sensei8

Good posts thus far...thanks! WHEN? Isn't subjective at all. In Shindokan, our wrists, per the tsuki, don't rotate until just before the target, and no sooner. By that, I mean, we don't rotate our wrists until the very last moment, kind of like a deliberate delay. Please keep the posts coming!

I wholeheartedly agree. Kanazawa Sensei is about as solid as one can get and/or hope for, including Kihon and Kumite as well!

Nope....sounding like a very solid yellow belt!!!!

I don't know if any court of law would truly take "rank" into consideration. Why? The rage of the page is that "rank" in the martial arts is suggestive and this is because of the many "false/fake" black belts that are around. Again, I'm not a lawyer and I've no idea what any court of law would say about "rank". I'm sure that some judges might take it into consideration, while other judges might not. Is it permissable or not? That's up to that judge, imho.

I don't have a problem with the DQ, it happens from time to time. One of the most important responsibilities of the judges is to make sure that the competitors are safe irregardless of what anyone else might or might not say. I too, would've possibly DQ'd you as well from what you've described. BUT, judges have to assume that every competitor has read and understands the rules of that tournament, that's the responsibility of every competitor. What I have a problem with is that you received a public lecture from the judges. The judges, or at least the arbitrator, should've spoke to you on the side after that ring was completed, but not in front of everyone...very uncalled for imho! You being new to point sparring and without having any proper preperation as to what you could expect, I'm not surprised as to the outcome. More importantly, reviewing the rules before would've made all of the difference. Listen, you're a beginner and things like contact are to be expected, especially with nerves as well as adreniline and what-have-you, yet, the only one that should have anything to say to you is YOUR INSTRUCTOR, that's his/her job, not the judges for public display. How can a beginner be in total control? They can't. The apprearance that the competitor is truly making every attempt to control their techniques must be paramount to the judges. Experienced judges can tell if someone is truly trying to control their techniques or not. Some judges are more relaxed in enforcing the rules and in that, judges want to see some contact, as long as a measured control can be detected by the judges. It's like a strike zone in baseball. Some umpires have a bigger strike zone, while some umpires have a smaller strike zone. The key here is consistency from the umpires. Martial arts tournament judges are no different when contact is or isn't allowed and how much is too much. I'm sorry that your first tournament wasn't as you had hoped for. But, keep attending and don't allow this experience to taint your drive and desires in the martial arts. I'm on your side and you've my support!

How close? There's so close, I'd say they're one and the same!

Welcome back!!!!!!!!!

Very interesting ways to slice up pizza, but, just slice the thing because I'M HUNGRY!!!

Bad dog owner....BAD!

Solid...congrats!

Mainly, I expect/require from any guest, whether their a parent or not, is to not disturb any class in session. This includes, but not limited to, not shouting out instructions to students in class---this is inappropriate and not their place!

Tony brings up some very important technical aspects of stance work that should be noted; very solid. When I say that a stance is just a stance, it shouldn't be taken literal. A stance is critical and a solid stance is very important to the whole make up of the practitioner. Without practicing and understanding the technical aspects of every stance, then a stance is NO longer a stance. I approached this topic in very simplistic terms while Tony hit the topic in very technical terms, both critical to one beginning to understand stances and the like. Just relax and let the stance become natural, as natural as possible.

Not looking at your feet while transitioning from one stance to another is very important because your eyes should be focused on your opponent(s). Practicing is the key to everything because practice makes perfect. Not looking at your feet while practicing is akin to someone learning how to type without looking at the keys. One of the drills used by type teachers is to cover the keys with a sheet of paper so that one can learn just where the individual keys are touch. Hence, we've got the mirror to act as our piece of paper, we "feel by touch" where our feet should be in each particular stance. Pretty soon, one would remove that piece of paper because one would know proper foot placement in any said stance. One of the drills that I have my beginner students do is just that---transitioning from one stance to another, and I'm not referring to kata, while that does work as well, but, to move/transition from one stance to another without looking down, making sure that their posture and balance is positive. And doing this drill while facing a mirror helps in doing just that. Always remember the instructions of your instructor while practicing at home, and this is why it's critical for students of any level to keep a log of what the "key points" are. Just as soon as the class ends, jot down every "key point" while it's fresh in your mind. After that, don't make a mountain out of a mole-hill because after-all, their just stances and their nothing to get worked up about. Yeah, at first it appears impossible until muscle memory kicks in, and it will kick in, but it's just a stance. One more thing, just get into whatever stance you want to without even thinking about it at all....just assume the stance. Now, don't move, admire it and look at it, but don't look now...you went right into the stance. Now, adjust it, fix it, and analysis it. Keep doing this and before you know it, WHAM, you're getting into every stance without thought and you will just know it WITHOUT looking, that you stance is correct and solid across the board!

Ouch! Disrespected for the whole world to see...or sing! Ouch!

Awesome. It shows that one's junk is someone else's treasure! I'm sure everyone who might still own an NES of one type or another, is right now looking to cash in...I would!

I can testify as to just how hard it is to win at a game of HORSE, but, I'm no Michael Jordan. The game of HORSE appears to be difficult for Michael Jordan...too! Check this out... http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Gerald-Henderson-is-better-than-Michael-Jordan-a?urn=nba,225258

PD...CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!

Imho, there's no better way of testing oneself than by going outside of ones own style. Curious!

Even though this comes from 2007 and 2008, I thought they'd be nice to see....enjoy them.... http://www.empiremediallc.com/PointByPoint.html

How young for a Shotokan black belt? Check this out... http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1093481_worlds_youngest_karate_kid

For no special reason, it's just what I selected for this thread. Cool?

There's a wonderful quote from Marianne Williamson ... "Our deepest fear is not thar we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us." How does this, if at all, speak towards and/or about the Martial Arts and us as practitioners of the Martial Arts?

When executing gyaku-zuki (reverse punch), the wrist obviously plays a very important role due as to WHEN the wrist begins IT'S rotation. Of course, many other things, beside proper wrist rotation, must be performed and in concert for this tecnique to be its most effective. The difference, imho, between an effective punch and a push is very subtle at its best. A few questions: >Concerning only the wrist rotation; Just exactly WHEN should it occur? >What are some of the disadvantages for starting the wrist rotation too early? >What are some of the disadvantages for starting the wrist rotation too late? What I've layed down here should be enough to start our discussion. What are your thoughts?

Way to go GeoGiant...way to go!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely! Whenever in doubt, always ask your instructor!