Shobu - Isshinryu Karate

The first six shobu techniques are very useful for learning movement in different directions to set up counter techniques.  The movement in shobu number one is straight ahead, force on force, not unlike some of the basic exercises.  Number two, on the other hand, uses a shift backward into cat stance to take the upper body out of the way of an incoming punch but leave a leg in range to counter with a kick.  Simple but extremely effective. Numbers three and four use movement toward an adversary but with the body angling sideways into seiuchin to avoid the strike.  In number three we move to the inside and in four to the outside (preferred side).  This allows the student to learn the advantages and disadvantages of these two counter positions, especially when working at close range.  We then begin to explore diagonal movement with a shift into zen kutsu dachi in number six.

There is one aspect of our shobu techniques that is often overlooked. Most of these techniques are very effective against knife attacks with little or no modification.

To simplify the descriptions below assume a right hand straight forward punch to the solar plexus for the attack.  These techniques should be practiced on both the right and left sides as well as against different types of attacks.

Step forward left into seisan dachi, left hand middle block, right hand punch then left hand punch, both to solar plexus.

Step backward right into cat stance, left-hand block up (palm facing up is preferable) and grab, left foot side kick into armpit area. Step forward left into zen kutsu dachi on a 45-degree angle, right hand shuto block and grab; right roundhouse kick followed immediately by o soto geri.  This is a combination of number two and number six with a slight modification on the kick.

Step forward left into seisan dachi, left hand middle shuto block, right hand punch to solar plexus, right hand shote to chin (or nose), o soto geri.

Step forward left into seiuchin dachi, moving outside the strike, parry block with a left shote, slide right foot up into seisan dachi while executing a right elbow strike under opponents right arm.

Step forward left into seiuchin dachi, moving outside the strike, parry block with a left shote, slide right foot up into seisan dachi while executing a right elbow strike under opponents right arm (number nine). Grab opponent by the collar (or hair) with the left hand and drop to right knee, pulling down on collar and executing a right haito strike behind opponent's right knee dropping him to floor.

Step forward left into seiuchin dachi, moving outside the strike, parry block with a left shote, slide right foot up into seisan dachi while executing a right shuto strike under opponents right arm.

Step forward left into seiuchin dachi, moving outside the strike, parry block with a left shote, slide right foot up into seisan dachi while executing a right shuto strike under opponents right arm (number eleven). Slide right foot up to left foot and face opponent.  Execute ko soto geri.

Step forward left into seiuchin dachi, moving outside the strike, parry block with a right shuto. Execute a left straight forward punch to opponent's kidney area.

Step forward left into seiuchin dachi, moving outside the strike, parry block with a right shuto. Execute a left straight forward punch to opponent's kidney area (number thirteen). Slide right foot up to left foot and face opponent.  Execute ko soto geri.