The Practicality of Joint Manipulations

  I recently commented on a blog that I occasionally read. It's written by a “Brit”, who studies another style/system, so she has a little different perspective on things.

   

  Generally, her (written) interests are not my (general) cup of tea, but occasionally she'll throw a question or comment out that catches my attention.

  

  In this case, she was inquiring about the (validity?) usefulness of wrist-locks (and joint manipulations in general). Her argument being, that it was generally faster, and easier to strike someone, than to place them into a wrist-lock (or presumably any equivalent manipulative-type technique).

   

  Her attitude regarding the problems she associated with their implementation, were unfounded (IMO). Those concerns were the typical concerns that are (widely) voiced by most individuals who often encounter difficulty with that type of techniques implementation.

   

  As with most situations similar to this one, I am unable to show how those concerns should be addressed. Although I can write out (several) correctional variations, none will be as quickly understood as could be shown in person.

  

  Either way, this concern should be studied and understood how it needs to be addressed and corrected. There are individual's (and even systems) that state that limb manipulations are fine, but have no value in a typical (sic) confrontation.

   

  This perspective/attitude, is one that has come about (mainly) by/from individual's that (either) 
 A. Haven't seen the requisite motions to perform those manipulations, 
or B. Haven't acquired the requisite skills to perform those manipulations. 
  Both of which, can be rectified through the correct training program.

   

  The biggest disagreement seems to be on what (or who's, LOL) training program would be the best. This particular argument is one that gets numerous people into (sometimes violent) debates. It's one that “I” don't particularly care to engage in either.

   

  Different system's, utilize different approaches to (physical) conflict management. RyuTe is no different. The manner that RyuTe would implement a motion (regardless of what that motion is, a strike, a stance, a technique), will directly effect how and why the remainder of that confrontation will proceed.

    

  The way that student's are trained in RyuTe to implement and use those joint manipulations, is different than how/why they would be used in another system. This can often account for person's who study one system, disagreeing with another systems use of the technique in a similar situation.

    

  Principles and goals can dictate differences in technique execution, completion and/or conclusion. This is why I'm not fond of explaining specific technique execution methods here (too many variables between systems). 

      

  When I am face-to-face with someone, I have no problem explaining (or even demonstrating) a technique, and how we perform it. When I am (physically) present with someone, I am able to visually clarify any statement I might make, and I can answer the (many) questions that inevitably present themselves.

     

  Joint manipulations are a Major portion of the RyuTe system (2^nd only to the over-rated “knock-out” neck strikes in popularity). In both my own experience, and that of my student's, those manipulations and the ability to apply them have served a far greater benefit to me than the majority of the striking skills ever have.

    

  When I observe (increasingly upon the Web) individual's performing what they call Tuite, it usually turn's my stomach. Very often I know where (thereby from whom) they have learned those motions, and I'm certain that the techniques were not taught in the manner shown.

   

  Being experienced in what the majority of those individual's practice (Ju-jutsu type techniques), I understand their enthusiasm when shown the Tuite (version). It is often vastly different. The difficulty in correcting anyone who is having problems with implementing these types of techniques, is that it can't be (efficiently) done via written correspondence.

    

  My personal opinion is one that favors the use of limb manipulations over those motions that are referred to as being impact techniques. Once understanding that strength should be considered an irrelevancy to a techniques effectiveness, the student can begin to concentrate on technique application.

    

  In addition controlling an aggressor (without necessarily having to cause/create greater injury) physically, doing so will provide the tori with a (more) justifiable defense when interviewing with Law enforcement afterwords.