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It roughly takes about 4-5 years in my association. It is different with different instructors and organisations, though. Plus, it depends how often you train and the amount of effort a person puts into training.

Just because you know the movements of a kata doesn't necesarily mean that you 'know' a kata. Even with such a simple kata as Kihon there are many applications to it and a karateka could practice it for years and still not acheive perfection with it. Your sensei probably keeps showing it you over and over again to help you get the feel for the movements in it and corect timing. Keeping on doing Kihon kata might be boring, but whats the point in moving on to more complex kata if the first basic one hasn't been properly learned and understood? My instructor once said that it takes about 4-5 years to even begin to master the basics of karate; that's roughly how long it takes to get to blackbelt. Remember first dan blackbelt is still classed as a beginner - having the blackbelt shows that you're serious about your training if you're prepared to train for 5 years to sill be classed as a beginner at the end of it!

I suppose it's just something that comes with practice. Keep on practicing deep stances. Good muscle control in your legs and stomach will probably help you to get that 'grounded' feeling. I can't say I really noticed how I became more grounded. It just sort of happened naturally over time with effort and practice.

I don't believe in true love, but then again I'm just a tired old cynic.

Good advice Delta (as always!) Sorry to hear that you're gonna have to tone down your training. At least you do still get to train, though. I know it's not much of a comfort, but...

Ah, that gives me hope! If a Sandan has trouble holding head height kicks and is a 'million miles away' with the splits, then there's hope for me yet!! Thanks for being an encouragement, Renketsu!

Hi, welcome Red Triangle Student and welcome Jiyn! Congratulations on passing your gradings! Hope you enjoy it at KarateForums.

Hi Mart! Welcome to KarateForums, hope you like it here.

Congratulations on coming 3rd in your first tournament! I'm sorry to hear that someone with poor sportsmanship spoiled it for you. There was no need for her to kick you like that. It's always sad when there's someone who disregards rules and safety issues and ruins a competition for someone else. Competition fighting should be fun end exciting without being disrespectful to opponents. Good luck for your next competition!

Kanku-Dai and Kanku-Sho would be my vote, but Gojushiho-Dai and Gojushiho-Sho are also interesting Shotokan kata.

Sorry, that's why I was a bit confused about the similarities - I was sure that Chinte and Gankaku were separate kata (which of course they are). How much has Chinto been altered to become Gankaku-Sho and how similar is Gankaku-Sho to the original Shotokan Gankaku? (which is one of my favourite kata too, Renketsu!)

That's a great idea Champ! I'd certainly buy a copy of the book.

Yes, excellent article Sai! You're a true inspiration to us!!

Karate blocks are very effective if applied correctly when sparring/freefighting and not just used as they are done during kihon drills. Also, it's incorrect to say that karate blocks are just done with the hands - you can block with your elbows, feet or even knees if you know what you're doing. As for karate vs streetfighter - well, it really depends on the fighters. It's like the old "Karate vs Kung Fu" argument or "TKD vs Muay Thai" or "whatever vs whatever". Each style has its own good points and not so good aspects. Plus, it really depends on the fighters. My style could be the greatest in the world, but it won't help me one little bit if I suck at sparring or (more importantly) I've had a bad teacher. Whichever style you want to learn it's important to find a great instructor.

Well, I'm certainly going to it, even if I don't compete because it's only about 3/4 of an hours drive away from me, which is great because there's usually hardly any competitions near where I live. Plus, there are others going along from my club too. Musical forms and trick categories are good to watch, when done well. It's a good bit of entertainment (especially if the music chosen bears no resemblance to the speed at which the kata is being performed at, as I saw once).

If traditional styles are so useless in combat, then why have they been in existance as long as they have? Surely a style that was worthless would simply die out? Personally I believe that traditional styles have as much, if not more, to offer for actual combat. Just because it generally takes longer to learn a traditional style doesn't mean it hass less value than a modern martial art.

I'm hoping to go down on the Sunday - maybe I'll see some of you all there?! I went last year and it was great. I'd love to go for both days, but I can't as I'm at a wedding on Saturday. Oh well, drinking & partying on Saturday and a Martial Arts-fest on Sunday; what a cool way to spend a weekend!

Instead of worrying about why you possibly got a low test score, then concentrate on really trying to improve for next time. If you know that your kibadatchi is poor, then that is probably affecting your other stances, so make a real effort to try and improve in that area. You should also ask your sensei where he thinks you need to improve. I know this is a bit obvious, but make sure you're asking questions politely and at an apropriate time. If you're asking questions constantly or asking about things when sensei is demonstrating and talking to the class, for example, then he won't be best pleased with you for interrupting. Plus, make sure that you're not asking about things that sensei has recently mentioned and given an answer to. Also, if the questions are about karate generally, and not just your technique, you could maybe go and ask a higher grade to help you. Club sempais are there to help and support lower grade students - if they're reasonable people they'll not bite your head off for wanting to learn! Try not to compare yourself to others; everyone learns at a different pace. As long as you are constantly trying to improve and giving 100% effort then I'm sure that this will please your sensei and your karate will become much better as a result. Congratulations on passing your recent belt test!

Of course! Welcome to Karate Forums, ShotoSam. Why not go along to the introductions forum and tell us a bit about yourself? Nice to have you here.

Try improving your general fitness level, this should help your speed. Incorporated running or skipping into your fitness training and it will help build up your speed and power. Also, if it's punching and kicking speed you want to improve then try and do as much bag work as possible.

If I could go back in time and choose to start a martial art again I think that I'd still choose karate. It has a bit of everything - striking but with grappling, locks, throws, sweeps, pressure points, weapons, street defence etc etc. You just have to look hard and train hard with it. I'd still like to learn and try other styles, but karate will always be my first love.

No, sorry, but I'd be interested in a copy too, if anyone knows of a link! How different is Gankaku-Sho to the kata it is based on, Chinte?

Well, welcome back to Karate Forums, G!

Welcome to Karate Forums!

Welcome to KF and congratulations to your son on doing so well in his first tournament! You said you don't personally study MA anymore, what style(s) did you train in when you were training?