Research

 The majority of the forms of (Okinawan) karate that I observe today, instruct some manner of joint-manipulation (Torite/Tuite) and seem to be of the belief that it is not (allowed?) supposed to change (nor therefor improve). I understand the need to establish the groundwork (basics) for beginning students to learn general motions. But what I don't understand, is why the higher level students (Yudansha) aren't expanding their (own) understanding of what's already been shown.

  The “Typical” Torite/Tuite seminar being offered will present 20 new or different ways to do something, like some “new” technique. That would be fine, except the majority of students (regardless of rank) regularly perform the elementary forms of the techniques incorrectly.

  It seems that every time I hear someone tell me that they (already) know a technique, they (only) know how to perform the “practice” manner of it's performance. They have rarely applied it in every possible manner of it's use/application.

  It has become commonplace for practitioner's to believe that there is only one way to perform some (any) technique that they've previously been shown (and I use the word “shown” on purpose, because I don't feel that they've actually “learned” the application).

There is an immense vacuum of knowledge where the fundamental techniques are concerned. Most practitioner's are aware of those motions, but rarely are they adept at their utilization.

  This is a sad (enough) statement to be made regarding “Yudansha” students/instructors, but what's more sad, is the denial of it's occurrence.

  Commonly, any technique will have several (different) manners of situations that it could be utilized within. Most techniques are demonstrated using only “1”. This is usually the one in which they were taught the technique, and will then (only) utilize it in.

  I detest the description/term, but in the (supposedly) “live” practice method, a technique is attempted in several different circumstances (with the uke resisting). This manner of practice is essential for learning and understanding the 6 Basic Tuite Principles.

  Those principles allow the student to (individually) dissect all of the techniques that have been taught to them. Every technique, regardless of how simplistic one may consider that technique to be, should be scrutinized to Ad Nauseum.

  Though commonly referred to as (being) “basic”, those technique's should (IMO) be referred to as “common” (as they occur more often than people seem to want to admit).

  We are repeatedly encountering individual's who (want to) claim that such and such technique won't work on “them”. And just as often, we discover that “whomever” has been attempting to perform the stated technique upon them, has been doing so incorrectly.

  Just as often we observe what (other systems) members are calling “Tuite”, are being performed incorrectly and/or resulting in incorrect responses from those technique's application.When queried, those same individual's will (often) “brag” about how they (only) practice those Tuite techniques hard and fast.  Although seeming to be “realistic”, the objective of practice is to learn, and study. Simulating realism, can only go so far. More will be gained from the examination and understanding acquired from the focused study of the technique. Following that, any simulated practice of the technique can be performed.

  The majority of techniques will create some manner of reaction regardless of how sloppily that technique is performed.  Unfortunately many practitioner's consider “any” reaction to be acceptable. This is only accurate if that reaction is sufficient to accomplish the desired goal (at that time).

  What is most commonly seen, is a simplistic forward bend (at the waist of the Uke). This is often resisted through simple strength, and/or having a high pain threshold. Correct technique reaction will often consist of a knee “buckle” accompanied by a rotation away from the Tori (which will prevent the ability to strike the Tori with the Uke's free hand).

  The Tori should additionally be capable of placing the uke in any location and/or position that is required (be that at the immediate location, or relocated to a preferred one, via one of the instructed escort applications).

  The preferred goal, should be to create the desired reaction that is required at the time, and being successful, regardless of any attempt that is being made to counter it.

  It was that mandate that Oyata placed upon his students for their practice of the instructed Tuite techniques. This required those students to research and experiment until that requirement was fulfilled. Some did, and others only accomplished the (their own?) ability to create a “reaction” (usually through “muscling” the technique).

  Any (Tuite) technique that is dependent upon “strength/muscle” for it's success, was not one that was taught by Oyata. Only through continued research (and practice) can a student improve their application of the instructed techniques.