed their arts the way they saw it then. If they were alive today I am sure they would have modified and changed things to suit today’s needs.
I think traditional roots are important they have much to offer and you may have to go through them to really appreciate the modern.
I hope you take this article for what it is from someone who has trodden the Warrior path both traditional and modern for 35 years and has formed this personal and honest option as he sees it!
I know I am not alone in these views and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my own `Sempei’ from Jujutsu and other arts for pointing the way. Good luck in your own search.
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Kevin O’Hagan can be contacted at 0117 9520248 or his website link www.bristolgoshinjutsu.com
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Malcolm Keith
Chief Instructor
Youshiki Goshinjutsu
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