WireFrame

I've seen two people who I've known wouldn't carry on. One quit at 6th Kyu and the other is still going at 5th... with all the enthusiasm and effort of a sloth. I'm amazed he turns up because its obvious he doesnt want to be there. There was also a 1st Dan who was brilliant, but left because he didn't like being used to teach the group, which I feel is kind of part of getting that far. He was only concerned with himself in that respect. Shame.

I used to hate sparring, now I like it and take it as a challenge. Only practice will get her used to doing it and not see it as such a big thing. I enjoy it more now because I've improved my movement, which came down to one session where the sensei used me to demonstrate how NOT to move, then instructed me to a point where I improved a lot over just 20 minutes. Also, where I train, we normally partner up with equal grades/sizes/sexes. But occasionally it changes and the black belts go with the white belts etc, then everyone rotates parters til everyone has had a quick session with everyone else in the room. I think practice and getting used to doing it are the only ways to help her break her own fear of it.

I dont wash my belt because they go a floppy and crap if you do.

Beginner to 1st Kyu, minimum of 3 months training twice a week required. Between 1st Kyu and 1st Dan, 6 months required. Between 1st Dan and 2nd Dan, 1 year required. 3rd, 2 yrs. 4th, 3 yrs. 5th, 4 years and so on. Whatever your current dan, that many years.

I would only recommend not washing if you, or anyone you know, have no sense of pride and more importantly no sense of smell. I got a Kamikaze Kaiten Europa from the Kamae website about 6 or 8 months ago. And the accepted way to look after it that I know of is to hot wash it once first so all the shrinking its likely to do gets out the way. Then cool wash it the rest of the time. Though I occasionally boil wash it with tiny dash of bleach every now and then because the material simply isn't staying white in some places. Cuffs and collar really. I wash it after each session simply because I work damn hard in it and I sweat, and after 2 days and the next session starts that would make the Gi smell. I mean come on, you wash your normal clothes, right? And you don't sweat any where near as much in them as you would in a Gi.

Bulk doesnt always equate to "slow". True enough. But the fact remains.

If push comes to shove and you're IN a fight, don't rely on fancy kicks. Seriously. Unless it's a swift one to the groin, keep your feet on the ground. It'll keep you more balanced for defending and attacking. If you try a roundhouse or even a front kick, and your opponent catches it, the fight's over. Keep that stuff for competitions and training.

Haha classic! Had he been watching DragonBall or something?

There are beginners older than you in my club, so don't worry about it. There is a 1st Kyu in my club wearing glasses, so that shouldn't stop you. Training in a group may be daunting at first, but it's far more beneficial to training alone. Above all else you should enjoy yourself.

Katas might not be the ONLY way to get those benefits, but they're still a good way to train in my opinion. My body was screaming that fact at me last night haha. Each kata contains a lot of the basic techniques, so I'd rather work on perfecting katas than drill the basics (which I would also do). Then kumite compliments kata being as its the other side of karate. Just my opinion.

There are lots of articles and opinions on the internet to do with self defence if you want to do more research, but here is my view and what I've been taught. Always avoid physical confrontation if possible. If the taunter can be ignored or talked down, do so. Defuse the situation without fighting, and everyone wins. If physical confrontation is 100% unavoidable, I dont know about standing ten feet away being even possible. I personally wouldn't put my hands up in a way that would leave me vulnerable. There are techniques that look friendly but actually lead to an unexpected attack but at your current level you need to focus on avoiding confrontation (that goes for everyone at any level really) but if it can't be helped, you should focus on what will enable you to get out of the situation. In the street people don't adhere to dojo rules, and self-defence is very different to training in traditional karate. A lot of the deep stances and straight movements you'll be practicing are brilliant for training and body conditioning, muscle memory, self awareness, strength, speed, reflexes etc. But in a street fight they need to be adapted and used differently so you can make one or two nasty attacks then leg it if possible. I don't think I was getting taught much of that at beginner level, it was all about conditioning for me then. So long story short: whatever level you reach, always avoid trouble and try to verbally defuse situations. If it cant be helped, always try and get out of the situation. If you do end up in a fight, go for the weak spots and as soon as they're down do NOT hang around. [edit] If you REALLY want to know more about the realistic and nasty situations you can be in and ideas to avoid it, Bas Rutten covers come of the realities of just how dangerous a street fight can be and details you need to pay attention to in that situation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQVaTEPOsTA&feature=related Now I'm NOT recommending every technique he mentions at ALL. You'd get arrested for doing them if your life wasn't in real danger. But what he says about the dangers of what others can do is all true. Towards the end of that video he mentions distance and where he would have his hands and body posture. If you go to part 2 he talks about drunk angry people. Which is more than likely who you'd have confrontations with in real life. But even Bas Rutten recommends avoiding it if possible.

Oh man, learning 3 new Katas in as many training sessions? What's gotten into my sensei lately? I was doing Empi, Kanku Dai, and starting Hangetsu tonight! Ouch.

You don't think so? High school > Degree > Entry Level Jobs > Professional/Dream Job > Futher progression You wouldn't equate that with White > Kyu Grades > Dan Grades at all? Long term and short term in one endeavour needn't mean the same timeframe as in another.

He's obviously a naturally talented fighter, and learning specific techniques CORRECTLY without guidance or correction is highly impressive too. I am not questioning his merit as a martial artist. But if he places value on the fact that he wears a black belt, without it being granted by a teacher, then he's missing the point of a belt. Either way though, he is at that level, obviously. I think the whole belt issue would be more justified if he began teaching his combined style to others. Because if we're to attribute value to a belt being black at all, it should be the fact that most black belts are capable of passing on what they have learned.

I've never heard of a 10% more force allowed rule, but the attacker better hit me damn hard if I'm only allowed to hit him 10% harder.

See, alot of people read the word "respect" and translate it as "being polite and not being rude". What Respect means to me, in the dojo, is this: Knowing that the sensei, or your sparring partner, or the black belt, or even the beginner, work hard the same as you. Everyone in that room, at that moment is doing the same thing in terms of putting forth all their effort and energy to improve and perfect themselves in as much as they can. Someone could be an expert at executing the perfect ushiro geri, or they may have just started to learn how to punch straight. Each individual's mastery of any technique or art is part of their own journey and it is their achievement that they own and have worked for. You may be more experienced than another person, or they may be more experienced than you. But in that room, your effort is equal, and neither one of you is finished yet. That is what respect means to me in the dojo, equality of character.

Just started doing Kanku Dai on tuesday, so add that to my list above. Man, it's like the Greatest Hits Album of Shotokan katas! It's got a bit of everything in there!

Wow, brown belts showing that little concern or respect? I'm frankly surprised. If anyone's late where I train (and it happens, can't always be helped) general rule is to warm up outside the room then come in and kneel, waiting to be told to join the class. Personally if I knew I was going to be any more than 5 minutes late, I'm not sure I would go in at all and just train at home.

Depends on the person's lifestyle. I know many excellent and terrifying Karatekas, some even national competition champions. But there's only one sensei I'd describe as an actuall "warrior". This is because the man doesn't just live and breathe karate every day, but he also lives and breathes self defence, and develops his own techniques that suit his body and even has recently developed a small and simple hand weapon that, if used, would make some of his favourite attacks (and by that I mean mainly throat and eye as targets) literally fatal. Obviously he wouldn't make use of anything he has needlessly, but I know he would if it was a "them or me" situation. He's a really nice man, a gentleman, but is totally committed to perfecting every element of himself and his art, which extends beyond his style. That is why this man is the only man I could refer to as warrior.

Great thread. Training in a fighting style I think is good ground work for effective self-defence. But self-defence as a whole is all about the situation, evaluating it, and getting out of it. The fighting part of that is only about 10%. Training to fight can help you prepare your mind (having the mental state and willingness to defend yourself properly) and body (muscle memory, strength, speed, technique if possible), but training in a martial art doesn't always cover issues and ideas like you'd make use of in a bar fight situation - such as using a chair as a weapon or to create distance. Or before that paying attention to someone's hands to see if they're holding anything that could be used as a weapon (knife, pint glass, bottle). Or taking in your surroundings and being aware of other people who could jump in, and your position amongst them. Self defence and fighting are two different things, but they also overlap.

I trained with a huge greek guy for a while. He was built like a brick outhouse, and powerful too. Unfortunately he concentrated on bulk so much that he was also pretty slow.

Anyone remember Start?

Fair point. There are about 12 or so dan grades where I train. I wouldnt say it's for ego RichardZ, just kind of makes things obvious and/or official. I personally prefer the look of a plain black belt.

Grand post. Though often i wonder, if it wasnt for the grade=rank, would people actually put orth the hard work? I once spoke to a Buddhist monk about something simular to this. I think most people respond well to having achievable short-term targets, which is what the coloured belt system serves as.

I'll drink to that. Having done it once on a crowded train when a violent sounding drunk decided I was who he wanted to rant at. In the end he left saying "have a good day man" and I was left being thanked by half the other people there haha.