I Thought This Block Was EASY Until I Met Him｜Yusuke in Okinawa Season 2 Ep.21【Shuri Shorin Ryu】

[@KarateDojowaKu]

Higa Sensei's Channel: kzbin.info/door/osMbDkM4v5aGAxPNT8AqwQ 🥋FREE TRIAL｜Online Group Lesson🥋 karateintokyo.com/ 🥋Online Private Lesson🥋 karateintokyo.com/online-training/ Previous Episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWiplJypmMZkd5o Yusuke in Okinawa Season 2: kzbin.info/aero/PL6uceGkw5VFmFMlNwF9ra2yPvZSsuqZXT Yusuke in Okinawa Season 1: kzbin.info/aero/PL6uceGkw5VFkSWeQVK8hnrXt5LEwiV6JD

[@kingsman8475]

Reverse block can be very difficult

[@pashapa11]

The hardest block is a tungsten carbide block. :D

[@yusukeelric]

I believe the style changed over time to look more spectacular maybe because of movies or just out of the need for spectacle, but senseis over generations may have forgotten why the old way was more practical even if it didn't look as dynamic or visually appealing. It's good to have senseis that dedicate to show how it used to be. and why should it be that way the best one.

[@thewhinjaninja3610]

I'm a TKD guy but I love watching these videos. The subtle differences is fascinating.

[@TeachSmith]

Higa Sensei's forearms are insane.

[@rvoykin]

All of these older guys in Okinawa seem to be saying the same thing stay super loose and then snap at the end using either your core or your lower body or a combination of both versus throwing something with your arm you start from the ground and it’s almost like your arm is a rope and you initiate momentum from the ground let it be loose then snap it firm at the last second

[@stevenedmund5680]

this guy knows his stuff .....elbows down in a block with the arm a little lower so it can't be put over your head or manipulated...especially when moving forward with the block and with your step ...practice this enough and you shall become a juggernaut ...like a Thai boxer ....even the block can be devastating to an opponent.

[@samueldickenson2062]

Hi Yusuke, this series is fantastic. The Okinawan Sensei have been so generous with you, and you have had an amazing attitude in learning from them. I am very interested to understand how you think everything you picked up from this series (and the last) will affect your karate in the long term, some of the advice is going to be different to what you are expected to do, and will be graded on in Shotokan. I think it would be really interesting if you did a video on how you think these experiences will be impacting your karate journey, what you will be able to incorporate whilst still maintaining your "style" or if you think that your karate is going to change much etc. I have moved around a lot and have had to train in a few different styles, there is always a challenge in learning everything you can whilst still be focused enough to progress in the main style that I grade in, and I would love to hear your experiences on this.

[@YoukaiSlayer12]

That was interesting. I like how he said think of the block as an attack. It’s how my friend I use to cross train with would describe executing blocks.

[@TheStrataminor]

I see a bit of Wing Chun and Kung Fu efficiency coming in here with that block as strike techniques...very interesting!!

[@Defsolid]

Comes from one of the crane styles that is part of both Wing Chun and Okinawan/original karate's roots.

[@hotlanta35]

Karate looks totally different, it’s has its own style

[@TehDanno1]

@@Defsolid thank you, was going to point that out. That it's roots are within white crane kung-fu.

[@Defsolid]

@@TehDanno1 thank you for mentioning the precise crane school that influenced both Karate and Wing Chun, couldn't remember which one.

[@Defsolid]

@@hotlanta35 do a bit of research on the origin of both martial arts and you'll understand where the OP's coming from, the flavor of the White Crane is definitely present in both.

[@jsantiago38]

I laugh as well when trying to do it cos it's a simple move but at the same time with a profound meaning lol He makes it look easy but when you try following his instructions it is difficult, but his advice is and universal advice that to let it come naturally. Sounds easy but is not specially if you come from a style that puts emphasis in the form and not on the natural way to move. I am learning a lot with your videos. Okinawan Karate is definitely a treasure that needs to be preserved.

[@garrettwestcott7650]

I study Uechi Ryu and this blocking video was fantastic you explored blocking aspects in ways I have never considered.

[@kingsman8475]

Reverse block or left block to stop high kick while the right arm is blocking a low kick at the same time.

[@pashapa11]

The old sensei is a representation of real karate.

[@MrFabiomassid]

Real high level karate. Shows what's wrong with Shotokan

[@Chakirisan]

I think without question the hardest block is my head. 🤦🏻😎 Great video, the older masters always teach you unique, useful forms. You can see by watching over and over how he generates power through is base vs only using upper torso, he just flows.

[@safdarkh786]

Lol. 👍

[@donelmore2540]

I used to like to practice Shuto-Uke by myself before class. I’d do it lightly stepping forward, backward, 45 degrees to the left and right, 90 degrees left and right, 135 degrees left and right and finally 180 degrees left and right. I’d sometimes do it 270 degrees like Gedan Barai is often done in the Katas. I’d work on keeping my blocking elbow a fist’s distance from my ribs, blocking hand’s fingertips shoulder height and working to connect my block with my hips. In my view the block should end while the hip is still moving, otherwise, it tends just to be an arm block. By having the hips still moving, you are bringing the momentum of your whole body weight into the block even when you do it with no conscious power.

[@nicolasmarquez8843]

Love these series. Once a taichi instructor told me to be "rooted to the floor". Maybe is a useful tip for this one. I am Training while watching, thanks.

[@sassuki]

Something they say when they don't know what to say. "Rooted to the floor" is a loose concept nobody can really explain and so it is totally useless as an advice.

[@ShadowParalyzer]

Taijiquan that only practice high stances won't develop root. That requires bitterness and pain which Tai Chi stays away from. If one bicep curls a 5 lbs. dumbbell for 20 years... they won't stronger because they were never physically challenged.

[@TheStrataminor]

@@ShadowParalyzer Not true...Chen Taichi has a lot of low stances and it is more so Yang and modern variations which stand high...but in a real fight you don't get into low stances anyway....

[@ShadowParalyzer]

@@TheStrataminor I'm aware. I never said Taiji doesn't have low stances. I said that Taiji that doesn't have them cannot develop root. And the benefit of low stance carries over to high stance.

[@nicolasmarquez8843]

Yes, sure. your wisdom enlighten me.

[@martinmartin8666]

The fist and wrist on that men is something to fear/respect..you can even see the difference between their speed and power

[@edtheangler4930]

Everytime I spar with any fighter mawashi uke seems to work perfectly and give me the opening for a vital point attack. I think it’s the best block in karate

[@Lynxtpm]

Very interesting! This gives a whole new meaning to intercept or receive attacks.

[@terryturner1689]

Good stuff, I like it as it is close to how blocks are done in Hap Ki Do, use of the hips. I like the extension to a punch from the same arm, our little hook to trap easily transitions to a punch.

[@RadicalTrivia]

These videos are blowing my mind. Thank you so much. 🙏

[@BelloBudo007]

I was hoping you might touch more on what the 'block' is best used for and get Higa Sensei's take on it. I find the gedan barai is best used as a strike. It is a completely unnatural way to block a front kick. And I would argue IF you used it in an emergency against a strong front kick, then you risk seriously injuring yourself.

[@flamezombie1]

I've had the best success using it to strip wrist/forearm grips in wrestling. Doing catch wrestling has made me have so many 'aha!' moments with kata forms and finding bunkai I was never explained for movements that don't really make sense. The double blocks (I forget the Japanese) too have only become useful to me in grappling. Like you say, using them to block axe kicks as I've heard explained is likely to get you injured anyways. But if you use it as an entry for a top-double wristlock/Americana, it makes much more sense. You can see in some old European martial arts treatises that they use that same crossed hands block to block dagger strikes as well, and I've gotten that to work at least once in live sparring doing HEMA.

[@KarateDojowaKu]

You’ll see more in the next video!

[@BelloBudo007]

@@flamezombie1 Excellent. Nothing beats real life learning with a partner or competitor that pushes the boundaries, you soon discover what does & what does not work. My main gripe with karate is that it has become ingrained, even with mature aged experienced karate-ka, that karate is predominantly about 'sparring'. The fact that so many so called applications & exercises start from front stance & downward block as the 'on guard' position should tell us that up close & personal self defence is no longer appreciated.

[@davidmatthews2983]

I think uke means to “receive” so the receiving doesn’t mean static blocking at the end, using it to receive a attack and also same movement to attack.

[@TheDemoniosen]

I guess gedan barai can be used to block " uppe" from.a boxer

[@Turbulent2000]

I think, the difference in your technique and his technique is in chinkuchi, which is not used in Shotokan. In Shotokan we use kime instead. The best way to practice chinkuchi is Sanchin and Naifanchin. This is because he says Naifanchin in your dialogue. But without explanation of the internal work this kata is just a form, like Tekki. Because of chinkuchi his hip movements are so short. It would be great to learn the principles of chinkuchi he uses. As a part of it I see his grabbing the ground with the toes. He straightens his lower body and then he shots his technique, I think this is opposite to kime. Correct me if I’m wrong Yusuke. And thanks for the great series!

[@spiritseeker2831]

amazing, i wana go there

[@-The-Stranger-]

It's fascinating how different Seibukan Shorin Ryu is from other forms of Shorin Ryu, yet so similar at the same time.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

I just read an article about Ed Parker something like not having written everything down. It was in description for one of his books. Which he mentions what I mentioned earlier, where you can remember everything now, but with time, you'll have that day, just how did that technique work. But you do have video and you tube.

[@granadosvm]

In my experience, the mechanics of the gedan barai might not be the most difficult, but it is one of the most difficult to apply as a block. Even in bunkai, with pre-determined sequence, I have to work harder to find the timing and the right spot compared to other blocks.

[@flamezombie1]

I never found much use for it until I started wrestling - it's fantastic when hand fighting to strip wrist or forearm grips, especially linking the lower body like the sensei says. Probably lost in translation since the word "block" doesn't exactly mean that in Japanese, and most of the grappling isn't practiced in karate anymore.

[@granadosvm]

@@flamezombie1 True. I specified "apply as a block", because I have found other uses, like when the preparing hand is used to parry and grab by the wrist, the gedan barai can be a great attack toward the arm or elbow, but as a block I won't say it's impractical, but it is a difficult one to use.

[@nicholaskraft3716]

Typically find Jodan Age Uke and shuto uke to be most difficult in terms of maintaining connection.

[@TehDanno1]

Id have to agree with the down block it is hard to bring the energy up then down and whip the block since my karate experience is Shorin-ryu. Really liking this Shuri Shorin-ryu Sensei.

[@HoryTB]

The hard in it is that the energy has to go down all the way - while you start the arm movement upwards... Blocks usually are taught in 2 parts with the first, preparing, part inhaling. Every block should be an exhale like a punch so they can become one single movement instead of two - up and down in this case. (I hope I make sense here, ha!)

[@TehDanno1]

@@HoryTB was trying to be modest/humble but thank you for the explanation. 😊 In Shorin-ryu we have very specific and detailed ways of doing all our blocks, which are meant to be more of a whipping strike as this Sensei demonstrates in Shuri Shorin-ryu, which are nearly identical styles.

[@HoryTB]

@@TehDanno1 didn't mean to preach either, just to share my opinion/experience. About "whipping": I played handball (a bit) before karate and the coach taught us that the throwing motion is like a whip with the wrist giving the final snap. I love that picture and used it in karate too.

[@samigarira7971]

hello from algeria OSS

[@elramswood]

The hips and body push the block so it is not just the arm but the whole of your body weight behind your block or strike.

[@eliasabregu4485]

Excellent video!

[@mikekrause5932]

Diese Schläge sind in chinesischen Kampfkünsten ebenfalls vorhanden. Symbolisch vor zu stellen wie Yin & Yang.

[@methandtopology]

Which style do you think is closest to Okinawan that's widely accessible in mainland Japan? I'm moving to Japan and I'd like to try a style more relaxed or less stiff than Shotokan (which was the only one available for me in the UK).

[@marcbergeron1750]

Age uke as an uppercut...Now why didn't I think of that? A rising elbow strike, sure ...but an uppercut with a palm strike in mind? Heain shodan just became way more interesting ...and deadly.

[@Plantaman]

That is actually how we do our age uke in shotokai, despite being shotokan's "brother".

[@eatingbitter1756]

watched up to this point so i commented and shared.

[@roninklaus9645]

forgive my ignorance.. but after years and years of karate, reaching certain degree, i had the curiosity to prove myself in a kickboxing gym. i was destroyed. so...can`t understand why practicing karate when knowing real fight is something closer to mma. that jo-dan uke you will never do on a street fight and even less with a boxing/thaiboxing student.

[@golinus1603]

Osu! Yusuke i love you videoes i Will ask if you can make more ashihara karate videoes because thats my style i practice it in denmark and i want to hear you opinion PS IM FROM DENMMARK AND I LOVE YOU VIDOES SO KEEP ON THE GOOD WORK OSU!🥋💪👊😀

[@rakumm]

Shuto Uke is the most misunderstood "block" in my opinion.

[@BelloBudo007]

In which way do you mean?

[@rakumm]

@@BelloBudo007 In the way of understanding what is meant by this Uke-waza. Shuto-Uke is not another Chudan-Uke. It is in my opinion older than other Uke-waza and the application is different.

[@sassuki]

Misunderstood mostly in Korean karate / Taekwondo, as they bring both arms from behind when doing it, which destroys the Bunkai completely. In almost all Japanese styles, it is done correctly, so no problem there from a theoretical POV.

[@BelloBudo007]

@@rakumm I 100% agree. If you can, check into Ulb Sensei & his information on Shuto Uke.

[@TheSubwaysurfer]

Bruce Lee used to emphasize the concept of putting your hip into it when describing how to get power. Outside of using that concept for a jab cross uppercut or hook I was completely clueless on how to get my hip involved into other strikes before looking at this series

[@donelmore2540]

One of my old friends and instructors, Don DePree, used to do Age Uke like a punch about 45 degrees forward from the shoulder and the fist about 45 degrees inward from the elbow. The feeling is like an attack to the opponent’s attacking arm and eliminates the problem some people develop of making the block with a lifting feeling, which is weak. Doing Age Uke with an attacking feeling gives a smaller Karateka a better chance of an effective block against a larger opponent.

[@Stormtrooper--dx1xj]

Yusuke, what techniques did you learn in Okinawa that you plan to incorporate in your own karate style?

[@drozmenozturk]

Is there a difference between a gedan barai and gedan uke?

[@petethorley5998]

There is a chapter is in a book, I'm not sure if it was funakoshi or not. Titled blocking is bollocks. All the techniques we think of as blocks were never intended this way. All of them are better used as strikes, grapples, throws, locks etc.. The osest they could be considered to blocks is deflections. But even that is unlikely

[@samueldickenson2062]

pretty sure Funakoshi never had a title called "blocking is bollocks": haha

[@petethorley5998]

@@samueldickenson2062 it might not have been him. But it definitely exists. And it was the title of a chapter in a book.

[@timoloef]

strangely enough, for me, gedan barai and age uke have always felt like the same block except the angle of the upper arm. The explosive twist in the lower arm is identical. But shoto uke is a different issue... harder

[@Livefreealways]

Don’t let shoulder go back! Negative power!

[@ivanalibrandi2326]

very very similar to southern kung fu...i see the siulam (southern shaolin) influence on it.

[@tisaghchase]

I understand his perspective and reasoning but from a teaching perspective most students have trouble learning soto-uke and using it effectively against an attack.

[@sassuki]

Soto Uke was not meant as a block either, but as a Technique to destroy the elbow of the opponent, hence the large big motion

[@tisaghchase]

@@sassuki indeed, however, we have to teach it as part of our syllabus. I do enjoy the videos on the origin of the techniques and look forward to more. Good stuff.

[@sheenobi]

For me the chudan uke is the hardest block to execute for snap and power

[@milty66]

Sensei, I have heard there is another Karate master in Japan with a unique style. His name is Kenji Ushiro Sensei, do you know anything about him?

[@leosidharta6723]

Uchi uke. Kind of blocking which i don't understand the use in fight since i've never seen this one be used. Please, corerect if i am wrong.

[@brianoliveira8585]

Generally speaking I think blocks are extremely difficult to make use of in a fight, so from that perspective all blocks are difficult from an application standpoint. I tend to believe that these techniques were probably designed to be attacks (i.e. attacking joints) as opposed to being primarily defensive. The way he did rising block was a perfect example of this as it used as both a deflection and a counter punch (well timed, it could be a KO). I think calling these attacks blocks is more marketing since arm breaks are quite brutal form an image standpoint.

[@josef-peterroemer5309]

The problem is with the labeling of the uniques, in early days of Karate before it came to Japan there were no labels for techniques. These labels came into being after Okinawa introduced karate to Japan. The Japanese came up with all the technique labels not the Okinawan's, eventually they were adopted by Okinawa in order to be recognized in Japan. Hohan Soken Sensei of Matsumura Seiko in an interview in Okinawa said that there are no blocks in Okinawan Karate.

[@ZoranMijic]

uke and tsuki are like one ..kobo ittai

[@khaderalikhan3029]

Is this age uke, sensei?

[@kdefensemartialarts8097]

hmm...I suppose doing a double block on a one legged stance could be considered the most difficult.

[@RaulRamirez-mz6ry]

can you talk about Goju Ryu karate also I love your videos

[@mjokffsgfjs]

season 1

[@Livefreealways]

Think circles!!!!

[@ellobo2899]

How are you sensei?

[@guyblew1733]

Those are powerful blocks, the hardest block? The over head.

[@Mr440c]

To me soto uke is a little harder. It's hard to snap with that outward circular motion.

[@nessy3212]

i would say gedan nagashi uke is the hardest, it is realy hard to me to block anithing with that technique. :/

[@thorstenh1976]

in my point of view shuto uke is the hardest block...to do so with kime

[@Jameskeith1972]

Middle Block

[@1ばかぶた]

I do think it is hard. because if it is easy we would see so many people use it in mma to block low strike that so many mma fighters use. But actually no one use it, that means it is hard to use

[@fredricclack7137]

Open 👐 B4 Block?!🤨

[@Noone-rt6pw]

Have you thought if you're not already, writing a diary of experiences visiting all these methods? Where noting nuances, intricasies. It'd make a very good book, as well as video. Engineering Karate. As this punch, the move of your bottom with the block even with some leg, then the reason for it being how it is. As you look at Isshinryu, it's similiar but instead from the side, it comes from bottom up. I mention it, where time goes on, getting exposed to so much, it'd get where as the block where it comes from the bottom, this could be apt to be forgotten. Trust me. Even if you did it for a whole week, where it's memorized, details can be forgotten. Which you having a better handle on English, you probably could use more descriptive words to explain it. Get old, you and/or Jessee will be the next old time karate masters, 😉. Computer with voice to write along with thesaurus for better words, you could write The Master Text. Or in conjunction with Jessee. "Engineering Kata". Which long Shotokan stance for entering at a distance, while kung fu also has long stances maintaining balance, but amplifying power as where the hand is glued to adversary's hand, the downward pressure makes him submit. In contrast to squatting. Which on a much larger opponent could give more leverage. Both are good, but different scenarios and person can be better than the other. Just mentioning. Yet the nuances and details is worth noting for future references.

[@drion208]

Всеми блоками надо уметь ломать деревянные биты.

[@mattsmall7654]

No blocks in karate… only attacking nerves and points ??? Kata shows angle and direction of attack to weak points… that is why Sensai said to think if “the block as an attack “

[@mdassadchoudhury2999]

Uchi uke is the hardest block.

[@BCS01]

Osu!

[@wakajumba]

For what it’s worth, you are quite handsome.

[@TheSubwaysurfer]

We have been Taught karate completely wrong in the United StatesJudging from these videos Americans didn’t have a clue or perhaps when they learned initially from the Okinawans in Japanese they were sold a bad inferior version on purpose

[@lorismarchitelli5274]

I think i have an problem with this kind of videos, i mean, you show various curiosities like this changes in fondamentals but the tecnique always remains there floating just for it's self, i think you should show or push your guests a bit further to show some real application, like not demostrative staff but mabye some light sparring (with students if they have them)

[@BelloBudo007]

And what if real karate is actually not meant for 'sparring' but for close-in assaults, grabs, etc?

[@lorismarchitelli5274]

@@BelloBudo007 this is no axcuse, there are many ways to sparr exactly that. For example, kudo daido juku rules startimg the match with a simulated dispute. In Motobu Chokis own words "you can't know if the staff you are practicing is effective untill you try it in a real figth" If there is no pressure testing then you are just beliving in a dogma

[@MarioUcomics]

You gotta remember in Japanese culture and there is a bit more rules to hierarchy in respect to senior (not just martial arts but almost everything in society in general). It’s not like in the west where you can just question everything

[@lorismarchitelli5274]

@@MarioUcomics yeh i know, and it's one of the reasons why karate is getting wors and worse the more is being passed down, peaple don't ask and if they do they don't get answers, and the meaning of staff get lost in the sands of time. This masters alwais say they want to pass down their martial art but what they do is make all efforts to kill it.

[@flamezombie1]

@@lorismarchitelli5274 I think that's why we have different channels though - this channel and specific series is great for seeing the traditionalist mindsets and the really nitty gritty details of techniques. Jesse Enkamp, Stephen Thompson, and a few others have great videos on bunkai, live sparring, etc. Yusuke also has some great sparring vids too, so I don't think he's ignoring the practical application either, just not showing it in every single video.

[@navigator5426]

I was told by my first Sensei in Shotkan who was a U.S. Military Veteran that Studied Shotokan Karate in Japan and Okinawa, that Gedan Barai was the most powerful Block in Karate WHEN it is done properly and I agree with him. However, when Gedan Barai is done improperly it is the worst block for someone to do. I don't know who taught you to do Gedan Barai or Shotokan Karate but, what I see from observing you is that you were not taught very well.

[@danbanan1195]

First of all there is no blocks I karate, black belt? The "blocks" are attacks, the last twist you do, but you're a Shotokan so I understand why you never been thought this. Try more shito ryu (kofukan)

[@KilljoySR]

With all due respect, YOU look little stiff. ;) Older master is more....fluent in his movements....and you can fell that he is delivering power through every move.

[@Livefreealways]

Poor

[@outofthebox7]

What is the point of calling something a block, when it is almost impossible to use in a real fight? The old man, couldn't use it even when he was young. Are we to keep believing that such traditional moves work when we know they don't? Living in a lie is not honourable, much more when others honour us for it...

[@giovelazquez8872]

It’s a takedown and a strike

[@outofthebox7]

​@@giovelazquez8872😂

[@giovelazquez8872]

@@outofthebox7 What it is?

[@Livefreealways]

Need to be more fluid!!!

[@Livefreealways]

Old technique! No circles! Not good!!!

[@anklebar1]

And what would this block? A punch from a drunk guy? What a worthless concept.

[@giovelazquez8872]

It’s actually a takedown

[@giovelazquez8872]

It would block a punch obviously