PReDiToR

In our dojo we know who to hit and who not to. There are a lot of kids, but the adults do like to mix it a little. I agree that you can't time a punch properly if you don't make some kind of contact, and to block someone who is hitting an inch away from your face will not help you out any when you have the real thing happening. To the original poster: Yes, GKR is alive and well and lives in the UK

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Hi, my name is Mike and I'm an annoying kumite partner. My punching control is pretty good, I don't hit people unless I want to 99% of the time. My kicks don't do more than tickle unless I want them to. I like to hear criticism about my techniques, if you are prepared to give it, otherwise be quiet while I hit you, its all the same to me. I will offer the benefit of my advice a second time if you receive the first lot well and say thanks. I will bruise your freaking arms every time you try to hit me because my blocks are intended to stop you from hitting me, not to balance one golfball on top of another. My Sensei likes to come round during blocks and aim a blow for you to deflect. He uses his left hand to strike me with so as not to damage his right. I do not know why I can control my punching, balance, kicking, stances and all other techniques, yet have so little ability to block gently. My pet hate? Kids. Too small to hit properly, arms too close together to get your fist between, boundless energy and always the right size for a groin punch. And then when they start with the "I caaaaaaaaan't do it" stuff ... Other than that, I love kumite. Pass me another Black Belt, I love sparring above my grade, having someone landing strikes on you sure teaches you where you are going wrong with your defence, and if you land a couple yourself, all the better.

In GKR we go Yellow, Orange, Green etc. We have been told that the Yellow and Orange are morale belts and that most students fail the Green because it is graded without the same leeway. Failure is a definite option when you get to Green and above. Personally, I graded Yellow a few weeks ago, and because of a mommentary lapse of thought (I didn't wait for the guy on the end to Yame before I started) I would have failed me. I am much harder on myself than other people seem to be, and I hope that if I mess up in any way I will have to retake the grading. You only have to be perfect for one afternoon to get your belt, why should you be excused for lack of preparation and concentration?

Um, not to be picky, but he probably did. You're American, I take it? http://www.bushido.me.uk/index.html <---- note the "UK" TLD there? You guyz speak American, not English. It gauls me to disagree with someone I agree with, but the language barrier can lead to some huge flamefests over nothing.

Tuesday session I had the honour of Sensei demonstrating how releasing your breath fully before a punch to the stomach stops you from being winded. ... Then he asked me to take a deep breath ... Respect your Sensei is all that went through my mind lol

My Sensei teaches that one quite explicitly to guys, he says that if your testes feel like pancakes after doing the turn you did it right. Taigyoku Shodan is first kata in GKR.