honoluludesktop

There is a big difference between hurting someone in self-defense, and hurting someone in the dojo. None of us are the best there is. How would anyone react to Sempai, or Sensei taking us out every chance they have while training in the dojo.

I use this as a opportunity to practice "mikiri". If the drill is "Ipon kumite", and my opponent is weak, I step back from his attack at the last moment, and try to move the least distance without blocking. He finishes his strike an inch from from my face, or body,etc. When its my turn to attack, I study his reaction while being careful to stop a fraction of a inch away from the target.There are many beginners who over reach, etc., and if you aren't careful when defending, you will get hit. In this way, practicing with a weak opponent can be fun.

There is no one best way, only ways that suite each individual. On one hand, iron fist conditions one for maximum impact, on the other hand it destroys sensitivity. If your daily life is a matter of surviving a fight, the first matters, but if you are a musician, then the second is a consideration. There are many other factors that go into a KO; stealth, and joint alignment, just to name a few. The extent of conditioned fist are just another.

In the good old days, you simply went into a bar, or where ever punks hung out, and got into a fight. Today, testing martial art skills on the street is not condoned, and too dangerous unless you are willing to fight against weapons. Oh, and you will have to be willing to do the time for your actions.

IMO it is impossible to practice self-defense against a equally matched partner that is not holding back. Self defense techniques are meant to violently hurt the attacker. Knowing that, the attackers only option is to put the defender down. Someone will get hurt. Practicing by kata is the only safe, however unrealistic means of practice. Self defense has little in common with free sparring under supervision. Unlike baseball, self defense is not a game.

If you go to the dojo, you may infect others, and that's not cool.

In training, it always takes two to tango, are you sure that you aren't doing something to get in the way of his feet? Does he step on the feet of others?In a fight, aside from feinting to provoke a reaction, you have little control over your opponent, but you should have total control of yourself.

This is your first competition match. Don't think to much about it ahead of time. Sparring is the time of reflexes, and being in the moment. The ability to think while sparring is something that only comes with experience. Just go with the flow.

It reads as though you are concerned about contact. Aside from conditioning your body, and match experience, I can't think of a way to prepare for getting hit in competition. Just remember that your opponent will react to your attitude. If he feels threatened by your aggression, nervousness, or uncertainty, he will react to protect himself.

Sorry, I disagree with talking to Sensei. You have done that, and have his answer. As an adult interfacing with a child, you must find a solution yourself.

A 20 year old adult, has no business kicking a 10 year old in the face 5 times, for any reason. Even if the kid needs therapy, its not your place to provide help. It doesn't read like, you feel bad, or are sorry at all. About the guy that's stepping on you. You are an adult, and that's your good fortune to bet paired up with the kind of person that you might meet in a real fight. Try to study how to deal with that situation.

Iron fist works, but with some draw backs. If you are a submissive, weak looking person, your attacker will not be concerned with distance. Once in range, your iron fist will take him out. At least, that's the theory.

The kid is only 10 years old. Moving the pad away from his body, could simply be a reflex in anticipation of the kick, so why kick him in the face? I don't get it. IMO, despite what I wrote above, it's wrong. In the Army, if your Officer tells you to kill civilians, and you do, you are considered to have committed a crime.

Right or wrong, you should feel bad, most people would.

The goal in "self defense" is to protect oneself. To this extent being in suitable physical shape in a fight is important, but when training, the goal is to get in shape mentally, and physically. Training is not the same as fighting, and all partners represent all varieties of people. You can't hope to learn (train), if you resent your partner, and can't get along.

Maybe OK for most, but may be bad advice for a few. If you bruise more then others, go and see a doctor.

Ouch, that can be a problem, "staying with the same partner". Did you talk to him, and discuss your problem? If he persist, take him to Sensei to find a solution. Maybe Sensei can put two talkers together. You can't force your partner to do something he doesn't want to do.

Bruising can come from hesitation. Don't ask me why, just something I noticed over time. However if you are not hesitating, then it could be biological, and you may need to see a medical specialist.

Its good to learn to kick in different ways. I am a little stiff, and it took a while to learn to kick with the ball of my foot, but it's a very powerfull strike even when the kick is a little slow. When you do it right, you never hurt your toes.

Don't you switch partners? Maybe you are too rough on him, and he doesn't want to work out with you. Just think of it as another variety of the kind of person you might meet in a fight. Besides, it gives you a chance to work on your mental attitude. Can't get upset in a fight, you got to stay cool.

If it hurts, you either are kicking wrong, or do not have the muscles to support the kick. Check your form, and/or slow down (until your muscles can support the movement).

No drinking is probably a symbolic gesture of endurance, and discipline. Modern dojo's, even those run by old time Japanese teachers, encourage hydration.

I started practicing Karate in the late 60s. There is only one student that continues to train today. There are no teachers that can match that effort. Despite all that they may know, none can match the skill of that one student.

I studied statistics many moons ago. What are your credentials regarding your ability to ask and interpret a poll? It is is a precise scientific endeavor, not something that can be done by a lay person?

Because rank is an association's or teacher's recognition of their students standing, rank without affiliation has no meaning. Rank is only in part, a measure of martial skill.