Hey guys,
The first piece I did on Machida went down so well that I had to write another. This one focuses on the interesting angle he takes from time to time through his fights. An application of the Japanese idea of "Tai Sabaki" or body movement. As always, all critique is much appreciated, and I hope you don't mind clicking the link!
Cheers,
Jack
EDIT: If someone who can work reddit would reddit this for me, I would be enormously grateful! =)
Earlier this week I examined Lyoto Machida's use of simulteneous counters and introduced the Japanese concepts of Sen, Sen-No-Sen, and Go-No-Sen (read that HERE). As a passionate karateka since my infancy I was reluctant for a long time to write in great detail about Lyoto Machida because I was worried that 1) I wouldn't be able to do him justice, and 2) my view might be biased due to my strong affection for Shotokan karate. Given how well the first piece was received, many readers never having had the chance to learn traditional strategy, I feel encouraged to further analyze Lyoto's style. Where last time we examined Lyoto's use of Sen-No-Sen, or a simultaneous counter-attack, in this edition we will be looking at Lyoto's use of Tai-Sabaki, or body movement, and Go-No-Sen; countering as the opponent recovers.
It is no secret that Machida is one of the most gifted counter-fighters in the MMA today, and indeed ever. No-one uses bread and butter counters through elite timing with the same consistency and frequency. As I observed in the last article, Lyoto's boxing is below par in many respects; his non-punching hand is almost always down by his hip rather than guarding his chin but Machida's movement is the best of anyone in the UFC. It has enabled him to become an elite light heavyweight despite a lack of reach and a smaller stature than many light heavyweight competitors.
To describe Tai-Sabaki I will turn to one of my favourite texts; Masahiko Tanaka's Perfecting Kumite. I rate Tanaka as one of the greatest karateka of all time, a multiple time All Japan champion, who retired to coach the Japanese team, before returning from retirement to take first place in the All Japan one last time. My travels to Japan were largely aimed towards and highlighted by training with the great man. Tanaka described Tai Sabaki to me in person in a joking American accent as "movement of the bawdy", but I feel his account in Perfecting Kumite might give a more comprehensive definition of this concept.
"Most attacks in Karate-Do are straight movements like Mae-geri [Front Snap Kick] and Gyaku-zuki [Reverse Punch]. Tai-sabaki means to leave this direct line of an attack. As you move towards the outside, you execute a direct counterattack. This is the difference between Tai-sabaki and just moving to the left or right."
Tae-Sabaki then, is the delivery of one of karate's linear attacks, from an angle that is off of the opponent's line of attack. It may be used as an offensive, but is more often used as a counter to stop the opponent in his tracks, or evade his first attack and strike him before his second. Lyoto Machida uses Tai-sabaki masterfully on opponents who are proven knockout artists, and this is truly the highest level of the skill.
We will continue to examine Lyoto's Tai-sabaki after the jump.
Continues at: http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/6/28/3122945/ufc-on-fox-4-judo-chop-lyoto-machida-ryan-bader-quinton-jackson-thiago-silva
