WireFrame

It's all White gi's in the KUGB. Frankly I don't like the look of anything else.

Didn't Rock Lee in Naruto say that? Or was it Guy?

Well, on tuesday I threw my punch as my partner blocked soto-uke. My fist was properly closed, his block was fine... if mis-timed. Elbow vs Thumb - Elbow Wins! My thumb got the full force of his elbow directly into the knuckle and the force shot through to the base of my thumb. It is now slightly swollen and turning a lovely shade of bruised. And it hurts like hell. Especially where all the little bones are.

They don't have to conflict at all. Each has it's purpose and use. For example: I train in Shotokan and in our dojo, Eruption is often the result of combining Fluidity and Rigidity. It is possible. I think the most rounded martial artists would recognise the benefits of each and try to learn to incorporate them all where appropriate. Focusing too much on one point leaves gaps.

I'm near-sighted too. Anything within "fighting distance" is fine for me though so I don't wear my glasses to train.

Brilliant info everyone. I've nothing to add Im just going to try and use some of it myself.

Quality counts with a black belt considering you won't be wearing it for just 3 or even 6 months. You want it to last for years.

Judo also trains a lot in hand and arm stregnth (especially hand grip, obviously) and this would strengthen your strikes in shotokan.

GeoGiant, you acted exactly how I probably would have done. Some people train to tap each other, other people train to fight. Just shows how unlike a real martial art sports/points competitions are getting. Its always good to test yourself, but from I can see the tappy-tappy tournament people were playing a different game than you were, maybe worth trying a different kind of points-sparring like has been suggested. Or just enjoy training. Either way I definitely don't think you should feel too bad about any of it. Just chalk it up to experience.

http://www.dragonbleu.fr/distributor-and-shop-for-karate-gi-uniform.html I dont recommend BUYING from this site but they have excellent rating and comparison systems for a lot of different Gi's that you could possibly find a bit cheaper elsewhere. The ratings and comparisons compare the following factors: Cut: (eg) large Trousers: (eg) Pull close Jacket: (eg) longer, shorter sleeves Then visual scale indications of: Weight: Light -> Heavy Surface: Soft -> Hard Drying: Slow -> Fast Durability: Short -> Long And then: Weight: (eg) 1.90 kgs Expedition/Shipping: (eg) 24/48Hrs Price: (eg) €130.01 With this much info on each Gi, plus a full description from the manufacturer and decent photographs with close-ups, it's a brilliant site to decide on your Gi. Then buy it wherever you can find it. I didn't buy mine there because of billing errors on the site. Actually, here's a screenshot. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v514/SSJWireFrame/compare.gif

Sensible training should help strengthen the muscles that support the joint. Your friend will have sensible expectations of what you will or will not be able to do and as he said you can train very hard in Shotokan while still working around an injury like that.

Good luck.

Yeah one of my sensei's used to do that.

I can understand he wants you to "feel" when the stance is right instead of having to look, but it seems harsh to never let you correct yourself. I suggest you find some good info on the stances in your style, practice them at home (maybe with a mirror?) and get used to how the correct stance feels. I don't do Shito-ryu so I'm sorry I can't be of more help for how your stances should be. But good luck.

Congrats Lupin, keep up the good work and surpass your old grade.