sensei8

And I've seen and practiced it where this move in Heian Godan is taught blocking a Mae-Geri. The Gedan Juji-Uke blocking a Mae-Geri is an introduction to almost any grasp/grapping/throwing/etc, already often mentioned in this thread. Some Martial Artists have even told me that this is an incorrect application. Says who? Nobody holds the license to say what's incorrect and/or correct concerning any aspect of Bunkai and/or the Martial Arts. Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai are, at best, just ones interpretation(s) of any POSSIBLE technique(s) within any given Kata. Oyo practically demands one to be free in self-expression and discoveries within ones own interpretation. Only the practitioner, when being truthful and honest with oneself, is the best to conclude what is effective and what isn't. Therefore, saying this Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai and/or that Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai is incorrect, is like someone saying that this style of the Martial Arts is better than another style of the Martial Arts. Saying that an application is ineffective, as discovered through training, is more appropriate than incorrect. IMHO!

Well, Unsu is diffently a challange for a Purple belt, that's to be certain. Stay with it [unsu] and be positive on this big jump. You'll be fine!

I'm sorry, but, this challenge is the most ridiculus thing that I've ever heard. There's no such thing as "superior" and/or the "best" style of the Martial Arts. Sheech and good grief! This serves no purpose on the betterment of any Martial Arts!

Don't be mad and/or hate me but, I love Wankan. Yes, it's short but such a powerful Kata.

Whoa! The Unsu jump! This jump has been both a wonderful thing to practice, as well as to perform. Very exciting Kata, yet one of the most challenging for those new to Unsu. Due to one bad and old knee, I no longer perform this Kata, whether in the Dojo or demonstrations. Why? Because it hurts to much to jump/leap, land, and then get up. For testing, I'd do it, but, man, I'd rather hit myself in the head with a sledgehammer. What drills I did to reach the needed height, for both the turn and the kick, is I jumped over a stack of folded mats, one for the height, but also to cushion the land when I missed, I did and so will you, achieving the height. Once I achieved the height, then I worked on the crescent kick while in the air, and thus keeping my posture proper. I still had the stack of mats during each and every phase to ensure proper height. Once the kick is achieved with the proper height and posture, all I had to do was land in the prone position. Easier than it sounds because nobody in the world can fly/float in the air, and there's alot to do in this movement alone. Don't rush the leap, turn, and kick! It'll counter the goal in which you're trying to achieve...not falling down and go boo boo. Bushido-man96 is dead on when he suggests the the knees are tightly tucked. This is true through the leap and turn into the crescent kick. Posture will be key in allowing one to reach out with the left hand to smack with the crescent kick. Keys: >Height >Posture >Knees tucked >Tight/fast turn at the apex of the jump into turning into the crescent kick Hopefully, this will help you. Oh, BTW, I do a step spinning Outside Crescent Kick, instead of the traditional jump crescent kick in Unsu. It's the best I can do at my age with my poor old knee.

Sorry, but I came into this thread late in the discussion. Can you catch me up to speed as to what it is that you're wanting and I'll contribute anyway that I can to this discussion. Please and thank you!

My condolences to you and all his students and his family ,Shotokan world lost a great master . RIP The entire world, not just Shotokan, has lost a great Martial Artist! RIP!

You say you're learning Unsu and you're just a Purple belt. Funny and/or cool depending on who asks. The JKA syllabus has Unsu as a Yondan level Kata.

Any Soke association will take an act of God with what you're telling us here. Soke associations and the like have VERY STRICT requirements for awarding Sokeships. Anyway, good luck Boris!

Omedetou gozaimasu to Sensei David Grice for his Rokudan.

Huh? What? Possible in KEMPO. But Songahm Taekwondo/ATA is governed by a 9th degree black belt. The number 9 is significant to the Korean people. This being said, ATA has NO 10th Dan! My style IS governed by a Judan (10th Dan), but I'm a Okinawan style.

This is simple! If the student doesn't meet the requirements for promotions, then its your obligation to fail the student. Never lie to a student. Never build up a false sense of security. Never allow the student to think they can when they really can't. If you lie and pass the student who hasn't meet the requirements...how can you sleep at night? How can you call yourself a Martial Artist? How can you look at yourself in the mirror? If you're afraid to fail your students then you've already failed them...as well as yourself! If you're afraid to fail a student...then close your dojo down! I've only one word...INTEGRITY!!!

I hear your concerns and gripes! But.....are you the Sensei? No? Then don't worry about it. Do you respect your Sensei? Yes! Then worry about yourself and your upcoming Yudansha test! The decision for her to test is none of your business, it's the business of the Sensei...and the Sensei ONLY!!! Yes, you've been working your butts off and this will be evident on the floor during the test. A black belt is suppose to be a model of Bushido...so act like it! I've my own Dojo with hundreds of students. I've been in the Martial Arts for over 43 years. I've been teaching for over 36 years. So please trust me when I say...it's none of your concern! Talk with your Sensei and express your concern but do it respectfully...most Sensei's hate to be criticized on their teaching and testing manners; just be careful when you do appoach your Sensei. Now me, I've an open door all the time with my students...but they know what's cool and what's not cool with me.

Are you the Sensei? If not, then say something to the Sensei. This behavior needs to be controlled by the parent(s). If you're the Sensei, then YOU need to control your dojo both off and on the floor! This mom needs to respect everyone, Sensei/Instructors/students/parents/guests! If you're the Sensei then you have to know how to manage customers. Yes they're paying customers...but these paying customers have to know that you're running a dojo not Romper Room. Customer service is essential but who needs this particular customer? You don't! Take her into your office, sit down with this mom, lay out all of your expectations, your do's and don'ts, instruct her to control her kids because you're running a dojo which is a business. If she can't follow the plan...dismiss her, her kids, and your student(s) (her children). Be the consumate professional at all times. This advise also applies to noisy babies and loud visiting parents...respect the dojo, Sensei, and the students who are training and learning. If not, there's the door! Your bottom line will not be affected if you remain respectful and professional!

My hats off and tons of respect to the instructor of The California School for the Blind Karate team!!!! Nice article and I wish them the best in their Karate-Do!

I echo this sentiment!

Within my style and particular within my Dojo, we teach how to defend against the Axe kick. This is a tenacious kick; if you get hit with it you'll know it. I teach to my students that one of the best defenses against the Axe kick is to intercept the kick early and then jam it, this is my favorite tactic. Now, I also love to throw a jump spinning inside cresent kick or a jump spinning back kick as the Axe kick is still traveling upward. The Axe kick is subjected to close in Tuite; get in tight then grab the kicker and slam them to the ground, this move is in many Kata Bunkai. The Axe kick isn't in the syllabus nor is the kick taught in my style.

Kumite at times isn't for everyone; although everyone needs to engage in it as much as possible. Kumite is essential for any and all Martial Artists, particularly the kyu levels. The more you engage in Kumite the easier it will become. If nothing else, fear of getting hit is diminished through...getting hit. Time heals all wounds. Thus, time allows Kumite to grow within you. The first thing one must do is BELIEVE in themself. After that, it's all down hill.

Why would the tourny match a purple belt against a black belt? That's stupid in many ways. This could've been avoided if proper assignments per rank would've been followed. Love can make people do crazy things.

I was taught to say nothing if I can't say anything nice....so I'm going to shut up. I want to speak life and not death as Jesus has commanded. How much I want to tell you all what I've experienced these past 6 months while my daughter was in the ATA.

Here's what this ATA school does. You walk in, you discuss your Martial Arts background with this instructor, you sign up for a 6 month commitment with the ATA, you'll be given a 1st degree black belt on your first day of classes, you'll achieve NO RANK ADVANCEMENT until you've met all requirements for 1st degree black belt in whatever time that may take, at the end of the 6 months this instructor will only then want to see your certificate(s) to pass on to the ATA HQ as well as to this instructors teacher. This is all that's needed! No prior evaluation of any time is required and/or needed before you get your ATA 1st degree black belt. The worlds gone crazy!

I know of a few ATA schools that will GIVE you a 1st degree black belt when you join because you say that you're a black belt in some thing without ever seeing your certificate. They want to see 6 months commitment first. oh brother!

The student will prob pass anyway...because it means more money and alot of what I see at ATA is that students perform sub-standard techiques and/or forget the forms and they STILL get promoted!

The previous master made the forms. With help of people like CM Clark. Correct?