shotochem

The funny thing is that when we freespar without points I tend to overpower him and have the advantage. When we do take downs and grapple I pretty much own him. Its just when it comes to the point fighting "Love Tap" attacks hes just flat out faster than me. Im more of a brawler than a finesser. We are of equal rank hes 10 yrs younger and made of rubber. Hes taller and lighter Im a little smaller and more muscular. Hes pure speed, I"m raw power. I think Ill try not to get baited into his kind of fight. We are good friends so its just friendly rivalry. We just make each other better. He was just driving me crazy the night before I posted this. ( Besides, the loser had to buy the drinks...... ) You really can teach and old dog a new trick.........

Hi Everyone, I was wondering, how do you deal with sparring someone that is much quicker than you. Ive dealt with bigger and stronger and have sparred faster people. This guy just darts in and out I just can't catch him. Whenevr I give chase he tags me. When I get in close he scampers out or range. So far the only way I can get him is to wait and counter. That is still tough he hits and runs. The only other thing I found to be effective is to sweep him. When I get a paw on him I easily get him down and have the advantage. I just want to grab on and squash the little bugger Im getting tired of chasing him. Lately Im having an easier time sparring with the big guys.

Same experience here. The only difference is that Im not as strong physically as before when I had more muscle bulk. I find that now Im more toned and am much quicker than I was before. The back and knees are feeling 10yrs younger too!!!

Good luck, its a great kata. I highly recomend it for the YOUNG and agile. Unless you tie a wire around me like the matrix I have about a snowballs chance in hell to pull that jump off.

I agree, which is why Jerry makes sense. You only get one opportunity if you do not neutralize the threat ASAP you could be seriously hurt or killed. It is very easy to say only use what force is necessary. I may feel I need to use more force than you. Is the attacker much bigger ad stronger than me? Have I been traing as long or am I as good as you or Jerry? Do I think I could safely control the situation without doing too much harm? Its a lot easier to harm someone than to subdue them. I wouldn't take the chance, it could be the last mistake I would ever make. Im not saying to cripple a drunken fool. Ive been attacked by one of thoseand subdued the idiot. But the violet drunk swinging a beer bottle at my head got treated a little differently. I didnt think twice about putting him down and I have no guilt what so ever. The police took him to the hospital and then his cell. It all depends on who is being attacked and by whom and where as well as can you get away or are you cornered. Just my personal opinion no offense intended....

I just flash them my dazzling smile then blow them a kiss. It confuses the hell out of them.

OMG!!!!! Im starting to think like JerryLove!!!!! HELP!!!!

Hi Kai, #1,2,4&9 I have no problem with. #3 in my book even soft physical provokation would warrant a physical response on my part. Im not saying to give the person a crack in the face but a push or brush aside with a stern warning is in order. #5 if after the above #3 the opponent comes after me the gloves are off he will be dealt with swiftly and harshly. There is no warning needed as he obviously did not get the picture. #7 if someone tryed to hurt my wife or son or went toward them in a threatning manner with intent to do harm he will be deallt with the same as #5 above. I would tell the loved ones to run and get help while I insured they would get away safely. In real situations IMO there are no gentlemanly rules that a visicious predator will follow. If I have to deal with the legal ramifications, as long as my loved ones are safe so be it.

IS teaching a requirement? If you are paying to attend class why are you teaching. If you are teaching IMO, you should at least be compensated. Some people would rather just train than teach. I see nothing wrong with that. The question is if you are no longer getting any enjoyment out of it why stay? Its only karate, it is like any other activity in your life if it is no longer enjoyable find youself another activity that you will enjoy. (I know that's another Redmond-onian comment ) Hi Jussi, from a 24fc lurker. I find it a little less intimidating to post here, though I also lurk there daily.

I was wondering, how different is the ShorinRyu version of Passai compared to the Shotokan Bassai?? I haven't seen it. Id like to catch a couple of clips of other styles doing similar katas.

Remember one of the most important things about the foward roll..... Chin to chest as you roll over, this will help prevent injury to your neck. Use your arms in the same position as if you were going to dive only curve them and roll with them, this also allows greater protection of the neck. For a side roll it is similar only you keep the arm of the leading side close to the side of your head as opposed to the front. Always keep that head tucked, the neck is not somthing you want to injure. I would reccomend asking one of your teachers to help you do it properly before practicing on your own. I've personally seen a child twist his neck while doing an improper front roll, fortunately he only sprained his neck and it was not serious. So I am just a little paranoid about rolling if someone is not experienced, The same with break falls. If someone has not been trained on how to fall properly they should not be swept or thrown. Enough ranting from a paranoid father...

I hang mine from my sons' old swing set. I'm finally getting my moneys worth out of it!!! You might also consider one of those free standing bags like the wave master. Just fill the base with sand instead of water so it wont tip over as easily.

Try doing Tekki 1 while laying on your back you will find it quite interesting. There are many move which can be applied on the ground as well as on your feet.

HI All. IMO, people get to wrapped up in the term self defense. All martial arts were developed for self preservation in one way or another. Some people believe that Shotokan is not good for self defense, block, reverse punch ect... I believe it can be quite effective. In most real life situations you will block or evade then hit back then if you are grabbed you will then proceed to the ground. I believe in finding a strong foundation in one art then crosstraing in another to have a good balance. I believe that grappling is good but it is not enough, you need striking as well. And vice versa. My personal philosophy is if I take the attacker out as fast as possible before he can grab me and take me to the ground all the better. For me grappling is plan B. ( I also come from a wrestling backround BTW) I prefer not to be caught on the ground as it presents a greater difficulty in escaping.

Hi Cheryl, The problem is not with conditioning your thumbs. You should work on punching properly. You should not be making any contact with your thumbs. You must keep a tight fist with your thumb tucked firmly under. You should be striking with your knuckles (in shotokan the first 2nuckles are emphasized)not the fingers. Keep your wrist strait and and lined up with your knuckles. A tight fist lessens the chance of injury due to impact and hooking on to things. Practice slowly then work up speed a heavy bag will let you know if you are puncing properly.

Mae Geri is a great point scoring technique and it can also stop a charging opponent dead in his tracks. A snapping front kick can be executed very quickly. Its like running into a wall. Since Im not a kid anymore I find it a lot more practical for sparring than risking too many roundhouse kicks which probably wont get in and would most likley catch an elbow. I use them to set up my next attack,as part of a combo and to keep my opponent backing off. If the is a low risk opening up high I take it. The side thrust kick is great for a powerful finishing technique and when used as part of a combo. ie..front kick, round, then spinning sidekick ect....

Its called being closed minded. How dare the Gaijin tell us Japanese how to do karate???? The applications Elmar has given are very real and possible. That dosn't mean that everyone can pull them off. The only limit to a bunkai application is that you should be able to make it work. There are many that I personally can not make work and others I can do that other people find difficult. I have read and reread Dr Schmeisser's Tekki book. I still cant do many of the applications but I have modified quite a few to work for me. They are a very helpful guide. Bunkai should inspire personal creativity and should grow and be expanded on as you learn and become more skilled. I believe every karateka should know and understand what they are doing with every movement. Its not just a dance, if it were there would be music.......

If I were to tell you my secrets, I would have to kill you...

I cant belive I didnt see this one sooner. Oustanding article. For every fight with every opponent there is one singular constant that is beyond the reach of any style, that supersedes the boundaries of system and pattern, that frees the mind and body. That is: your opponent is human. That statement is so simple yet profound. We all are human and once we all realize this we can understand and think about the consequences in every situation and aspect of our lives.

It is certainly a fair question. We have our requirements posted right on the wall. There is no secret on what we have to know. You should not get a problem if you ask. You are after all a $$$Paying Customer$$$ as well as student.

You mean everyone don't laugh ???? Have you ever heard the expression..."Pain is Joy"!!!!!!!!!

I just not the home decorating kind of guy. I have my belts neatly folded into a 1ft size piece. 1 on top of the other on a little table with a mirrior I use. My certificates are in an envelope right under the belts and around the mirror are photographs of the good friends Ive made and have trained with. I place much more value on that than any piece of cloth or paper.

If you use a twisting motion as you make contact with your blocking arm it will be less painful and the block will be just as effective. think of useing the motion of your arm more as a parry or deflection. When you are blocking a kick, use a glancing motin to move the kick aside if you take it directly it can be quite painful.

Is it possible that the 2 points for kata were for knowing the embusan (pattern)? Im quite sure your instructors paid close attention to your form, basics and stances in the kata as well as in all other parts of the test. We do not use a point system. We have set requirements and standards for each grading. If you dont know it or can not do it properly you will not grade.

There will be many more shots to the head. It really doesnt matter what belt your sparring against. Its the person. Ive sparred with a yellow belt who used to do a little boxing, funny I never did see that left uppercut comeing. There are white belts who can fight well and there are Brown and Black belts that dont spar all that well. Never over or under estimate your opponent.