nastia

Rising kick to the groin. I would try to use this one for sure. I also think that knee strikes would work really well in close range, if the are concidered to be kicks.

Good thing I don't have to warm up for good old kick in the groin and elbow strikes!

I agree, you do have to try to score. And I am not a defensive type of fighter by any means. But while attacking, you usually expose body areas and thus become more vulnerable. So, if you are a good defense fighter, you just wait for another person to attack and expose themselves. I think that for somebody who is afraid to spar defense could be a good thing to concentrate on.

My instructor always says: Person who wins is not the one who hits a lot, but the one who does not get hit, trying to get us to concentrate on our defence. My advice to you: Try not to think about scoring against you opponent, but rather to block/avoid his strikes. This way you will get hit less. I also agree with wat was said in this thread before: you have to expect gettin hurt some times, but you still have to try to make the sparring a fun experience. Just keep doing it and you will get better for sure!

We have never done anything like that. But it sounds like a really interesting idea. Another thing I am wondering about street fight/uexpected attack: I am so used to having a proper warm-up and stretch before doing karate classes that I think it would be really difficult to apply karate techniqes unprepared. After a warm-up, I can kick a person in a head, but before - I can barely kick higher than my belt!

Some people forget about all the mean and dirty moves that are not allowed during sparring, but are still part of traditional Karate. For example, palm-strike to the chin, ko-ko strike to the neck, elbow to the face, knee to the groin - all these moves are part of Karate and sound like awesome self-defence techniques. (Luckily, I've never had to use them on the street )

I think double punches are not as effective as a combination of punches and kicks because after you have thrown the first punch, your opponent has alread protected the area where you were punching. Punching and kicking in different areas is a way to find an opening and catch your opponent off-guard.

It is a very good idea. All martial arts have some basic skills that are the same. Develop your strenght, flexiblity, reaction time and you'll shine in any MA you decide to learn.

I face my opponent and look at hime with no smile . At my school people almost never see me without a smile, and when they see my serious face they know I am ready to go!.

I like your "Natural Law" rules. I think these rules, like any rules have to be applied with common sense though. If a half drunk guy at a bar calls me an a*^%whole, I am not going to jump at him and break his arm. But if I am in a situation where I feel a serious threat to me or my loved ones, it doesn't really matter if it's expressed verbaly or physically, I will do anything to protect myself, skipping #2, 3 and 5. The fight situations are never black and white. You have to use your judgement and gut feeling.

I train 5 times a week at my dojo and the other 2 - at home. I try not to go a day without some training - even if it's just 15 minutes.

I don't know a lot about Vitor Belfort, but from what I've seen so far, he uses quite a bit of different techniques (ducking, ckicks etc.).

I don't like the idea of just throwing as many punches as possible simply because that's very boring! The reason why I think it wouldn't work: unless you are fighting with a very stupid person, your opponent will learn that you are always doing the same thing and will think of something to do about it. If you are punching to the head, chances are your body is open for a good kick!

I think everything is pretty clear with the 'martial' part - fighting, war, etc. But the 'art' part means that 'martial art' has to include individual creativity and personal interpretation. I think kata is a good example of 'art' because it is similar to 'dance'. No two people do the same kata exactly the same way. Every person brings something personal into kata. It is also an art because it is part of culture. It was developed and carried over generations and reflects traditions of the society where it was created... Boxing (and tank driving) can't be called martial arts because there is no element of 'art' in them.

My instructors do a very smart thing. We do not spar or do alot of hitting each other utnill you get to Orange beld (which is about 3 months into the training). By that time people are physically and mentally tougher. I agree, people should get used to some amount of pain, but if it all comes at you too fast, it could be too much to handle.

Could you describe some of the conditioning drills? I think I could benefit from something like that too!

I agree with that. If you don't learn the basics well, you will never get the comlicated stuff... How about the theory, Do they explain the techniques? Because katas and techniques become pretty useless if you don't understand them well!

Please, please continue your story!!! The beginning is really interesting. I am looking forward to hear the rest!

For me, the most important thing is not the choice of technique, but a combination of them. You almost never score with the first technique, and usually with the second or third, while the first one works like a distruction.

Here's how they teach us to do the hook kick: raise your knee and kick as if doing a side kick, but direct it sightly forward. Then move your leg back keeping it streight for a while, then bend your knee. If you are going for the distance, hit with the sole of your foot. If you are going for the power, you can hit with your heel. Good luck!

I don't think this guy is doing you a favour by trying to hurt you during kumite practice. When you spar - yes, you have to expect to be hit and try to protect yourself. But when you practice your kumites, it's a good time to work on your form and technique without thinking that you might get hit on a face any time. After all, our brain can only process so much information at a time. I would talk to the sensei, and if that doesn't change anything - look for another place to train.

Our Sensei tought us that the perfect stance is when your butt is on the same level as your knees and your thights are parallel to the floor. Your feet should be about douple shoulder width apart and toes pointing forward. (I wish I could do it half as well as I am describing it ).