SaiFightsMS

Zero when you are in a stance with one hand and the same foot in front a reverse punch is a punch thrown with the rearmost hand.

Many of the "expensive" embroidered black belts are made of silk so they fray faster. (rolls eyes)

Maybe the reason most katas start with a block instead of a strike goes deeper than just the philosophy of there is no first strike in karate. Maybe the preponderance of katas that start with a block build on a basic human response for self preservation.

Look at the blue lines showing the placement of the hips, shoulders and arms. In the first picture the left arm is out - the hips and shoulders are both in alignment with each other. The second picture as the right hand goes through to break several things happen: 1) the left hand pulls back while the right shoots out in a reciprical action adding power to the punch. 2) the hips twist into the direction of the punch utilizing koshi or the power of the hips to had more power to the punch. 3) the shoulders have also turned into the punch at the last minute thereby adding more power to the punch. As for the rear foot coming off the ground at the heel there is a lot of debate as to wether or no that adds any power to the puch. A lot of that depends on the flexiblility of the individual karateka.

Actually some of the higher shotokan katas do contain crane stances. You may never actually stand on one foot in a real self defense situation but the muscles and balance you develope training in crane stance will help you maintain your balance in a real self defense application. There are many parts of our training that may not be something we would not actually do in a real fight that never the less enhances our performance in a real fight.

My turn now - and I say this is an old tired discussion that has existed in many forms in many threads in this forum. And I think for the time being enough has been said about this topic.

This thread seems to have gone as far in contstuctive discussion as is possible at this time.

The biggest problem I have had caused by depth perception problems in karate actually came during kobudo class. I had to be really careful who I worked with in one and three step weapons techniques.

To be very honest, (and I know many will disagree with me), but the area I live in has some really bad public schools. Those in my area who have had parochial educations or home schooling are way ahead when it comes to being able to function as literate members of society.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have an interesting background.

Breaking is not a critical part of karate. Many traditional karate schools do not break. No, the deadly weapon thing is just one of those old stories.

In many ways the importance of promotion does decrease after one earns a black belt. But to lower kyu grades and younger students promotion is a greatly motivating factor and helps them to develop self esteem.

I like the way you said like most others Afro.Fighter. With some of the disagreement that goes on among those who think their style is best and all others stink your attitude is so nice to see.

Afro.Fighter you are correct in that kanku/kushanku holds the origin of the pinan/heian katas. It was Itosu who broke them down. He was a teacher and bringing karate into the school system. Before that the new students learned the naihanchi katas. He thought they were too difficult for the students of the younger age he was beginning to teach. It is also interesting that it was Itosu who broke the kata Nahanchi into three parts or three separate katas. It was at one time all one kata.

Congratulations on your decision to resume your training.

I know of at least one school where if that happened the owner of the newly frayed black belt would find that belt being immediately replaced.

We always try to exchange belts with that kid for one of a more suitable lenght when that happens. The same way we do that for a kid who gets one that has only a few inches sticking out on each side of the knot when the belt is tied.

Visit both schools and think about why you want to learn a martial art. If the idea of weapons and grappling skills mixed in together with your stand up fighting go to the shudokan school. Both sound like they have some common roots. And there will be many similarities in the basics. It will be the weapons and grappling in shudokan that are the big differences.

Visit both schools, watch class and see from that which appeals most to you. That is where you should train.

Personal attacks will not be tolerated; neither will disrespectful posts.

That sounds like a reply from someone who has had training in practical use of nunchaku as a weapon versus using them to play with and "flash" around. Most of what you see in weapons katas in competitions has very little practical use in terms of self defense. Many people just choose nunchaku because they can make them look flashy.

Welcome to the forum. The politics of martial arts organizations are a great mystery to most. Particularly those who create the rifts.

Welcome to the forum. I have read most of your posts and it is nice to have a chance to formally say hello and welcome.

It all depends on how they are done. Many people learn a kata on counts in the kyu grades and only later do without counts allowing the kata to flow. They are the same katas just a different name because of the language difference that used to exist between the RyuKyu Islands.