47355 MARCH 1985 $1.95 £1.00 D.G.S. UK

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Compact and Lethal

Awesome European Training

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71896 47355' Build Blinding Speed < civate IL s t :r,a.t e id MARCH 1985 Vol. 16, No. 3

FEATURES 20 INTERVIEW: JHOON RHEE—The father of American tae kwon do talks about the past, present and future of the in the United States. 26 THE LEADER OF SHORIN-RYU—Eizo Shimabuku has had a long and interesting life, both in and out of the martial arts.

32 THE GLUTE-HAM DEVELOPER FOR THE MARTIAL ARTIST—One of the best exercise devices for improving your leg strength and flexibility is fully detailed. 38 KICKS: THE IS THE KEY—Proper high knee posi tioning is essential if you want to acquire power and accuracy with your kicks. 44 EUROPEAN —Choy li fut has become oneof the favorite styles in Spain, thanks to the concentrated effort of a few dedicated and knowledgeable people.

50 AMAZING : KICKING AND THE STICK—In one-on-one situa tions, low kicks, as taught by amis, can be life-saving techniques against any foe.

54 LAMA NATIONALS: "NASTY" TAKES OUT SOME FRUSTRATION — Steve Anderson was fighting mad in Illinois, wanting to gain a measure of respect.

56 KENWOOD U.S. OPEN: THE COMPETITORS LASTCHANCE—The final AA-rated event of the year in Florida proved to be important to many struggling contestants. 66 BODY BY FISHER—Former tournament competitor Steve Fisher tells martial artists his strength building and stretching secrets.

DEPARTMENTS 6 Letters 58 Full-contact 12 Traditions 60 Ratings News 16 Weapons 62 Regional Ratings 18 68 Calendar

Publisher Assistant Editor Advertising Jane Hollander Michael James Gary Dempsey Barbara Lessard Dave Lowry Tom Muzila Assistant Publisher Photographer Customer Service Mike Replogle Geri Simon Mario Prado Joan LaMarr Gordon Richiusa

Editor Copy Editor Circulation Michael Yessis Kurt Seemann Jack Vaughn Mercy Caudillo Art Director Typography Contributors Bruce Beck Debbie Brown Vern Brooks

About the Cover: Okinawan shorin-ryu leader Eizo Shimabuku attacks Vern Brooks with a hard front page SO . Bruce Beck designed the cover.

KARATE ILLUSTRATED—ISSN 0022-9016—magazine is published monthly by Rainbow Publications, Inc. Editorial, advertising and circulation offices at 1813 Victory Place, P.O. Box 7728, Burbank, CA 91510-7728. Second-class postage paid Burbank, CA, and additional post offices. Telephone: (818) 843- 4444 or (213) 849-2181. Consultants: Uyehara Management Inc., 1314 S. King Street, Suite 863, Honolulu, HI 96814. Subscription rates in the United States are one year (12 issues plus yearbook), S19.50; two years, S39.00. (Foreign countries add S2.50 per year for postage.) The publisher and editors will not be responsible for unsolicited material. Manuscripts and photographs must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Printed in the United States by World Color Press, Inc., St. Louis. Copyright 1985 by Rainbow Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Kicking and the Stick

by Mike Replogie

50 attacks could be crippling. Restraint Various related Philippine martial With the hands involved in blocking or arts—amis, kali, escrima, silat, and parrying the attacker's arms and stick, appropriate to the situation must be kuntaw—are now becoming known and the only kicks that become usable are applied to attacks against the knee. appreciated in the United States. short kicks to the lower body, and trip The speed of the low kick is of great Take the American viewpoint of prac ping or throwing actions. importance. Since the distance is too ticality and application, add stick tech short to develop the full power of a niques applied to empty hand and foot Low Kicking complete, long-range kick, speed is es fighting, along with the basics com The low kick can cause serious in sential to create the maximum possi mon to many martial arts, and combine jury, especially to the knees, but it ble effect. Also, since a low kick usual them all into a standard training for serves mainly as an auxiliary attack, ly takes place in close-quarters fight mat. The result—amis. knocking off balance the opponent and ing, the kick must be done quickly to Amis, being a stick-oriented art, de- causing an opening for a hand attack, avoid a loss of balance or to allow an velopes excellent coordination with or taking the person to the ground with opening for the opponent to counter. the hands and an understanding of a or trip. Variations of the basic kicks will body positioning difficult to attain The methods of low kicking are sim come into play depending on the exact without the study of weapons. The ply low and short variations of the circumstances of the situation. Each of same movements translated to the standard basic kicks. The martial art the basic kicks should be studied for empty hand become a powerful self- ist that has practiced and perfected close-range, low-kicking applications. defense system. long-range kicking techniques should Kicking and foot techniques are one be able to easily adapt to their short, Front Kick of the least-known aspects of amis. low cousins. When facing the opponent fully for Often eclipsed by the uniqueness of Low kicking attacks will generally ward, the front kick can be very quick the stick, the feet are usually studied be directed toward the foot, ankle, shin, and effective. A powerful front kick to for stances and , not so much thigh, and groin area. Standard foot any part of the leg or groin can disable as weapons. Yet foot techniques are an an opponent. A short, quick kick to any integral part of a complete system of of the lower vulnerable areas can amis, and the unique aspects of stick cause extreme pain. Try kicking a cof fighting make for a fine kicking art, too. "The danger of the stick fee table with your shin sometime! The basic kicking actions of amis can be lessened in a are much the same as many of the kick Side Kick ing arts. Basic front, side, roundhouse, variety of ways, mostly The side kick can be effective at crescent, back heel, spinning and jump involving closing the close range when the body is angled, or kicks remain much the same regard distance to the attacker especially when used in combination less of the particular style of martial with other kicks. For example, a front arts. These kicks are studied and prac and limiting the stick's kick delivered with the right foot to the ticed in amis. Since a kick has a greater motion." opponent's right knee, could easily be reach and more power than a , it followed up by the same foot with a is an essential part of any complete side kick to the inside of the left knee. A system of hand and foot fighting. Basic side kick can also be used effectively kicking actions develop balance, positioning for kicks is effective as a stomp to the top of the thigh, or in a speed, power, flexibility, conditioning, against all of these targets. When downward motion, painfully raking the and are effective and versatile fighting wearing a shoe, the preferred striking front of the shin. tools. They cannot be neglected and surface would be the point, heel, or should be practiced diligently. other hard part of the footgear. Since Roundhouse and Back Heel Kicks The presence of the stick in a self- these kicks are all short and quick, the Roundhouse and back heel kicks, defense situation alters the event hard and sharp parts of the shoe can being circular in nature ratherthan line dramatically. Suddenly, the reach of help to create greater impact, injury, ar, lend themselves to broader motions the hand (with the stick) is equal to that and distraction. of attack and are also very effective for of a kick. The stick can move as fast or The angle of the low kick is also very sweeping, tripping and throwing ac faster than a kick, and the stick feels no important. Changing the angle of the tions. pain. Long-range front, side, round kick can alter its effect and desired re It is important to gain experience house and various other kicks can be sult. For example, a kick directed at the and sensitivity to this style of kicking. easily blocked with the stick from a knee area could come: This is best accomplished by experi distance, and painfully, since stick 1. Directly into the knee, forcing it mentation and exploration in a learning contact to the shin or foot is extremely straight back. situation. The following drill is an ex painful. This points to the fact that a 2. At a downward angle, driving the cellent way to gain the needed familiar traditional, long-range kick is not prac knee cap down. ity. tical as an opening attack against a 3. At an upward angle, pushing the stick-bearing opponent. The stick must knee toward the other leg. Low Kicking Drill be neutralized before kicking can safe 4. At an inward angle, twisting the This drill is done with a partner, in a ly come into play. knee toward the other leg. special series of steps designed to im The danger of the stick can be less 5. At an outward angle, forcing the knee prove low kicking ability and percep ened in a variety of ways, mostly involv away from the other leg. tion of the opponent's position and ing closing the distance to the attacker 6. From behind (as with a hooking opening. and limiting the stick's motion. At this kick), collapsing the knee forward. These steps should be drilled one at close range, full kicks are impractical. In the case of the knees, all of these a time, each step taken in sequence to 51 LOW KICK PRACTICE From a ready position (1), the rear leg raises to the front In a ready stance, with the raised knee crossing the line of the base leg (2). The a good level of ability before the next leg extends out and action is attempted. on an angle, outside of where the foe's 1. In the initial position, the partners knee would be (3). The face each other at arms distance apart, leg bends at the knee, in a natural standing position, feet pulling the lower leg shoulder width apart. Both partners back In an arc to hook behind and collapse place both hands on their partner's op• the opponent's knee posite shoulders. (4). 2. One partner plays the part of a dum• my, standing naturaily and without moving. The attacker executes low kicking techniques as outiined previousiy, at• tacking toward the dummy's feet, ankles, shins, knees, thighs and groin. The attacker looks down at the targets, doing the kicks slowly, with a very iight touch to the target areas. The empha• sis is not on force, but rather on the angles of the attacks, and the feel of ATTACK ANGLES executing the kicks at close range. As stated In the story, there are many angles The attacker practices front, side, that can be used In an roundhouse and back heei and any offensive situation. other kicks in this manner, with each From the ready posi• tion (1), Repiogie at• foot. tacks the front of his 3. When the kicking actions become opponent's knee (2), comfortable and well controlled, the at• the side of the knee tacker lifts his eyes to those of the op• (3), and below the knee (4). All of these ponent and locks his gaze there. Con• approaches can be centration should be on feeling the crippling. kicks and target area, using peripheral vision rather than looking directly at the target. 4. When the attacker can see and feel LOW HOOK KICK the targets and kicks well without di• Low kicks can be very rect vision, the attacker closes tiis eyes effective In self-de• fense situations. and executes the kicks. Care must be From the ready posi• taken that the kicks are not too fast, tion (1), Mike Repiogie hard, or injurious to the partner. lifts his rear leg Into a Again, the emphasis is on feeling cocked position to the front (2). His leg ex• the opponent's position and executing tends out and past the the kick—not on power or force. opponent's front knee 5. The partner now assumes different (3). He then hooks stances and foot positions, giving the back and behind the attacker various positions to experi• knee, collapsing it In• ward (4). ment with and become accustomed to. Both partners should take turns equally doing this drill. It is just as im• COMBINATION portant to iearn the feel of receiving the From the ready posi• attack as well as delivering it. tion (1), Jeff Arnold Once a martial artist has mastered steps out and to the left, parrying and the close-in, low kicking techniques, he grabbing the oppo• will have a distinct advantage of deal• nent's punching arm ing with stick fighting situations and in (2). While holding and any close-quarters fighting encounter. controlling the arm, he delivers a short and low front kick to the Inside of the foe's About the Author: Mike Repiogie is a front knee (3). He fol• martiai artist and freeiance writer from lows up with a low side kick (4). Los Angeles. 52