Killer Miller

My signature tells my story. Although, I was two weeks from ny Nidan test when my hernia popped overhauling a transmission on a Toyota Land Cruiser... Hernia fixed a few years ago - all is good now. But too far for me to have to travel for good training and I don't teach anymore. Gave my Dojos to others, moved out of the area for awhile and they went bye bye in time. But all is ok. I play table tennis regularly at various clubs (been playing since I've been a kid, make custom blades that I ship all over the world, and expend almost as much energy as Karate). I also found a fellow classical guitarist friend that just happened to be a Sandan in Aikido. So I have a great time just training with him now - the training is not nearly as intense as Karate, but I really have a lot of fun doing it. - Killer Miller -

You know, I was re-examining side thrust kick the other day (kekomi), and we do use the side of the foot, but more heal on the thrust. If using the bottom of the heal, as many do, you are forced to lean your body in order to have a straight line on the kick. This is a HUGE no no in Shotokan... You never do any technique that forces you body center to change - this aid in recovery of technique, and quick response to another technique. However, with the foot/heal angeled down slightly (side of foot/heal), you are able to maintain a straight line of your leg on the thrust and yet still maintain a complete center of gravity with out moving your body's center point - as if a pole was going down the center of your body... - Killer -

I have to agree with G59Champ on this one. Bassai Dai is a very tiring Kata when done correctly and very offensive. A fair amount of inside/outside tension as well in some parts. - Killer -

LOL about the glasses. We had one guy in team training that was almost BLIND when he sparred without his glasses. We use to SNEAK out of his sight range, then come at him from the side with an attack! I know it was mean, but it was hilarious as well though... :0) - Killer -

I'm with cathedral. Tall people are a piece of cake... You keep your distance and force them into a longer stance. Then, SWEEP AND COUNTER! Down they go... If they charge you, go THROUGH your opponent while doing a pressing block to deflect their long arm and counter. As soon as you pass them, turn around and counter to their face - or what ever opening you have when they turn... - Killer -

I'm curious as to the different oppinions to this question. Feel free to add other applicable catagories. - Killer -

I second the Basai Dai. I didn't have any problem with that kata, but just never cared for it... - Killer -

Although I did my share of Sochin, I never really cared for the kata that much. It seemed that all the kata tournaments was to see who did the best Sochin - everone was doing Sochin as their primary kata. That's why I made Gankaku as my primary kata - plus I really liked that kata. - Killer -

The tournaments I was in required BIG B#LLS and a great set of teeth... - Killer -

Let me set the record straight here... Batman had a sidekick... The Green Hornet had a sidekick... The Lone Ranger had a sidekick... Even Lassie had a sidekick... So why can't Shotokan have a sidekick! Actually, G59champ said exactly what I was going to say. The edge of the foot is for snap kick (keage) to apply shock to an apponent or internal injury from applying shock to the apponent - not a thrusting blow... - Killer Miller -

Yeah you're right, you are probably referring to a simi-free sparring method. Which in your case, is also a good preparation to Kumite, after Kihon Kumite is well learned. We didn't use the that Japanese term much and totally slipped my mind. We usually just called it simi-free sparring. - Killer Miller -

This is exactly what I'm saying. I know many of you believe differently from a sports perspective, but tournaments have more purpose that just getting out there and bashing it out... Now, if the tournament had a white belt class...perhaps I might be persuaded to allow you to participate depending on the circumstances. But to allow you to participate in upper level events is definately wrong... It's not fair to you being underdeveloped, and it's not fair to those at levels above you. Regardless, I know from experience of teaching that you, nor anyone esle, has the experience or technical ability, at 6 months of training, to interact with others at tournaments (assuming no prior martial arts experience). People get hurt, and that's not fair to you or them, not to mention being disrespectiful to others. There's an old saying, and I don't remember the Nihongo translation (if someone knows, please post), but If You Draw the Sword, It is to Slice, Not to Cut... This holds a lot of meaning for you when you pre-maturely enter tournaments. You go into a tournament hacking away instead of using clean techniques (no disrespect intended here in this statement BTW). Yes, Shotokan. free sparring is exactly what it means "Free" sparring. Anything goes withing the technical and philosophical aspects of the art. Even though it's "no contact" in concept, people get SERIOUSLY hurt all the time in the art. This is not because one is careless, but usually because the one recieving the attack is inexperienced, or not trained well, and can not defend themselves or get out of the way quick enough. It's serious stuff from many different reasons. I was given the nick name for reasons of similar circumstances I refer to. No, didn't kill anyone, but did seriously hurt a couple... Didn't feel to good about doing that, but none of these circumstances were really my fault. It was usually less experienced participants that didn't have a clue what I was about to do, and couldn't get out of my way in time after commiting to a technique. People stepping into an arena that was far above their level - in reality, that was not fair to me because I was use to training with higher level practioners... - Killer Miller -

Based on myself being an instructor for several years and seeing the development patters of students, know student is mature enough at six months of training to be going full blast sparring... You are dealing with technique development as well as physical development to truly be ready for tournaments and general free sparring. I totally disagree with this premise. - Killer Miller -

What you refer to here is what I'm referring to as "Kihon Kumite." Same thing. This can be one step (or technique), two step, three step, etc., in a controlled environment... - Killer Miller -

If you are "Free" sparring at six months, this is wrong. You have not matured to a technique level at this point to comfortably free-spar. A good instructor will know this and not expect it at this stage. However, if you are doing Kihon Kumite, that's another story. You need to concentrate on technique in this case. A good instructor will segments of Kihon Kumite and work on it repetitively until it becomes a natural action. When you learn enough Kihon Kumite where it all is primarily a natural reaction, THEN you have matured enough to start free-sparring. If your instructor does not agree with this training concept, then you are going to get hurt before you can learn and build confidence for sparring... - Killer Miller -

I did for a long time too... It was a difficult Kata to master. Keeping stability while doing it, and still maintaining speed and power was tough! - Killer Miller -

How can you say that G59... Gankaku was my favorite Kata - Always did that Kata as my primary in tourneys. My feeling are so hurt. This Kata was so Shotokan to me... I'm soooo depressed now! Where's my designer yuppy drugs! :0(

When I was a kid in the late 60's, I was very serious in to Table Tennis and tournaments (still am at 48). One day, there was a JKA class next to where we were playing Table Tennis at our club (huge club at the time). I noticed that the body actions, techniques, etc., were "exactly the same." Except, much faster, stronger, and more control. From that day on I wanted to take Karate to improve my table tennis. I took up JKA karate in the early 70's with Nishiyama sensei. After years of Karate, it became an art to me - the art of perfection. Yes, I'm a perfectionist - proud of it. But not "nit-picky" though... After years of team training, it just bacame a way of life. - Killer Miller -

What philosophies would you be referring to? I don't completely understand the question? Each Kata is part of the overall philosophies and have a different purpose of something to learn. Please elaborate for clarity. - Killer Miller -

I just re-read your previous post - my bad... When I read it, it looked like it implied to do as many as you can regardless of quality. After re-reading, it didn't imply that. - Killer Miller -

It's not the quanity of kicks, but the quality. 100 incorrect fast kicks are not half as effective as 10 fast correct kicks. - Killer Miller -

I guess you did state that - I didn't catch that sentence. - Killer Miller -

It makes sense, but NOT correct... Bend your supporting leg to where the knee is over the toe. This brings your body's center of gravity distributed over the entire foot via the center of the supporting foot. When you pivit, coil down by bending your knee. If you bend too much, your weight will be forward of the foot. If you bend too little, your weight will be rearward of the foot - hobling and wobbling more or less. Bend it just right, you will be very controlled and sound in your stance... - Killer Miller -

Staying grounded is to relax all upper body tension, relax lower body tension, move through your lower diagphram, provide outside tension in your feet and legs. You might say, "how do I relax lower body and maintain ourside tension?" Just think moving you knees outward while gripping the floor, and do this via breathing of the lower diagphram... The body doesn't move until the lower diagphram moves first... - Killer Miller -

Actually, delta1 hit the nail right on the head... Relaxation is the key to speed......... Relax.....Kime! Relax.....Kime! Relax.....Kime! Get the pattern???? - Killer Miller -