goedikey

Hello, just came back from my belt exam and have succeeded in getting my green belt. I am very disappointed in the way my Sensei graded me : Kihon B- Kumite B- Kata C+ Sensei did point out that our group was very good. He also pointed out that my results were equal to someone who, in my opinion, doesnt have the technique nor the spirit that I do. I believe there is some favoritism in the way he gives the grades. I am slighlty worried about this because my Sensei doesnt want to discuss individual exam results because there are so many students in our school. I believe I am a strong Karateka with good technique and spirit. Stress has made my balance weak and my kibadachi higher than usual (as pionted out in his paper) but I dont believe this is a good reason to score me so low, especially compare me with someone who I dont think much of. I seem to annoy my Sensei every once in a while for some reasons. He doesnt like it when I ask questions. I simply sont understand why I get such low grades. Its been the same thing for every testing I have done with him. Fio rsome reason, the kids always get first rank.

In response to your reply, the 9th picture from the top isnt a mae geri but either kekomi or keage combination with fist.(From what I was taught). The maegeri comes later, in my opinion.

Hello, call me nuts or obsessive but the ninth picture (yoy being the first) on heian nidan has something odd. At least, my master has been to great lenghts in telling me that my toes should always be facing downwards when doing this kick... Kekomi and Keage have their toes facing downwards right ? Look at the ninth picture... http://www.nbkarateclub.it/gichin/H2.html

Flags are going up and bells are rigning. I'd have a good second look at your school if the sensei has that kind of attitude. I did speak to him and he listened. He (kindof) admitted that my partner was maybe a little more experienced. He told me to have more confidence. My school is a very reputable, trust me. I am looking for a more gradual way to become intriduced to sparring because in this state, its unbearable to me. I will makea more general post in the martial arts sectino Thanks a lot

I actualy called him up. He understood what I meant and he agreed that my partners probably had more experience than me. He said, although, that there has never been an injury in his schools and he knows what hes doing and we should be more confident... I will try to work on my techniques a little more.

Hello thanks for your replies. It is actualy difficult to speak with the sensei because he knows whats best for us and doesnt like to be challenged on his ideas. And there is no sparring to the face, thank god. I am Orange belt shotokan. THanks !

Sparring is so scary to me I dont feel like going back to my class. Its been 3 times already and have performed very poorly. I want to run becase my techinques are not effective. I have VERY good kime and form during Kihon and kata though... Sparring is even becoming dangerous because I bend my back sometimes to dodge and almost have a punch/knee/foot in the face. I want to learn how to manage these stuations gradually, slowly. My sensei will probably give me some kind of morale as to why hes doing it like that but still...it doesnt make want to go back. Right now, my lack of experience is only scaring me into getting badly hurt. People usually think of me as a strong guy because I am tall but in fact, I have never been in a fight and have always fleed. Some have told me to keep a very good guard. I am also trying to learn on how to move in faster but the idea of having this tall freak in front of me is displeasing. My school has a very good reputation and has been there for a very long time. I dont understand.

Thank you all for your replies !! Yes, my sensei is asking us to back off and to do age uke to block the jodan punch. Pretty basic but really hard when a brutal front attack is coming. I then have to couter attack. I will try some of your comments and see if it helps !

Hello, as you may have read in my other post, I have just been ranked Orange belt. This means that I might get in more frequent sparring sessions at the end of our classes. I have been involved only in one free sparring after a class about 2 months ago and got a heavy punch on the chest resulting in intense pain for 2 weeks. Now, I want to learn how fight but am scared of getting hurt. We dont use gloves. I dont expect anyone to kill me but things usually ecalate a bit... How did you overcome this ?

Hello, I have just been ranked Orange and am clearly having probs during 1 on 1 kumite. Since we are all progressing at a similar rate in my classes, my colleagues are now becoming faster and more brutal when charging in with an initial punch. I am standing in yoy position and waiting for that jodan punch. When it comes, I just cant back off fast enough and not far enough either...I am then out of balance and can get wiped out easily. Whats the deal on how to back off fast enough ? I dont see anyone having problems like this. My blocks are pretty good but the backing off motion really sucks and its costing me everything... Any help ? Thanks

Thanks guys ! I believe I have sprained my intercostal muscles (from what people have told me). This sucks but should be healed in1-2 weeks. I have tried going back to class and its been OK (no sparring tho).

You bet I wont be volunteering for late night sparring for a while. Shiit, its the first time I ever sparred and there you go. Anyways, nearly a week now and still hurting maybe a bit less. I am concerned about the post saying that I need a chiro to replace the rib in place. I dont think it is the case, just badly bruised or cracked. Or maybe the tissues...

well its been 5 days and it still hurts a bit. I bumped into someone right where its hurt and i went "argh !". It may not be broken but it sure is pretty bruised. Anyone knows how long this should take to heal ? Thanks

Hey thankx for your reply ! What makes you think they arent broken ? I do feel unusual pain when arching my back and its been 3 days already... I know this is part of the game

Hello, Two days ago, my Sensei made a little fight at the end of our class. I was chosen and it was my first time. My partner hit me on the right of my chest but didnt feel anything at the time. But now I am hurt. I can breathe, move my arms and torso no problem and get by my day too. There is considerable pain when pressing the area with my palm, when pulling my shoulders in the back or when breathing in at maximum.. I have never felt this before. There is obvilously something happening there.. Should I cinsult a doctor or is this regular stuff and will heal itself ? Thanks for your help It is especially

Thanks for your replies. Why am I being taught all of this then ? I am, saying to myself : Boy all of these stances look very cool and are very hard to master. There must be a really good reason for this to be. Maybe that I will need to jump in kokutsu dachi sometimes in a fight...

I am a beginner in Shotokan but i feel it would apply to other stuff ive seen. In my classes and on the internet, most Karate fights look more or less like kickboxing. People jumping up and down. I see a kick here and there and a punch there... I do not see a lot of the techniques I am being taught.

Hi, why do most karate I see fights look like kickboxing ? M instructor is going to great lenghts in teaching us stuff like low stances, spinning punches and all the kata bunkai that never seem to make it competitions. Maybe its because most of this stuff is too danerous to be used ? When does a karate uses what is taught in my classses ?

Hello ! I have asked my sensei about this application of Heian Shodan found here : (right after the number 11) http://www.24fightingchickens.com/kata/13_elmar.html My sensei has over 30 years experience in Shotokan and is Japanese and has never heard of this. I tried to explain but he smiled back at me (that meant shut up and dont ask stupid questions...)and said it had no relevance. Why is this ? Why so much incomprehension ? Is this article based on true facts or just an interpretation ? The article is really interesting and I would like to know more and why this was not know of my sensei. Thanks !

Thanks guys, i am not sure about what I will do with this but I think I will tell my workmate to be careful ...ot too sure about the "getting used to" part but it seems interesting that I could become conditionned to this. Thanks

Hi, I have been doing Shotokan for a few months (yellow belt) and we often have to practice one on one doing blocks and kicks etc... Smetimes, my mate's blocks really hurt and I am scared of going any further. He litteraly knocks his bones to mine at 90 degrees which hurts like theres no tomorrow. I tell him to try and ease but he cant do without ! This often happens with other members as well. Wat to do ? My sensei tells me that if I tense up my arms enough, my muscles will cover the bones, which is mostly true until I received a block to my ankle in the same fashion as above (massive, 90degreee with bone to bone). Now my muscles wont cover my ankle ! I can also sense that eventualy, I will have to take blow to my chest and I dont know how I will deal with that... Thanks foryour comments...

Thank you all for your replies ! I dont really care about the time it takes... i am mostly concerned about the usefullness of my learnings in a real life fighting situation that involves an experienced street fighter !

Hey thanks for your reply ! So what youre saying is that I probably will get by an average drunk. I would have liked a more convincing answer as for taking up someone with some fighting experience...

I mean unpopular in this forum. From what I read, many people take some other style like JJ, Kempo etc... My classes are always like : 15 min stretching, Kihon (intense), Kata and kumite (sometimes). THere is a lot of focus on power, Kime, balance etc.. but I am wondering if the skills will have any real use...

Thanks for your replies !! I really like the discipline and workout from my classes but : Does Shotokan have any street value at all ? I mean, are all the drills and kata and exercies ever allow me to put up with some mean freak on the streets eventually ? Not tomorrow, but eventually ?