“Folks speak about good timing, however I feel all the things is ideal in its second; you simply wish to seize that.”— Eddie Huang
David Gilmour’s guitar solo in ’79 on Comfortably Numb was extra about timing than anything. It was a heavy tune, and he had a narrative to inform. The notes have been timed like bits of a dialog: simply sufficient to inform the story (and make you are feeling it). No extra, and no much less. If he had hit the notes on the ’69 ‘Black Strat’ somewhat sooner, or somewhat later, the end result would have been totally different.
Gilmour was as able to play that solo (he admits he was by no means capable of reproduce it afterwards with the identical really feel and significance), and by some means, he expressed what was in his head by way of the 100-Watt Hiwatt amplifier. He was able to ship and timed each half completely…and naturally, compromising nothing.
In Kata we time actions in response to the best way we study them: diverse timing, static timing, or no timing in any respect. Some would say that timing in Kata is for present, to assist inform the story. That’s one interpretation, but it surely’s deeper than that. Kata comprises the combating ideas, and handsome Kata gained’t prevent in an actual struggle.
In Kihon we sometimes time issues steadily: we step ahead and do an oi zuki with some pace however with extra concern about type; one, two, three, up and down the ground. We sometimes do parry and assault (go-no-sen) drills slowly at first to get distance, after which we go increased pace. In Kumite, we sometimes prepare to assault quick and arduous.
However realistically, you by no means assault or get attacked, on the similar time each time you’re in a match or a struggle. In a struggle, we seldom see assaults delivered slowly. We most frequently see them at excessive pace. Road fighters are sometimes fast and sharp, however I don’t imagine we prepare sufficient within the center: someplace between the quick and the sluggish.
Take as an example an attacker who’s heavy set. They might be muscular, or they might merely be larger, however both means they’re sometimes not coming at you with the pace of sunshine. They’re coming with energy and function. So, in the event you time your personal assault or counterattack poorly, you’re getting knocked off your toes.
After I was a lot youthful there was a child in our city who was brief and portly. He was unhealthy information and quite than stand toe to and struggle somebody, he would run at them and deal with them. Each of them would hit the bottom – with him on high. Ultimately, his consideration turned to a younger man on the town who was mentioned to be coaching in Karate. It performed out in the identical style as all the time. The bully picked round till he felt justified in making the primary assault, he backed up and began his short-legged sprint at his opponent. This time, although, his plan was hijacked when his opponent stepped right into a strong zenkutsu-dachi stance and delivered a gyaku-zuki to his chest, simply above his photo voltaic plexus. It was as if he had run into the top of a concrete hippo.
The Karate approach was easy: a very good stance and a few kime. It was the timing that was key. The approach didn’t should be lightning-fast, it wanted to be clear and on time.
In Saturday’s class with Hanshi Don Owens, we did some Kata. We did Tekki One and checked out some sensible utility for Tekki Three. He additionally used Heian Shodan as an example timing in a way somewhat totally different than the standard dialogue.
Most frequently we take a look at timing within the sense of figuring out when to assault or defend: search for openings, or create them, after which fireplace our approach.
Utilizing Heian Shodan Hanshi had us pondering of the three age uke and three oi zuki as if there have been three beginning gates. The primary gate drops, and also you get quick, the second drops, and also you go sooner, and when the third drops you go sooner once more. The gates all drop on the similar interval, however your response to them dropping is totally different, and the pace at which you do your approach is totally different. Timing is essential: when the third gate drops, you shoot into your approach – you’re transferring earlier than the gate is dropped.
The lesson is that this for us was to know the various tempos and timing in Kata, which we then carry onto our Kumite. There are sudden, sharp actions, and there are fewer sudden actions, and we have to follow these. Consider a cheetah pouncing on its prey in a flash, or a crocodile stealthily rising underwater to seize his. In both case, there’s a methodology and a way, however the method is totally different – timing if totally different.
By understanding this we additionally prepare ourselves to do full, deliberate methods whether or not we’re doing them speedily or steadily. instance of the place this goes unsuitable is in these exact same oi zuki and age uke in Heian Shodan. College students do the primary transfer accurately and clearly, however then pace by way of the second and third strikes for pace, the stance and approach are not outlined, shedding the effectiveness of the approach.
Equally, Gilmour performs some parts of his solos with pace, however he by no means as soon as rushes them or leaves a observe undefined.
We additionally get caught up in the concept that sooner Kata appears higher. There are supposed to be quick strikes in kata, however solely after you’ve gotten found out easy methods to execute them correctly in order that whenever you pace them up, you don’t lose the shape. Should you don’t prepare within the fundamentals, and dissect and perceive each a part of your motion, then whenever you pace it up it loses effectiveness.
Primarily, in the event you study Karate correctly (grasp the fundamentals after which concern your self with energy and pace) your Karate is efficient for all times.
Get good, after which get quick.
The Dojo is a secure place to play with timing. React to your companion’s assault with diverse response occasions: begin your protection as quickly as they transfer, after which begin your protection after they’ve began transferring. Even attempt ready till the final millisecond earlier than responding. Then, do the identical whereas attacking.
Generally you might want to be the Hippo and never the Cheetah.
Jeff is a lifelong Shotokan Karate practitioner. He’s a yudanhsa member of the World Japan Karate Affiliation, and an affiliate teacher with the World Fight Affiliation.At the moment coaching below Hanshi Don Owens (WJKA) and Sensei Brian Energy, Energy Karate Academy, NL., Canada.
