Killer Miller

I can be pretty much right angle to the target and still strike the target without a problem with the ball of the foot. It's all in the knee to the target. But I have to admit that this is one of the toughest kicks students learn to do because of the ball of the foot and toes having to be pulled back... - Killer -

The ball of the foot is the only way to go IMHO. No broken toes, much more delivery power to target, etc. It takes lots of practise to perfect, but once perfected it's very natural - it happens without thought... - Killer -

Frank Smith was definately a power-house, along with James Fields and Ray Dalke. However, their power was not necessarily due to the Makiwari. It was due to Many, Many hours of proper training and coaching at International instructor/team levels. Yes, Makiwari was "ONE" of the tools used, but don't think that hitting the Makiwari incorrectly 2,000 times a day is going to give you that type of power. Timing, Breathing Timing, Kime, proper stance, proper punch, etc., all come into play for power. Also, most knuckle issues, tears, chaffed skin, abraisions, etc., are almost always due to improper technique and timing of hitting/striking the Makiwari... - Killer -

If he's looking at you, your face, then he's talking to "you" because you are showing interest and others are not... However, if he's talking to you, and his eyes are looking other than the face, there might be an issue. Of course, unless he's correcting technique, there may be a reason to look other than the face. Many in the classes are looking down or at the ceiling when the instructor is talking in an dis-interested manner. 3, 4, or 5 may be interested and will be attentive looking at the instructor. A good instructor will focus their attention to these persons with eye contact. Most presentors, in most presentation environments (I use to do a lot of presentations), will maintain good eye contact with their audience - teaching karate (or MA) is no different. So it could be either way. Just notice where the eyes wonder too, you versus others, that's usually a dead give-a-way... But then again, some presentors can only do direct eye contact for about a secon, then will look down or other places. A good presentor will maintain good eye contact for as long as the focus of interest is necessary. - Killer -

The key is Speed of the Knee going out to target, via the Hips driving the knee - finishing the action up with Kime. Weight or power is not the factor with Mawashi Geri. - Killer -

I think you are referring to: 1. Sen - before strike attack 2. Sen-no-Sen - same time as strike attack 3. Sen-Go-No-Sen - after strike attack These are basic concepts. Advanced concepts are: Kake Waza Sasoi Waza It's been so long, I don't recall which is which, but the above two concepts are where 1. You fake and immediately attack as the opponent reacts to the fake. 2. You fake to draw the opponent out with an attack, and after the attack, you attack - similar to sen-go-no-sen. - Killer - 1) Sometimes in Kumite people do get paranoid and start throwing random useless punches. But just so you know, not all attacks in Karate are linear. But in Kumite competitions, swings do not get you points, as what judges are looking for is a good strong fast and accurate gyaku tsuki. 2) That is common sense, you must always take advantage of gaps and mistakes. So when in a Kumite fight, a mawashi geri intercepted with a gyaku tsuki before it could even land will not ever get you any points. You see, in Shotokan there are generally three principles of blocking in Kumite: *Block and strike *Avoid (moving away) and strike *Strike in place, which is what you mostly saw in that video. Unfortunately I forgot the Japanese terms for these three principles. That is why your hands must be up at all times specially when kicking. 3) That's what abdominal muscles are for. But in full contact, people are mostly knocked out due to a strike to the face. And believe it or not, you can prevent that by training your neck muscles.

1. You need more hips on all actions - hips drive the legs out, not the legs... 2. You are not extending the kicks out far enough and are pulling them back too soon - All Kicks. Don't pull the leg back if you are in an imbalanced state just to pull the leg back. Focus on a imaginary target as if really kicking something or somebody. 3. Lacking Kime a bit - in reference to above. 4. Your posture is reasonably good, but you do move your hands excessively a bit when kicking - this cause your shoulders to lean slightly putting you off balance when returning from the kicks. 5. Your Mawashi-geri is off target because you are not extending you knee to the target enough and also not being extended because of the reasons I mention above... Don't get me wrong, I'm not dissatisfied with what I see. But you wanted critique as to how to do it correctly and how to improve. The above is what I see wrong. - Killer -

If it takes too long to heal, you might want to get checked for diabeties. - Killer -

The most mobile and versatile is the freestyle sparring stance with a slight zenkutsu-dachi. Basically though, it's pretty much any 50/50 sparring stance is fine. - Killer -

Somewhere around the house here, I have a bunch of old JKA VHS tapes with all the old timers. One of my favorites was Tanaka and Oishi going at it - AWESOME STUFF! - Killer -

Looks like the good ole JKA days to me... - Killer -

I've known this for years, and knew it won't be for years to come unless there is a unity and standardization of all organizations. There is a "slim" chance of that happening considering that all organizations want to be the ones to claim that "they" are the IOC Karate authority... - Killer -

I've had beginner students that just throw their arms and legs out and say "this is easy!" In the same class, I've had other students that are fairly fit, putting everything he/she has into it and say "this is the hardest work out I've ever had..." - Killer -

I'm not sure what advice I would give for your "first" sparring session. It will be the first of many... Ask me after the 50th sparring session. - Killer -

Good sparring technique and proper guarding is developed through good timing training. Timing training is various types of drills with a partner where you work on different combinations of techniques using proper technique and timing in a safe environment - meaning not free sparring. The catch here is that your instructor is the one that is supposed to be teaching this to you prior to you sparring. So, take what I stated in the previous paragraph and present that statement to your instructor and ask him if he can show you some of the above drills to work on with a partner. There are many of these types of drills, so I will no go into detail because these drills can be customed to fix a specific problem - which I wouldn't know what your problem specifically is... - Killer -

Suplements should only be used if your body will not produce a particular nutrient. Otherwise, good food and cardio is the best solution... - Killer -

Elky, what I wrote is correct - considering that I am JKA. A school or dojo can add whatever incentive colors they wish to, but they are not a traditional recognized color by JKA. - Killer -

Traditional: White (8th/7th kyu) Green (6th, 5th, 4th kyu) Brown (3rd, 2nd, 1st kyu) Black (1st dan and up) Non-Traditional could be just about anything between... - Killer -

Do you know what this would equate to in dollars? - Killer -

1. How much do you pay to train per month? 2. What style? 3. How may days a week are classes offered? 4. Special perks - such as gym membership? I'm interested to see what the average ends up being? Please don't give me averages, give me exact amounts. If we get a significant amount of posts, I'll do the analysis... Might be some good infor for those trying to determine if their dojo is a real dojo or a "McDojo." Please try to reply in a 1., 2., 3., 4. point format for easy data entry into a database. - Killer -

McDojo Rule of thumb: If it Looks like a McDojo, Smells like a McDojo, Sounds like a McDojo, and Costs like a McDojo, then it must be a McDojo...! :0) - Killer -

There is truth as to what Rob states in his article. However, I have a different variation of opinion regarding Makiwara use and purpose. I too used Makiwara for over a decade - perhaps not as much as Rob, but significant use just the same. In my opinion, Makiwara and Heavy Bag have two different uses and purposes. Training on either on by itself is not benificial to development. Makiwara is primarily used for Kime (focus). Proper technique and stance, generating as much whole body speed and force, and at the last nano-second tense for kime, then release and return to ready punch position. Now the key of using this during training is to hear a LOUD CRACK sound!!! If you hear this, you are punching and using the Makiwara correctly - otherwise, poor technique and speed is the result. This is the only reason I will use the Makiwara... But is a useful reason to use the Makiwara just the same and should be part of your training. However, the heavy bag give you a more useful target of a real oponent and provides realtime resistance. You can also use a more variety of techniques with the heavy bag. Personally, I like to use a lighter and slightly shorter heavy bag for angle of movement when applying technique. This mimicks body angle when in real situations. For example, I kick when bag is straight, then kick again while the bag is at an angle and perhaps follow-up with a punch or elbow. This is realistic as to what would happen is a real fight situation. This is just one small example of the variety of uses with the heavy bag. So, to develop speed, technique, and focus (Kime), I would definately support Makiwara use. For the rest, I would recommend the use of a heavy-bag or a similar method. Of course, beating the Tar out of a real body works too!!! :0) - Killer -

If you have to hit someone hard, how your knuckles feel won't be the issue... - Killer -

I hope you didn't think we were saying that SKIF is not up to standards - because that is not what we were implying. He/she was just stating that there were no SKIF dojos and was curious about the ISKF organization for it's lagitimacy. - Killer -

Would that make him the "Toilet God?" - Killer - Just don't start bowing to him before you go to the bathroom!