BASSAI DAI

BASSAI DAI - DESTROY THE WALL, BIG.

The Yōi in Bassai dai is done in Heisoku dachi. The right hand, closed into a fist, is enveloped by the left. This hand position also occurs in other kata and symbolizes the victory of flexibility (open left hand - weak side) over strength (right hand closed into a fist - strong side). This principle is to be understood in Bassai dai as follows: After the basic techniques in the basic kata, new solutions are sought here to win over the attackers.

Already the name of this kata, "destroy the wall" (or also "storm the fortress"), indicates its character: Bassai dai is characterized by very strong techniques. The penetration - oi komi - into the opponent's cover is already evident in the first technique. One possible interpretation is defense in Kōsa dachi (not a particularly stable position such as Zenkutsu dachi), by which one simultaneously keeps the opponent off balance while he executes his attack. Powerful defensive techniques are used to make it clear, among other things, that a strong blocking technique can demotivate the opponent. Therefore, various combinations intentionally end with a defensive technique.

Typical for Bassai are Tsukami yose and Fumikomi. Important in this combination are the opposing movements (compact posture when grabbing to prepare the counter-attack, stretched when counter-attacking), which only make a maximum Kime possible. The following should be noted in the hand posture: The flat left hand touches the right forearm with only three fingers: thumb, index and middle finger.

In the two heisoku dachi, towards the end of the kata, the posture is frontal to the opponent. Alternatively, the position and the corresponding posture can also be kept rotated to 45°, so that only the gaze is directed towards the opponent. In the techniques used here - Hiza geri - the kata is also practiced in these two places in the execution with Mikazuki geri.

In the two gedan sukui uke, care should be taken to keep the center of gravity constantly down, despite large circular arm movements (the defensive technique fetches from above), in order to maintain the stability required to successfully ward off a potential mae geri from the opponent (to name one possible interpretation of the application) and break his balance. Another interpretation could be defending with gedan kake uke and countering with uraka or tettsui uchi. Furthermore, a mae geri (gedan nagashi uke) could be defended against first, followed by a zuki (uchi uke), and the counter technique would then follow.

Duration: about 80 seconds