Hawkmoon

ouch! take it easy Shodan melbourne, rest relax don't press the knee...you kind'a need that bit of your body all the time! I'll add: I managed to land badly last night on my ankle. That's me out for at least a week! Not done an ankle in for years...then past night ..over stretched the attack and POP!

Restricted face contact and gloves, MMA style gloves..... ...was what I had pictured in my mind with regards to this being a Shotokan biased contest! The idea of a continuous bout is the only way to score and define a winner as well IMO. To stop a fight for no reason other than to say that was a nice punch...nah! Better to use a points tally for such things in the event that time expires when neither fighter did! Consider the collection of KOs! Then this finals bout, (novice Heavy) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NVPcj1uR2s Bare knuckles is a good way to fight, like I mentioned earlier, '...you have no time to put your gloves on...', so you have to hit your target and make it count. So when you 'punch' depending where that punch lands, or as we all have done from time to time, what it catches on its way through, its hurts you as much as it hurts them! (Gyaku zuki thumb...anyone?) Bare knuckle fighting gets you aware real fast about what to hit when to hit and even how to hit! Using gloves on the other hand limits personal injury and increases the power an attacker commits to an attack as well as defense! So a Shotokan FC contest is a good idea to test your metal so it should/must differ enough from current FC contents to draw both fighters and spectators. The idea is sound, real sound, I'd say what needs to be sorted out is 'target area', rules and whether or not to ware gloves to with the idea of contact to the face. So long as the rules target area buttoned up tight and what is permissible attire you may have a new fight offering to share with everyone.

Jumping around for sake of moving out of the way is utterly worthless, you need to press your position, your advantage! If you have it to start with else you need to get the advantage fast! If in moving you 'deflect' the attack, then do so to gain advantage, to open up the attackers side (ribs/face you get the idea) and then with purpose strike! I make a distinct effort to say 'deflect' not block here. To be clear to block the attack outright will work, no doubt at all on that point, they almost expect it form you after all! Do NOT drop this from your training, keep it up! However for me I feel the deflect is the better option here, like Akido, I'm allowing the attacker and the attacks momentum to do the work for me, to pass me by! To have them offer me more! To block an attack is to stop the attack, stop is the elephant in the room here! We say stop but in our mind we have already queued up the next movement, another block, .....maybe with an attack on the end of that! (A combination response if you will) Why? Conditioning, plain and simple we expect a second attack, a second punch or kick, the combinations we go over again and again, we fight using combinations so we 'expect' a combination in return when attacked. So I say deflect, it takes 'them' past you at which point the second attack is lost your not where they meant to be so they have to reset...which for you is great your on the attack at this point! Ah no your not you went in to defense mode for the second attack. Take the center and hold it. No I do not mean the center of the ring/mat, I mean the area that is created by you and your assailant (Think Dirty dancing - your space my space..) take 'that' center. Hold it control it, if you defend anything defend that! Consider the block and attack backwards, in reverse for a moment. Block as attack and attack as block. To block an attack is to launch your own strike this is two actions, make it one! As you block make sure you do so with the idea of hurting the limb of the inbound weapon....to attack. A punch comes at you, we block it or deflect it...no ....do neither hit it! This one sounds a little mad but truthfully we all do it today and have been doing so for ages, we simply do not realize it. We all react to the shoulder movement, so now rather than queue up a block, launch an attack. Attack as defense. As the shoulder moves, punch it! Attack as defense! Seriously try it work in the dojo in pairs, one punches, you defend by punching the arm! Swap and repeat. Defense as attack! When a punch comes in hit the forearm. Defense as attack! You will both realize very VERY fast its not the power of the hit (it never was) its the pain from the repeated hitting of that spot on the attacks arm that has them consider other options, to not hit as much with that arm...there fast arm, there best arm.......ah your new found advantage!

Nice post and topic! A full contact competition to any fighting art is IMHO always going to be a good thing! Yes, such comment coming form a Kyokushin student is to be expected, but seriously, if you have to 'step up' when you are out, you have no time to set out the rules of engagement, the mats get the gloves and leg pads on! Full contact competition gives the participants the experience and knowledge let alone confidence and mental strength to go the distance, no matter what the outcome. I'd be interested in the rules and guidelines for such a contest, any ideas on what they are or would be? Maybe an existing rule set (as a template) that would form the core/basis of this tournament?

The more I run the better I feel 'breathing' becomes! I just hate running! Weights and generally exercising over all is becoming much easier! Hmmmm........!

In competition and the dojo we see and fight different types of fighter, each with his or her own way of fighting...there fighting style. The actual Ryu a fighter follows does influence the way 'they' fight but in each system the are fighters with different styles. With some fighters you can tell from there body size and/or shape what sort of fighter they are. Some are slow in the movement, like a machine and take each strike as it comes and they move in such a way as to try and crowd you out! Other fighters are quick, fast they move around the ring/mat like a frightened squirrel and strike like a cobra! Yet others are patient fluid fighters picking there target and time to strike POW! Others are pure counter fighters, they wait until you attack and pick you off as you do! My size and body shape leads other to think counter fighter, yet others see a patient fluid opponent, they may well be right. I'd not considered how I fight, only how others fight and I adjust as bets I can to them. A slow target is treated with care, slow is one thing pure power is the other side of that coin. So I'll move around strike as I wish, when I wish keeping out of range until I feel I have a reasonable understanding of them to then move in. A fluid fighter is treated with care again, (no point offering up your ribs so soon) to gauge there speed to decide how best to get into them. The frightened squirrels, them I crowd out cut the ring up into ever smaller pieces, mainly because more often than not I have worked out I cannot match there speed. I've always say 'fight the man not the grade', and by that philosophy when I fight I present a different fighter to each opponent I face. What about you, what fighting style do you have, or face and so how do you deal with them?

11/9 90 - sit ups 100 - push ups 50 -Tricep 10 kyu kihon - in Go (5x10x3 each technique - 5 arm + 2 leg) 45 mins - fighting combinations 5x3 mins stamina work.

5/9 Run - 2 mile. 3x30 sit ups 3x30 push ups 3x50 squats 9/9 Bag work - combinations 30 min sparring - semi contact 90 sit ups 90 push ups Core work - 40 mins

4/9 10 min run 45 min leg work - knockdown 30 arms & core 30 free sparring - clicker

A really old thread, but a really great thread one that is very important to us all...... ...especially for me just now as I'm struggling to get it right at the moment! In the past breathing has always been done form the stomach(core) with the muscle held firm, breathing as deep as possible without giving away the fact that I am breathing. (If that makes sense?) Now I feel I maybe overdoing the 'not showing I am breathing' piece at the moment, but the other night after a few rounds I was clearly exhausted, nothing left flat out on my feet! Yet in previous sessions I 'worked' way past 'that' point before I started to flag! Now the advise (sound and correct ) was to work on breathing deeply, not to worry about the outward appearance just now, just get the breathing right and not get fatigued. Sensei even demonstrated to me that I was breathing from my chest(rib cage) and not my core as I had thought and that I was actually breathing very shallow, practically 'panting'! In the past (all them years ago) the only time I became fatigued was in competition as I hit the semi-finals. Eventually to overcome this I started to run and when allowed to train with my gum shield in, so forcing me to 'breath deeper'. This same advice was offered to me the other night, run with a gum shield in to get used to the restricted oxygen forcing me to breath deeper than I normally would. The suggestion brought back memories as if hit by a steam train. Anyone have any suggestions/ideas?

Fighter fix ...sounds like its worth a look at. Arnica cream/gel, really was of no help to me, others I have spoken with love it! Not all just enough to make it worth a trial. Tiger Balm seemed to work, its use along with massaging action of its application can be 'tested' now I think about it by simply using 'an other' ointment see if one bruise heels faster or not.

3/9 20 mins Light sparring All kihon from 10th to 1 kyu. 30 mins kata 30 mins core work

We get them when we train. We say, rest, ice, compress & elevate, we even say light work maybe if the bruise isn't that bad, not to stress the area just keep it working. Then there is 'Arnica' gel or cream, Tiger Balm even 'Deep heat' to treat them. What do you do when you have a few, anything? Arnica gel or cream, to me anyway seemed to do little to speed the body repair up, Tiger Balm does seem to help...a little. I'm not so sure they do help as much as advertised if at all. I can't help but thing the massaging of the area is actually doing the work, not the ointment!

We were told last night that most of us are to consider competing in this tournament! Looks like it will be fun with! Anyone thinking of attending, be it to spectate or compete?

2/9 Body burn! 'diamond' jumps. (Like a star jump, but you clap your hands and feet together at the top of the jump) - 1 min. Immediately followed by: Squats, touching left foot with right hand and visa verse - 1 min Immediately followed by: Crab Squats, step left, squat, step right squat (keeping a Kiba dachi stance) - 1 min Immediately followed by: Combination pushups. Press up position, drop to floor 'prostrate position' push back up, lift one arm off the floor twist your body 90 degrees. Drop to floor repeat, press up lift other arm up etc etc. - 1 min Immediately followed by: Squat thrusts - 1 min Rest 1 min Repeat the above sequence 3 times. 1hr bag work. punching combinations. Kicking combinations then.... 'tunnel of death'. A mixture punching and kicking, work through a 'tunnel' of students with bags and kick or punch the bags as described. Run through a second time double the activity form the last run . Repeat the 3rd run, triple the kick or punches from the last run, repeat for 4th and again for 5th run. 6th run reduce to x4 punch or kick. 7th x3 8th x2 9 last run full power once. body conditioning - 'clash' arms (Uchi Uke, Soto uki, mai gedan bari) - gedan mixed with chudan strikes combination of kicks. 30 mins sparring.

31/8 Weights - approx an 3 hr split across 6hr. Stair runs - approx an 1 hr split across 6hr. 1/9 Short Run Core. 40 situps 100 leg lifts! (lower core) Weights 30 mins - shoulders - arms -wrists.

Absolutely! To go off on a mission with pure rage/anger 'ROAR' in you head, not going to end the way your think it will! Your position on society didn't matter at the start of the confrontation, so its only value is to you and how 'you' wish to be remembered/considered by others because of the impending conflict. The only thing, if this is correct to say it so bluntly, is your need to weigh up the situation take your stance/posture and follow it 100% to its conclusion. Do you take; A positive confident, none aggressive posture can go a long way to diffusing the situation. If the person before you is not swayed by that position and they move on the next stage, as was said earlier its there choice to fight. An aggressive posture showing your confidence and to a degree your disdain for the attacker, the person before you is not swayed by that position and they move on the next stage, as was said earlier its there choice to fight. So truthfully, how do you wish the police report to read or your family, friends the community to look at you after the dust settles? As a trained fighter you have many responsibility to take into consideration. They are not limited to law, they cover: Mum Ryu son, daughter Art Friends Students Sensei Police School Church ... .. the list is practically endless! I'll repeat, if you 'must' fight then "get it done get it over get home" have no pride in the action, but be 100% clear, certain and open about the facts and truth of the incident, have no grey areas that are difficult to explain to any one.

Cool! do drop an update into the the thread if you get lucky with a club! The names are different, but the art the teaching is 'Kyokushinkai karate'.!

just paid a few quid for a birthday gift for the youngest boy! Seems his life is not complete unless he has a Wii U as well as his x-box.... Roll on Mario world! hehehehe!

question CredoTe Are there any 'shinkyokushin', Oyama karate schools nearby? I get that Ohio is a big state, but maybe other readers may find this helpful; http://www.us-shoshinkarate.com/ http://www.uskyokushin.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUEw2RoWkSM

..hmmm seems sensei has a new weapon of torture! 29/8 Body burn! 'diamond' jumps. (Like a star jump, but you clap your hands and feet together at the top of the jump) - 1 min. Immediately followed by: Squats, touching left foot with right hand and visa verse - 1 min Immediately followed by: Crab Squats, step left, squat, step right squat (keeping a Kiba dachi stance) - 1 min Immediately followed by: Combination pushups. Press up position, drop to floor 'prostrate position' push back up, lift one arm off the floor twist your body 90 degrees. Drop to floor repeat, press up lift other arm up etc etc. - 1 min Immediately followed by: Squat thrusts - 1 min Rest 1 min Repeat the above sequence 3 times. Core (sit ups) 90. (3 x30) 30 mins knockdown combinations (legs) 30 mins knockdown combinations (arms) 30 mins knockdown combinations (legs & arms)

Thanks! (can't think were I've seen this one before!) 1. Get a board. 2. Mount it about 'chudan' height. 3. Put a candle on it. 4. Punch, DO NOT touch the candle. 5. Try to put the candle out! Your focus (ki) & speed will be so SO much better when you can do this on demand!

Passive or aggressive. The situation is going to be the guide here. A good confidant posture towards your attacker is enough is many cases. A confident passive, none threatening stance or posture is as effective as a confident aggressive stance! If the situation leaves you with no choice but to fight then its aggression simple as that, get it done get it over get home. Its there choice not yours so make sure they understand your view on the subject!

HEHEHE I'm an old school PC gamer, I used to run a 'Lan party' for anyone who wanted to come along years ago and have the best ping to game with others, that's back when low ping was god! Nowadays I live in a house that is at war, one of the boys is a PS3 fan the other is X-Box 360. I've an X-Box myself, its a great dust magnet! HEHEHE

Hawkmoon, the last name of a character in a book series I read when I was younger. His full name 'Duke Dorian Hawkmoon.' No connection to it for me just that I like the sound of the name! "Hawkmoon"