Hanshi Patrick McCarthy - Slipping and Sliding

Thank your to Hanshi Patrick McCarthy for letting me publish this article here. For those interested why not visit the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society

Stepping/sliding & using the hips in KU
​By Patrick McCarthy, KU 9th Dan
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Stepping and sliding is all about footwork, leading control and balance displacement; Did you ever notice how abrupt stances are in much of modern karate? In old-school karate, the moving posture concept pre-supposes three possibilities: #1. That the effectiveness of striking can be enhanced with movement [F = M x A], #2. That evasive movement can be enhanced, and #3. In the event that the defender is being seized [*a lot of emphasis on this concept] that an opponent's balance can be more easily displaced; i.e., with an opponent seizing onto you, or your garment, the close proximity makes it easy to create a distraction [spit in the eyes, finger flick to, or seizing of, the testicles, etc.] and spin in/out or under the opponents arms and use the principles of leading control in a certain direction; hence making it easier to impact them [make them weak] before displacing their balance and finishing/or submitting them.
The vibrant hip torquing exampled in KU is about constantly training the core with macro-motion; in conjunction with posture movement, it also helps strengthen the overall ability to better generate explosive force.