AOKK San Chin Kata BasicTesting
Disclaimer:
This is only a cursory review of the testing procedure. The actual procedure is twenty pages long. This is simply a review. During testing in the old days teh student would move through the kata at their own pace. Today the student is instructed to proceed through each step by the testing instructor. This insures the visual structural portion of the test is not overlooked.
AOKK Testing of Sanchin Kata
The translation of Sanchin is three battles. This is not a fight against three attackers. This is a more personal battle. Some instructors believe this is a battle against body, mind, and spirit. I believe it is an internal and external resistance.
- The battle against an opponent’s skill. It is to protect the innocent, family, and yourself.
- The next battle is against your body. You must train your body so it can react to a conflict and defeat your enemy.
- The last battle is a battle of your will. You must continue the fight when your mind is telling you to quit. You cannot let fear take over. Give yourself time to be afraid latter.
The testing is to check the body’s capability to attack and defend itself. You cannot test a kata against an opponent’s skill set. The student’s will and courage can slightly be tested when they allow themselves to undergo this physical testing.
Warming: Only trained black belts should be allowed to test a student in Sanchin kata.
Information: We test this kata from the ground up. Each step of the kata is traditionally tested. In many cases for time constraints the student is allowed to walk through the form, but traditionally the student should not move to the next technique until instructed to do so. This allows the instructor time to test each phase of the form. Too many instructors test Sanchin without the proper training and simply beat on the student in an effort to mimic their instructor. There is a valid reason for the testing and the reason and methodology should be understood before attempting to test a student.
This from was polished and focused upon by the palace guards as a means to prepare a member of their group for the imminent contact that will at some point occur in the process of their everyday duties. This form hardens the fighter physically and mentally. Many karateka believe it has lost its’ usefulness in today’s society. Once they’ve been violently attacked they change their mind. In this world you sometimes need to experience pain in a safe environment to prepare for a real confrontation outside the dojo.
Wedge Block
The wedge block is the most basic position you can use to to protect your body. The forearms can take more damage than your ribs, liver, or solar plexus.
Note: In the San Chin kata there is a great deal of repetition. These items will be repeated several times.
- The instructor tells the student to step forward into Sanchin,
- Execute a Wedge Block.
Testing; (Visual)
- Check foot position.
- Chin must be up. Back Must be straight.
- Do not allow the student to hunch over.
- The back must be straight.
Stance
The stance is the foundation of the kata. Every muscle in the legs must be in tension. The feet are rooted to the ground. Toes should be gripping the floor, but the foot cannot be arched. The sole of the foot must fully contact the floor. The larger the surface area the greater the stability of the stance. When te foot is lifted the your balance can easily be broken.
Note: Before physically testing the legs for tightness tap the area before the kick, so the student knows the blow is coming.
Testing: (Physically)
- Kick the thigh muscles (to test the muscle tension. This can be done with a shin kick or a slap. (Quadriceps, Hamstrings)
Warning: Do not kick so hard the student could be injured. You’re only testing muscle tightness. You’re not demonstrating your kicking power. Do not kick to the student’s knees. In the old days we kicked much harder that was necessary.
Shoulders: (Deltoids and Trapezius Muscles)
Testing: (Visual)
- Check Shoulders and Hips. Both should be square, so all four weapons are available. Grasp the shoulders and twist them to insure they return to a square position.
Testing: (Physically)
Warning: Do not strike the collarbones.
- Test the shoulder and Neck (Trapezius muscles) by striking downward on this area.
- Test the Deltoids Striking then to the sides.
Abdomen:
It is important that this area is tightened because a blow to this area can double you over or knock the wind out of you. When this happens you’re vulnerable. The student must also be taught that if this happens the fight is not over.
Note: Before physically testing the stomach for tightness tap the area before the punch, so the student knows the blow is coming.
Warning: Do not punch the solar plexus.
- Test the abdomen muscles tightness.
- Punch the stomach muscles. Use a dead hand and focus the blow.
Gluteus Maximus:
This massive muscle group must be tight to support your foundation. It too must be tightened as you perform this kata. This too is testing the students balance and foundation.
- Test the buttock muscles tightness.
Testing: (Physical)
- To test this, you can slap or kick the buttocks.
Pectoralis Major:
This muscle group protects the heart, lungs, sternum, and the upper ribcage. a strong blow to the heart can cause an arrhythmia. This flutter can cause you to black out or worse. (Commotia Cordis)
Testing: (Physical)
- Test chest (Pectoralis major) and shoulder muscles (Deltoids). The student must roll the shoulders forward and tighten the chest muscles. To test this, push the shoulders backwards at the shoulder joints. This can be done through palm strikes or pushing the shoulder joints. The student cannot break his/her stance. If they move backwards, as a unit, and do not break the stance this is acceptable.
Back Muscles: (Latissimus dorsi)
The muscles of the chest and back are tightened to protect the ribs and internal organs.
Testing: (Physical)
- Test the Lats for tension. (Latissimus dorsi). Palm strike or slap the lats to insure they’re muscle tension.
- Push the student to see if they break the stance.
Note: It is okay if the student skips but maintains the structure of the stance. If they tumble they fail.
Warning: Do not strike the small of the back. Kidneys could be damaged.
Arms: (Biceps and Triceps)
The forearms and elbows form the main upper body defensive structure. If this structure can be pushed or pulled in or out the defense can be compromised. If the arm is pulled down a blow can be made to the vulnerable centerline targets the structure is designed to protect. If easily pushed to the side the targets on the back like kidneys and spine become vulnerable.
Note: Your body must become an impregnable fortress.
Testing: (Visual)
- Insure the technique is structurally sound.
Testing: (Physical)
- Test the arms (Biceps Muscles). Pull the student’s wrists towards you.
- Test the arms (Triceps, Chest, & Delts Muscles). Pull the student’s wrists sideways.
- Test the arms (Triceps Muscles). Push the student’s forearms towards his/her body.
Strikes:
It is also important to be able to strike from this stance.
Testing: (Visual)
- Insure the technique is structurally sound.
Testing: (Physical)
- Test the spear-hand arm muscles. Grasp wrists as they pull them back. (Biceps & Triceps Muscle Tension) This tests the stability of the Sanchin stance.
