Soheir

We don't hit to head in sparring or in competition. And we use only gloves and shin protectors. In light contact it's good without of course, but you gotta go hard some times. How often, it differs. We very rarely do without protectors. Everybody can and do choose for themselves. If I would know what to choose I wouldn't be here, would I?

I'm looking for some opinions from the pople who train in a style where gears aren't worn in competition, but often are used while practicing. How often should one sparr without any gear? Some go without all the time. Even though I think it's cool on a way, it's not so good in a long run. But it isn't eather good to go with them all the time, so i'm looking for some fine golden mean.

Naha-te, shuri-te and tomari-te. Whenever I read about early history of karate, those styles come along. Maybe not actual karate, but the colesest you get might be.

I don't think it's enough, if the student isn't sure he's ready. Especially when ranking that high. There are several other considerations regarding this issue in addition to the ones previously pointed out: 1. How can you see and evaluate yourself more objectively then your teacher? If the thrust had to do with a questionable moral issue, then you must use your judgement first. 2. If you can not thrust your teachers evaluation of your skill, he may not be fit to teach you. 3. If you can not thrust your teachers evaluation, how can you expect your students to thrust your evaluation of them? That is all true. But if the student doubts whether he's ready, and I mean seriously doubts it, then he's not ready. Teacher's opinion on the techniques is undisputed, but when testing for a black belt one should be able to view his own technique, so that he may himself tell whether it's good or bad. Not everything ofcourse.

I don't think it's enough, if the student isn't sure he's ready. Especially when ranking that high.

If you feel like it, I think you should wait. It's important for you as a martial artist to know you've deserved your belt. Or feel really, altough you seem to "know" you're ready, for the sake of self respect, the feeling's important.

If the teacher is new, it is understandable and even reasonable to think about the way they teach. But if been teaching for some time and there are students that keep training. Then those that stop because of the training, are very likely to stop because of their too big expectations for their success. It doesn't really matter then whether they think the teacher isn't teaching well enough or that they aren't learning fast enough.. Then one eather changes his attitude or stops the training.

Absolutely, agreed.

Well it's hard to know exactly what was going on so.. that's kind of direct accusation. I think a ten-year-old child should be told how it is proper to behave by talking perhaps, in the first place anyway. And is it really fair for you to practise with him very often, if you're not the same size? Are you at all?

I didn't quite get how you managed to kick him 5 times like that, but anyway, I wouldn't waste time thinking about that. The feeling bad will go past, no matter if you think it was wrong or understandable really. Concentrate on the training.

If you don't count balance, power etc. How about the techniques in the kata? What do you do with techniques when they look cool if they don't work?

I doubt punching bag helps, unless you punch real hard...

I believe this goes the same for everyone. But it's sometimes weard to notice, that some people can't kick slowly and well, or with less power and with good technique. Because being able to do the technique in the air with good control, makes the kick better controlled no matter where kicking. Not saying you're one of them.

He has practised so much other styles. he has said he doesn't use kyokushin techniques really in MMA, but the most he got from it was the attitude.

How I would take it would depend a lot about how the person bying the belt takes it. So if I'd find him as a person only out for belts and honor, I'd condemn it.. But if not, if he's a respectable practitioner and so on, It'd be just fine.