Kuma

My best friend has been an indy pro wrestler for years now. He wrestled in high school and college which gave him a great background and would be ideal for you. Weight training is definitely important too as the guys who go pro are usually big. Toptomcat has a good idea too, classes in drama can't hurt either. Gymnastics would also be good if you can get into them. The main thing to remember is when they're looking for pros is they're looking for rock solid basics first and foremost. The lucha libre flips and flying attacks are great to know, but they're going to want to see if you can do the basic stuff. Check around your area too, there's indy pro wrestling schools all around that you could possibly find.

A lot of Kyokushin organizations are bringing back head strikes with light gloves. The original problem Oyama faced was he wanted no protective gear at all worn, but many countries had rules against illegal prize fighting and dictated that gloves would have to be worn. Since Oyama didn't want that, he just eliminated hand strikes to the face during knockdown tournaments to protect his fighters and to obey the laws.

Self defense involves a lot more than shredding somebody's face.

Exactly. Kyokushin also has elements of Goju Ryu in it, which favor shorter stances than the long deep stances you see in Shotokan.

I'd ask your doctor personally.

It's interesting as in another thread we were talking about mikazukigeri and though I've learned this kind of kick, I've always just learned it as a variation of mawashigeri.

Do you mean something like this, joesteph?

There's also Kenpo Karate, different spelling but still legit. http://www.okinawakenpo.com/

If used right, it sure could be. McCann actually called this a "short cupped hand blow" in his first Combatives DVD collection. There was also a long cupped hand blow where your opponent catches you by surprise so you use what I call a spearing elbow (hand up by ear, elbow point in front as you step back to create distance so when they rush in they hit your elbow and it temporarily halts their advance) and then step forward like you were throwing a baseball with the long cupped hand blow. Try it out on the bags and pads, both of them are vicious.

Would this be a true statement? I kick high because I can! Would this be a true statement? The situation dictates the kick! Btw, I'm not judge and jury as to what a practitioner should do or should not do; I'm just a student. If it, no matter what it is, works for that practitioner, then just do it! It's all good! A lot of it is mostly because in the types of situations I usually find myself in it's either close range or at infighting range which negates a lot of kicks. Because of the range, my usual attire, and the fact that seeing me roundhouse kicking a guy in the head would not be a good thing on the nightly news, kicking low is more a necessity than anything else.

Admittedly I train high kicks just for kumite purposes. In a real self protection encounter, high kicks are one of the last things on my list. I prefer to kick low.

A hook kick (we actually call it "kake geri" in Kyokushin) is very different from a mikazuki geri (which we call "soto mawashi geri" in Kyokushin. Kake geri: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8I15zDTO14 Soto mawashi geri: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaNSo8jmEAg&feature=PlayList&p=3B74C8C8F374DE63&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=34 A kake geri is more like a side kick but instead of bringing the leg directly back like you would in a side kick you're essentially bringing it back like you would for a roundhouse kick. The striking point is the back of the heel. Although the head is the top target for the standard hook kick and the spinning hook kick, it's also been used fairly effectively in Kyokushin tournaments against the body, especially against the liver.

Which one works best for you? Do it that way.

This is actually one of the kata I'd really like to learn. Motobu Choki said it contains all that one needs to know to become a proficient fighter. We don't do it in my system.

Kata is good. However, you can have too much of a good thing. I personally prefer to know a handful of kata really really well than just be adequate at a ton of different kata. That's IMO though.

Styles aren't ineffective. Training methodologies are.

Sanchin kata.

I'd try even lower reps, the heavier weight you use the more capacity for growth you get. This way too you get real usable muscle, not inflated powder-puff muscles. Ultimately it's up to you but a lot of people, myself included, have done well on 5 sets of 5 reps. Heavy high-rep squatting is also a great way to quickly outgrow your clothes. I added over 20 pounds in less than two months doing 20-rep squats twice a week.

When I was boxing in the Marine Corps, I was 5'8" and a welterweight (under 147 pounds). I'm now right around 200 pounds after about 5 years of serious training. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I have small bones too (the average wrist size is 7", mine are 6 1/2") so I am definitely not genetically gifted in that department.

Good advice. I'd just add that you do what feels good and relaxing to you, and avoid anything that hurts you or where you feel it in a joint. Bouncing stretches can be bad too.

I wouldn't condone full power strikes on a beginner anywhere, but if the guy's pulling his punches and it's part of the training I don't see a problem with it. Sounds like the BB in question just needs to use a bit more control.

Personally I'd say that's a bit over the top.

IMO....it's garbage. Michael Janich is a great instructor if you'd like to see some good knife fighting. He does good knife defense too.

If you've been punching just fine with a vertical fist before, you may as well keep using it. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

That's why I don't point fight. It's too subjective.