cathal

I tend to agree, the bo is better. The three section staff routine you have down is fine, but lack a bit of fluidity. Not just with the weapon itself but with your leg movements. I see you've had some work done with the knee so that's going to be a factor I think. If you can, try to deepen your stance in both routines.

That is a very intersting application, never mind the PM! Post them here, I'm sure there's lots of folks here who'd like to hear about it. The more discussion the merrier!

I agree wholeheartedly.

I tend to agree, there really is no rush. Practice what you know and learn the bunkai. Get really good at it, at this point, and that will provide you with a great base to move on from. If you rush into things it's likely you'll burn yourself out too quickly and quit in frustration.

I did BJJ as well as my own Karate training, but many years ago. I think it compliments it well. But in retrospect I personally would have gone with a Judo style instead had I known I would have ended up with Karate.

Personally, I agree with a first strike mentality if necessary. I've usually been able to remove or avoid situations where a fight would have occured, though. What we do in our dojo, for this exact purpose, is train in a series of techniques we've affectionately called "No Fear techniques" where we simultaneously block & counter. So if we are attacked we'll parry/block the attacker and strike at a point while rotating out of the way of the attacker's forward motion. We do also practice a first-strike technique of an attack to the eyes. (No gouging) It causes the attacker to pause and protect their eyes. At that point you can continue attacking or remove yourself from the situation if possible.

As I recall that's an accurate statistic in our dojo as well. Also about that percentage go on to nidan, etc.

Head's behind you, arms are working a RNC. Try it with a training partner. You pull the leg up as high as you can and start spinning. I know, it sounds a bit weird but try it. Pull the leg up, twist, turn your head. I am definitely going to try this one out.

Yes, as I recall you've been hunting for one for a while now. Keep us posted.

I wholeheartedly agree with that. After all it is a kind of artform so why bother only teaching half? The student's own interpretation of the art will come along with time.

Yeah it's in that list...

That's a fantastic suggestion. We'll gather in Patrick's back yard and BBQ.

Yeah the first thing to consider is that every part of the kata is there for a reason. If it starts out in a natural stance, the setup for the punch can be a grab, or a wrist lock. The downward block could be a throw, locking up an attacker from the side and the punch is taking out the second attacker for good. The key is thinking simple, you can think creative later on.

I found this link, but I don't know anything about it. http://www.wing-chun.nu/cwc_schools.htm

Sorry, the latter. Same strikes in lesser time.

Nerve damage is something you might see over a long period of repetitious breaking. You aren't doing to see any deadening/damage over short periods of training. Plus, it's going to depend on both the hand & the board breaking it.

Well many systems incoporate pressure points, but does knock a few off the list (in my head anyway). There are a few webites out there like https://www.martial-way.com but it doesn't have a comprehensive list of the styles of Karate. Here is a list of styles from Okinawa which I'm familiar with, which is by no means a complete list. Shotokan Shotokan-Jutsu Chito-Ryu Shorin-Ryu Shorei-Ryu Naha-Te Goju-Ryu Kobujutsu Ryukyu Kempo Shohei-Ryu (aka Uechi-Ryu) Wado-Ryu I hope that list helps you find out which one it was.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum affligo, what Okinawan style are interested in? There are many.

What exactly is done at a class like that?

For training & fitness assistance in your training I'd suggest skipping rope as a major step toward speeding up your technique. Timing yourself during the last moments of a training session is also going to help out. In the last 60 seconds of your session go all out for speed, don't worry about putting all the power into the technique at that point. Simply focus on getting as many punches or kicks onto the bag as possible. Then track that time and try to beat it by a few seconds each time.

If you could get a group of famous martial artists in a room, and chat with them on their experiences, training, etc who would it be? I'm not referring to the television/film celebrities per se. But I am referring to the "big names" in martial arts history. I have so many names swirling around my head right now. I know that I'd love to chat with Flex Wheeler, Jackie Chan, and Master Dennis Brown to name just a few. Who would it be for you?

I will gladly help out. Start out small like bunkai for a single punch. Just start thinking about what the ohter arm is doing too.

Yeah that's the funniest one in the last year or so.