brickshooter

I would not exclude high kicks in a fight. But I would use it to finish someone off rather than lead with it. This minimizes the risk I would take for using a high kick. I would hate to completely exclude any technique. They all have their uses. It is really a matter of time and place rather than the attack itself. For example, I do not practice foot stomps, nor ever seen one used in sparring. But on the street and in certain circumstances, I will use it.

My problem with Bunkai is that it is often taught by people who are very good at sparring and tournament, resulting in a lot of unreasonable explanations that makes me roll my eyeballs to the top if my head.

IMO, people unable to kick high should work hard at developing mid level kicks that can fold a person in half, and foot sweeps that throws a person on their back. You work with your strenght rather than try to catch up and be mediocre

New folks tend to try and kick with only their feet, using only their leg. Like a punch, one should use one's body to start the motion. Whip one's shoulders, waist, and hips over. That should get the momentum going. Then the leg will follow with little effort. Start with low round kicks at a knee target. Once the form is perfected, kick at the rib cage target. Once one is completely warmed, kick at a head target. They all use the same basic mechanics, just at different levels.

I want to see 2 vs 2 kumite. Watching it is pretty spectacular. Sorry i can't find any on youtube at the moment. But this is the points Karate I would like to see.

Rick Horton out of Florida looks like an amazing instructor. His knowledge is broad and deep, and he is an excellent communicator. Found him on youtube. LoL

I don't use a head kick that I cannot break 2 inches of wood with. And I have never been able to do it with a crescent kick. And I cannot recall ever seeing anyone doing it either. I think it's taught because it's a very easy kick to learn, and it helps with stretching. I have seen guys land it solid in competitive sparing and it barely stunned the other guy. For me, head kicking is a finishing technique. It is slower and leaves me very vulnerable it if fails. I won't use a head kick that doesn't have knock out potential.

You need to do more Ippon Kumite until where you can apply a technique (block) from reaction.

Personally, I would prefer Olympic MMA over Karate.

It depends on what schools you come out of. For example, if you come from the Shito-Shoto schools, you do a lot of straight punching. But if you come from the Goyu-Kyohushin schools, you do a lot of circular punching. Now why don't the Shito-Shotokan schools practice more versus round punching? Because it screws up their punching form. BTW, the Goyu-Kyokushin do practice straight punching as well. But alot of their punching is at close range, and it's where the circular hooks rule.

Some things can't be done on a heavy bag like a front kick. And some things can't be done on a makiwara such as punching at full power. The best training use both.

IMHO, in a couple of years, the Olympics will pick between TKD and Karate. There is no way that they will keep both because they are too similar to the common spectator.

Kyokushin knockdown rules absent face punching are pretty lame in my opinion. I hope that they adopt Daido Juku rules & equipment instead. This is by far the best spectator martial art to watch.

In highschool I had issues with a linebacker that outweighed me by about 60 pounds. I used a Judo footsweep after I wrist locked him. He threatenned to sue me the next day. For a football player, he didn't fall gracefully and threw out his back. Will it work again? I dunno. But football players like going in only one ditlrection - forward. And they love to grab your arms and wrists if they can't grab you around the waist.

Neither would get a point from me because they both lack knock out power. To me they're both set up techniques rather than finishing techniques.