Ma'ai: Understanding critical distance

One thing my students hear me discuss with great regularity is the critical element of space between the karate-ka and his opponent. A lot of people teach this concept irregularly, or without a full understanding of how important it is in all aspects of the budo, whether they teach atemi (striking), kansetsu (joint taking), or nage (throwing) waza (techniques). Briefly, I would like to touch on this oft-times overlooked aspect so that you can both improve your teaching methods and your students will have a firmer grasp on this critical element of karate.

I have been in several dojo (Yoshukai, Chito-Ryu, and many, many others) and have heard instructors briefly discuss ma'a' (critical/fighting distance) by stating the obvious, "If you can punch your opponent, or you opponent can punch you, that's the ma'ai between you." This explanation would make me cringe, as it is only partially true and a little misleading. More so, this explanation was usually explained within the context of kumite (or sparring), rather than discussed is self-defense or combative application.

Generally, I introduce my students to ma'ai by making this basic statement, "If you are on the offensive, you close the gap, and if you are on the defensive, you increase space. Sometimes that space is only an inch or two, which effectively creates an opening for you to attack. However, when you attack, you must then close the distance."

I will ask my students to pair up then place their hand on their partner's opposing shoulder while facing one another. "This is your fighting distance. This is ma'ai." I explain.

Beginning ma'ai

Before anyone starts screaming about kicking distance, yes, we get that, and it is absolutely correct to consider the potential of being kicked. However, in few instances (self-defense or combative applications) will both individuals be well versed in kicking, nor will either maintain a distance whereby both can stand back and launch kicks at the other. It is human nature, if/when you are kicked, to close the distance or create space to avoid receiving another kick to any part of your anatomy. I don't want to breeze over this or discount the importance of understanding ma'ai as it relates to karate, but for the purpose of this article, I want to focus on arm/hand distancing.

This first photo is an example of the onset of critical distance. It is also interesting to note that our kata dictates this same distance of technique application at the onset of attack (in most cases)! Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose, in his book Kempo Karate-do, states that karate includes the techniques of jujutsu, each of which is predicated on first attacking with the feet and hands.

A reaping throw that begins and ends with intimate distance

Joint taking and throwing require an even more intimate distance between attacker and defender (a misnomer if you paid attention to my definition at the beginning of this article). To control an attacker, or destroy an attacker's joint, requires some form of body-to-body placement prior to technique execution.

The question you must ask yourself is this: Am I teaching my students the correct conceptual structure of body-to-body self-defense/combat? If the answer is no, you should spend time exploring your kata, work with someone who practices body positioning relative to an opponent and congruous application of technique for full and total impact.

Train hard!