Wado Heretic

To be a pedant, if we acknowledge Wittgenstein and the concept of family relations, karate combat is a form of kick-boxing. It fills all the criteria of being part of the family of combat sports covered by the umbrella term kick-boxing. 1. You can strike with more than your hands, 2. You cannot engage in submission fighting, and 3. You achieve victory through knock-out, technical knock-out, submission, or a judge’s decisions based on points awarded on effective strikes. With the above said, Karate Combat has unique nuances which are worth acknowledging. Its rules allow throws and sweeps, which outside of Lethwei, Muay Thai, San Shou, and Shoot-Boxing are illegal in most kickboxing rule sets. They also allow single-leg takedowns which you will not find in kick-boxing outside Shoot-Boxing and Karate Combat. You are also allowed five seconds to strike a downed opponent from the top position, which you find in nothing else except MMA. Meaning that a strong wrestling game has the potential to be a winning edge in Karate Combat, unlike most forms of Kick-Boxing. The wearing of the much lighter MMA style glove which is close to bear-knuckle in terms of how you use your hands. Most forms of kick-boxing use boxing gloves: which allow you to catch punches in the air, takes the edge off using your hands to deal with kicks and allows you to use covering up as a practical defence. In contrast, with a lighter glove, the hand speed and size of the glove makes catching punches difficult if not impossible: you must rely on movement, distancing, parrying, and aggression to undermine your opponent’s hand attacks. You also cannot hope to take a kick with the lighter glove as, although I do not recommend it, you can use a boxing glove to cushion a kick to a limited extent compared to the MMA glove, meaning you can try to tank some kicks with a solid guard. Lastly, because of the size of boxing gloves, if you cover up your opponent will struggle to slip punches past your cover due to the size of the gloves: getting punched while covering up still hurts, but unlike the Lighter gloves which slip through, you are not getting hit in the face and ribs which is where the damage is done. As such, the punching range is much closer to MMA and Bear-Knuckle boxing than conventional boxing or kick-boxing. You also can kick the leg, but unlike most rule sets which dictate between the knee and the hip (essentially the thighs and quadriceps) in Karate Combat, it must be between the ankle and the knee, thus the shin and calves. I believe this is to encourage sweep attempts, but it does open the possibility of downward cutting kicks and oblique kicks we do not otherwise see. It also encourages the use of the leg-kick to engage in attacks, rather than as a distance controlling method (The Leg-Kick is akin to the Jab of boxing or the tackle of wrestling), or an attack to control your opponent’s movement. Similarly, with all other kicks having to be above the belt the use of head movement as a tactic of evasion becomes more workable than in most forms of kickboxing. Excessive head-movement in most rules of Low-Kick will just get you knocked down by low-kicks. In many ways, all the above means a miai like American Kick-Boxing, but with certain nuances which create a different fight game altogether. Going for the high-kick knock-out or moving aggressively forward with punches could lead to one getting caught in a take-down like in Free-Fighting. The low kick to below the knee also changes the distance of attacking: if you whiff a kick that low you are at once in your opponent’s punching range, compared to kicking the thigh where you still maintain a distance from your opponent’s extended punch. The bottom line is that Karate Combat is what you get when you take the rule of WKF Point-Fighting, make it a continuous format, and make it full-contact. In that regard, I feel it does more than aptly. However, I do wish to see the emergence of competitors who train for Karate Combat from scratch and aim to be good under these rules. Develop a good boxing and wrestling game and getting good at the Fight Science will then allow competitors to bring the character of karate to Karate Combat as Machida did to the UFC. Right now, it reminds me of Savate, but with take-downs to remind me it is not Savate. With all the above said, I would also like to point out other competitive venues which I think fit the desires brought up here. Ganryujima is a form of Budo Shin-Kakutogi where competitors wear keikogi. It also fought on platform and throws and ring-outs are awarded points and can be a means of victory. It is a venue for seeing Sumo and Judo techniques you will not see elsewhere. Like Karate Combat, the emphasis is on striking and aggression, and the ground fighting is limited to 15 Seconds, and only striking on the ground is allowed. As such, there is no submission fighting. Similarly, there are several accomplished karateka on the roster demonstrating their skills. There was, and possibly is, the Combudo format run by the famous Lee Hasdell. He is still involved in running Fighting events, but I have not heard much since 2017 about Combudo itself. The few professional events I am aware of also took place back all the way in 2009. Combudo is a form of free-fighting done in Keikogi and it does allow techniques done using the jacket. It also allows simulated ground-and-pound, which brings it closer to Unified Rules than most other Free-Fighting formats. You then have the long-running Kakutogi rule-set promoted by Daido Juku, which is now better known as the sport of Kudo. Although it disallows striking on the ground and makes use of protective helmets, it is an excellent free-fighting format grounded in Kyokushin-Ryu and Kodokan Judo. Then you have Nippon Kempo, and Combat SOMBO, and karate rule-sets such as Irikumi Go that fit the bill of allowing a range of techniques, without being a variation of Unified Rules or neglecting the use of the Jacket in Traditional Japanese Bujutsu. Basically, it is out there if you look for it. However, much of it is enjoyed only by those involved in said sports or people who are combat fans in general and not restricted to something such as boxing or MMA alone. The reason it has remained at the amateur level or at most of the national interest is because of limited appeal. I do use a variation of Unyo-Ho for sparring which is what I like to call kata based. Unyo-Ho comes from Shorinji Kenpo and is a form of Bogu Kumite where one is a designated attacker and the other the defender, and you swap roles. However, we focus on movements and principles from a specific kata for that specific session. In this way, we get to practice taking the initiative and retaking the initiative and explore the limitations of the kata movements in these contexts. Part of this approach is starting in different positions: sometimes we start in the clinch, sometimes a jacket grip, sometimes in bridging hand, or even at conventional sparring range. Now, I find this form of sparring fun and informative to training for effective kata application. To anyone who does not understand what it was about it would be as boring as sin. This is also where I would like to discuss the lack of a number of Karate’s characteristic open hand techniques in competition and why they are often banned or not apparent: 1. The open-hand techniques in kata represent body-checks, limb-control or distance control (a shove) and so they are present in competition, but they appear in body-to-body combat or clashes and are thus difficult to see. 2. The open hand techniques which exist as strikes are designed to perform maximum damage. The sticking of the finger into the eye or an orifice, or into soft-tissue such as the neck. Exerting maximum force on a weak point such as the jaw below the ear. The open hand-techniques are within the realm of what would be called “Purposefully Injurious” within the context of friendly competition. Now, I do allow the use of these techniques to a limited extent during semi-free sparring and the type of sparring I mentioned above. However, we do use protective equipment and what I would say is that it makes moot in their effectiveness. Where there is protection in the way, using a fist often makes more sense. I believe I would enjoy a competition circuit designed to show-case Kata-based and application orientated karate. However, I think I would be in the fringe, and I would admit to being sceptical that it would be any more successful, or more useful, than Daido Juku in the pursuit of a practical karate competition format. I fear kata-based-sparring is firmly within the domain of the dojo floor. With that said though, I would sign up right now to even a small circle of dojo that just took turns hosting a joint kata-based-sparring session or competition every couple of months. Combined with the technology of streaming, it might not become a popular sport, but it might be a way to promote practical karate. With all that said, I prefer a world where Karate Combat is a thing rather than a world where it is not. I believe it could be a gateway to good things, and even if it is not reflective of the karate of those of us who favour application-based karate framed by a reality-based mindset, it is reflective of the karate of those doing it. The great thing about karate is that it is for everyone, and as long as you are doing it sincerely that is what matters.

Fairwind was perhaps a harsh way to put it. Rather, I do not think Oyama was a student on the radar of Funakoshi even during his training with Funakoshi. Similarly, in the time frame we are discussing, Funakoshi left teaching to his primary assistants such as Obata. I suspect Oyama was a face in the crowd.

Ōyama Masutatsu had little respect for the Teachings of Funakoshi Gichin. To quote the man directly: “It’s not karate. What he taught me were etiquette and exercise. Too slow”. Furthermore, Ōyama described Funakoshi as “soft and gentle, good for teaching karate to little children as he did in Okinawa. But he is not a real karateka. It was all kata with the old man”. With the above said, Ōyama did later state that Funakoshi was his true karate teacher, and that of all the things he learned from the founder of the Shotokan system, kata was the most important. Considering the emphasis Ōyama placed on Jissen Kumite, Tameshiwari, and Hojo Undo, and that his favourite Kata to perform was Tensho (a kata created by Miyagi Chojun) I cannot help but suspect this might have been an example of Ōyama’s dry wit. Regarding Ōyama’s experience with Funakoshi, I suspect it was far more limited than the two years he claimed. I would also point out one should be incredibly sceptical of Ōyama’s own claims about his experiences until 1952 where we have third-party evidence of the U.S Tour he did. After all, he claimed his first training was with Funakoshi Yoshitaka (Gigō) at Waseda University School in 1946. Funakoshi Yoshitaka died in November 1945, and we should remember that the practice of Budo (Including Karate) in schools and universities was functionally banned until 1949 when Judo lead the way in being reintroduced. My guess is that 1947 is the proper date of the start of Ōyama’s training under Funakoshi Gichin at the rebuilt Shōtōkan. With all the above said, I somewhat doubt that Funakoshi lived long enough to form an opinion of Ōyama. Funakoshi died in 1957, after a period of illness, but had retired to a largely private life earlier in 1956. Although Ōyama founded Ōyama dojo in 1953, it was just another Goju-Kai dojo that was part of the growing IGKF. It was not until 1956 that Ōyama began to gain his reputation for rough, but effective training, and the Kyokushinkaikan was not founded until 1957. I suspect, however, that Funakoshi would have had the same dim view about Ōyama as he did Motobu Choki (if without the personal grudge), and would have probably opined as he did about Ohtsuka Hironishi and Yasuhiro Konishi adding too many elements of Nihon Bujutsu to the art and encouraging the practice of Jiyu Kumite. In terms of an actual, direct, relationship I doubt Oyama was anything more than another fair-weather student to Funakoshi.

I must admit I felt its inclusion in 2020 was part and parcel of the politics of the Olympics. I did not expect it to survive past this initial inclusion: it is not the first sport to have been included in an upcoming Olympic Games, and then be dismissed before its debut from the following. It probably will not be the last either. I suspect the failure for the sport to do much to differentiate itself from Tae Kwon, on a superficial level, is why this decision has been made. Karate has appeal in Japan for a home crowd, but this would not prove true in Paris 2024. Breakdancing will probably suffer the same fate because of similar politics. I believe it is a bad thing for those who have a passion for the Sport, but as I have said elsewhere, I do not think it will have much of an effect on practitioners of Kakutogi Karate and Reality-Based Self-Defence. The spheres both worlds travel in are completely different.

Ōyama Masutatsu did modify the Mawashi Geri he was taught: making use of the instep, greater rotation of the hip, and the sinking the weight of the kicker into the target. As such, it does have a distinct character from the form as developed in the 30s-60s in University Association Shiai: the form of Mawashi Geri found in Shotokan and Nihon Karate-Do in general. Similarly, most schools have developed the Mawashi Geri along different lines over time. Some schools favour connection with the shin, and others the instep. Some practice to come across on a horizontal plane, others up into the body, and others with the aforementioned downward motion. Anyway, to return to your initial question: Yes, you can aim at the thigh or leg with a Classical mawashi Geri. However, it requires a downward motion to be effective and requires the Hip Flexibility and Strength I mentioned earlier. The opening of the hip is also a big tell to a trained opponent, and the commitment the kick requires makes it dangerous to use in a combat sport where one can clinch or go for a counter-punch to head. This is why it's not seen often, as it leaves the kicker more vulnerable than more conservative styles of low kick.

The Muay Thai Te Tat is a low kick, and it's the type you see most often used, even in Knock-Down. If you watch Knock-Down, outside a few examples, most use a low kick more similar to the body twist version we see in Muay Thai and Kick-Boxing The classical Mawashi Geri, with the opening of the hips, and the swing round, is not often seen as a low kick. There are exceptions, but they are the exceptions that demonstrate the rule. The problem, as mentioned prior, is the hip flexibility to make it effective is difficult to achieve even with training: and then you have to develop the hip strength. Ultimately, the classic Mawashi Geri also swings wide which for a low kick is a problem when you might wish to strike the inside of the leg. You are also more likely to inadvertently connect with the foot, rather than your shin, which is dangerous in a full-contact context. Edit: It also ultimately depends on the organisation, the dojo, and the individual. Many schools that engage in full-contact have been influenced by Muay Thai and Kick-Boxing, and thus the Muay Thai Round Kick (Te Tat) is popular. If you do see low Mawashi Geri, it is usually for the purpose of training or an idiosyncrasy of that particular instructor. With regards to traditional systems, unless it was a dojo focused on full-contact, I would be surprised to see the practice of leg kicks beside sweeps.

Couture-Toney is probably the most recent "Old-School" UFC fight because you never see Couture attempt such a naked low single against a solid wrestler. You will rarely see such a thing happen in modern Free-Fighting as if you fail, you end up on your face, with your opponent in top position. I would not try a kick, especially if we are talking about the grappler already making a forward move to connect. A decent wrestler knows how to prepare himself physically and psychologically for impact when going in for the clinch or the takedown: because hitting someone with your body hurts, and hitting the ground hurts if you miss. If you can absorb a tackle, you can absorb a kick with the timing thrown off. It is also a factor of physics: to make the kick work I have to come forward with my weight, and if I connect with impeccable timing, all my weight and force is transferred through the focus of my foot and will apply the greater force. However, that requires impeccable timing and aim, if I throw the kick while dealing with someone already coming forward and moving down it makes it unlikely to work. The kick will possibly whiff and go above them. They may connect with the leg part way through the motion, making the kick weak and ineffectual even if the kick catches them, and I have effectively gifted them my leg to grab hold of. Otherwise, I am connecting at speed with my opponent while I have one foot off the ground, and they have two on the ground, which means they will probably win the meeting of forces. I would not try to kick if my primary concern is them coming forward to try and clinch up, or secure a takedown. If I had the choice between a punch or a kick: I would focus on the jab and using that to at least bloody the nose, or throw the timing of the takedown off. At least, once they connect I would have both of my feet on the ground with a punch, giving me a better defensive base. Realistically, the last twenty-five years (not including the lessons of Combat SOMBO, Nippon Kenpo, and Daido Juku to name a few) have taught us that pressure, movement, and a wrestling defence are the effective defences against a grappler just closing the distance. Throwing a strike and hoping for the best never worked, and has never worked. If I was going to use my striking in a self-defence situation where someone closed the distance: sprawl and knee to the head, or a North-South Elbow onto the back. Something I could do without sacrificing my grappling defence.

It does require an element of hip flexibility that makes it rarer to see in comparison to the Muay Thai Te Tat, even in Knock-Down Karate, but yes: the Mawashi Geri can be and is used, as a Low-Kick. Hajime Kazumi is a solid example, and he used the skill to win Five All-Japan Championships. It is rarer to see in Kick-Boxing or Free-Fighting due to the Maai, which makes it more difficult to deliver without getting caught with a counter-punch or caught up in the clinch. In comparison to Knock-Down Karate, where arm's length is the ideal range to connect with a Mawashi Geri to the leg. Edit: To make the low Mawashi Geri as effective as possible, you do need to cut down with the kick, and that is where the hip flexibility becomes an issue.

For grading, it is mandatory for Blue Belt (7th/6th Kyu) and up. However, for Gokyu it is traditional Knock-Down Style Sparring, and for Sankyu to Shodan it is Kudo/Irikumi Go like sparring. Yet, with the above said; we have at least two Kumite session in Bogu a month. I also make use of it for self-defence, and application training, so that we can apply our moves with actual contact and force. I like the use of the Bogu, because it allows us to train with contact safely, compared to having to train with control; which can sometimes lead to the development of bad habits for full-contact fighting, or self-defence. Admittedly, this was an approach I adopted from Nippon Kenpo, after finding myself at a tournament. I was impressed by the much reduced injury rate from other contact formats, and it just struck me that it makes sense to use it.

Work hard on the role of the Uke in the Kihon Kumite, and the Ohyo (If your group does them), and just do those roles against the air like short kata. They will help you develop good basic set-ups for sparring. A good drill for developing your defence if you can find a partner: Key thing to remember is that you are in that tricky phase where talent still has a big part to play in sparring ability. All I can do, is as Mushybees stated, is to enjoy yourself and focus on getting experience.

Lose any attitudes you have. Keep in mind sparring is for learning; not winning or losing. Find out which Black-Belts (or equivalent) will help you, and those that will just use you as a punching bag or grappling dummy. Avoid the latter whenever you can. Find out how not to lose, but don’t neglect learning how to win. It’s all very well throwing yourself at the wall of people you can’t beat to get better at defence, but if you never learn how to win you never will. Take time out to just your techniques out on people your own level, or even people not as good as you. Just remember give and take. Take any criticism or advice at face value. Even if you felt what was being criticised worked, it could still give insights to improvements. Have a lesson plan; what are you working on now, and how can sparring give you useful feedback. If you have been working on your leg kick set ups; focus on using leg kick set ups, even if it gets you punished by your sparring partner. Sparring is about learning how to make things work; it’s trial and error. Precision over speed, and technique over power. The point being; don’t rush yourself, and don’t use power to compensate for mistakes. Overall; I'd argue "sparring" tips beyond the above are very much contextual. I do not think I could come up with 100 tips without being on the floor, and knowing what type of sparring I am giving tips about.

Shinko Matayoshi, the individual who introduced Kingai-Ryu to his family arts, primarily studied Fuchow Quan Fa under Roshi Kingai. Due to his connection to Koki Go and Kenki Go, and the unique kata practised in Kingai-Ryu (Such as Tora Tsuru: Tiger-Crane) the system is believed to be a branch of Fujian Tiger-Crane. Similarly; the Matayoshi lineage also contains significant White Crane forms and influences from Kenki Go, whom was Shinko Matayoshi's other significant teacher. As most people believe Kingai-Ryu to be "the" unarmed discipline of the Matayoshi family; the recognition that Kingai-Ryu is but one system of techniques preserved by the Matayoshi family is often lost in translation. Indeed, Kingai-Ryu contains techniques for the Hooked Pole-Arm, a combination of sword and shield found little elsewhere, the use of the Surujin (Weighted cord), and even Shuriken Jutsu. This is not a unsubstantial Kobudo syllabus by any means. Much confusion arises from the fact many believe Matayoshi-Ryu is only a form of Kobudo; simply because of the popularity of Matayoshi Kobudo. However, there was a form of Matayoshi-Ryu Kenpo; which Shinko Matayoshi augmented with the Tsuru Kenpo of Kenki Go, and the unarmed forms of Kingai-Ryu. Kingai-Ryu is very much a form of Fujian Tiger-Crane; but Matayoshi Kenpo is very much influenced by White Crane, and the Kenpo readily demonstrated to the public is very much of the Crane Style. As such, that is where much of the assertion that Kingai-Ryu is essentially White Crane comes from, but Matayoshi Kenpo is largely White Crane; Kingai-Ryu itself is Tiger-Crane. This is, by the way, from an outside observer and I have only encountered Matayoshi-Ryu a handful of time. I have just had the benefit of talking to practitioners more than willing to explain the distinguishing qualities of Kingai-Ryu, and the rest of the Matayoshi system. I was once also under the impression it was solely White-Crane, until I was informed otherwise. To be fair; I think it's more like Hung Gar in its form the more I look at it.

In terms of dynamics there are a lot of similarities between Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, and Tang Soo Do. How the hip is used to generate power is actually quite consistent across the three styles, and all favour a full rotation of the fist. With the above said; the main differences are primarily the kata, and the scale of power generation. Many of the kata of Tang Soo Do and Shotokan are functionally the same, and thus you will essentially retread old ground. Goju Ryu on the other hand will have a wealth of new kata, and fighting techniques to study. On to the meaning of the scale of power generation. The primary difference is that Shotokan perform the movements on a larger scale, and make more use of body movements and momentum to generate power. After all, large stances limit hip rotation, and flexibility. In comparison Goju-Ryu uses the hips to generate most of their power with the smaller stances. There are a multitude of other differences, but those are the big ones.

I too would consider fraud a strong word for some examples. Some times it is not the fault of the player, but rather the organiser and how they determine competition levels. I saw it on a semi-regular basis back when I was kick-boxing: two rookies who were both 0-0 but for one it was their first competition bout, but the other had a Knock-Down Karate or Boxing back-ground and had competed before. On paper, both were of the same experience level as kick-boxers, but one had experience that was a practicable factor in kick-boxing. It was not the fault of the more experienced competitors though; the organiser just saw two 0-0 kick-boxing records and matched them up for a debut. Sand-Bagging on the other hand, though, is a deliberate act comparatively speaking. It is a failure to declare one's actual ability to compete in an easier division. It is more often seen in open-grappling competitions I find. Someone with four years of free-style wrestling experience, or a Nidan Grade in Judo, only admits to the Blue-Belt they have in Jujutsu and thus ends up in that division. In that case it is the fault of the player; they have with-held information that is important for the organiser to be able to place them in a fair bracket. With regards to how I deal with such individuals on the dojo floor; I use a red-belt system. Basically; if new-comer declares to me they have prior experience and provide proof of it, I give them a red-belt to wear for the first 3/4 months, instead of making them wear a white belt. On the belt I place three Velcro bands. One representing the level of striking, another Wrestling, and the third grappling. What I mean by this is the level of intensity I am permitting them to do relative to the belt standards I use, for each of those three skill sets. For example; there is no point in me preventing a Tae Kwon Do player or a Boxer doing Bogu Kumite (without leg kicks) because they have the prior experience to do that. Similarly, there is no point in me making a BJJ Purple Belt drill sweeps and the Punching-Phases with white belts, when they can be rolling with my Brown/Black belts. After those 3/4 months; I then let them challenge for an actual belt in my grading system. Some times they succeed and can do away with the Velcro; sometimes the velcro bands have to stay for a little longer, even with the new belt. In terms of people who lie to my face, and come just to beat up on my students? I just tell them to leave, and never come back, and tell the other people in the area about them. Have got a few people black-listed from* Clubs and Gyms around here.

Context gives these matters meaning. On the Dojo floor the belt should reflect an awarded rank. To go back to the totality of what I stated; it is whether those belts scale to the rank, and if that rank scales effectively to the implied skill. Outside that context, the belt has no inherent meaning, nor the ranks attached to the belt. If you ask a context specific question, then you have to use context specific logic.

Sincerity; are the training habits of the individual consistent with their actual goals. It is one of those relative things. For example; I have had someone say they wanted to be come a professional kick-boxer, and I offered to put them in touch with some contacts who could help make it happen, but it would mean taking a leap of faith and moving countries. They have turned around and decided against it. However, they were at every training session I put on, and always had solid progress suggesting they worked hard outside of sessions. They were serious on one scale, but talk of being serious on another scale put them off. The root of Amateur, is to do something for the love of it. The only difference between an Amateur and a Professional is one gets paid for it. I would argue everyone is serious; you do not put time and money into something like martial arts without some degree of seriousness. The main problem I would argue is honesty and self-awareness. Some people are far better at recognising the reach of their abilities, and recognising what they need to do to improve. Others are content to get a little better every day, while others need to see that leap of progress regularly. Some are deluded about what makes fighting ability, and others are very aware of the work needed to be effective at fighting. All are serious, but are they realistic is the question.

I would argue it depends on the robustness of the individual ranking/belt system. I have found the Judo Belt system to be consistent. After all, to challenge for Shodan you must earn sufficient points through competition play and pass a technical grading where you demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Judo. Similarly, challenging for senior grades requires facing a line-up, and/or a technical grading panel. Yudansha in Judo have had to contend to get that belt; might not demonstrate they are an elite player, but it demonstrates they have fought, and have technical knowledge. Similarly; it was once a tradition in Kyokushinkai and its circle of influence that one fight a line up of the grade you were aiming for. If one made it past the Kyu Grades; they had fought for it. The belts in said systems are largely consistent with the skill development curve. Now, what I would say is that many systems award grades based on activities that do not directly correlate to fighting ability. Many Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Quán Fǎ, Kenpō, and Gendai Budo Jujutsu schools grade based on the rote memorisation of new Kata/Tàolù/Hyeong, and demonstrations of techniques on compliant partners. Forms, after the initial hurdle or developing the ability to learn them, do not necessarily reflect progress, barring Forms which introduce more athletically demanding movements. Even then, that only reflects a development of athletic ability. Similarly, the demonstration of techniques on a compliant partner merely reflects knowledge of the final part of the technique; not the ability to apply it under duress, or create opportunities to apply said technique against a resisting attacker. The above is of course not true of all the dojo/dojang/kwoon and sub-systems of the broad approaches mentioned. Since the 90s, there has been increasing trend towards more alive training approaches in martial arts over all. However, it cannot be said yet that the above issue has at all disappeared. There remains the issue of many rank systems not in fact relating to actual fighting ability. That is what I feel is the actual essence of this discussion. If someone has a Purple belt and it means Yonkyu in a system; the belt and the rank are one in the same. Now, let us say that purple represented Yonkyu in two different schools, of the same umbrella discipline. In this example, let us say karate. If we took two purple belts, of the same size and relative strength, and had them fight and it was not a competitive bout we would have to question what Yonkyu/Purple means. The rank should indicate a similar level of skill, according to the standards of the school, and if they were of the same size and weight class we can eliminate a simple difference in strength as the determining factor. What has gone wrong in this scenario? Over saturation of the belt-system, and a rank system which awards abilities not related to fighting skill. Thus, what occurs, is that individual differences determine differences in skill; not the actual standards of the school. If you have too many ranks, awarded too often, then the belts are not reflecting the actual time it takes to improve as a combatant. Similarly; if the belts are being awarded based on factors not relating to fighting ability, then of course the belts do not reflect an individuals growth as a martial artist. Belt and Rank are one in the same. The issue is what they mean in the context they are seen. Now, do the belts meet the expectations placed on the rank they represent is the real question.

Of relevant records, very little direct training indeed. The only confirmed training was for brief periods of a few months at the Ritsumeikan in 1935 and 36. Yamaguchi Gogen probably received the majority of his early training from Yogi Jitsuei, who himself at most may have studied under Miyagi Chojun for at most five years. Yamaguchi, according to Higoanna Morio, did later under go more training under Meitoku Yagi, but this training could have also happened in the thirties. The matter is a little confused by contradictions produced by differing accounts. It is largely accepted that Goju-Kai is the invention of Yamaguchi, and his associates So Neichu and Yogi Jitsuei, but that it has strong roots in Goju-Ryu. Personally, I consider it one of the Japanese Branches of Goju-Ryu, but not "The" Japanese Goju-Ryu that some do. Authentic Japanese Goju-Ryu largely starts at Yoyogi Dojo and Higoanna Morio's efforts in Tokyo.

In the United Kingdom you are permitted the use of reasonable force to protect yourself. Reasonable force being governed by the danger you "believed" yourself to be in at the time, not the actual danger, but that interpretation is then determined in the courts. As long as the force you used was demonstrably consistent with the level of danger you believed you were in then you will generally walk free. Let us take two examples of deaths and house invasion: Recently a home owner had his house invaded by two men, and his life was threatened with a screwdriver. When the home owner and one of the men were isolated in the kitchen, a fight ensued, and one of the house invaders died from a stab wound inflicted by the aforementioned screwdriver. The Homeowner was taken into custody but faces no charges, as despite the death, it was successfully argued he used force consistent with the danger he both believed he was in and was probably in. In contrast, a number of years ago, a farmer shot a house invader dead with a shotgun. He shot a 16 year old in the back, at a distance where the house invader was no threat to him. It also emerged that the farmer suffered paranoid delusions, and made a habit of staying up late at night holding said shotgun fully loaded. The farmer was sent to jail for murder. The argument being that he killed someone that he would have had no reason to believe was a danger to him (The forensic evidence was the house invader was at a distance, and actively fleeing.) Context is hugely important to any discussion regarding self-defence. Above I have discussed reasonable force in the context of self-defence during a house invasion. I largely agree with Spartacus Maximus if we are discussing the context, of say a violent mugging, and he has outlined the ideal and the simplest course. Effective Self-Defence is about effective avoidance of potential situations, deescalation of situations, and removal of self from danger. However, there are cases where escape is not feasible, or indeed possible, without doing some harm to the aggressor. Similarly, there may be cases where restraining the aggressor is the sensible course of action, for cases of citizen's arrest and the like. I cannot speak for other places in the world, but so long as you used force consistent with the danger you believe you are in, then you are usually okay in the United Kingdom.

I would try and ask if someone will let you borrow a lighter glove before committing. However, I'd be fairly confident a 10oz would be too small, so if you had to get a size, I'd go no smaller than 12oz for a bag glove, and 14oz for a sparring glove.

It can do, and it really depends on your goals with the technique. If you intend to be a power fighter, than you will want to develop using the shoulder. As I said, I cannot remark too much because I cannot see your feet, but judging by the movement I do not think you are putting the in-step in enough. I would say try thinking with your feet more, rather than the arms, if you are after power. Getting your weight moving properly is the first step.

Sadly, not at the time, but as mentioned by P.A.L we have finally seen progress on the matter with the JKF doing away with the Shitei-Gata. Now, I fear it is a mixed bag because I honestly, looking at the rules, just feel as though the concept of the Shitei-Gata has just mutated into a more encompassing version. After all, article five of the kata rules list establishes the "Official" kata and individuals are still beholden to performing kata from their Ryu-Ha. It is a comprehensive list, but still has omissions, and still largely favours the four "official" styles recognised by the WKO. It is a move forward, but how good it is will be something only time will tell.

As mentioned prior, Goku-Kai can readily be considered the Japanese Branch of Okinawan Goju-Ryu. There are not many fundamental differences, but there are a handful of key differences. Goju-Kai has a series of Kihon-Gata named Taikyoku. Inspired by, and influenced by, the kata series of the same name by Funakoshi Gichin, but those used in Goju-Kai are the invention of Yamaguchi Gōgen. As in Shotokan, they are beginner kata and they are usually taught prior to the Gekisai Kata. In comparison to Goju-Ryu, where the Gekisai Kata are either the foundational Kata, or omitted from the syllabus entirely; depending on when the founder of the branch graduated from training with Miyagi Chojun. To continue from this; Sanchin, Tensho, and Saifa, alongside Gekisai, are considered the foundational kata of Goju-Ryu, and one can expect to start studying Sanchin from day one. In contrast, in Goju-Kai and Japanese Goju-Ryu in general, one will not begin serious study of Sanchin until after the Taikyoku-Gata and Gekisai or around Rokyu or Gokyu. Similarly, Saifa is often considered the first “Adavanced” kata in contrast to it being foundational in Okinawan Goju-Ryu. Beside differences in kata practice, Goju-Kai generally places more emphasis on Yakusoku Kumite and Jiyu Kumite, and although there is also practice of bunkai it is not the primary focus. In contrast, in Okinawan Goju-Ryu, almost all Kumite is related to the process of Bunkai. Another contrast is that Goju-Kai competition is more likely to be inline with WKO style competition, but Okinawan Goju-Ryu is largely involved in Full-Contact or Knock-Down rules. Also, Goju-Kai is perhaps, alongside Kyokushin, the most focused on Hojo Undo it is still very limited in contrast to Okinawan Goju-Ryu. This is where the primary difference, in what I have observed, differs between the two. Much is made of Hojo Undo and conditioning the body on Okinawa, but Goju-Kai seems to have an approach more balanced between the three Ks; Kihon, Kumite, and Kata. Lastly; Goju-Kai today seems to omit Kobudo/Kobujutsu practice, where as on Okinawa the practices are still intimately entwined. I will add that this is very much a case of an outsider looking in. I have witnessed, and trained alongside both Goju-Kai and Okinawan Goju-Ryu practitioners so I felt I could make a relatively fair comparison but I would take my words with a grain of salt. Also, all Dojo/Clubs/Gyms differ in the way all instructors differ. I would happily gamble that there is a Goju-Kai instructor out there that could intimidate a Goju-Ryu practitioner with his passion for physical conditioning.

First thing first: a 1 second clip of 1 combination is not really going to be useful to judge from. Similarly, without a view of the hips and feet, and a side angle, there is not much I can tell you. Realistically; need to see you performing it at least 20 times, from different angles, and ideally against something such as pads or a bag. # What I can say from the clip is that over all it looks okay. I have seen far worse. However, a couple of things: 1. Your elbows are too loose; they are doing nothing for your defence splayed out like that. 2. You flicked the jab rather than thrust it. I would not usually cite this as an issue, as there have been very successful boxers who have used the flicker jab. However, you are doing it from a peek-a-boo-stance, so you should be thrusting the jab out. This in part comes from the elbows; try tucking the lead arms elbow in tighter to the chest. 3. You are starting the 2 before the 1 is complete. It's a common mistake as it feels faster, but it throws the hips off. Make sure to fix the jab in before throwing the cross. 4. You bring the front hand back to neutral after the jab. Remember to bring it back to the chin, or above the shoulder, but never just back to neutral. However, as I mentioned, I have seen far worse and over all it is okay. Furthermore; what I just pointed out could just be mistakes made in this one clip, during this one particular combination. I really cannot say anything with certainty without seeing a lot more footage, and against something offering resistance such as a bag.

The lighter weights are smaller than the heavier weight gloves. There is usually an inch worth of difference between the sizes. Going down a weight should result in a better fit. What weight class are you, and your hand circumference without wraps? That can tell you the glove size you should have.