Shimi-Waza - Choke or Strangulation techniques

by Prof. Rick Clark

The following article will give information on Judo chokes and various applications that can be applied to other martial arts such as Karate or Tae Kwon Do. . . . . Shimi-Waza - Choke or Strangulation techniques

"The Wall of Silence: Have vital point techniques been systematically withheld from martial artists ?"

by Prof. Rick Clark

"The knowledge and skill in the esoteric aspects of the martial arts have been kept secret from the general population so that those in the upper ranks could maintain their position of authority. Even early writers described how secretive martial arts instructors were about keeping knowledge of these points from the general public. Koyama & Minami (1913) state "the knowledge of jiu jitus (sic) has only recently been made general in Japan."(p.6) The "upper classes, jealous lest their influence over the populace should wane, tried to keep it to themselves." ibid p.6 History is replete with examples of those in power to attempting to maintain their position by the restriction of weapons or knowledge...."

For the rest of the article click The Wall of Silence

"The Thread that Binds"

by Professor Rick Clark

In the modern era can we find common threads that bind various martial art together? If you look only at the surface, contemporary martial arts such as Judo and Karate-Do will seem very different. Even within individual martial arts systems the techniques can appear very dissimilar. However, if you look for those things that are held in common you might be surprised by the number of related techniques.

Prior to the early 1900's warriors needed to be well rounded in their combative techniques. They would have had to be skilled in the use of weapons and un-armed combative techniques to survive in battle. Today many martial arts do not train with combat effectiveness in mind...."

For the rest of the article click The Thread that Binds

"Rick Clark - Nervpunktsspecialisten"

by Lotta Kronaker

The following is an article that was in the Swedish martial arts magazine Fighter, and is in Swedish. 

To see the article click  Rick Clark - Nervpunktsspecialisten

 Are forms bi-lateral?

by Rick Clark

                Lately I have  been involved in some discussion on why kata (forms) do not appear to be bi-lateral.  If you stop and think for a moment you will notice in kata you will find techniques performed only on one side of the body, or in sets of three.   There are any number of techniques that are to be found in threes or singular movements.