Throws in Kata: Goju Ryu's Hidden Takedowns

[@tombruno7438]

A very informative video on takedowns. There are so many opportunities to employ throws, sweeps, etc., but one has to be aware of the situation. The late Judo master, Mifune, judan constantly mentions in his Book, (Canon of Judo ) to always "tense the lower abdomen (Kiai ) when executing all throws, similar to Karate-ka when executing strikes. One is only limited by one's imagination. OSS.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

That is such a useful quote, and another book for us to hunt down and add to our library - thank you so much for sharing, Tom! And you're right - there are many opportunities, but only the informed will see them when they arise. Thank you for the lovely comment, and for taking the time to watch - we really appreciate it!

[@terrysanders2817]

Thank you for posting about throws. It brought to mind Bill Wallace's fighting style. Aside from kicks he used osoto gari, kosoto gari , ouchi gari severl foot sweeps and a variety of hip throws as counters to bodyclashes. In the 1960s my karate Sensei required us to earn sankyu in judo which had many spillover benefits to karate teaching and practice.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

There is so much to be gained from studying judo alongside karate - we know that Kano Sensei and Miyagi Sensei were contemporaries, and many of the old Goju practitioners also held black belts in Judo. And even more importantly, everything I know about ukemi-waza, I learned from Judo as a kid, and Aikido as a young adult.

[@gengotaku]

Thanks for the awesome video!! I'm a judoka and aikidoka who started gojuryu recently and was looking for ideas to use throwing techniques, so you just taught me what I needed to know. In yesterday's limite practice I tried the punch block followed by Osotogari. I'll try the armbar as well. Greetings from Japan!!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Greetings Thank you for your lovely comment,

[@spaight711]

Learning and practicing osotogari at 8 years old was one of the pivotal moments for me that made me fall in love with karate. The ability of me, a 60 pound kid, being able to knock Sempai over was just amazing to me.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, there's always that special moment when we fall in love with what are doing - I still love hip throw because of how I was able to throw my super tall sempai as well!

[@oldschoolkarate-5o]

you guys are cool, takedowns used to account for a good part of our sparring at the Goju-Kai dojo i went to, sensei would then stop the action after a takedown to reset us back to stand up sparring, we did have to be careful not to do a takedown that can injure someone , but takedowns are unpredictable sometimes

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

They definitely can be unpredictable, but so vital to a full understanding of Goju Ryu. Always a hazard to teach, because someone will inevitably get dropped on their head 😅 Thank you for always checking in, Muzzey - you are one of the special dozen we wait to hear from every week 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@oldschoolkarate-5o]

@Goju Ryu Karate Centre 🥸👍🏽thnx I love your videos, I have been practicing Sanchin kata more than ever now , thanks to your channel in part🙏🏽

[@samsite83]

I'm so happy I found this channel :D To much of the bunkai in katas have gone lost over the years, and I'm so happy that people like you take their time to show us what Karate really can do. The more I watch your videoes the more I feel inspired to try to discover things for my self, and to pass it on to others. There has been alot of focus on sport karate and the downsides it will have on traditional karate, but I think that channels like yours can actually rather be the savior of Karate, when you show us just how effective/well rounded it can really be . People like you and #poorbrian on the internet sharing their passion with the rest of the world truly helps "make Karate cool again" :D

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, this truly reaffirms that we are on the right path - karate has had a bad rap over the last few years (and it doesn't help when our biggest exponents focus on MMA lol) but we hope to restore karate to its rightful place as a great, well-rounded martial art *when taught properly* - we love this art, and hope we can help other people love it too

[@angellorenzo7057]

thank you for being honest when it comes to executing techniques, especially that life has taught me in a fight there's the give (hit someone) and take (getting hit)

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Exactly! So nice to hear from someone who gets it! Everyone wants to be Neo at the end of the first Matrix, lol. Thank you so much for taking the time to watch and comment, we always appreciate it :)

[@remp1040]

Love the application of the kata. Great video!! Thank you 😊

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

You're so welcome, Ricardo! Thank you for all your comments - we appreciate each and every single one of them :)

[@joari123]

Excellent vid and great, that the technics are based on Kata and that you show the danger of counter. Top sensei, thx a lot! 👍😊

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much, Jo Ri! There is always a counter, and we could spend another three videos doing counters to the counters!

[@magnusmaul5447]

That first one is especially logical because, if you block a punch, grab the arm, and then hit them in the face or throat like you showed, they'd likely be stunned and less resistant to the takedown.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We love to set up for a great takedown ;)

[@a.batista6273]

Yes, I agree about your interpretation of SEISAN 👍🥋👍

[@a.batista6273]

I love your videos. OSS!!!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We are so glad that you do! It makes us so happy to hear this 💐💐💐

[@alterstassfurter5743]

I myself startet with Judo, turned to Jiu-jitsu and finally became a big Fan of Karate do, became a shodan...now I am 60 years old and still a martial arts Fan...osu

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We love to hear about others' martial arts journey - we are so happy you found your way to our little channel! Thank you so much for watching and commenting 🤗

[@optimusmaximus9646]

Well done!!

[@micheledannunzio5592]

Great video as usual! I love throws and counter technics. I really appreciate your intellectual honesty in saying what works least. It is not for everyone. Thanks Sensei!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you so much, Michele! It is always important to us to present karate honestly - it is the dishonesty and laziness of others that has led to karate losing some of its shine. We hope to play our part in showcasing karate as best we can 🙏

[@micheledannunzio5592]

@@GojuRyuKarateCentre You do it very well Sensei!

[@virdeegojuryukarate6]

Another great video. Enjoyed the comments in yellow, too - great humour. 🙂🙇🏽‍♂️

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, thank you, Virdee! Always makes me happy to know that someone appreciates the comments I put in while I edit 😉

[@robertmpiyakhe5101]

@Goju Ryu, I started training Kyokushin karate at the age of 10 l enjoyed it a lot and l also want to learn other styles like Goju Ryu Karate. I can see that you teach each move step by step , l like how you teach and this will be helpful.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you I am glad you like our approach Keep training

[@aragon206]

Thank you sensei for your video and work for karate comunnity 😊

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

My pleasure! It is an honour to give back to the style that has given me so much.

[@adrianmay51]

Thanks for the recap che sensei 😉

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Always a pleasure, Sensei Adrian! Maybe we'll make a trip to the coast next year and we can all go train on the beach for a bit!

[@1mataleo1]

I’m of the same mind in regard to take downs in real self defense or sparring. It’s easy to push and pull and try to get your training partner off balance to apply a throw when you don’t have to worry about getting punched in the face. Nonetheless, they are great to train because it is quite common for an attacker to put themselves in a situation where they either off balance themselves, or can easily be off balanced by you. Thanks for sharing.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Absolutely right! Throws need to happen organically, but we only see the opportunity if we are trained to exploit it. Either way though, they are lots of fun ☺️ Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely comment!

[@matthews1082]

Another great video - takedowns and throws work better it is preceded by a series of destabilising techniques - which Sensei Che has amply demonstrated in say, the first throw he demonstrated, pushing forward with the upper torso and locking his hips with yours. A Judo Sensei used to tell me 80% of the throw/takedown is predicated on the pre-takedown set-up. I used to teach a hip-attack, ie., Slamming his hip with yours using the momentum of stepping in, (with all the arm pushing, upper body leaning in etc) when doing that first throw in this video, which reduces his ability to counter, because the slam knocks him off his CG. Later in the video Sensei Che demonstrated a over-shoulder throw, and it reminded me of a Senpai of mine who used to step in and slam the opponent with his hips, and one was swept off-balance before he threw us over his shoulder. I'd say his main attack was the hip-slam because it jolted my structure and broke the stability with my arm stretched out over his shoulder and my feet hardly touching the ground, the throw was just the finishing off of me - but then, he won some US special forces open competition years ago as part of his Commando unit so there's that Lol. Mawashi-Uke arm-lock take-down, believe it or not, in all my time doing karate, I've actually managed to execute it once during sparring - my right hand pulled his left hand down - there was a moment of hesitation from him(my opponent), and he decided to punch me with his right hand, which by now I was expecting, and I intercepted it almost like in a demonstration and crossed his arms --- he struggled a bit as I was surprised by the fact that I found myself in this position, then I remembered, and I locked his arms and took him down - ok he was brown belt and I was 4th Dan...but the point of it, I think, it's a technique that uses the opponent's instincts- if you grab one of his arms and pull it down when he's punching, while your face looks exposed, the less experienced guy will almost always try to punch you with the remaining arm in order to struggle free, so you are offering an opening and hoping that he takes it. I think setting up throws and takedowns with karate concepts of strikes and body attacks being worked into the throwing techniques is an interesting topic that deserves a video on its own, hope Sensei Che has the time to do this in the future.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

That is the mastery of real combat, it’s always fluid!! If it’s on we capitalise

[@bobronsons5780]

Great vid though. I can see the potential in GOJU RYU Karate

[@sandra-hc9yi]

great demo master, good job guys 🥇🥇🏆🏆 show the techniques on this UKE 🥋🥋 toe hold, bow and arrow choke, gogoplata please thank you 💪💪👋👋🔥🔥

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We have lots of throws and take downs still to come - please watch this space! 🙏🙏

[@theflamingone8729]

I reckon I will watch this many times. To be fair, not only takedowns but any technique is opportunistic and will end as a schemozzle if badly timed or set up.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Absolutely! Everything is in the timing - I think we get so hung up on finding that silver bullet technique that always works, rather than learning what to use *when*. Thank you so much for watching and commenting, we really appreciate it 🙏

[@squidwardtortellini4491]

Are there any groundwork techniques is goju ryu? If so, could you make a video on it?

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hello! We are working on a detailed video on groundwork - hopefully somewhere in the next two months we will release one! Today's video is more for how we teach the little ones, but we hope to do a deep dive on Goju on the ground soon. Thank you for watching!

[@Burvedys]

If I may suggest, the very first gedan-barai in gekisai-gata is not actually a block. Or is but in the other sense and you don't need a leg, neither yours to do a sweep nor opponent's for you to osotogari him. :) After you deflected with jodan-uke and made atemi with jodan-zuki, thent just tuck your left hand under his right arm (his elbow becomes trapped inside your elbow) and do an arm bar (which looks like that gedan-barai movement) pulling him down with your right hikite (Brian's hair will help there, too). Staying in shiko-dachi you may free your right hand as his arm is locked and comb his hair (or some other nasty things that only Bas Rutten may think about). Not sure if my explanation makes sense here, of course, but to gedan-barai somebody's kick and then turn your back to him for the next combination never made sense in that bunk bunkai. :o)

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Well, Brian is the second deshi (out of 8 so far) who refuses to cut his hair. The first 6 all had short hair while being deshi, but beauty is pain 😅 That's an interesting bunkai - will try figure it out and see if we can replicate it 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@zenshinacademy4096]

I can agree that for those who don't train them or don't know they are training them, getting one in real life may be difficult. However, if you train them all the time finding and getting them is much easier than most would think. For me, a throw or lock is all I see when I watch fights. The punching and kicking are there, of course, but locks and throws are littered about all over the place, in plane site, even when not taken advantage of.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Absolutely - it's like the Baader-Meinhoff phenomen! Once you learn about something, you see it everywhere. Personally, I love a good hip throw or a reap, when the technique presents itself. Thank you so much for taking the time to watch and comment 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@zenshinacademy4096]

@@GojuRyuKarateCentre thanks for taking your time to present these videos to us. I am very aware of the time and effort in doing them.

[@davida.rosales6025]

You should take Judo classes now as a developed adult martial artist, it would give you more finness in the takedowns. Osoto Gari becomes far more energy efficient if instead of taking your hip to his, you move him toward you as you move toward the diagonal behind him, this is something you determine also with a sense of where his resistance is. The way you are doing these takedowns is often how "strikers" adopt Judo takedowns, which is by blasting through them with brute force. Judo's traditional emphasis is the opposite of that, despite appearances.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you, It has often been my intention to do that, as I’m aware of the exact mentality you describe, guilty !! . Thank you for you lovely and insightful comment, it’s appreciated Che

[@unclefish]

Thanks for the video! Are throws mandatory in gradings (in south africa)? I'm from germany where Gojuy Ryu is mainly taught as "Yuishinkan" and includes a series of throws (nage waza) that are part of the gradings.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hello! Thank you for the lovely comment! In our dojo, students are expected to show the bunkai of the kata, which does include throws, as well as in randori as well. It's not a formalized list, but definitely part of our grading 🌻 Thank you for watching and commenting 🤗

[@williamyoung2517]

all great throws for a karate-ka. you might try keeping your center line straight as opposed to bending. Also try at the moment you execute the throw stay straight and spin your body to the outside.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Always lots more to learn and improve 🙏 So good to hear from you, sir William! We have missed you 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@zoehinis7848]

Still so many throws we haven't covered - would love to bring in some Judo or BJJ friends for a collab on this topic

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We need to make judo friends first though 🤔Maybe we can get Michelle Witbooi on, she just medalled at Commonwealth games!

[@chejagger1]

A start on take downs Enjoy

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We have enough takedowns for at least another two videos, when the deshi returns!

[@markfisher2683]

Hello Sensei ( plural;)! Onegaishimas! Thank you for the fantastic (as always) simplification of a breakdown- it’s really the only way many of us can make connections to what is being taught😜😂! So, my previous Sensei (R.I.P.) used to teach us this idea of whenever we “enter” into a lock, or throw, to “ soften up” the individual immediately beforehand;). A poke to the eye, a slap, or short shot to the ribs, etc. was often his “ prescription “ for a more likely success in applying your end goal, so to speak. Distraction(s) basically. What’s your take on this, and do you subscribe to such “ prescriptions”? Thank you! And also, the editing gets better with every video, btw, Sensei Zoe! Keep up the hilarity too🥰😅! Cheers! Edit: I rewatched the video- you DID mention a couple of times about the “ softening up”- my bad, Sensei;)-…. Oh well- Fun video regardless;)!

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Ah, sir Mark! Thank you for the kind words, and for checking in - the comment section is not complete until we hear from you. The opponent does need to be worked like a steak - softened and tenderized before consumption 😂 in my opinion, the idea of the one punch, one "kill" concept, as it were, relies too much on luck and power. Always better to fire a bunch off a techniques to improve your chances rather than hit once and hope they will drop like a 100 year redwood in the forest. It might be possible, but so is winning the lottery and we don't plan our lives around that! Great comment, and thank you for watching 💐

[@markfisher2683]

So very funny, and helpful, with your replies, Sensei;)! Thank you again!

[@shabbirhussain2266]

Good technic

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thanks Glad you liked it

[@spaight711]

Poor Brian’s having quite a gravity overdose, today. 😂

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Brian has a bottomless supply of vitamin G XD XD

[@bobronsons5780]

Liked and subed :)

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Even after all your comments! We are grateful 😉

[@tjiptaditjiptadi6122]

🙏🙏👍👍

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

🤲🏻

[@Ninja9JKD]

Even if the throws are in the forms, they won't be effective unless you train them against other people.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Absolutely - they require endless repetition against opponents of all sizes and abilities to be effective. But once they are, there's nothing like using the planet to hit someone :D

[@Fritz999]

Many years of personal experience tell me that Karate without takedowns is actually pretty useless in real situations.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Definitely! The ground is there, what better thing to hit someone with than the entire planet?

[@bobronsons5780]

Where is this dojo located?

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We are in Johannesburg, South Africa :)

[@jonasjpm1989]

legal

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hai, domo!

[@julianakordom7031]

Were are jour dojo

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Hi Juliana, We are based in Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦

[@kaisryoshida1860]

"Take a knee like in America." LMAO

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

I took it from a movie where the coach uses it while communicating with is team, can’t remember which movie, but the idea stuck

[@lucaangeli1921]

È bene anche studiare le proiezioni ma poi il programma diventerebbe troppo lungo..... Sono del parere di praticare Karate e judo separatamente.

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

In effetti, se avessimo tutto il tempo del mondo, ci piacerebbe praticare stili diversi nelle diverse stagioni della nostra vita. Ma è molto importante sapere cosa hanno da offrire gli altri stili, e il judo è un grande amico del Goju Ryu. Chojun Miyagi ed Eiíchi Miyazato avevano entrambi esperienza di judo e la incorporarono nella loro pratica del Goju. Grazie per aver dedicato del tempo per guardare e commentare!

[@bobronsons5780]

20:38 no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We DO NOT push our bum through!!!! We are causing back problems for people later on in life AND opening ourselves up for too many counter attack options. Your hips don't lie. Keep the block, rotate in and then (screw in the lightbulb motion) keep your hips and back ALIGNED with theirs as you face the same direction just with your hips slightly lower than theirs (it makes for a safer and easier to control throw - pull up as your UKI hits the ground). Footing is very important in this throwing/twisting part (it is the same thing)... yours does need work (I'm very sorry).

[@bobronsons5780]

pull up (on the arm) to break the fall of the UKI

[@bobronsons5780]

NEVER BUM THROUGH

[@bobronsons5780]

Also can be dangerous for UKI if done quickly and successful when bum turned in

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

😰

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

We are glad you took the time to write all this feedback! We are always open to positive and constructive feedback - we're on youtube not only to share what we know, but to learn from others. We are grateful that our channel attracts invested viewers with your knowledge :D

[@bobronsons5780]

@18:55 WRONG KNEE DROPPED!!! Very dangerous for both of you doing it this way... drop the same knee as the shoulder you are holding pls!!! Take it from a second dan Judoka

[@bobronsons5780]

And yes black belt is more difficult to achieve in Judo we won't get into that... just pls trust me and drop the other knee. Ppl WILL go to hospital or even jail when it could have been avoided... also, that drop throw is recommended as an absolute last resort because I feel you need a few years of falling and throwing before you can master this VERY EFFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS technique properly.

[@bobronsons5780]

But try it out and you will feel the difference

[@bobronsons5780]

Drop both knees even and stand up really fast (so they dont drive their head into the ground (watch judo vids propely))

[@GojuRyuKarateCentre]

Thank you for taking the time to share this - Judo is an amazing and beautiful art, one that we wish we had the time to add to our own studies. Ché's teacher Sensei Chinen incorporated many of the ideas from Judo, and Eiíchi Miyazato, the founder of OGKK, was also a high-ranking judo-ka, which has some influence on our karate today.