The Center

If you listen to a martial arts class for repeated concepts, at the top of the list will probably be the center. There are many centers within martial arts and all will have to be understood to progress. You will hear move your center, center line, take center, control center, connect to your opponent’s center, join centers, and other variations.

Start with your own center. A lot of beginners lean when doing a technique. They may want to kick higher or finish the move by extending a little. This should be corrected early. Leaning will put you off balance and less likely to recover for the next move especially if something unexpected happens (i.e. you technique does not work). Your power will decrease and you will be more susceptible to a counter move. There are always a few exceptions; but, have a solid foundation before you explore them.

One way to test moving of center is to have a partner about your size hold their arm straight out in front of them. Walk into the arm. If you bounce back or are stopped, you are not using your center. Now concentrate on moving your center as you walk into their hand. They should be pushed back. Take this feeling and use in all your movement from evasion and blocking to attacks.

Next will be controlling the center between you and your opponent. Boxers move around the ring to control the center. In Kendo it is much more subtle. It may even look boring watching a match with no outward action. But, there is everything going on subtly to control center. When they someone gains center, the point is almost over before the strike happens.

Here is a Kendo video that has slow motion replays so you can see.



The last center we will talk about here is controlling your opponents center. This will give you the advantages you seek in ending the situation in your favor. Striking styles will use blocks, punches and kicking to manipulate the opponent. Grappling styles will use a physical connection to control their opponents center. This will also have to encompass many other martial concepts like distance, timing, unbalancing, body movement and more.


Here is how you can manipulate your opponent by controlling his center:





Remember to think about the different centers while training and your martial arts will continue to grow.