Sundown for the Kiai?

[meguro]

There was a time I thought the kiai my war cry, as if I were a warrior going into battle, albeit in the safe confines of the tatami. Here's the thing, who would be intimidated by such a thing? Certainly nobody worthy of stepping on the mat to fight. And, what judge, worthy of being a judge, is swayed by such a display? What is it for? Is it a polite form of trash-talk? The bluff of card player with a weak hand? Even if I wanted to, my mouth guard would get in the way.

[MMX]

I use it mostly psychologically but occasionally it just comes out with a power hit.

[GJEC]

Oct 8, 2014 10:50:00 GMT -5 meguro said:

There was a time I thought the kiai my war cry, as if I were a warrior going into battle, albeit in the safe confines of the tatami. Here's the thing, who would be intimidated by such a thing? Certainly nobody worthy of stepping on the mat to fight. And, what judge, worthy of being a judge, is swayed by such a display? What is it for? Is it a polite form of trash-talk? The bluff of card player with a weak hand? Even if I wanted to, my mouth guard would get in the way.

I don't really 'teach' kiai but we use a rhythmic chant/kiai in kihon. As a referee I've always thought it's the cherry on the top of a good score but I certainly wouldn't score a poor technique with a good kiai.

I want effective skills and if some find a kiai gees them up a bit, so be it.

Gary

[senshido]

I never do in kumite, but as Gary says in kihon

[noahh]

Under our current rules, A foot sweep (resulting in downing an opponent) will not score a wazari on it's own. However followed by a good controlled technique (that would have theoretically finished the opponent) it can be scored. Most competitors who use or attempt to use this, will punctuate the technique and intent with a Kiai.

To be fair I've only seen it result in a wazari on a couple of occasions. Judges often recognise it but the centre ref will usually waive it off.

I use kiai in dojo kumite, most commonly to emphasise a what if to a student ie they failed to cover their head. Or to evoke a bit of aggression from a someone his isn't engaging. Very rarely for a power technique.

Osu

[meguro]

Kiai during kihon is a good thing! It helps keep the spirit up when your arms and legs are getting dragged down by fatigue. For kumite, I think it is a holdover from contact less fighting ( see also Olympic fencing where there is a lot of shouting to demonstrate who touched first). With knockdown, as well as other full contact forms of sport combat, the shouting is superfluous; one guy is up, the other is down (ideally).

[GJEC]

There's also the reverse effect, where a hurt fighter suddenly kiai's for no reason to try to get himself back in the fight, but in reality just inspires his opponent to get in and finish it.

"Never let the opponent know you're hurt" was drilled into us, so why do it?

Gary

[curlbroscience]

Every once in a while I let one loose slip. Usually it's sharp exhalations as in the KB swing.

Seems like the Kiai puts an exclamation on a hit to end the sence or sequence. Much like Kiai at the step 3, 5 or 10 in Kihon and again in the turn to begin. Does this mentally tell the fighter to stop and assess if the damage is registered instead of just continuing?

[shugyo]

Oct 8, 2014 11:27:54 GMT -5 MMX said:

I use it mostly psychologically but occasionally it just comes out with a power hit.

I wholeheartedly concur!! For the most, I just can't help myself because it's just so ingrained in me. However, I don't do a Bruce Lee cat-cry AND I don't do a long sustained kiai either; both are a waste of time, imho.

[meguro]

Unless you're a ventriloquist, there's little chance of you voicing your kiai without opening your mouth. I would argue that your jaw hanging open is not a good position to be in - kinda like driving a convertible with the top half up. A little tap on your chin and you are in for expensive reconstruction.

[kyokanrik]

I was under the impression that some do it during Kumite as simply a means of regulating their breathing, assuring that they're breathing out with each strike, etc. Cannot recall where I may have heard/read that though. Osu

[wullie]

only time I have in Kumite was during the 100, and that was just to bolster myself up when completely knackered