Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu

IKKYO NO KATA A: Attack (Kogeki) Combinations (Renraku) For Distance Fighting<

Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D.
Founder, Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu
7th Dan, Jujutsu
6th Dan Judo

Greg Kane, Ph.D.
4th Dan Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu

NOTE: Techniques are to be practised on both sides

v1.19/ 12/06/2009


Introduction

In distance fighting it is sometimes necessary to initiate an attack in order to terminate quickly a life threatening or combative situation that is already in progress. In Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu such strategic forms of attack may involve a single (Level I) technique (e.g., a direct kick to the groin), a combination involving the use of two (Level II) techniques (e.g., a fake kick to the groin and then a backhand strike to the face), or, as in Level III, by, for example, a downward strike to the head followed by a knee strike to the rib cage which is then completed with a rear takedown (taniotoshi) to the ground. Training in Level III combinations is normally reserved for advanced students who hold the rank of Ikkyu or higher. Level II combinations are normally taught to students who hold the rank of gokyu through nikkyu while Level I techniques mostly characterize the training of beginners and holders of rokyu rank. Level IV attack combinations are generally practised by black belts and creativity is encouraged in developing appropriate Counter Techniques (Kaeshi Waza) in responding to a defender's blocks, deflections or evasions.

Finally, students need to be aware of the fact that the sample techniques below represent a small portion of the possible techniques available to the trained martial artist. The list below, therefore, is only intended to introduce students to basic principles. Thus, the examples offered below may be viewed as a basis upon which to begin building an extensive repertoire of combinations for distance fighting. Students are therefore encouraged to master these and then experiment, go beyond, and discover new ways of engaging the assailant by developing their own sets of combinations.

As you may expect, close quarter and ground fighting also rely heavily on the use of combinations to outwit the opponent. In many respects, advanced training is the struggle to master the science and art of combat by mastering the application of combinations. The skills involved in this type of training must be practiced in the context of the Principles of Heiho (Principles of Combat Strategy), Distance, Close Quarter and Ground Fighting.

Level II Attack Combinations (involving the application of two techniques)

  • 1. Hidari Shomen Tsuki to Migi Seiken Uchi to ribcage.: From left attack posture fake punch to face with right fist (draw it back like the string of a bow). Ensure that Uke starts to track this action with his/her eyes. Then deliver a short jab to the face with left fist and as Uke brings hands up to his face to defend quickly follow through with a Seiken Uchi to his/her ribcage or solar plexus.
  • 2. MAE GERI to URAKEN UCHI: From right attack posture fake right leg mae geri to groin then deliver right backfist uraken to face
  • 3. URAKEN UCHI to MAE GERI: From right attack posture fake right backfist uraken to face and deliver right mae geri to groin (Uke is in Migi Gamae)
  • 4. Left hand TSUKI (jab) to Uke's face to SEIKEN UCHI. In left fighting stance deliver fake jab (TSUKI) to face with left fist. As they raise their arms attack with right seiken uchi to solar plexus (use center for more power)
  • 5. TETSUI UCHI to MAWASHI GERI (or HIZA GERI): In right attack posture step forward leading with left foot and deliver downward hammer fist to head with left hammer fist. As opponent receives blow with upraised arms deliver leg strike with right knee to his/her ribcage
  • 6. JODAN URAKEN UCHI to Gedan URAKEN: From right attack posture fake right backfist uraken to face and deliver right backfist uraken to groin. For protection, Tori raises own left arm above and slightly in front of own face. The final phase shows a nice circular movement upwards to protect own face
  • 7. Left hand TSUKI to face to CHUDAN MAWASHI GERI to rib cage: Tori attacks Uke's face with left hand jab (Tsuki) and as Uke defends by bringing arms up to the face Tori steps in for a right side mawashi geri (with shin or instep) to Uke's ribcage. Tori jabs by stepping forward with left foot.
  • 8. Downward strike (Migi OROSHI UCHI) with own open hand to Migi MAE GERI. In lright attack posture (migi gamae) Tori makes a show of raising own right arm as though intending to strike downwards to the top of Uke's head with open hand, palm facing down. Tori ensures that Uke tracks movement with his/her eyes. Tori then delivers mae geri to groin with right instep or ball of foot
  • 9. CHUDAN YOKO MAWASHI GERI into left GEDAN MAWASHI GERI: In right attack posture step in a spinning fashion in front of opponent leading with left foot and swivel right leg around bent at the knee. Place right foot on floor and deliver left side GEDAN MAWASHI GERI to the outside of Uke's right knee (or just above). Important to deceive Uke into thinking that you are moving in to attack the left side of their body.
  • 10. MAWASHI GERI to URAKEN UCHI: From right attack posture (Migi Gamae) Tori steps in with left foot (turning to left about 45 degrees) and delivers a fake mawashi geri to outside of opponent’s left leg, just above Uke's knee, with own right instep. Uke picks own leg up to evade kick. Tori continues turning in anti-clockwise (take big step) and delivers uraken to uke’s temple/ear with left backfis (Uraken Uchi)
  • 11. GEDAN MAWASHI GERI to TANIOTOSHI. Start in right attack posture and step toward Uke with left foot. Turn left foot about 30 degrees to the left and position it about a foot and a half directly in front of Uke's left foot. Deliver Gedan Mawashi Geri with right shin or instep (against Uke's left thigh just above the knee) and then follow through by sliding and extending right leg behind Uke for Taniotoshi. Tori follows through to the ground and ends up with own left shoulder over Uke's left shoulder. Both Tori's arms are used to secure and take Uke down.
  • 12. YOKO MEN UCHI to USHIRO EMPI UCHI: Tori attacks Uke's left temple with right hand tegatana (shuto) (yoko men uchi), stepping in with right foot. As Uke draws arms up for protection Tori lowers center of gravity and continues rotation anticlockwise in front of Uke and ends up facing away from Uke (feet facing away from Uke). Tori strikes Uke's left rib cage with hidari ushiro empi uchi. Important to continue rotation into the elbow strike
  • 13. GEDAN MAWASHI GERI to USHIRO URAKEN UCHI. Tori starts in left attack posture (hidari gamae). Uke is in migi gamae. Tori delivers gedan mawashi geri to Uke's right inner thigh just above knee. As Uke begins to collapse to his/her right Tori delivers a right handed elbow strike (ushiro empi uchi) to Uke's left side of the head. Tori then steps in with left foot and takes Uke down with a hidari kosoto gake..
  • 14. YOKO MEN UCHI to TANI OTOSHIi. Tori starts from left attack posture (hidari gamae and steps in with right leg and positions own right foot just to the outside of Uke's left. Attacks Uke's left temple with right hand tegatana (shuto) (yoko men uchi). As Uke draws arms up for protection Tori drives own right leg deep behind Uke's both feet and executes tani otoshi (valley drop).
  • 15. Sliding YOKO MAWASHI GERI to ASHI GARAME. Uke attacks Tori with right leg using high mawashi geri to chest or head regions. Tori who stands in migi gamae slides in low leading with right leg and drops in front of Uke's supporting leg (the left one). Delivers mawashi geri against back of Uke's left knee with own left shin. As Uke drops forward face down Tori follows through remaining in the leg entanglement position, rotates own body to the right and ends up by kneeling on left knee with right knee up (trapping Uke's left leg between own legs). Tori then seizes Uke's left little toe and applies joint lock
  • 16. YOKO MEN UCHI to GEDAN MAWASHI GERI. Tori starts from left attack posture (hidari gamae) and steps in with right foot and positions own right foot just to the outside of Uke's left. Attacks Uke's left temple with right hand tegatana (shuto) (yoko men uchi). As Uke draws arms up for protection Tori sinks very low on leading leg (almost in single leg squat position) and begins to spin anticlockwise to the left side of Uke. At the same time Tori straightens own left leg which is then used to sweep both of Uke's legs away from under him/her. Tori's hands are temporarily placed on the floor for support. After completing the sweep Tori ends up in migi gamae (for this technique to work effectively Tori must speed up and continue the turn until both of Uke's legs have been swept away). Bulding up lots of momentum is therefore critical in this technique.
  • Level III Attack Combinations

    These are a continuation of Level II attacks. They generally follow through into close quarter fighting in the standing position or on the ground.

    Level IV Attack Combinations and Counters

    These are a continuation of Level III attacks but Uke manages to block, deflect or evade Tori's second strike thus necessitating an adaptation response on Tori's part. After handling Uke's response Tori then follows through into close quarter fighting in the standing position or on the ground.