brickshooter

It's difficult to verify but there are some sources claiming he learned Southern Chinese Kempo off of one of his father's employees at a young age. It was for less than six years and spanned from when was 9 to 15 before he left for Japan. Goju Ryu is perhaps the most influential part of Kyokushin, you can see a heavy influence in all aspects of it, not surprising since Oyama was awarded his hachidan in Goju Ryu by Gogen Yamaguchi. Choi was actually trying to recruit Oyama and his whole organization into the ITF, but he underestimated how much Oyama loved Japan and how he had basically given up his Korean roots to become Japanese. Oyama obviously wasn't going to give up his established organization to a brand new one, much less play second fiddle to someone else, so he declined. Oyama may have originate with Goju, but modern Kyukoshin looks more to me like a cross between MThai and TKD. When visiting their dojos, one could even notice that Kyokushin and TKD uses the same sparing rules except for the added leg kicks.

I wonder whether we step in front or step in back is a result of the type of guard we use rather than any attempt to add power to our side kick. For example, in Shotokan, most use a fighting guard that squares the shoulder to the opponent. From those outside the style, it looks like Shotokan people are constantly in a front stance when they fight. Consequently it's almost impossible to conceal a side kick by stepping in back. The kicker may as well wave his arms and announce that he's intending to do a side kick because one would have to rotate the entire body 90 degrees before the step. In contrast, TKD (in the US) generally don't use a squared guard. From an observer, the TKD fighter is using a modified horse stance. So it's impossible to cross in front. Therefore regardless of style, crossing in front or back is more likely a result of the fighting stance that one uses rather than "this is the right way" of doing things. Tell a TKD fighter to use a squared stance and he'll end up crossing in front. Tell a Shotokan fighter to use a horse stance and he'll end up crossing in back.. Make any sense?

As much as I advocate Kata for Karate, sometimes I wonder whether TKD should just scrap Kata altogether. I often speak to 4th and 5th dan TKD grades, and their understanding of Kata is roughly the same as a 1st dan. And their attitude is that the intent of Kata is for "tradition" only. To me that's a horrible waste of time. They should scrap it or adopt free fighting Katas like what Ashihara Karate did.

Elite karate. They generally draw the best athletes and produce very tough fighters. On the other hand, many schools will not meet the needs of children or older folks or casual learners (like me). Some schools will even not slow down for young men who can't keep up. In other words, they have a tendency to ignore a novice until they believe that you're tough enough to not quit. And many do quit. BTW, gearing up often means a mouth piece and cup. Other MMA safety gear are frowned upon as being "soft." Also by elite, I don't mean that their style is any better than other Karate schools. But their level of training demands more physical fitness. I think it's safe to say that Kyokushin is karate for athletes.

Literal as in only a single meaning for each step? I think that just about every martial arts starts out teaching it this way. Cuts down the confusion and allows students to focus on developing basic muscle memory.

Interesting enough, I neither step in front nor back during kumite. In a seminar, I had an Isshin Ryu instrutor who taught me to slide. So I've slid ever since. Even nowadays during kihon training, I end up sliding after the step in front. (Don't ask me where an Isshin Ryu instructor learned to do a sliding side kick.)

IMO, the TKD side kick delivers more power as it allows the kick to be delivered like a back kick. But the problem with the TKD side kick is that it leaves you very vulnerable if it fails since you're now with your back to the attacker. Your shoulders are completely turned, leaving you with a single arm to defend. In addition, you sciatic nerve (back of your leg) is completely exposed to a low kick counter both before and after the kick. With the Shotokan side kick, you shoulders are still relatively squared versus your attacker. So if it fails, you're in a better position to follow up with a punch or block with either hand. And it's also a deceptive kick that could look like either a lead leg front kick or round kick. However, it is a more difficult kick to master since one must use the "flick" of the hips to generate any power in this kick. You really need to have flexible and strong hips to do this kick well. BTW if anyone wants to know what a TKD side kick looks like, look up Joe Lewis on Youtube. While not a TKD guy, how Lewis kicks is how TKD side kicks are taught. With the alignment of the body, enormous power can be generated. Breaking ribs is pretty easily done.

On youtube, this Cannuck gives me a pretty good interpretation of Kata apps.

Interesting enough, I don't see that much of a difference between kata & kumite. Most of the things I do in kumite comes directly from kata. However, if you favor kumite that is more free flowing, take a look at the more modernized katas from Ashihara Karate.

No, you have a good point. Just testing your knowledge base to see if you know what you're talking about.

Judo 1x a week Aikido 1x a week Karate 1x a week What can I say, I see the martial arts as recreational. (BTW, I also do Salsa dancing 2x a week)

Textbook - Sure, it could be a text book of techniques. But that doesn't mean that it can't also be a text for engaging multiple attackers, teaching footwork and the mental preparation needed to engage multiple attackers. Angles - Sure, not all attackers will come with the same angle. But I don't think that Kata is meant for one to turn at the exact same angle but rather teach the footwork. Kata lays the foundation to which the practitioner has to adapt as necessary. Countering multiple attackers. Sure, being fluid is one method of dealing with many attackers. But another way is to decisively drop the first few attacker with violent strikes. Attacker have a tendency to reevaluate their courage when they see their friend struggling to breath. Creative training - Sure. But of all the dojos you've been in, how many actually implement training to counter multiple attackers? I generally hear a 15-30 second speech. And it ends there.

Actually, Aikidokas will pop the aggressor in the face first to force the aggressor to reach out and block. That blocking arm is now a free limb to manipulate and break.

I think that Kata would be outdated if one were to see self-defense as a strictly one-on-one fight where the attacker is always coming from just the front. Unfortunately, real world fights aren't like that. We often face multiple attackers who start their attacks from different directions. To me Kata addresses this major issue. Kata not only teaches the striking and kicking, it teaches foot work, balance, locks, throws, breathing and most importanly, the rapid changing of direction & defending oneself versus a new attacker. If I were to traing to fight MMA matches, I'd skip the kata work. Outside the cage, I'd keep the kata training just in case my attackers don't want to play fair.

Most definitely seperate training. Seperate flloor space and time. Preferably seperate instructors.

It's interesting that a lot of these low percentage karate techniques that has little chance of landing versus a karate practicioner is landing versus MMA people. BTW, I wouldn't throw a spinning technique unless it's to finish off a person that I've already worn down and I know won't counter should I miss.

I purchased mine for $100 off of craigslist. I like it because it does allow for more realistic training. There's something about hitting something that looks human that gives me more gratification. The cons are it's not intented to be used to build power strikes. Durabilty probably comes into play over long use. On a smooth surface, it will slide even if loaded with weights. On the other hand, I was able to put a Judo gi on it, which did allow me to practice some Judo entries and strangulation techniques. In addition, it has a nice feel when I was practing standup grappling and striking at the same time. And it allowed some things that can't be done on a heavy bag such as uppercuts to a chin while holding the head down. Worth my $100.

I think people often mistakenly look at Karate as a final product. IMO, it's a core style to which people come up with new techniques to fit their needs. Since people's needs continuously change, Karate itself changes. So the leg kick could be a copy from Thai Boxing. Or it could have been home grown when leg kicking was promoted from within. Let's be frank, we're not talking about rocket-science. If we take a couple of reasonably intelligent people and we tell them that the rules allow full contact leg kicks, I'm certain that within a month of full contact kicking, they're come to the conclusion of what we see used in modern Kyokushin. Regarding the Brazilian round house kick. I actually started to use it in the early 80s before ever seeing it elsewhere. The reason was that I was facing a lot of TKD fighters who were very good at blocking my round kicks. So I had to adapt my core kick to get around their guard. I'm not writing this to pat myself on the back. I'm writing this to demonstrate that novelty techniques are often home grown as needed rather than any system copying from any other system.

It's a snap kick. Silva's snap kick is a little different from Machida's. TKD front snap kicks open up the hips a little more allowing for more rotation. Shotokan front snap kicks pushes off the supporting leg. But neither were Thai thrusting kicks, which generally strikes with the heel and very often actually "pushes" the opponent away. Thai thrusting front kicks aren't actually intended to knock out but to knock opponents off balance.

I think at the professional level, fighters don't give a crap about style. They just want to either learn the attack, or how to defend against it. What ever it takes to win the bout and the trophy money. Therefore, a lot of fighters are taking notes especially at the middle and light heavy weight class where they're more likely to face Machida or Silva. Debates and discredits generally go on at the very amateur weekend warrior level where the big & fat 300lbs fighter is insecure that he may not be getting the deadliest techniques. And so his instructor has to calm things down by instilling to the student the best propaganda he can muster up.

Jumping or hopping, I think it's important for one to go "forward" instead of "upward." The intent of the jump/hop is to cover ground. I've seen this kick taught as a jump to get elevation in order to kick a person in the head. That's asking for trouble.

Ok, so how do you handle it when they see you perform, and it becomes obvious that you have had prior training, and they ask you again?I generally smirk, then say no again. Instructors generally get the hint and move on. From my own experience, the experienced instructors don't even ask. They know my style, background & experience based on my motion and understanding of instructions. Some even knew it from the way I bow which was interesting. As for owing a propaganda lecture because it was a free lesson? Pass. I'll move on. I'm the customer. If they want my business, they'll have to accomodate. Else, I'll give my business to their competitor.

I cross train at different dojos & gyms a lot. And my general rule is to answer "no" when asked if I've prior training. I do this when moving from style to style, but also from ryu to ryu. I just hate having to sit throught a propaganda session. And even when they're nice, I find that the new instructors waste an enormous amount of time contrastring on how "we do" opposed to how "you do" it. And frankly, it takes too much energy to keep my eyes from rolling from one side of my head to the other. Generally I wear a nicely washed speckled cleaned white gi with a white belt. And when inquired about prior training, I answer "no" or "no" or "no" no matter how many times they repeat their question.

IMO, it's a simple lead leg Mae Geri to the head. It's not a crane kick (drop front kick) like the "Karate Kid." Back leg shuffles up, front leg kick. Power is generated by forward momentum. Penetration is generate by kicking with the ball instead of instep. One sets this attack up with several rear leg round kicks to the body or leg. When the opponent tries to anticipate the next round kick, he will bring his forearm vertical to protect his right arc and leave the vertical unguarded. (I guess this is why Shotokan folks like to guard their center line). Again. It's not a crane kick. It's a lead leg front kick. BTW, lucky that Machida didn't have Randy's teeth stuck into the ball of his foot.

Well you guys are partially right. Machida just dropped Randy Couture with a jumping front kick that may have taken out some of Randy's teeth. Machida could have raised both hands like a crane to do the Karate Kid pose. IMO, not enough people do the front karate front kick in MMA. So it's still a novelty technique. It's sort of like BJJ in the earlier UFC. No one knew what it was, so no one prepared for it. Amazing. That's two top MMA fighters dropped with a head-level front kick that would have about a freezing chance in hell of landing on a brown belt Karateka.