Self Defence Basics III

Self Defence Basics

This instalment in the Self Defence Basics series explores another key principle that underpins the techniques and skills you will need to develop safe and effective self defence strategies. Today’s subjects are:

The Principles of Rotation, Torque and pivoting:

Having told you that the best way to generate power and speed is to drive through the centreline, I am now going to tell you that you can generate twice, and sometimes three times as much power and speed through Rotation, Torque and Pivoting.

When I execute a Roundhouse kick, for example, I make sure that I pivot in the direction of my target on my non-kicking foot and rotate my hips and trunk into the kick.  Both of these movements utilise torque to generate more speed and power in the kick.

If we break each of these elements down we can look at the cause and effect and how we can actively create an exponential increase in speed and power.

Pivoting

Visualise yourself standing with one foot forward and shoulder width apart.  In order to execute a roundhouse kick to a target in front of you, the rear leg must travel around the leading leg in order to reach the target.  If you attempt to do that without moving the front foot, the movement will become cramped up in the hips and basically not happen.  If, on the other hand, you pivot on the ball of the leading foot as you swing your kicking foot around, the hips will naturally allow the kicking leg to travel more freely toward the target.  A big improvement, but not there yet!

Rotation

This now brings the principle of rotation into play.  Rotation, in this context, is referring to the movement of the hips and trunk to:

1. Allow free movement of the kicking leg; and,
2. Generate more power in the kick.

Imagine that moments before you pivot on the leading leg, you rotate your shoulders and trunk in the direction of the kick, effectively using your upper body to drag the kicking leg around the supporting leg.  In order to do that well, the hips must follow the shoulders as quickly as possible and align with the target so that your knee, hip and shoulder are all lined up with your target.  The last action in the sequence is to straighten the knee to deliver the kick.

Torque

According to the Oxford Dictionary, Torque is: “A force that tends to cause rotation.” Given the subject matter above, this should not come as a surprise.  But what does it mean and how do we use it?  It’s simple really.  Torque is the force that causes our foot to pivot and our trunk to rotate.  The effect is the collection of that power in the rotational movement which we can then transfer to the kicking foot.  So, with Pivoting and Rotation torque generated can increase the power of the kick, at the point of contact.

Contact me for a demonstration: kyoshi@brightshare.com.au