sensei8

I hear you. In Shindokan we never block, we receive; requires quite a lot of maturity across the borad.

Styles of the MA have different methodologies and ideologies. As I've mentioned before, we, in Shindokan pivot on our heels when it's necessary; primarily in our close range and Tuite. We've many techniques that the heel MUST be in contact with the ground; for the most, at the very end of said technique. Who walks only on their ball and/or heel?? I don't. I use the entire bottom of my foot whenever I go from point 'A' to point 'B', like whenever I'm walking to the store or to the inside of the store or when I'm walking around inside the store. I like to those moves you refer to if possible, are there any clips on YouTube you can direct me to? Check out Mr. Rick Hotten's video's; he's Shotokan and solid!!

Mr. Hotten is solid across the board, imho!!

To LLLEARNER and MastsuShinshii...

Solid post!!

Styles of the MA have different methodologies and ideologies. As I've mentioned before, we, in Shindokan pivot on our heels when it's necessary; primarily in our close range and Tuite. We've many techniques that the heel MUST be in contact with the ground; for the most, at the very end of said technique. Who walks only on their ball and/or heel?? I don't. I use the entire bottom of my foot whenever I go from point 'A' to point 'B', like whenever I'm walking to the store or to the inside of the store or when I'm walking around inside the store.

Yeah, that's a good point because not many utilize the spear hand as a go-to technique as one would use a punch; comfort and all. Shindokan teaches the spear hand, but in my 53 years of training in Shindokan, I admit freely, that the spear hand isn't my go-to technique; situation, space permitted, would have me go-to the spear hand. It could also be use as a pre-emptive strike. Thinking how it is used in Heian Nidan, the support hand can grab a sleeve and push it away (twisting the body away) while the strike hand either strikes or grabs. True. The Bunkai can be all over the place. Choosing which one is both practical as well as effective are all part of the Oyo portions; knowledge and experience can oftentimes make the decision through resistive training. Albeit, BJJ/MMA more than likely would steer clear of the spear hand all together for that practitioners own reason(s).

You are ALL bad, bad people!! I'm that curious cat, yes I know curiosity killed the cat, and whenever I see a thread title, like this one, well, darn it, I'm drawn to it, like a moth to the flame. Plus, as a KF Sensei, I have to read posts, as it's part of my duties here at KF. Meany bad people...all of you.

Instead, as a suggestion, ask your instructor, and no one else; he/she IS THE FINAL WORD!!

Solid post!! Shindokan is ALSO stuck in the stone age, and we don't apologize for that. We've tried countless amount of times to produce one, but nothing came fruitful from our well meant intentions. Nowadays, we don't even try to produce a website because it's just not that important to us anymore. Whenever we're told the pros and cons of having or not having a website, we just shrug our shoulders because those reasons either side of the argument are important only to them, but to us, those reasons are also just not that important to us. Besides, there's enough MA websites to go around. Adding one more just doesn't add value to the MA world. Proof is on the floor, and not in any MA website and the like. Imho!!

I'd have a problem with this (25 / Godan) if actual ability and understanding of the system was the benchmark of grade but I would accept it more readily, as you could achieve this level if you started very young (I guess), than a 25 yr old Judan. Still wet behind the ears in terms of mastery in martial arts. Just not possible IMHO. TKD in Japan? Good catch Spartacus Maximus. I earned my Godan when I was 26, just 3 months shy of my 27th birthday; I started training in Shindokan in 1964 when I was 7 years old. But a Judan AT 25 years old is impractical across the board, even if said person founded their own style. That person is still vastly to immature to hold a Judan and all that it's suppose to represent. EVEN, if a board appointed said Judan to a 25 year old; that's uncongenial. It's a slap in the face of anything and everything that the MA is. What MAist would take that rank at that young age seriously?? I sure wouldn't!! Imho!!

Yeah, that's a good point because not many utilize the spear hand as a go-to technique as one would use a punch; comfort and all. Shindokan teaches the spear hand, but in my 53 years of training in Shindokan, I admit freely, that the spear hand isn't my go-to technique; situation, space permitted, would have me go-to the spear hand.

Every bit of landscape on the bottom of your foot is there for a reason; by design. Oftentimes, the entire bottom of your foot is utilized and in contact with the ground, except for the arch, standing for example. Other times, only portions of the bottom of your foot are in contact with the ground, stepping for example. Pivots only happen if a desired portion of the foot bottom is moved, but moved nominally. Whether it be the heel up or heel down during the pivot. Yes, in Shindokan, we also pivot on our heel(s); situations aren't always the same, and pivots on ones ball aren't always beneficial whatsoever. Your heel is like a brake; lift it to move smoothly, then plant it to stop. Stay fully footed and planted firmly to the ground as much as possible; moving this way and that way on various parts of the bottom of your foot, but only when it's necessary to do so. Try not to lift your foot higher than it's really necessary to do so...unless you enjoy meditating horizontally and/or being completely ineffective. Knowing how to and learning how to move are two different things, and, they both take time to understand.

Be quite mindful to the reaching abilities of the taller practitioner. If not, you'll be walking into the business end of a technique that you wish you hadn't. You have to get in YOUR range for your techniques to have any chance of success. But while you're attempting to get within YOUR range, you're ALREADY IN THE TALLER PRACTITIONERS RANGE; be assertive while being aware to the Nth degree, all at the same time.

Children students need constant stimulation, otherwise, they get bored faster than a speeding bullet. When that happens, their learning curve isn't shortened as it should be. Challenging students of all ages is paramount to their learning curve. Children are even more so because they absorb just as fast as they don't, and often times, they reject what's before them even faster. If children students aren't have fun, while learning, they'll be seeking other avenues to stimulate other than the MA. There are a plethora amount of fun and effective and stimulative and challenging drills to provide for kids. Find them, tweak them, re-invent them, and listen to what children students say and how they say it.

Welcome to KarateForums.com, LKC; glad that you're here!! Simply put, stay up and close; jam them as often as possible by being that pain in the neck. Techniques can't be executed if they can't be completed. Angle in and out; staying personal with your opponent by managing the effective available space. But, YOU must manage the space, and prevent your opponent from managing the space. Move...BUT..only at optimized moments that you create, and that you take advantages of whenever necessary.

Aren't the side effects of MA training simply refreshing; to the point of "OMG"?? Training hard is necessary, but to the point of torture should be nominal. But then there's this... No Pain, No Gain!!

If you believe that migrating to BJJ/MMA will improve your MA betterment, then I say, go for it!! One's MA journey should have the constant means to improve on ones MA betterment.

To the bold type above... ME TOO!!

No competition allows you to attend class and train more. Isn't the MA just so fun?!?!?!

As always, to each their own, just as long as it's effective!! I've kicked with the instep as well as the shin, with me, the methodology depended on positioning as well as my intent.

Either those Sempai's in question are acting out when the CI isn't on the floor... OR The CI is just like those Sempai's; the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree!!

Solid post!!

Solid post!! Welcome to KF, chordate; glad that you're here!!

Welcome to KF, yfconan; glad that you're here!! Speak first with the CI immediately to express your concerns, but do it professionally. If after you speak with the CI, and you're not satisfied with what the CI's answers, then, seek out for another dojo. IF you're satisfied with the CI's answers, then train hard. However, monitor those Sempai's to see if they retaliate against you in any way, then immediately bring it to the attention of the CI. You don't have to put up with anything from anyone ever!!