American karate system

The American Karate System is an American style of karate founded by Ernest Lieb .

Ernest Lieb developed this style in the 1960s under the name American Ji-Do-Kwan System as a symbiosis of different martial arts . In 1973 the system was given its final name, the American Karate System, at the annual summer course in Muskegon , Michigan . The techniques were taken from various combat systems, such as: B. Karate, Taekwondo , Ju-Jutsu , Judo , Aikidō , Kung Fu , Hapkido and Kobudō. Furthermore, thanks to Lieb's military career, the AKS contains its own techniques, some of which come from the inventory of military close combat and that of the civilian police sector. The system therefore has a particular strength in the area of self-defense . It has its own katas , both with and without weapons. In 1997 AKS was accepted as a style in the Karate Association of Lower Saxony (KVN) and later in the German Karate Association (DKV) .
Due to the great variety of styles in the United States, the AKS is a rather small style direction.

AKS in Germany

In 1980 US officer Robert Debelak founded the Hessian Karate Club together with Michael Sullenger, thereby introducing the AKS to civilians in Germany . After the US soldiers had left, Andreas Modl took on the role of European Director for Debelak in Germany. In 1997, as part of a training camp in Spain , Dieter Mansky ( Shōtōkan ) and Heinrich Reimer ( Wadō-Ryū ) convinced themselves at an AKS-Dan exam of the scope of the AKS, which was included as a style in the Karate Association of Lower Saxony that same year.

In Germany, Andreas Modl (7th Dan) is the highest-ranking representative of the AKS. Heinrich Reimer (8th Dan) is the national trainer for Kumite and Kobudo. The next highest dan bearers are Frank Siegmund (6th Dan), Jacqueline Modl (4th Dan), Andreas Kunze (4th Dan), Christian Hartl (4th Dan), Holger Janßen (4th Dan).

training

The main difference between the American and German AKS techniques is that the American techniques are more influenced by Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate, while the German offshoot prefers Wado-Ryu techniques. The techniques of the German AKS are described below.

Kihon (basic techniques)

The basic techniques of AKS are very similar to those of Wado-Ryu. The terms of Wado-Ryu are also used (e.g. Jun-Zuki instead of Oi-Zuki ). In addition to the classic Wado-Ryu techniques, there are additional techniques in the AKS that are trained and tested; these are v. a. Foot techniques.

Renraku-Waza (combinations)

From the 8th Kyu, candidates must demonstrate combinations of the Kihon techniques. These are prescribed by the examination program and contain two to four techniques. In the examination for the 2nd Kyu, the examinee may choose a combination of at least six techniques. From the 1st Kyu, the combination shown must include at least eight techniques.

Nage-Waza (throwing techniques)

In the AKS there are only two stipulated throws: the O-Goshi (hip throw) and the Seoi-Nage (shoulder throw ), which have to be performed during the 6th Kyu test. From the 5th Kyu onwards, only a certain number of throws is required; but it is no longer prescribed which one this must be. When it comes to throwing techniques, a distinction is only made between half and full throws. In the case of half throws, one leg of the person thrown remains on the ground during the execution (e.g. Irimi-Nage , Ashi-Barai ), while the thrown temporarily loses all contact with the ground during a full throw (such as a hip throw, overhead throw).

Tai Sabaki

Full body evasion ( Tai Sabaki ) is a key movement in AKS. It makes it possible to take a different position to the opponent as quickly as possible. The Tai Sabaki is performed like in Aikido. Roughly, a Tai Sabaki always follows the pattern "forward step - hip rotation - backward step".

Katas (forms)

As in most other karate styles, there are several katas in the AKS . For examinations, it is worth mentioning that there are also so-called "age forms", i. This means that test subjects who for reasons of age or health, e.g. B. cannot perform high foot techniques or jumps, instead can perform substitute techniques. It is also interesting that from the 1st kyu the candidate has to perform a kata of a different karate style.

Student catas

The six student kata of the AKS stand between the Heian and Pinan kata . This description comes closest to the processes, because the embossing in H-form and many of the individual techniques are also recognizable in the AKS student kata. The names of the student kata are (in brackets the names of the katas in English ):

Taeyoko ( H-Pattern ) Is considered a preschool kata
Shodan ( Tiger 1 )
Nidan ( Tiger 2 )
Sandan ( Tiger 3 )
Yodan ( Tiger 4 )
Godan ( Tiger 5 )

Master katas

The six master katas are (with the exception of the Kema, Tekki and Nahanshi ) own creations by high- ranking Danes such as Ernest Lieb, Frederic Reinecke, Michael Sullenger and Andreas Modl. However, in contrast to the student kata, these katas cannot be compared with forms of any other karate style. The AKS master katas include (the names of the katas in English in brackets):

Kema ( Kema ) optionally also Tekki Shodan or Naihanshi, these kata are considered to be master kata. The Neko series as the main master kata.
Neko Shodan ( Cat 1 )
Neko Nidan ( Cat 2 )
Neko Sandan ( Cat 3 )
Neko Yodan ( Cat 4 )
Neko Godan ( Cat 5 )

Weapon catas

There are also various weapon catas in the AKS with Bo , Tonfa , Sai , Hanbō , Kane. For higher belt exams (from the 2nd Kyu), the examinee is required to produce a weapon kata, which he or she can freely choose. The examinee can demonstrate an AKS weapon shape, a self-made shape or a kata of another style´; such as B. the 31-yo-kata from Aikido.

Lever kata

Consists of the five basic levers and is demonstrated with a partner. However, all levers are available in many other variants.

Fall school kata

All common forms of falling occur in the fall school kata . These include the roll forwards and backwards, the lateral fall, the fall forwards and backwards, the so-called "penetration" and the flight roll. Each of these drop exercises is performed once on the left and once on the right. The fall school kata is practiced in two versions, the so-called athletic version and the traditional. While in the sporty version the practitioners z. Sometimes jumping extremely high, the traditional form is performed from the kneeling position.

Traditional forms of kumite

As a counterpart to Shotokan Gohon-Kumite or Wado-Ryu Ohyo or Kihon-Kumite, the traditional Kumite forms apply in the AKS. It does not depend on the self-defense value of the techniques carried out, but much more on the correct and clean execution and the concentration and vigilance shown (Zanshin). The traditional kumite forms can be freely chosen by the examinee. Often the Ohyo and Kihon Kumite forms of Wado-Ryu are used. However, shapes from other styles can also be used; such as B. the Shotokan.

Self defense

Self-defense is the main component of the AKS. These include punching and kicking attacks, clasping, choking attacks, wrist grips, lapel grips, attacks with weapons, attacks on the ground or against the wall. In the examination program you can defend yourself without rules - as in reality; that means with blows, kicks, levers , throws, strangles as well as with weapons and everyday objects. As a result, objects such as belts, pens, coffee mugs, motorcycle helmets or beer crates are used in tests.

The annual AKS meetings

Every year a large AKS meeting takes place in the USA and Germany, where guest trainers come from the other country. Furthermore, the meetings serve to exchange techniques and training methods between the trainers.

literature

Andreas Modl: AKS-Germany examination regulations. budokonzept, 2006