brickman

Both Jesse Owens and Joe Louis should be atop that list. They both gave the United States a morale boost when it was drastically needed. They earned no money, gave none to a charity, but what they did helped a nation in its time of need. Also, it is little known or noted that Owens did not want to run on the winning relay team (he preferred one of his Jewish teammates do it) but was told to shut up and do what he was told. I find it refreshing that a man with very few rights in his own country was willing to do what was right for another man.

LOL... this is becoming quite funny. And at the same time pathetic. You have used a big two word attack on me...in Latin nonetheless....that must mean you have something really big to go on....how very nice for you. Let me see...ad hominem....means something like this (but you will have to forgive me, since I have a very simple * in Education....so I cant use big words as eloquently as you)....I am using an emotional "attack" instead of an intellectual one....I believe I have stated for the FOURTH time now that the only reason I said he should retire is because of the concussions. Where is the emotion and lack of logic? Childish....hmm I guess using fact is indeed childish and I do apologize and do so hope I can be forgiven for putting forth my OPINION.

I agree with the Shorin-ryu posters. Why train a certain way if you are not going to use it?

I am sure you mean your score with John was 0-3. You make it sound like it is mean of someone to say he should retire....that is not the case here....again....you must not understand much about concussions....if you continually get them they magnify. Each time you get hit in the head makes it more likely the damage sustained will be greater than the last. That is why I said I THOUGHT he should have retired a few years ago...for John's well being (again that is because I like him as a person, but I am not his mother). I have not once implied that John is not a good fighter....he has become very very good over the years. I would like him to be able to enjoy getting older though...

I dont recall ever saying John was not a good fighter......my point was simply this..a person can only take a few grade 2 or 3 concussions before it begins affecting them..some former football players come to mind..Andre Rison being one. I was at the nationals last year also...watched all the fights...John did pretty well there...as far as George....that only goes to show how hard competing at that level really is. In any case both of them are superb fighters and deserve recognition for that..... three questions for you zakariru: 1. What does couple times a year mean? Their seminars? 2. What was the score of your first round match with John? 3. Was that a laugh at my post? I dont think that is very nice...

I believe John Fonseca and Shannon Nishi also both got 3rd's.....last years world champ George Kotaka (sp) lost in the 3rd round. Really happy for John whom I thought should have retired a few years ago...too many shots to the head...but a nice guy. Shannon is like a little waterbug...great little fighter.

ok...if you were to put a laserlight on the knot of your belt when you punch would it make an arc across the room when you punched? Have you seen karate kid II?? When they are fighting at the end? Something like that.....I realize it is Holywood...but maybe that helps explain my meaning.

some good posts so far....didnt expect so many replies. Now...how about that tension??? Are you really really tense when you hit? Give me a number like 1-100....100 being as tense as you can possibly make your body. Also, with one exception....does your hip make an arc? like the Karate Kid II thing?

Shorinryu, I think at least WE are on the same page. Thanks for answering the last question anyway...lol. That was more of wondering where others are coming from, but I agree with you 100%. LOL great minds.....

I am finding with each reply I write that it is very hard to get a clear picture of what people mean. It is very difficult to vividly describe what one is actually trying to get across with such technical applications. With that in mind, can anyone describe to me what they mean when they say they hit with their hips. I mean what is the action of the hips when YOU hit? Also...how do you punch? what is the way you hold your hand, etc. I ask this only because of a few questions from other topics. I would like clarification....thanks in advance.

I respectfully disagree....I refer to the other Shorinryu post above about biomechanics....I will agree about different practioners, but alot of that has to do with who trained them.

Shorinryu sensei has hit it really well....I think the main difference is the application side of technique. I may go to his dojo, even though we are the same basic style, and do a technique completely different than he does. Again it is the idea of intended application.....that is where you get into different makes and models. I have seen guys who claim to be the same system as I am in, and not be able to do much more than the basics....why? Because their sensei never was able to grasp the concept of the application. That is very different and dangerous...much like driving an old Pinto or Nova...lol. True, you will walk into a dojo and see kicks and stuff, but if you look closely you will see some difference...I think that is where some of you are coming from?? If you go from one to the other the change in basics would be easy if you had a general grasp? Is that the idea?

Killer I was thinking of that with Okinawan...but if you pronounce it your way.....you get two "wh" sounds. but I like the oon part....like I said, that is harder than it looks.

you want those two words?? just in English? Shotokan Show toe khan Okinawan oak in ah win Lol that is harder than it looks....

As far as punches go.....I have taken basically three different styles of karate in almost 19 years. Those styles are Shotokan, Shito-ryu and Shorin-ryu. Shito-ryu was taught to me by a 6th degree here in the states who is Japanese and is pretty good. He hated me so whenever he felt the need to demonstrate a punch he would use me and hit me very hard....it hurt more than the previous Shotokan guy. BUT....when I started training with Shorin-ryu.....WOW. You have never experienced a punch like this Okinawan guy can give you. He has explained to many people over the years what Shotokan does "wrong" and punching is one of the concepts....see Shorin's point above about energy and biomechanics. Also, as he stated above there are many angles you can hit the human body...and according to the Shorin-ryu "mantra" none of them consist of a corkscrew effect....it is not the turning of the punch that causes pain as much as the amount of energy you create when you hit...again refer to Shorin's very long and well written post. Have any of you ever hit the Makiwara as hard as you can with the full "corkscrew" punch? I am not saying every punch we throw in Shorin-ryu is 3/4 or less....but we only throw the full punch when we teach beginners so they dont hurt each other.

those that say karate is very rigid....there are more styles of karate out there than Shotokan. That is like saying all kung fu people do White Crane. Or that all TKD people cant punch.

In the AAU all protests are to be filed with "the person in charge". I say that because sometimes at local tournaments they will not have a set rules person. If someone's teacher....or black belt student addresses the head referee, they are warned to not speak to the officials...on the second time...his/her student starts giving points to the opponent. I will also say each table should have an arbitrator you can speak to also. But never address the referee....alot of people are experts at what they think is a point.

1KickKo, How did you do in your tourney? Where was it? Westland? I used to train under (well i will let you try and figure it out) two guys who both competed internationally...both were in special forces at one time....one got third in the world in Australia in the early 80's and one medaled in Mexico in the mid-80's. And I worked out of Grove City...

Our rule of thumb is hit them more than they hit you....and harder. Oh and preferably you hit them first....lol. Seriously though....it is a matter of being hit or being touched. When you know the difference, then you will understand the rule of thumb.

I think the argument here is a very unfortunate side of a bad coin. Sparring is not what it should be....why? Because far too many people teach martial arts for profit...and quite frankly people who have jobs to go to the next day dont want to go to the hospital for all out fighting. My sensei tells us we are wimps compared to the guys he used to fight....He says they could barely carry their hand pads out the door when they were done fighting (when indeed they used them)...He has fought through broken ribs....feet...collar bones...because as stated previously here it was not a game of tag then....it was literally to ensure you were the one who walked away from a fight. Today it has become more a game of tag than actual application of technique.

How much space is there here? It seems the higher level of competition the more serious the matches become. Thus....the more fights. I remember one in particular where I was fighting a guy for the second time (in team fighting)...I reversed punched him and the fight was stopped...because my sensei was the head ref I dropped my guard and turned around...my opponent grabbed my gi top and smashed my eye (he was about 6'5" and weighed around 270)...I am 6'0" 190. My sensei slapped me in the chest when I started after him and told me he said yame.....AND THEN he gave the guy no warning or anything. SO I gave the guy a concussion. It was funny watching him trying to walk. (After the fight, people from our dojo said you could hear the pop when he hit me even in the top of the stands.....it fractured my eye socket). I love it because he tried the same stuff at the Regionals also and got his butt whipped there as well.

1KickKo I live near Dayton now....as a matter of fact I used to take classes with some of the guys under Mr. Madden. Bet you live in chillicothe.

Love fighting.....kata is ok..I am not great at either one...but it is far more exhilarating to beat on someone...not saying kata isnt good for ya to make you better.....but this asks which I prefer.

High School Social Studies teacher......Government is my favorite....

THE Ohio State Buckeyes!!