Harkon72

Our style, Shito Ryu, is based on traditional Okinawan Karate. Head height kicks are not a focus of the Karate. Our Sensei trains us in kata and very few of these have head height kicks. It's simply not a feature of our tradition.

All martial arts are deadly in the right hands! Osu!

This maybe so for some, but at my age my Chudan Mawashi Geri has much more power than my head height one. My kicking leg, paralel to the floor generates more torque and transfer of force. Maybe I'm at fault, but I'm happy with it.

I would recomend that you have Kime too, a focus outside yourself that is within. Your only true opponent after all is yourself.

We have the philosophy that the higher you kick the more power you lose. So practicing kicking to the head is rare. Most power training is Chudan high. We do train flexibility so a head height kick is possible if deemed unnecessary.

Learn the basic kicks first, then the mobility and flexibility to execute it and the maturity never to use it outside the Dojo. Osu!

I didn't even hit him! I clenched my fist to my chest and was about to get up off my chair and he backed down, I think the look in my eyes was enough. I think he had seen someone chamber their fist in that style before and didn't fancy his chances, so I was lucky.

Thinking of a specific technique in a real situation is tough, you just don't have the time. Instinct, muscle memory and reflex will execute the right strike or hold and then it's over. Having the poise to throw a head height kick in a real fight takes a fair deal of thinking. I would find it difficult to imagine firing one as a quick reaction strike. You need the room for a start and a safe place to throw it; in a crowd, pulling back to throw a head kick would be dangerous. My last self defense scenario was on a speeding bus, seated, no room, no balance. You can never plan for a real situation, but your safety will run true to your training and attitude. Osu!

The most tiring part of my last grading was the pad work, I lost count of how many times I kicked and punched the shield. I had to go out of the hall to cool down in the fresh air. I suppose examiners want to know how much you want it. Well done! I hope you can recover and get ready for your next text, wearing your belt with pride and getting ready for your next grade. Osu!

I started when I was 14, trained until I was 22. Moved away and studied a different Martial art, moved back and trained again until I was 32. I had an 8 year break until last year. I am 6th Kyu in my new style, I see the Karate from a totally different angle, I'm sharper and more dynamic now than I ever was.

Hello and Welcome! Osu!

My wife started Karate six months ago, she never thought she was the type. She's lost weight, she has more energy and confidence and she has made new friends. She was 40 this year.

Try Mae Geri, jodan Oi Zuki; their hands will drop, giving you a perfect shot to the head.

Being a Martial Artist is a responsibility, being calm and collected is your gift to an aggressor.

As Sensei Demura heads our linage too, I send him my best wishes and prayers for a strong recovery and extend my association's love and support.

The Japanese Silver medalist had a couple of good Ippons, but yes, I agree it looks quite untidy at times. The Russian and Korean fighters did well.

Welcome

I watched a Welsh lady win Gold in the TKD in London 2012. And that was it! I must admit I find the Judo more interesting.

I like that quote too. Always remember to haunt them as well when you are dead

I train with Sensei Williams twice a week. He's 4th Dan, Sensei Molinue is his teacher, he's 6th Dan, Sensei Fumio Demura is his teacher, he's 9th Dan.

Sensei Demura-Sensei Molenue-Sensei Williams-Me

Most of all you need to relax, be calm and know that you know enough. Don't talk yourself out of it, have faith in you fitness, your knowledge and your immovable spirit.

I agree, keep hitting them till they lie still. It's not overkill, I don't get the point of nice comfortable throws and then letting them roll and get to their feet again. Aikido suffers from this mind set of being kind and letting your opponent get up.

It took me 8 years to get to Shodan, then another 6 years to get to Nidan.

You can cross train, a stand up style and ground work style together would work well, but it's very hard work to give both equal justice. The fact that many Karate styles are similar but very different, (sorry for the paradox but Martial Arts is full of them), is what makes two styles together in Karate so difficult and confusing. Focus, timing and body mechanics can differ greatly in two movements that look identical to the untrained eye. I would cross train by all means; but doing it in two distinct styles is easier.