PART ONE:
Relevance in
the martial arts world is determined by a person’s ability to execute effective
techniques. Resting on past laurels, teaching ineffective techniques and justifying
lack of skill does not lend itself to practical application within the martial
arts. Being effective requires constant training, a hard work ethic and
discipline. In order to sustain
viability with technique there is no secret formula. There is absolutely no
substitute for doing the work.
Over the
years Sensei Douglas Dwyer and I have never rested on our laurels or past
achievements. We have made every effort
to train and have discussed at great length the similarities in our different
systems. Whether it was scheduling conflicts, health issues or even ageing our
training has never been abandoned.
Master Dwyer works out daily, trains students privately (of which I am
one) and continues to learn, ever moving forward. Douglas is very much a contemporary
martial artist and instructor. Those who think he has slowed down or “retired” are quite frankly wrong.
Sensei
chooses to stay active and continues to walk his path as an independent martial
artist who remains dedicated to the way of bushido. He has long since lost any
tastes for organizations and does not appreciate inferences of his involvement.
When in fact there is none.
Douglas and
I have maintained a friendship that has grown and flourished due to our love
and devotion to the martial arts. We
have spent hours and hours on end discussing technique, history and training.
Both Sensei Dwyer and I would like to once again express our heartfelt gratitude
to photographer and friend, John Hendricks for offering his expertise, his time
and efforts, shooting hundreds of professional quality photographs of our
training and techniques for future projects.
The
following is our most recent collaboration regarding taezu forms. Most advanced taezus, which contain a
combination of 7 to 9 techniques, are to be executed in a matter of a couple of
seconds. Sensei Dwyer performs these taezus in the times set for each and every
one. To this day he is not one to shy away from a long hard and grueling
training session. He still does hundreds of blocks, striking techniques, and
kicks with weighted hands and feet.
While
working these techniques we realized how similar these forms in our two styles
really are. Though technically different
they are very much the same and equally lethal. Both styles focus primarily on
self defense, which is our combined interest; both are fluid albeit explosive
hard styles. We decided this would be an
interesting example of comparing our two styles side by side. We are both primarily concerned with the
effectiveness of any techniques as it pertains to self defense.
Sensei Dwyer
explains:
Taezus can
be defined as: a pre-arranged combination of 7 - 9 techniques, beginning and
ending with a block, performed in continuous motion for the purpose of
developing speed.
Generally
speaking, the Taezu forms require a mastery of basics which are essential to
executing the forms correctly with maximum effect. Individual techniques must
be done with precision and speed and transitioned with fluidity using the
entire body dynamic and not just the upper torso.
One of
several, the following is an overview example of an advanced Black Belt level
Taezu Naru Waza form. In this Taezu, once the attacker is blocked and wrist
grabbed, the defender never releases the primary attacking arm until the
defense is complete. Self-discipline and controlled breathing is vital for
success. This form should take approximately 2 1/2 seconds to perform when
incorporating a takedown.
Defense:
#1 Defender counters by stepping back with his right leg into a high, layout cat stance and almost simultaneously executing right high and left low, open-hand ox-jaw blocks. These are done approximately 1/10 of a second apart.
#2 Immediately grabbing attackers right lower arm with his left hand while stepping slightly to attackers left into a bow stance, the defender strikes the mid-section with a right hand roundhouse elbow.
#3 Stepping into a narrow, open-leg stance, with a firm grip on attackers right arm, he strikes the neck with a backhand hammer fist.
#4 Still holding the right lower arm, defender pulls the attacker forward and continues with a groin grab while standing in a square stance.
#5 Grabbing attackers collar, he's pulled off balance as defender also sweeps the left foot with his right leg as he's also turning the attacker counter-clockwise.
#6 Pulling attackers right arm toward defenders left thigh, he follows with a full take down still holding the right arm and controlling the fall.
#7 Once the attacker is on the ground, with his right arm being held and fully extended, defender bends forward and strikes the bicep with a forward knuckle fist.
#8 He follows with a flat-foot stomp to the lower, right rib cage.
Release the
wrist, step back into a static defensive left lunge stance with a left low
block and defender is ready for another attack.
