Opposite and Reverse

(Black Belt Magazine April 1990 V-28 No. 4)

For every move, concept, or principle, there is an opposite or reverse.

If you can fully grasp this idea, you can infinitely expand your vocabulary of motion.

As part of their study for second-degree brown belt, my students are required to apply this idea to every facet of Kenpo karate.  Special emphasis is placed on how this comprehensive statement applies to stances, maneuvers, blocks, and strikes.  Students at this level are expected to internalize the basic concepts, theories, and principles of technique movement, and the terms and definitions related thereto.  Their forms, techniques, and freestyle capabilities should clearly express their successful development of coordination, fluidity, speed, and power.  They would then be ready for a formal introduction to man-made weapons.

Logic combined with realistic thinking are the keys.  You must thoroughly understand the terms opposite and reverse and learn to apply them appropriately.  If there is a right inward block, there must be a left inward (or opposite) block.  If there are inward blocks, then there are outward (reverse) blocks.  Deductively, if there are inward overhead claw strikes, there must be outward overhead claws.  And if there are overhead claw strikes, there must be underhand claws, etc.

The neutral bow stance is a fighting posture that requires the legs to share the body weight equally.  This 50-50 weight distribution strategically establishes and ideal point of reference when fighting.  Just as Switzerland has been neutral in the last two world wars, so should you thoroughly understand the benefits of neutrality and how, when properly maintained, it can aid you during confrontation.  Further in-depth thinking will tell you that the opposite of neutrality is non-neutrality.  Therefore, when shifting your weight into a forward bow stance, you have temporarily given up neutrality.  You must ask yourself if this is what you wish and, if so, what benefits you can obtain when in that position.  And what about rhythmic changes to alter your timing when shifting forward or back?  Do you wish to go forward or back (reverse) in terms of direction?  What about converting into another plane - another dimension?  As you can see, the questions are endless.

Let’s look at weight distribution in more depth.  If there can be a 60-40 weight distribution, there also can be a 40-60.  If there is a 10-90 weight distribution, there is also a 90-10.  If 100 percent of the weight can be placed on the right leg, then the left leg can do likewise.  Logic and experience will revel the appropriate answer to each predicament.  This in turn will tell you what your weak points are, the areas in which you should devote more practice.

The logical use of opposite and reverse in endless.  Movement should be examined and investigated from all angles, directions, dimensions, and predicaments.  For example, if you and your opponent can face each other while standing, it’s conceivable you can do the same while one is standing and the other is in a prone position.  The same applies if both of you are in the prone positions, both supine, both on your sides, or any combination thereof.  Circumstances will often place you and your opponent in these positions.

Other thought-provoking variables can stem from asking yourself questions about other types of predicaments you may find yourself in.  Did you begin there?  Did he pull you down?  Did you push or pull him down?  Is the ground your friend or your enemy?  Is the ground your opponent’s friend or enemy?  If you can fall to the rear, can you not therefore fall to the front or side?  Can falling be done intentionally as well as unintentionally?  If you can roll forward, shouldn’t you be able to roll in reverse?  If you can roll away from an opponent, can you not also roll toward him - accomplish both if two people are present?

Think of every predicament that can logically occur.  If you can dive through a doorway as an exit, you can surely dive through a doorway as an entrance.  If you can dive under an obstacle, you can dive over the same obstacle.  If you can maneuver to avoid and object or person, you can maneuver to utilize that object of person.  If a maneuver can be used defensively, you most certainly can use it offensively.

It all boils down to your ability to think.  The importance of thinking is illustrated in a story about a gentleman who bought a gadget that was disassembled.  As much as the tried to decipher the instruction sheet, he found no success and was therefore frustrated.  He eventually called a handyman to take on the task of assembling the gadget.  In a matter of minutes, the gadget was assembled, and not once did the handyman refer to the instructions.  The gentleman asked the handyman how he was able to assemble the gadget without referring to the instructions.  The handyman’s answer was simple: “Well, I can’t read, and when you can’t read, you gotta think.”

If you wish to expand your vocabulary of motion, you must investigate the opposite and reverse of all maneuvers: bobbing, weaving, rolling, twisting, turning, slipping, falling, jumping, switching, shuffling, feinting, etc.  Leave no stone unturned, and of utmost importance, think.  Free yourself from the bondage of complacency and blind acceptance.  Seek for yourself and reveal the undiscovered.