An alternative didactical foundation for motoric learning in karate.
With the introduction of the four fundamental movement principles (See previous blog post), I also had to re-think the didactical approach to include training of the fundamental movement principles and kinaesthetic awareness. Initially I leaned on the KLUCS model of motoric pre-conditions and the notion that Kihon and deep stances are actually a form of body conditioning to train these motoric pre-conditions. However, I found that the KLUCS model does not suffice and that motoric pre-conditions are too important for skilful movement and safe practice to be integrated into Kihon training. Therefore, I propose the Movement Skills Pyramid (PMS).ű
The KLUCS model and its shortcomings
KLUCS is a model of basic motoric skills that is commonly used in applied sports science and ispart of the Karate teacher course curriculum of the Dutch Karate Federation. It is a useful framework to develop basic training programs, but in modern sports and movement science it is considered outdated. The KLUCS model considers strength, flexibility, stamina, coordination and speed as basic motoric capabilities (Kracht, Lenigheid, Uithoudingsvermogen, Coördinatie & Snelheid) (van der Poel, Jongert, & de Morree, 2019). However, these five concepts are not on the same conceptual level, somewhat overlapping (not mutually exclusive) and not in line with the definition of the widely accepted definition of skilful movement. The short comings of this model are two-fold:
- The ability to generate speed, is largely and mostly depending on muscle strength and coordination.
- The model does not include neuro-motoric skills, such as motoric learning, proprioception or SSC control.
The Movement Skills Pyramid (PMS)
The Movement Skills Pyramid is proposed as a didactical instrument that does not have these short comings. It has a basis of motoric pre-conditions required for skilful movement and builds up to performance of skilful Karate movement in more challenging conditions. The key concept of this model is that the skills in one layer are a prerequisite for skills in the next layer (given a specific movement). This implies that if a movement goes wrong (does not show quality) on one level, the cause is most likely to be found in the underlying layer, or even in a deeper layer. More importantly there is a higher likeliness of injury when attempting to execute a movement on a certain level without the underlying skills being properly trained and in place.
The base layer contains a set of motoric pre-conditions as alternative to the KLUCS model. Motoric pre-conditions are the basic skills and capabilities that need to be in place for higher level motoric skills and that form the basis for high quality (Karate) movement. Like the KLUCS model. these pre-conditions include motoric coordination, muscular strength, flexibility and stamina, but it does not include speed as a basic motoric skill at this level. Moreover, it extends the concept of motoric coordination with proprioception and SSC control (which is crucial to skilled Karate movement). It also extends the concept of muscular strength with ligament strength (which is again crucial to Karate movement). Finally, it extends the concept of flexibility with mobility. Where flexibility refers to the possible range of motion in a given direction and mobility refers to the ease of motion across and between extreme joint positions. This distinction is made to allow focused preparation for dynamic movement, and for Karate specifically with focus on the ankles, the hip joints, the back (spine) and shoulders (including the scapulae).
The next layer in the skills pyramid is that of movement principles. The fundamental movement principles have been covered in the previous chapter and in the context of the skill pyramid can be defined as ways to use the body to execute natural (safe and efficient) movement and to build kinaesthetic awareness.
The third layer contains Karate (or style or sport) specific efficient technique and implies a precise execution of stances, forms and movements with flow, enabled by a high level of motoric control and proprioception, accurate muscular tension & release (SSC) and good control of the fundamental movement principle with high kinaesthetic awareness.
A good example of why specific effective technique can be trained more easily and safely once motoric pre-conditions and movement principles are properly trained and incorporated, is a deep Zenkutsu Dachi. The hips, knee sand ankles should be aligned to the front, which requires not only ankle flexibility (specifically the calf muscle and Achilles’ tendon) and hip flexibility (specifically the hip flexors), but also a certain level of muscle strength and proprioception. This becomes even more important when moving in this stance. Ankle mobility is even more critical as are the fundamental movement principles and kinaesthetic awareness to assure the movement is executed efficiently and safely: the body weight does not move up or down and counterproductive muscle activation and tension (in the calf muscles and shoulders) is omitted.
Only once a specific technique or movement is sufficiently trained and automated, it can be executed with higher speed (or much lower speed) while retaining the technique and quality of movement. Often the lack of technique, motoric control or worse the lack of mobility, is compensated with muscle force throughout the movement. This not only reduces speed, but also has the potential to cause injury.
Being able to execute a technique with high speed (as well as flow and efficient technique using the kinetic chains) is a prerequisite to create Kime. Kime comprises a relaxed fast technique with focus of impact and Compression of the water skeleton. It is usually combined with a micro second of isometric contraction which requires flawless internal body timing.
Up to this point all movement skills only leverage one’s own movement skills including kinaesthetic awareness and internal body timing. The next level adds external timing in the concept of Ma-ai. Ma-ai can be defined as harmony in space-time, so it includes finding the right striking/defence distances and (inter-personal) timing. This requiring interpreting movement in others through recognition of the underlying skills in others. As stated is sometimes stated that timing is the secret to good karate, but it actually only comes together in the 5th and 6th layer of the pyramid showing it is not that easy.
The next level is to add creativity and develop strategies in the application of the underlying skills. This includes amongst others combinations of techniques and movements, the use of distance and rhythm in body timing and feints as a strategy.
The final layer is the application of stress and the ability to maintain underlying skills in stressful situations, such as in Bunkai, self-defence practice, high-tempo variant training, exams or competition.
Reflection
It should be clear that the Movement Skills Pyramid is merely a model that helps to structure a didactical program and that helps to understand why someone does not show skilful movement. Appendix V lists some common mistakes in basic Karate technique with likely underlying causes. In this respect it is also important to understand that an injury will cause someone to drop down to lower layers in the pyramid, because an injury will impact motoric pre-conditions such as mobility, muscle strength or proprioception. The pyramid can therefore be a tool in a structured recovery.
It should also be clear that someone can be in multiple levels of the pyramid at the same time for different techniques or movements. This implies that all skills can be trained without a problem. Not with all techniques, but with movements for which the underlying skills are in place.
References
van der Poel, G., Jongert, M., & de Morree, J. (2019). Inspanningsfysiologie, oefentherapie en training (3e herziene druk). Houten: Bohn Stafleu van Loghum, ISBN 978-90-368-2256-5.
This blog post is and extract from my 6th Dan dissertation
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