Sasori_Te

Hi and Welcome!

Can someone please explain to me the big deal here? Striking and grappling are both used for specific situations. Sometimes one needs to be utilized over the other and sometimes they can be used together. Other than that, it's like comparing apples to oranges, one is no better than the other, just different.

On the jump spin for the "Hawk" technique, you look like maybe you were off-balance because you didn't rotate enough. Another question I have is this. You are obviously very athletic, how new are you to the art you are studying? I ask this because you are telegraphing your movements terribly with your hips. Also, these techniques look awfully advanced for someone just beginning an art.

If all things were equal, a good big person should prevail over a good small person.

Do you feel that belonging to a big martial arts organization is necessary to receive recognition and validation for your style? Also, on the flip side, do you think that schools that don't belong to an organization are less credible because of that fact?

DM be careful. I got my hand slapped for mentioning the very same things that you did. We wouldn't want to get banned from the forums!

Here is the second drill. 1. Hold your hand up (left or right) parallel to your body, like you are taking an oath. The hand should be head height. 2. Have a partner stand across from you and try to throw punches at your hand. The punches should make light to medium contact with the palm of your hand. 3. At first, while he/ she punches, keep your attention on the hand. Try and move your palm away from the punch in a waving motion. (Try not to let him hit your hand) 4. After doing this 10 times, switch your focus to a point behind your partner. Try not to look at him directly. Now repeat the exercise from above. This shows you the difference in reaction time by using your peripheral vision versus focusing directly on the incoming attack. Your reaction time should speed up dramatically. If you incorporate this seeing without looking technique into your sparring and use good footwork, you should improve your ability to evade and counter.

That's the way I do it as well. I also teach the 3/4 turn punch to beginners and the strike through spear hand to more advanced students. I reserve the fine tuning for select students that have been training for awhile.

Sorry, I always make the assumption of a nukite. Do you strike through with your spear hand, or do you strike in quick and light with a jolting type press on contact (Like a Chinese cavity press)? Sorry, don't mean to hi-jack the thread.

Thanks I-Self. I've read "Karate Do Kyohan" and "Karate Do, My Way of Life". I agree with your post. I guess what I'm wondering is, if you were to use the Original Funakoshi kata and applied a decent understanding of how to break down and glean techniques from kata, would you get the same quality, or should I say as wide an array, of tuite and kyusho techniques as the original Shuri Te kata?

Way back in 1994. Someone tried to pick a fight with me in a parking lot (It was a bar....sigh). I'm not proud of it at all.

Both

This is a fear reaction. It is natural for this to occur. It simply takes practice and conscious effort to keep your eyes open. Perhaps you could practice some drill with a partner that you trust to get over this. Have them punch at your face just out of reach. You don't really want to focus on the punch. Let your peripheral vision pick it up. This will speed up your reaction time in order to effectively counter the incoming technique. If you want more info I can describe a separate drill for you.

Do you believe that the Shuri Te lineage katas that were changed for use in the Shotokan system by Funakoshi were impaired or diminished by these changes (from a self defense stand point)? I know this is a difficult question to answer for most folks since they are on one side of the issue or the other. I am most anxious to hear everyone's thoughts on this.

Good try, but no......

As someone pointed out in another thread, you need to be effective at all ranges, ESPECIALLY in a self defense situation. You never know what might happen when it comes down to it. I don't really think either is better than the other as they both have their place and they compliment each other. It seems to me that to be truly effective at either you have to know the other. Note I did not say that you had to be excellent at both, or even necessarily that you have to use both.

The Saint has a good signature to sum up this thread. "Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to go to his class." Choi Hong He, ITF Founder. Just thought I'd point it out.

Thank you equaninimus. I worked your technique the day after you posted it. I thought the crescent step may have been the key but wasn't entirely sure. Also, on your strike to the bladder, when you strike is it a full out strike with the fingers to CV 4 or do you get there as fast as you can and press with a sort of jolting motion? Small details I know, but I'm just curious how techniques differ from artist to artist and style to style.

I had dog prepared in a Korean dish of some sort. I didn't know what it was until after I had eaten it. It was actually very tasty if a little greasy. I had squid at a Japanese restaurant on a dare. I also had a grilled cheese sandwich once when I was a kid that looked as if someone's entire head of hair fell into it. That was by far the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten and not known about until it was too late.

I also love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils.

Every now and again I'll get a whiff of a steak house or a food stand that reminds me of Oktoberfest during the two years I spent in Germany. I also like Obsession perfume. It reminds me of my first love.

This is such a hot topic only because no one can agree on what a black belt should represent. I don't disagree with Shorin Ryu Sensei's guidelines that he uses. However, for every child black belt that I've ever seen I can think of 2 or 3 adults that don't deserve their belts for the same reasons stated.

I don't require students to call me Sensei. I do however require them to call me Sir or Mr. (last name) in class. They can also call me Sensei if they wish. I think boundaries should be in place in a class setting in order to establish the proper student teacher relationship. I don't believe that any of my students came to me because they wanted a friendship. They come to learn and I come to teach.

Good point. For something to be truly chivalrous, the person performing the act shouldn't want any recognition for the act.

It's a kip up. It's also best kept for television and musical tournament kata.