Killer Miller

You said the exact thing I was going to say, except I was going to say to look at Nothing and Everything. It's the feeling of the body being close to your oponent, yet the eyes being pulled back behind your head - but looking forward... - Killer -

Any opening, like the HUGE opening of that boxing stance in the picture, is not a problem to atttack. I'm going to blast the solarplexus, then the nano second they drop their boxing guard (even slightly), the face is getting hit just as hard - they then do down. I am so confident of this because I've done this so many times in the past I've lost count... - Killer -

What, didn't like my answer. A simple basic question was asked, and a simple basic answer was given... - Killer -

Richard Kim is dead. Yes, he was a friend of Nishiyama's. The Kim Clan use to have a large group that would attend our JKA/AAKF summer camp in San Diego every year. His Womens Kata team was very good. His sparring team was not top notch - a couple of good karate-ka, but that was about it. Perhaps things have changed since then, but who knows... Kim's contribution to summer camp was primarily weapons training (which JKA did not do for the most part), Tai Chi and his famous stories he would tell in the evening hallways of the dorm. They would be stories with topics of levitation and slip-sliding to other dimensions (so-to-speak), Warriors, etc. His clan didn't like us JKA guys too much because we would ocassionally snicker when we would hear the story topics in the dorm hallways and see how seriously the students would believe every word he said - if looks could kill at the afternoon training session, but not much of an issue. The stories were good stories and he was a great story teller, but it was just more of an entertainment value to us and we didn't read too much into the content - we didn't make too many friends with that idealology... So overall I would give them an OK rating on technical ability and give them a good rating as an organization in general. - Killer -

That's a good group to train with. I believe that's Ray Dalke's group... - Killer -

Kata is a series if techniques/movements, which were originally in a dance form when martial arts was outlawed for practise, against one or more immaginary oponents. And yes, you can learn a great deal from kata and is a vital part of training development. It's all part of the big pie circle of training. - Killer -

Good article. However, you are missing one important component of Kata training/development. Yes, it's important to break down components of kata and develop them individually. It is also important to work on Kata at full speed and work on breathing timing that applies to kata movements. Both as you state well. The important part you are missing in your article that is critical for complete kata development is "phrasing" of kata. This is after you have reasonably developed the above basic components of kata. Phrasing of kata is where you take two or three (could even be four) components of a kata and develop them as a phrase - just like a musician works of phrasing of passages for speed and fluidity. So just like stated above, you take now take your kata and work over and over on your first phrase... Then the next phrase and next phrase. Now you truly have a meaningful and complete kata workout. Learning kata is truly an art. I also believe in the 3 yr time span to to truly learn a kata. But you can work on more than one kata at a time - I think this is where eveyone get confused on this concept. The outside movements can be learned in a month or two - the easy part. However, to fully learn the inside movements and application of a kata, this truly does take years. - Killer -

Traditional: Side thrust. Side snap. Front snap. Front thrust - not really taught that much because it is a dangerous kick to use. Back Kick. Spinning back - but not the same spinning back that most are use to seeing. Inside and outside round house. That's pretty much it... - Killer -

Ah hog wash... I don't care if an instructor is watching every step you make and says ok, it's time to learn the next thing. This is still a form of testing and promoting to the next grade. And, this is how grades, belt colors, promotions should be looked at - nothing less or nothing more... - Killer -

Well then if you master a Kata, then someone will have to test you and grade you up to the level of going on to the next kata. Sounds like moving up a grade to me... Even still, if one passes the test of moving up a kata, neither does this reflect their skill level either. There always has to be a measurement of improvement of whether it is via a grade, a belt, or moving on to the next kata. This argument is based on the "ego" factor which is NOT what MA is about. It's about learning and measuring what you learn. Even in the old days going from White to Black and further, there are different levels you still have to complete in both colors. To say it doesn't matter is not seing the big picture. - Killer -

What, do you mean to test and not indicate the result? That's what the kyu/dan grade is all about. Also, would you have a senior in high school compete with a kindergarden...? There are lots of reasons why grades are necessary. - Killer - Dont you think its possible to still be tested without the need for a increase in rank afterwards?

Tense = 100 for 1 nano-second... The back close to 0 right after kime. For that nano-second, your entire body should be like a tank or brick wall. However, this is for destructive types of impact or techniques. Although we are not referring to more fluid types of techniques and moves. For example, sweeps, blocks, etc. The question about the hip arcing, I'm not sure I understand the question. Please elaborate. - Killer -

Well, that would be the factor of acceleration - which I don't think anyone would disagree with. But from a practical perspective doesn't really apply to the point here. In the general sense it's an equal and oposite reaction assuming that acceleration is a constant factor. As far as pushing, a firm plant to the ground is still required just as a quick impact of an object. They are both the same, just the speed and acceleration factor changes at time of impact and your focal point changes from pushing until the plywood is knocked over to 2 inches past contact. The result is the same for the purpose of knocking over the plywood, it's just that recover time is quicker to move on and do something else... Hence, the reason and purpose of Kime. - Killer - Technically, the ball that bounces off the wood carries more initial force. (Laws of Inertia.) It requites more force for an object to bounce off another after impact, than it does for that same object to completely stop. If we were to take the broomstick-tennisball, and thrust at the plywood with only half as much power as we threw the ball, the board still falls. Why? Because we are completing the action of Pushing, rather than Striking. Hence, distributing the force throughout the object differently. The useage of hips in striking is to get this Inertia into the impact. (Unless of course the intent is to push.) OSU.

Glad you had a great time vertigo. I use to tell my students to Have Fun and Spar Smart... - Killer -

Testing is just what the word means - to test... If you pass your test, you get a higher grade as your report card. You fail the test, you do not get a higher grade on your report card. Grades are part of the tradition and part of learning the art. Now having all of the colors of belts, I feel differently about that which are way OVERKILL - but a pass/fail grade is good... One whom would say that testing or getting a higher grade is not important is not one I would ever train with or suggest anyone to train with. - Killer -

Thanks pers. I take it as a compliment coming from a Nidan. - Killer -

Don't confuse JKF as being JKA. They are two totally different organizations - just in case you were not aware of that. - Killer -

It's not controversy, it's physics. Put up a piece of 4 foot high plywood with a 2 foot supporting stand at the base. Scenario 1: You take a tennis ball and throw it at the board as hard as you can. You probably will not knock the plywood over and the ball will bounce back - or at least it would take a lot of effort to do so. Scenario 2: You take the same tennis ball and affix it to the end of a broom stick. Now apply the same speed and force you applied it scenario 1 and keep your feet firmly planted. You also stop the ball at 2 inches past contact. The board goes flying with no problem and the tennis ball stays where it is. What's the difference of the above two scenarios? Both Scenarios have the "same" equal and oposite reaction from impact. The oposite reaction force of scenario 1 is transmitted back through the ball and with no resistance the ball goes bouncing backwards until all of the reaction force is expended. The oposite reaction force of scenario 2 is also transmitted back to the ball. However, it is also absorbed throught the broom stick, through your body to the ground, back through your body, broom stick and ball, and the initial reaction force is returned to the plywood. Result is that the initial force, or a very high percentage of it (some if lost through muscles and joints - especially weak joints of poor technique), is redirected back to your target. Now based on your understanding of the need to "not" contract or pause (as you state), the result would be the same as scenario 1. However, with even a nano-second of kime, your result will be some level or variation of scenario two. To pause is to apply kime is to apply the reaction force generated to your oponent. After kime, a nano or split-second, then continue moving on you way with whatever you were going to do - it's almost seamless with practise... - Killer -

Beginner (2-3 days a week): Child - 30 to 45 minutes max. Adult - 1 hour Intermediate up through Brown belt (3 to 4 days a week): Child - 45 - 60 minutes. Adult - 1 to 1 1/2 hours Advanced - 1st kyu and above (4 to 5 days a week max (4 preferred)): Child - will not apply at this level. Adult - 2 to 3 1/2 hours. - Killer -

I'm not sure which hip action you are referring to - but what you describe is "hip vibration." There are two basic hip actions and that is "hip rotation" and "hip vibration." Hip Vibration: This action is primarily used in close to the oponent and generally used to apply shock to the oponent. This is where you are generally at the ready position, or a similar variation of, and you don't have time to step and/or rotate your hips, so you "vibrate" the hips - hips go out and at the point of kime, they rotate back to the starting position. Hip Rotation: This action is primarily used when you have to cover a little distance or you have time to fully rotate your hips back to the 45 degree position and is to apply "knock down" speed and power to your oponent. This is the punch that is really going to hurt or knock you out! As far as the original question of the poster: To say to "hit with the hips" is a generality of the concept - which I think is ok to teach because you still get the general point across. However, this is not technically true or what really occurs. All body actions start from the center, lower diaphragm through proper breathing, which is what occurs first to generate the punch, kick or what ever technique... You contract through exhalation or the lower diaphragm, torso starts to twist applying a power transmission to the floor as a result of an equal and oposite reaction or the hip rotation, power transmission goes back to the hip and rotates it. What is the fist doing at the time? Absolutely nothing! The fist is just going along for the ride until the time of realease for the punch (in theory, but not what you will see most do). Then you have a second set of actions that occur which we've talked about plenty before as to how to apply kime for the punch or body action. Does this better clarify you question?

Almost the exact same example I was going to use. However, in Texas it would probably be pronounced as Shot The Can... Although Okinawan is actually Oh Key Naw Wha In or oon. - Killer -

I love this topic. Stances are so important and yet so misunderstood... There are three primary factors of stances: Basics, Kumite, and self defence (real world). Basics: Basic stances are developed in their slowest/fastest/strongest application of their potential use. This is where the stance is very proper identifying each component of a stance for development of the art. Kumite: Kumite generally has a specific set of rules. This is for the use and application of competition and as a report card (so to speak) of what you have learned and how well you have learned the art. However, the real time use of stances do not "appear" to be so basic in its use. The stances may be longer or shorter due to lack of proper training or effort of applied basic stances. Secondly, the stances may be quicker when in the exact basic posture, during the nano-second of kime, and may not appear to most to be exact technique of basic stances. Third, stances used in Kumite may be a hybrid or variation of one or two stances developed in the basic fashion. Finally, stances used in Kumite are generally limited to more linear stances because you are only facing or challenging "one" oponent or attacker. Real world use of stances: Here is where "all" the basic stances are used or potentially used. You have the possibly of multiple attackers where any mistake(s) could cause you severe harm or death. Your need of various stances, and in their exactness, becomes highly elevated. Here you may have only one attacker or you may have multiple attackers. You potentially have the need to use "all" of your basic stances including any variations used in Kumite. Please don't mis-understand the use and development of basics of any form or format. You have a need to develop and use them. It will make you better in Kumite as well as it could save your life when needed. Immagine two people attacking and you return in a weak or improper kokutsu-dachi, you fall back in the process and the attackers beat you to a pulp! Not a pretty image... - Killer -

Nobody's indicating that a "flury" of fast punches are necessary or beneficial... It's all about timing and breathing timing... You breath how ever fast is necessary for the intended action. Basically, relaxing, then tense or contract via breathing and breathing timing. It all comes together. However, if I want fast, my approach "may" be slow or slower, but when I decide to execute the fast punch/kick, they're going down hard and fast... Everyone thinks that when we talk about fast that's all we're talking about is a flury of punches/kicks - wrong. It only means that when we do execute fast, it's with maximum speed, focus, muscle contraction at the focal point converted into maximum force and energy for that split second. Then re relax and re-evaluate (via reactions and sub-concious memory) to determine if another fast action is necessary. You have to pace yourself via breathing or you will not last one minute in a match or fight! A good example of proper breathing is Kata. When you finish your Kata and your are out of breath or gasping for air, it means that your breathing timing is "way off." It generally has nothing to do with how good of shape you are in (with the assumption that you have been training for a while now) but how you match your breathing with the timing and techniques of the Kata... It's the same thing for a sparring match or in a fight - you pace or time yourself, via breathing and breathing timing, to where you apply maximum effectiveness and still last the duration without tbeing exhausted in the process. - Killer -

Yes Nishiyama had a lot to do with it and many others echoed it too - Oishi, Yamaguchi, Matsura, Shirai, etc. all stressed the same thing... - Killer -

You guys are talking about two different concepts. Kime refers to your "focal" point. Moving "though" your opponent is another concept altogether - which we worked on and stressed heavily. Whether you move through your oponent or not, you still have to determine a focal point and that's where Kime comes in. However, moving though your oponent can be a mental concept as well as a physical concept. There's another term for the concept of moving though - although the term escapes me at the moment... - Killer - - Killer -