Harkon72

I was summoned to train tonight by my Sensei's brother, also a Shukokai 4th Dan. He made me train the Back Kick to a free standing kick bag. Long story made short; by the end of the night, the base of the bag, filled with 30 stone of sand began to lift off the floor after contact with my Back Kick. I'm very pleased, and so lucky to be part of an association with top grade instructors.

In my Opinion, each movement in Karate; be it a hand or arm movement, a body shift, a leg or foot movement or where you place your feet can all be used and utilized to your advantage. Whether you call it uke, uchi, geri, dachi, nage, barai or WHATEVER the whole ethos is to use them to gain advantage over an aggressor. Interpret, apply, focus away and call these components of Karatedo whatever you like.

In one way I'm disappointed, in another relived that the politics of Karate Associations won't make the running of the event even more complicated.

Shito Ryu is our parent style, most of our Sensei above Yondan practice it.

We in the UK have our Remembrance day in November. It's important for us too; there are those who oppose it, but their issues are their own. Enjoy your day guys, for we too remember your sacrifice.

I'm going for my 4th Kyu (Purple Belt) this summer.

I did Shotokan for a few years up to 3rd Kyu, good style. I study Shukokai now, I find it has a more modern outlook.

I think this fight illustrates what a technical fighter he is, also that he can take a punch too;

Here's the Japanese National Team Performing it with Bunkai. I think it's rhythm and application is amazing.

There is a philosophy that all blocks in Karate are really strikes, and each one should end the fight there and then. But in my experience, you can block to lead into another technique. The Hikate, or reaction hand can block, strike or grab an opponent; for example, with Shuto Uchi on knife hand strike, common in most basic kata, there is a Haishu block with the back of the hand as you draw the front hand to your ear; then an open hand block with the rear hand before you strike (or block) with the front Shuto Te. This is what makes Karate such a wonderful discipline - the endless variation and field for interpretation. I wish you soft and hard blocks with strikes that follow or lead. Osu!

Thanks Mal, I'll do my best. A Pre-Grade is a test that simulates the Grading for a new Belt. It is done a couple of weeks before to see if a student is ready to grade and if so, what they need to work on to make their grade attempt stronger.

Hello and Welcome.

ps1, thank you, I shall take your advice, trust in myself and just let the technique fly.

Hello and Welcome.

Thank you, I will train some every day, break down the technique then put it together. My Sensei said that I can train another session each week from now on. He is confident that I can do it, as you say he wouldn't put me forward for grade otherwise. I have two weeks of training, I will do my best.

My Sensei held a Pre-Grade for my 4th Kyu test tonight. He asked me to perform Ushiro Geri to the air and then to a strike shield. To my great shame I couldn't do it. My stance was too deep, my timing was wrong, my head was too low, my focus was all over the place. This is the first time I have scored a fail in a Pre-Grade for Sensei Williams. I have two weeks before I grade and if I fail these two sections I will fail the Grade. I have produced Dan Grade class Ushiro Geris in the past, this time I felt heavy and disorientated. I must practice every day this week and next. Does anyone have any tips for me?

I would still train with Sensei Williams, travel to train with Sensei Mallaliu in Manchester twice a week and train with Sensei O'Neill and Sensei Steven Rowe at least once a month. How I would fit it in I don't know, but a trip to Okinawa once a year would be on the cards too.

Hi Mark, Welcome to the forum, it is varied and friendly. I hope you enjoy it; you are very welcome.

I've had several breaks from martial arts too, I was a white belt for the third time two years ago. I hope you enjoy the forum, you are very welcome.

I feel privileged and proud to be part of this forum. Keep up the good work and thank you

I trained with the Ki Aikido club in Bangor North Wales many years ago. It was at the University. This is why I turned against Aikido as an effective style; they took so much time developing the mythical "Ki" and not giving any martial arts training at all. Wado Ryu on the other hand, developed from Ju Jitsu and Japanese Karate is one of the best forms of modern Budo in my opinion.

Sound advice from Master Pain there; if you can afford it, you enjoy it and it feels good - get your head down and train. A system is only as good as you make it.

Harkon is a Dark Elf Assassin from the Bloodbowl series of table top games produced by Games Workshop here in the UK. He was a fiendish little guy and I had the model a few years ago. Totally Random really.

I would choose Wado Ryu as it's close to my style of Shukokai, I tried Aikido - I found it very frustrating; it has some self defense value but it is more of an ethos than a fighting system. It takes longer to become proficient in Aikido than Karate and from what I have seen the training involves far to much compliance and courtesy throws for my liking. I am biased towards a more striking and punching system that is trained on a hard floor, not a mat that is safe and cosy.