Before everyone jumps on the bandwagon and fills my comments section with hate, this post is intended for everyone, not just men. The title is just what the saying is. Aw, who am I kidding??? No one comments on my posts! But enough about me. A few years back, I posted a video on my YouTube channel (yes, I have one of those, it’s called “The Blogging Buddhist. Imagine that!) about the difference between executing techniques in the dojo versus on the street. If anyone is curious, you can watch the video here.
The jist of the video demonstrates how we train consistently in the dojo, usually wearing fitness gear or a gi, which allows for free movement, flexibility and proper execution of techniques. So what happens when you’re on the street wearing clothing that may hinder or prevent certain movements? It’s been a few years since the video and I don’t get in front of the camera a great deal these days, so I thought I’d summarize my thoughts here.
First and foremost, I got to experience this firsthand, likely more times than I can count, during my time as a police officer. Karate has saved my life in the field often enough that I became a seasoned user of the lessons I’ve learned. That’s not necessarily a good thing but here we are. And there’s nothing that hinders your free movement quite like 50 pounds of gun belt and body armour. So when I say that doing techniques in the dojo are different than doing techniques in the street, take it as gospel truth.
Let’s look at some examples. Starting from the bottom and working your way up, footwear can be both a benefit or a hindrance, depending on the technique. In the majority of dojos, the practitioner trains barefooted. I say “majority,” because I’ve seen some dojos where the students wear sneakers or Kung fu shoes. But if you’re used to executing your kicks barefooted, suddenly trying to carry out muscle memory when your tender tootsies are wrapped in a sneaker or boot can feel different and cause a difference in how you carry out the kick. This can lead to ineffective delivery or potential injury.
Pants! Gi pants are usually loose-fitting and have some give them, allowing for flexibility and fluidity of movement. Ever try to do a solid front kick wearing a pair of skinny jeans? Granted, if you’re wearing skinny jeans, you have a whole other problem. But I digress… My point is, your pants can hinder your movement and limit the height and effectiveness of your kick. This is why it may be ideal to consider either a difference in clothing or allow yourself to train with your street clothes so that you can adapt and adjust to the potential hindrance they may cause.
Tops, shirts and jackets will cause the same issue. A regular, run of the mill shirt isn’t a big deal and should cause much issue but a snug-fitting top or a thick jacket can inhibit your movements and prevent you from effectively carrying out some techniques. In our style, we have a circular middle block that is most difficult to execute while wearing a coat, since the sleeve tends to twist and hold back the arm. If your life depends on blocking an incoming attack, the last thing you want is for your movement to be hindered and potentially cause injury.
There are plenty of little details to consider, as well. Things like whether you’re carrying a purse or a backpack. Most people’s instinct is to hold on to their possessions but this can limit your free movement. Whether you’re wearing a hat or ball cap that can potentially limit your peripherals or get pulled down over your eyes, etc. While one can’t possibly think of every scenario and prepare for every contingency, these are all just things to bear in mind and that, in a self-defense scenario, you may need to decide and adjust on pretty damn quick. It’s just one way to remember that the romanticized version of karate portrayed in shows and movies are very rarely accurate and fighting in the street in the exact same way as you train in the dojo is unlikely. Food for thought…☯️
The Blogging Buddhist 