Force Efficiency

 I continually receive inquiry's into our use of the term "Force Efficiency".

  Force efficiency refers to the efficient application of limb, body motion and weight use during a technique application. Though individual limb motion is often addressed, every motion involved with that application needs to be utilized is shown as being an entire body motion. Because of how many of those factors are being utilized, students are inclined to focus (only) on the individual limb's use (alone) during their practice of those motions.

  Regardless of whether it is a strike, a push, a kick or a grab, the student should utilize the entire body's weight and motion (within a controlled perimeter) in the performance of the individual action. This implies that the student provides the least amount of vulnerability while doing so. Those motions should also be performed as naturally as possible. Those motions that create (or mandate) exaggerated motion, are often being performed incorrectly (and thereby creating vulnerabilities within those actions).

  A large percentage of Force Efficiency is (simply) performing those motions in the most natural manner possible. Though (seemingly) being a simple rule, beginning students will (often) exaggerate a limb's (or the torso's) motion/use. This is commonly done in order to utilize (extra?) momentum/force with the motion (thereby “muscling” the technique/application).

  To properly utilize those factors, the student must first understand the (natural) range-of-motion (R.O.M.) for both the body, and for the individual limbs. A large percentage of a students tendency to exaggerate a motion, comes from not using their entire body for/with the intended action.

When delivering a “strike” (or a grab, or a push), one rarely utilizes only the involved limb to do so. Body weight is an integral piece of the efficient delivery/use of that action. To do so in any “other” manner, is to imply the use of one's muscular strength (alone). This can/will “work”, as long as the opponent is smaller/weaker (and/or less knowledgeable) than one's self. It is also less efficient.

  Although the arm's can (obviously) motion beyond the width of the shoulders, this should not imply that any action performed beyond that range can be done effectively. Those actions that are done to the areas to either side (beyond the width of the shoulders) will be noticeably weaker. This includes those motions that are performed in those “outward” directions as well.

  This is most readily recognized with the manner that the “outside block” is commonly taught (by numerous systems). When performed as a sideways swing the motion is no better (or effective) than a (standard) “parry”. The arm is simply not intended (nor designed) to be utilized in that manner.

  The arm (via the elbow/shoulder) is intended to (either) “flex” or “extend”. Though it can (obviously) rotate far enough to do so, doing so is neither the most efficient, nor effective use of that limb (in regards to the forearm as an impactive technique application).

To convey that point, Oyata would state that an “inside” and “outside” forearm strike (“block”) were performed using the same arm motion (with no differences in the arm's motion between the two). The difference, was in the user's body motion.

By making that motion a (forward) extension, one needed to only rotate the torso/body accordingly (to become either inside/outside). The (basic) motion remained the same regardless. This (further) illustrated the entire body application of the instructed (in this case, the arm) motion.

  Force Efficiency does not only imply delivered force/momentum, it (additionally) refers to one's own stability when delivering that force/momentum. Though one can obviously rotate their shoulder forward to achieve another “couple” of inches of striking range, most realize that the potential for being placed off-balance is (usually) too great to risk doing so (although that doesn't stop numerous people from doing so anyhow).

  The Instruction of Force Efficiency can (initially) be summarized via shoulder/hip alignment. If/when these are not in alignment (rotationally), the body is being placed “off-balance” (and is more susceptible to external influence) as well as being less effective at the delivery of one's own force/momentum.

  Oyata repeatedly taught (and reminded) us to “study our own body” when seeking answers to our (numerous) questions. In this case, Until you understand how (and why) your own body maintains stability, it will be more difficult (for you) to recognize how to destabilize an opponent's body.

  Force efficiency refers to the efficient application of limb, body motion and weight use during a technique application. Though individual limb motion is often addressed, every motion involved with that application needs to be utilized as being an entire body motion. Because of how many of those techniques are (often) being taught, students are inclined to (only) focus on the individual limb's use (alone) during their practice of those motions.

  Regardless of whether it is a strike, a push, a kick or a grab, the student should utilize the entire body's weight (within a controlled perimeter) in the performance of the individual action. This implies the least vulnerability (to “countering” techniques) being attempted while doing so. Those motions should also be performed as naturally as possible. Those motions that create (or mandate) exaggerated motion, are often being performed incorrectly (and are thereby creating vulnerabilities within those uses).

  The use of Force Efficiency is (simply) performing those motions in the most natural manner. Though (seemingly) being a simple rule, beginning students will (often) exaggerate a limb's (or the torso's) motion/use. This is commonly done in order to utilize (extra?) momentum/force with the motion.

  To properly utilize those (natural) factors, the student must first understand the (natural) range-of-motion (R.O.M.) for both the body, and for the individual limbs. A large percentage of a students tendency (to exaggerate) a motion, comes from not using their entire body (for the intended action).

  When delivering a “strike” (or a grab/push), one rarely utilizes “only” the involved limb to do so. Body weight is an integral piece of the efficient delivery/use of that action. To do so in any “other” manner, is to imply a use of one's muscular strength (often alone). This can/will “work”, as long as the opponent is smaller/weaker (and/or less knowledgeable) than one's self. More importantly, It is less efficient.

  Although the arm's can (obviously) motion beyond the width of the shoulders, this should not imply that any action performed beyond that range can be done effectively. Those actions that are done to the areas (to either side) beyond the width of the shoulders will be noticeably weaker. This includes those techniques that are performed in those “outward” directions as well.

  This is most easily recognized with the manner that the “outside block” is commonly taught (by numerous systems). When performed as a sideways swing, the motion is no better (or effective) than a (standard) “parry”. The arm is simply not intended (nor designed) to be utilized in that manner.

  The arm (via the elbow/shoulder) is intended to (either) “flex” or “extend”. Though it can (obviously) rotate, doing so is neither the most efficient, nor effective use of that limb (in regards to the forearm being an impactive technique application).

  To convey that point, Oyata would state that an inside and outside forearm strike (“block”) were performed using the same arm motion (with no differences in the arm's motion between the two). The difference, was in the user's body motion.

  By making that motion a (forward) extension, one needed to only rotate the torso/body accordingly (to become either an inside/outside motion). The (basic) motion remained the same regardless. This (further) illustrated the entire body application of the instructed (in this case “arm”) technique.

  Force Efficiency does not only imply delivered force/momentum, it (additionally) refers to one's (own) stability when delivering that force/momentum (whether defensively, or offensively). Though one can obviously rotate their shoulder forward to achieve another “couple” of inches of “striking range”, most realize that the potential for being placed off-balance is (usually) too great to risk doing so (although that doesn't stop numerous people from doing so anyhow).

  A large portion (though obviously, not all) of Force Efficiency instruction, can be summarized via shoulder/hip alignment. If/when these are not in alignment (rotationally), the body is commonly “off-balance” (and thereby becomes more susceptible to external influence) as well as being less effective at the maintaining of one's own stability.

  “Ka han shin, Jo han shin” (Upper body influences Lower body) was a saying that Oyata (constantly) referenced when describing technique application. This (saying) also implied that Lower influences Upper, Left (body motion) influences Right, and Forward influences Rearward (etc.). Oyata was attempting to expand our perceptions and understanding of how (and why) motions/techniques were effected by the entire user's body. This is initially demonstrated to students through the instruction of stances (and exampled in his instruction of Seisan kata).

  Oyata repeatedly taught (and reminded) us to “study our own body” when seeking answers to our (numerous) questions. In this case, Until you understand how (and why) your own body maintains It's (own) stability, it will be more difficult (for you) to recognize how to destabilize an opponent's body.

  The understanding of Force Efficiency is not “how hard one can strike”, it is the most efficient utilization of one's ability to apply the full potential of their available force/momentum during a technique's/motion's application. By doing so, the student will no longer be dependent upon muscular strength (within those technique applications).