honoluludesktop

Hmmm.....IMO the key to this fight is that the guy with curls, is winded, and retreating with his hands down. MMA cage fighting is first conditioning, then more conditioning, and finally extreme conditioning.

Being an available sample set doesn't make it statistically reasonable. Behavioral statistics is a science, governed by math, and census data, not what can be found on YouTube. Aren't we all above average fighters here? If so, even if accurate, the survey doesn't apply to us. I would try to stay off the ground for another reason. So that my opponent's friends don't pound on me, and given the chance, can "exit stage right".

The conclusion appears to be based on people in street fights on youtube. It may not have anything to do with skilled ground fighters. Youtube contains a lot of pretend fights, kid fights, arranged fights, and what gets posted may not be based a true sample set of the general population. You need data like age, size, education, etc. to make a non-spurious correlation between winning fights, and being taken to the ground.

There are many pros and cons to this. I think it is what you are accustomed to, and what your opponents do. Typically, left handed fighters may have an opening advantage against fighters that are only used to right handed fighters, but at the top levels, it matters little. If your whole club fights from the strong side forward, you will have no advantaged when fighting with a weak side forward fighter. Practicing to win over your fellow club fighters, remains a small part of the world.

Just some thoughts. Spinning back hand is not used much, so there is little preparation for defending it. If you wait for the opponent to tire, it will be more successful. So, in MMA, maybe the reward out weighs the risk. If you are blocked, can you imagine the position you will be in, back facing your opponent? In karate, it is dangerous, and you could hurt your partner, so it is less likely used.

"Cherry picking" is a phrase that refers to looking at a bunch of stuff, and choosing what you think suites you. Some times judoka will watch matches, and see some spectacular throw that they admire. Their Sempai may suggest simpler throw that matches their body type or level of skill, but the judoka will go with what he likes. Many amature weight lifters love to work on their upper bodies, and swing heavier weights in the process of lifting, when a more even work out is best, and lifting lighter weights properly (without swinging) more productive. The examples I have given are obvious, but there are many subtle things that we may say to ourselves that "we can't do", but in fact is a subconscious pick we don't even realize that we have made. Of course we invent good reasons for doing these things.

or I don't want to start an argument about this, but I believe that there is a tendency to "cherry pick" what we learn, that is to filter out what in not within our frame of mind. IMO we attribute much of what we know to our teachers, as that is part of validating our skill. Why else would Ueishiba say that looking back he could see no one following. Yet every Master Aikiodist that studied under him claims Ueishiba as his standard. I don't mean to say that we don't owe our skill to our Senesi, we do, and that we are not accomplished, only that much of our skill is based on a journey of discovery, uniquely ours, unlike our teacher's. Here is the true value of kata. A consistant form that ties us to our mutual past.

IMO and experience, the state that mushin defines while fighting, is unlike the state mushin defines in meditation. When fighting, "mushin" defines the subconscious state that allows "fighting reflex" to take control. When meditating, "mushin" defines the mental state that achieves subconscious "understanding". Neither condition is intellectually understood, they are simply different experiences.

Oops, I erred, and thought we were talking about going to Japan as a requirement. Yes number 4 is the tough nut to crack.

The interesting thing about kendo is that the 8 dan is the highest grade to be granted by performance (shiai / match) test. I wounder if any karate exam at that level is conducted with such a demanding match test. The pass rate is under 1% out of 721 applicants (1997) who must be at least 47 years old, and 7 dan for 8 years. The examiners must be at least 8 dan for 15 years.

IMO, mushin in martial arts results in a different objective then mushin in zen. In martial arts it is a state of mind that releases your conscious mind to trained fighting reflex, not meditation.

My favorite example of is what kendo does in Japan. They have a national test by competition. Those that past the competition, are then asked to submit a written examination. They have a panel of judges that vote each match. The judges themselves, are highly ranked graduates of this process. Although you don't have to win the most points to get selected, that rarely happens.A national Karate exam is unlikely, but for organizations that have enough members, this can be attempted.

Kata is what all karateka have in common, even among the styles, we share similar forms. Other martial arts share similar fighting techniques, but kata is what distinguishes karate from other martial arts. Unless the kata forms are based on principles that embrace combat, they are empty and meaningless. Kata forms gain purpose through the practice of kihon, and demonstrate timing from kumite experiences. IMO, none of the elements of karate are less important then the other.

I have posted this elsewhere, but think it is appropriate here: When Wado's Ohtsuka passed, he was heard to say he failed as a teacher, that he was unable to pass on his understanding. This is not uncommon. I read that a young Westerner once said to Ueshiba, that he wished to learn the Master's Aikido. Ueshiba replied that when he looked back, he did not see anyone that was following in his footsteps. One of Ohtsuka's principle students once told me that at best, his karate was 20% that of Ohtsukas. It is my guess that my Sensei's karate was probably less. This makes sense, especially based on Ohtsuka's lament. Perhaps the problem comes from emptying our teacups. Even when we succeed in doing so, our teachers knowledge is capable of filling much more then a few teacups. Perhaps this is natural, after all Ohtsuka left Funakoshi and went on to establish Wadoryu. I am far from mastering the art, but I have learned a few things. Little of which I was able to pass on to kohai. One example deals with practicing one step prearranged sparring; that of defending a one step attack striking jodan. The lesson is (from time to time) in place of blocking, to retreat only as necessary for the incoming strike to end less then an inch from its target. Most of the time the attacker doesn't step in far enough, or when they do, they miss on purpose. Some times they over shoot, and attack the space behind you. IMO when you can respond to all of these situations, you are on your way to understanding distance. Although I have demonstrated this many times, I have not seen any kohai attempt to do this. Maybe a stupid lesson? Eventually, I have come to believe that our egos are greater barriers to receiving lessons then we believe. Heck, It only took me 30 years to learn the above.

My first oppertunity came the when the founder of the ryu I trained in came to Hawaii for a visit in the mid 60's. Back then I was young, brash, and thought, "what could I possibly learn from that old fart". As I grew up, I never made that mistake again. Hmmm,,,,,hope I am not repeating myself.

I am in my mid 60s, and began training in the late 60s. Not continuously of course, but with the same Sensei. The word for me was Respect, not fear.

Wado's Ura Waza Kata by the founder, Otsuka. Ura translates to back, hidden, or invisable. How this applies to the katas remains a mystry to me, unless my understanding ot the word is wrong. http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/aura.gif http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bura2.gif http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/cura1.gif http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/dura.gif http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/eura1.gif http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/fura1.gif http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/gura.gif http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/hura.gif http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/jura.gif http://honoluludesktop.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kura1.gif

IMO, martial arts are about the technical skills that offer advantage in combat. I for one do not believe that even at its highest level, martial arts have any thing to do with morality. Although gauche to refer to HC, isn't his life proof of this? Morality is better learned in the family, and other spiritual organizations. This doesn't mean that martial arts can not be conducted in a moral manner. To this extent, the skills of Aikido may be the best, especially when used to gently put the opponent on his back as the means to neutralize an attack. For a Aikido-ka to do this is an skill at the highest level. Karate, and other striking arts also have techniques to do this, but perhaps not as apparent as having gently placed your opponent on his back.

How many things turn out to be what was expected, especially when the effort to get there takes years?-)

No idea of your grade, but if you can see, try this. When it's your turn to attack, move from outside distance, in two beats. First by minuscule movement, then when you see a reaction, and can guess where they will be, move to where they are going. Don't hit anyone if you can do this, it's bad manners. Good luck. Btw, this is a technique to hone your "eye", you have to be especially good to make it work in real match. Shizentai, don't get me started about my daughter........

It's good to have familiar, and harmonious partners to train with. It's also good to face as wide a variety of persons as possible, even the clumsy, awkward, or evil ones. Children, adults, young, and old are all routinely encounter "off the mat". Although kumite is often seen as extreme, and confrontational, "on the mat" it is never "take no prisoners" fighting, and more like conversing, then shouting. However the result is as close as we can to fighting without potentially dangerous, "off the mat", confrontations. From prearranged drills to free sparring, each method must be used to get as close to fighting as civilly possible. The real world is random, training should approximate all varieties of opponents that might be encountered "off the mat". While a child is not a threat to an adult, an adult can be one to a child. As boring as it seems to most karateka, one step prearranged kumite against a variety of unpredictable opponents is the best way to sharpen skills. A prearranged drill is the only safe opportunity to practice moving at the last moment, to a distance one inch away from the incoming strike; to block a strike so that it passes by your stationary head, or body. It is the most difficult way to learn how to attack, and actually have a chance to strike a retreating opponent.

IMO, for the clergy, 2% is a lot. Wasn't the real problem the church's reluctance to discuss the situation openly, that they tried to close their eyes to the problem, and hide the perversion? Karateka should welcome exposure, and discussion in order to promote a better situation.

Championship boxers win on the way up, and take huge damage when they lose, which except for rare exceptions, affects their ability to win. Beginners can trade hits to the benefit of experience. But to take a severe beating is detrimental to the development of winning. One can learn to lose as well as win. IMO, if competing is important to you, you should train as much as possible the way you compete. Wearing gear is like rules, it affects the way you learn.

Resistance stretching works. Here is one example. It's a complete workout, and for most week end karate-ka should not be done on the same day you practice karate.

Yes, you are right about this. I suppose my comments were directed towards beginners, and children. When it comes to Ni Dan adult ladies, the relationship changes to one of professional respect. BTW, I don't teach "per se". I find it difficult to run a class and train at the same time. I restrict myself to helping out when asked. When you think about it, especially when it comes to kumite, the way you treat another has little to do with their gender, and more to do with what your partner finds acceptable. There are many males that do not like the contact that comes with sparring. My now deceased Sensei once told me that kumite is like having a conversation. Shouting is reserved for fights, something we should avoid.