honoluludesktop

The subject of the post is "doubt". Don't deny the reasoning of others, only suggesting that it's possibly the root of doubt.

I see this in another way. Selecting the culture of empty handed fighting as a personal art, has little to do with reason. Its kinda like climbing Everest, or K1, "because it is there". Doubt is the result of trying to bring reason into the way.

The best way to win a fight is to do so with the attitude that if the enemy is down, and unconscious, you will then break their bones. Situation take two to "tango". If you wear your gi outside of the dojo, you are contributing to anything that arises out of the the way you dress. It is not responsible to assume that because you bear no ill will to others, that others have no reason to respond to the way you dress. Would anyone go to a job interview to work in a office dressed in a gi?

Attacking, or defending are circumstances that arise in combat. There should be no preference in placing one before the other. Ultimately, the goal is to stand your ground in a altercation.

Xbox skills are xbox skills. I am sure they have some value for the martial art they mean to represent. But minuet for minuet, you will get better value from traditional training practice.

IMO the only time the question, and answer is meaningfull, is when taking an exam for a higher rank.

You don't need books, and videos. These contain the intellectual material about martial arts. All anyone needs is an experienced teacher, and persistent effort. Your teacher will not be next to you in a fight; if you can't motivate yourself to learn, you can only go so far. But, that's OK too.

Are we discussing sparring, or competing and fighting? If its the latter two, then I agree, but when sparring, only a crazy, deceitful, or fearful man will try to "take you out". I have never met a beginner that didn't respect his sempai. A sempai that doesn't mentor his kohai, is not a sempai. To apply what I have posted, don't try to win. Sempai always controls the match, especially when kohai wins. Took me a long time to learn, and apply this. Of course, I still sometimes forget:-)

No experienced karateka should have a problem with their junior, unless their ego prevents it. Even when your partner is huge, clumsy, and anxious, all one needs do is keep their cool, and take it easy. The worst thing do, is to scare him. Even when you are superior in all ways, the product of his fear is unpredictable.

IMO every student has their reason for being "on the mat". The only thing the teacher has in common with every student deals with the teacher's knowledge of the art. If a student wants to excel, teach him. If he's there because of his mom, teach them. No one is there because they understand their teachers approach to Karate, they are their because of their understanding of our art. If they try hard, they benefit, if they take it easy, their Karate will reflect that. It up to them. The teacher too, must be responsible for himself. He is not there to be a father, or mentor. He is there to teach. If a student desires an mentor, and the teacher is willing, that's OK, but its a mistake to think every student is looking for a mentor. A teacher shouldn't be disappointed when he does something special for a student, only to see him walks away, it was the teacher's choice to do something special.

If you win, thank your teacher. If you lose, take responsibility for losing. Don't blame the referee, the judges, the weather, or anything else. Just be responsible for yourself.

IMO, no form of sparring substitutes for fighting. It doesn't mean that sparring in any form, doesn't contribute to fighting skills, they do, but there are some things involved in fighting that can not be replicated in "gaming". If you fight, you must be willing to except any ramification including death, permanent disability (either side), jail, etc. You got to be able to knock your opponent unconscious, then break his bones in order to instill enough fear to circumvent revenge. Ultimately, Karate, or any other martial art, serves itself.

Its always good to practice by hitting stuff. Boards, bricks, pads, bags, and from time to time each other. Just do it supervised, and do not hurt each other.

Its true that peripheral vision detects movement better then looking forward. But that (detecting movement) is only one of many things a good fighter does. It takes more then placing your eyes in the best place, to see. Seeing has more to do with the ability to focus your mind on the task, then anything else. If you are able to see the expressions on your opponents face, whether he blinks or not, if he grinds his teeth, and watch all the funny faces that he makes, then you are seeing. If you can gauge distance, then you can effectively defend, and will know when to strike.

Sory, way too long for me to read in detail. But it did make me think about kata as movement of body parts like handed weapons.

Jeff, I have seen many people, vested in a style, find that they can not change. In fact, their psychic refuse to let them change no matter how they express themselves. The only reason to sweat this is if you want to compete as a style. Have you tried "acting"? I once read that a talented actor attended, and trained with a senior karate class. With no prior karate experience, he copied others, and acted the part of a black belt. Within the limited context of the class, he fooled everyone into thinking that he knew what he was doing. Maybe you can kata in this manner.

A strong feeling strike without speed is more like a shove then a strike. If truly strong, it's probably "fast enough". As the goal is to strike down the opponent, then the strike need only be strong enough, but requires judging range, stealth, and accuracy.

IMO a thesis requires a hypothesis, and proof. What you have presented doesn't demonstrate creative thought. I expect a thesis to attempt innovation, and prefer to read something accordingly, even if I disagreed with it. Even a historical thesis, seeks to explain some phenomena in terms of what is known of the past. If however your post is like a report, then that is fine. It is the kind of thing that most (including myself) would write early in our study of Karate. Btw, I didn't score your post not being sure if you intended it to be a report or a thesis.

No, not addressing fighting, but discussing the issues regarding the topic. Besides, I see it the other way, that knowing how to walk away from full contact is what separates the men from the boys.

Match types range from street fighting, to dojo matches. In the later, size, strength, and speed are more of an advantage then the former. As a senior member in my club, I would have no problems sparring with physically stronger members, but would be more selective in other kinds of matches, or fights.

Some people lose, then move on to the next match. Many lose, and then have 100 reasons why they lost, mostly because the situation wasn't fair, perhaps because of the referee, illegal techniques, bad rules, etc., etc. Never because the other fellow was simply better then they. But I have a problem with reading about these kinds of situations, because it sounds like a put down of someone, who is unable to give their side of the story.

There are two sides to this situation: 1. You will end up training less, and with your new status have more to prove to others. 2. You are ready to learn by teaching. As a "long in the tooth" veteran, every time I attend a new class, especially one with beginners, if I am there to train, I get permission to join the class, and make sure that the instructor knows I am there to practice. Accordingly, I do his class his way. Oh, and I try not to teach!

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

How an adult spars with a child is only about the adult's attitude. IMO, typically poor:-(

IMO, full contact sparring is a misnomer, unless you are in combat where there are no rules, where winning is to survive by taking out the other fellow.