Forms - Why bother?

[Bill Glasheen]

I knew I would find this without much trouble.

This is the thread it came from. Van and I had a good time on this one.

Uechi vs Headlocks

This is a specific post towards the end of the thread that articulates the different approaches.

However, if I were lost on a mountain side and, after asking directions to one person how to get down, he were to say: ‘just follow the sun and your ‘homing instincts’ and you will get there’ _

Then if asking the same directions to another person and he said ‘follow the sun along particular pathways _ as I will show you how to recognize’ I would take the second person’s advice.

That's a key difference, Van. The second person's advice will work for one particular mountain; the first person's advice will work (less efficiently for a particular mountain, but) for many mountains. If you already know what mountain you will get lost on, go for the local guide. If you don't know, learn the principles.

Rory

Pretty self explanatory.

Different personalities will take different approaches. I'm an R&D person by nature and by nurture. I want to know how things work, and want to build my own stuff. A production personality type finds another approach.

We all eventually work out those memorization shortcuts. But for people who spend their time going into the unknown, it's good to know how to go freeform. We all benefit from the work of the pioneers.

- Bill

[robb buckland]

" Are the very skilled and formidable warriors of Western combative disciplines correct in not practicing forms? "

To say that modern combative systems dont practice forms is simply not true ....IE: In Joe Lewis Fighting Systems we have a series of "forms " or combination sequences these are usually done with a trainer using punching mitts or kicking pads as he works these "skill sets with his fighter....if one has to work independent of a coach the combinations can be done effectively with a double end bag, or a mirror like shadow boxing........... .each combination sequence can be broken into modules as Bill refers to from Mr Uechis teachings...................
Good article though !!!

Arthur would say "Kata is Kata ! "