Kuma

If you already have all the techniques listed on a bunch of flash cards, the answer is pretty simple actually. Randomly determine a combination, write it down in a notebook, and then repeat for as many combinations as you would like to work on for that day. Try to do maybe 20 repetitions of each combination.

I agree 100%, sensei8. Breaking is actually a fairly useful tool, not for everyone obviously but it's not only fun but beneficial if done correctly and with the proper training.

I remember those machines. When I was stationed on Okinawa they have this big arcade called Sega World that had one of those machines in it. A few friends and I went there one night, and we all tested ourselves on that machine. I felt like the top dog of the night when I out-punched everyone as a welterweight (can't remember what it was exactly but it was around 1500 or so), especially my big Samoan buddy. That same week, I sparred a lightweight and it was incredibly discouraging to me as my "ultra powerful punches" barely fazed him, and I was hitting him with everything I had. It's a machine for fun, it's not scientifically relevant.

If many off them have previous experience in other arts yet choose to train at that dojo, I'd say that's a good thing, wouldn't you? Obviously they see some merit to what they are doing then.

Also - in our classes though Kyokushin is well known for its intense knockdown sparring, we typically have beginners train in sanbon/ippon kumite for up to the first 6 months or so with very little exposure to knockdown sparring. They will work kumite techniques and drills, hit the pads, and so on, but actual jissen kumite takes a while to earn.

Great point. When I first started training in Kyokushin, I was driving almost an hour one way to attend classes. Now I'm very fortunate to have classes within 30 minutes.

Could it be because you're still in the beginner classes? Are there senior students you have a lot of respect for for their skill? If so, then obviously the training must be doing some good. Trust in your instructor.

Actually, it still is. I've seen more serious injuries from ballistic stretching exercises in MA classes than I have from full contact sparring.

Saw this video from your school. I'd say you're quite fortunate to train there.

BBC's Way of the Warrior did a fantastic episode on karate.

The only thing that might work against Hall is when he yanked the idiot out of the restaurant, smacking his head against the door, and then choking him out on the ground. Granted you can't see too much after his head hits the door so it's unknown if he attacks Hall outside or not, but in this day and age if you escalate it past that point you could be in trouble yourself.

Since a lot of Goju is kakie, try to learn a few push hands drills.

I'd advise looking into getting checked out by someone knowledgeable in sports training to give you a diagnostic check on your body. There may be muscular imbalances or other issues that need to be addressed.

Still not a fan of it admittedly. It'll definitely help build endurance and muscle mass but since the weight you're using will be so light it's not going to do much strength-wise for the joints/tendons/ligaments, or even in general. Less is definitely more in weight training. I understand he's your sensei and being very well-intentioned but this is basically just a high-rep bodybuilding routine for the most part.

I hate to say it evergrey, but I'm not a fan of that exercise routine at all. Though I'm sure it's well-intentioned by your sensei, that routine will certainly get you tired but it's not going to do much else for you. The reps are way too high and it seems like a lot of time in the gym when you could be doing other things. With 46 sets for the leg workout, 52 sets for the core, and 55 sets for the upper body, that's an awful lot. Add in at least 60 sec of rest in between sets, and you're looking at a 2-3 hour gym session three times a week. You'll be working out for a long time, but at those rep ranges it won't be very intense. Did your sensei explain why he recommended this workout to you, or is this one he gives everyone?

Actually that's not very true at all. This is an old myth. With proper strength training you can actually greatly increase both your speed and flexibility.

I rarely use them, but I have had success using inside crescent kicks (we call them soto mawashi geri) in kumite. My three primary targets are the outer thigh (using the heel as in a low kick, picked that one up from watching the Russians), the biceps/forearm area (wear out the arms to make the hands drop), and of course the head. You can get a good amount of power utilizing inside crescents using the same footwork and shifting as a roundhouse in my opinion.

Like everyone else said, I do a combination of them all, but I do concentrate probably the most on solo technical training out of it all.

Kyokushin shinken shobu kumite, knockdown fighting with face punches. Royama's organization has been doing these fights for almost a decade now and it's slowly catching on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye_Cq_cNon0

Actually Matsui was just one of the better known examples. Even in local tournaments you can see it used often, as combined with a follow up technique it's a good way of earning waza-ari. In Ashihara and Enshin there's a wider variety as they allow limited grabbing as well. I've had entire classes devoted to foot sweeps for knockdown fighting purposes. Watch the 10th Shinkyokushin tournament on Youtube, you can find videos of every bout and in a good percentage of them you can see ashi barai being used by fighters in an attempt to knock down their opponents. A very common technique amongst those who specialize in low kicks such as Hajime Kazumi and Kunihiro Suzuki.

Kyokushin trains punches to the head and facial area, it's just not allowed in knockdown fighting. Many organizations now incorporate sparring with light gloves as evergrey mentioned, and there has been events like K2 and Shinkarate around for several years now. An old, outdated argument. Kyokushin has also had ashi barai since the beginning. Shokei Matsui is phenomenal at executing them.

My last belt promotion happened after a five year period where I stayed the same rank the whole time. We could only test out of state and due to my work and military schedule I either could never make it to testing or had to be away for the weekend. Add in a deployment to Iraq and it was a long time coming. I ended up coming to class one day, they put me through the wringer, I did some light sparring with my Shihan, and the next thing I knew they promoted me. At the time I was actually pleased as heck because I thought they double promoted me, but later I found it was a triple promotion. Your instructors know best and will reward your hard work accordingly. I don't think you need to worry about too much.

What it really boils down to is what you are training for. If you are training for competitions, surely it makes sense to train with someone who knows the rules and has experience in that field. If you train for other reasons (e.g. self protection, fitness, to better yourself) then a competitive background is not necessary.

Even if you're hitting light, some targets are going to be rough on the recipient. Kidney shots are kind of a gray area when you're talking about training with your buddies, as even a light blow can cause problems.

Great comments by all. One thing I would like to point out for the first video that would have really protected the officers is situational awareness. You can see the second fellow coming from a mile away. If they took the time to scan their surroundings once or twice during that time, they would have noticed his approach and been able to handle the situation a lot more effectively. Instead, they had tunnel vision on the first suspect and got ambushed by the second. Fortunately for the officer who got the worst of it, he just used a fist and not a knife.