telsun

It was a general statement sperned by your comment. It was not directed at you personally and I do agree with you. Even more so with your last post.

Okay maybe you do not, but it might be Let me explain; I have always chosen the clubs I train at with care. I have trained at three clubs seriously. The first club I trained at was in Shotokan. It was suggested by my uncle and he had checked out the other local clubs for me. The standard was very good. The instructor was extremely talented and it rubbed of on me (he is now an English coach, last I heard). Anyway I quit that club and took a break from karate for a few months. Someone recomended another club to me, so I went and checked it out. This time it was Goju-kai. I was introduced to bagwork, a complete eye opener after never having done it before!! It was all very different to the Shotokan club I had trained in. Anyway the Sensei gave the club up and someone of limited ability took over. It was time to move on...... I spent a few years wondering different clubs and styles not finding anything that matched my Goju-kai instructors superb tuition. Until one day I saw an advert for an Okinawan Goju-ryu club. As soon as I met the instructor I just knew that he was something a bit special compared to what I had previously seen and trained in. I realised that I had only been taught "superficial" karate and that I had no depth...... Looking back I realise that despite believing that I was training at the best clubs around at the time, there was still better to be found. There is probably a better instructor than I currently have but it is hard to imagine that!! So are you unknowingly training at a Mcdojo? Have you progressed through clubs like I have?

Something along the lines of this superb site would be excellent: http://www.dorsetgojuryu.co.uk/

I am a bit of a computer dunce but I would like to create a website for my current association and the club that I attend. Obviously I would like the site to be professional looking but I do not want to pay someone to do it for me. So how do I go about it? Can I just buy software and create? Help me!

You should not expect to receive gratitude but you should be extremely grateful when you do. By expecting gratitude you are giving to receive. You should give selflessly. I have something in a book about this I will post some of it if I can find it. But yes I do agree it is easier to be kind when it is appreciated.

pre-emptive

I try to intercept rather than counter. I gave my sparring strategy. My fight strategy is assertive (I can't think of the right word, I'll post it when I do). But basically I will hit as soon as things are getting heavy. However due to my sparring practice I would like to think that I would be able to respond if he has the same idea......

Yes you Shotokan_Fighter. Sit back and let me praise you....... While we walk down a twisting road with paths off to our left and right and signs pointing us in the direction of fancy plances we didn't know we wanted to go, Shotokan_Fighters path is straight and clear he can see the horizon he knows where he is going. We criticize him for being so dedicated to his chosen style. Yet we can learn from that dedication, as he can learn from our open minds. And isn't he confident? So sure of himself, he is a man on a mission. Yes I admire you Shotokan_Fighter, I mock you, yet I admire you. Keep on that path and you will achieve your goals. (This is serious, I am not taking the mickey and I will not tolerate anyone else mocking my man Shotokan_Fighter.) So lets hear it for SHOTOKAN_FIGHTER.............. Hip, Hip, Hurray

I'm cool. I am placid and wait for my opponent. Then as soon as he twitches to make a move POW!!! I'm on him. (Or her )

Makiwara is a great training tool. Tips: 1. Take it easy to start with. 2. Do not train once the knuckle skin has come away. This will stop you training for quite some time. 3. Build up the power it is essential you do not damage your knuckles. 4. As you hit focus in the tanden and on dropping your weight down. 5. Use various techniques not just punching. Elbows, ridgehand, knifehand, backfist, etc, etc. 6. Also kicks. 7. Concentrate on your technique. 8. Find someone that can teach you to use the makiwara. It is the best way for you to get the most from it.

You should be prepared for face shots.

I commend you tenkamusou keeping your cool that way. I do not see this as acceptable. If everyone was like it fine I would accept it and play their game. When I have come up against people like this I have given them a couple of "stoppers". Failing that I actually dropped one guy because he refused to control himself. Unless the club has much to offer I think that I would probably leave if the situation persists. I do not like the sensei to just stand back and watch. Giving you a full on life threatening blow is more than a lesson........

Who's blood you getting on your gi sho-ju? We wear white. I think that I would prefer black. If my association had others wearing black suits then I would too. However I would not want to be the odd one out......a black sheep in a sea of white.

I pride myself in my gentleman ways and in being an all round nice guy. Right or wrong? Who cares, I feel good for being this way and I am sure that other people appreciate it too.

You do

Have you taken a good look at the local clubs? Just popping your head round the door and taking a look for 10 minutes is not the way to decide whether an art is for you. If you haven't already actually give the club a go, you may change your mind. You could try placing an advert in the classified asking for martial arts instruction. Be very careful though. Sports Centres vary immensely in their karate tuition. They do tend to be the money spinner types but there are exceptions so you should not dismiss it until you have checked it out.

With all due respect we could all suggest arts and styles that we think may suit your criteria but it would probably be more beneficial if you tell us what clubs are near to you. All martial arts have something to offer on the street. Alot depends upon your mental attitude and the instruction that you receive.

No I don't mind at all. Infact am extremely grateful. Thank you

Yeah, that's all well and good but it doesn't really give you a kick up the butt to get going does it........

Does he have a strategy? How much does he practice? If he is so good why don't you just learn from him? If he beats everyone he must have something to offer. Learn from him and spar with him at every opportunity. Them maybe, just maybe you will be regarded in the same light as your friend

It's how you apply rules that make it a sport.

I would do my utmost to avoid hitting a woman. I would try avoidance and restraining before I would even consider striking.

A valid point. I would put it in but cannot see how to edit a poll. Maybe a mod could help. Badly designed? Well I admit I gave it very little thought. However despite the question/polls downfalls please do not be discouraged from simply stating your opinion.

I do not think my groundhog day would be suitable for this forum......if you know what I mean

I probably find them boring due to a lack of understanding.