subject: Learn Ninjutsu - The 3 Footwork Patterns In The Ninja's Sanshin No Kata [print this page] As you train to learn ninjutsu, especially in your ninpo-taijutsu, "ninja's body art," you must remember to stay focused on the basics. These basics are not only the foundation of mastery - they are mastery itself! One of the three basics of your ninpo-taijutsu is that of footwork.
This article focuses on the 3 footwork patterns and their use in the "penetration models" known as the Sanshin no Kata. After you read this article, you will be able to take better control of your footwork, as-well-as be able to see the Sanshin from a much deeper perspective.
From the ninja's perspective, the power of his or her techniques is generated from the ground up - on a stable base capable of effectively and efficiently carrying the torso. This is not to be confused with the static, immovable stances seen in many karate systems, but rather points to a need by ancient warriors to develop a method of using the legs and feet in a way that provides for stability on the muddy-bloody battlefields which would cause the unprepared and off-balanced combatant to easily slip and fall.
This type of footwork also provides for quick, agile maneuvers which also allowed the shadow warrior to deliver powerful, knock-down strikes and kicks to larger, stronger, and the better-armored bodies of their opponent. But, it does this without the upper-body focused movement indicative of boxers and mma fighters.
The basis for proper footwork lies in the Ninja's Sanshin no Kata, "3 hearts examples" designed to teach the future warrior how to "penetrate" his opponent's defenses and deliver debilitating strikes. The foundation of, what I call "Sanshin footwork," lies in your ability to move easily between the footwork positions of Ichimonji and shizen no kamae.
The three forms of basic Sanshin movement are matched to the 3 fight situations that would require you to punch, kick, or respond to your assailant's attacks. They are:
* 1) Forward stepping - This is where you step forward with your rear leg, passing through shizen and ending up in a forward Ichimonji as you strike.
* 2) Backward stepping - Here, your opponent may be coming in with overwhelming speed and power, which makes it necessary to follow up with another retreating movement after you receive his first strike. In this case, you step backwards with your leading leg into a rear ichimonji - striking if possible as you go.
* 3) "Change-step" stepping - In this instance, you find yourself too close to step in either a forward or backwards manner, but you want to generate full, knock-down power with the spine twist that is part of the taijutsu striking method. This change-step can be executed in two different ways, depending on certain variables and factors such as weight distribution over your feet, and where the edge of the kukan ("space of potential" between the combatant's bodies) is. These 2 change-step methods are:
o a. Pulling the lead leg back to shizen (or the appropriate spot based on spacing), and stepping forward with the rear leg.
o b. Stepping forward to shizen (or the appropriate spot) with the rear foot, and then stepping back with the lead leg.
When done properly, and understood in the context of the situation (rather than based on a memorized technique), these three footwork methods allow the Ninja to attack his opponent's exposed targets while:
* 1) Stepping forward / Advancing
* 2) Stepping away / Retreating, and...
* 3) Remaining in the same space / Holding
by: Jeffrey Miller
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