hammer

I wonder if those kicks are used at long range because it takes a lot of proficiency and flexibility to kick high and with fluidity at close range. I'm not sure I will ever develop that level of flexibility, not that I don't try. Evading the spinning hook kick at close range is really tough. Sometimes one can see the shoulder move and try to move in the direction of the turn, but that reaction needs to be trained so that it's automatic (along with getting the hands up). One other thing that I believe causes issues with range is the overemphasis on non-contact to light contact point sparring. People used to sparring in this manner learn to execute techniques at ranges well outside where they would be effective. I'm not saying that everyone needs to take up full contact sparring, but if that is not part of the sparring done at a school, then drills at close range should be done so that the practitioner can learn how close in he/she really needs to be for a technique to work.

After transitioning from TKD to Kyokushin and training for a few years, I've noticed that some techniques that I thought I had a good base in previously now still aren't all that good... Just wondering if this is typical and/or if others have had the same experience. Can say it's quite frustrating since I spent many years in TKD and I had thought at least something would have transferred to Kyokushin...both styles kick and punch after all...

Signed up...Sensei is comfortable with me competing, he now has me working on tactics to deal with "bigger" fighters. Still wish my physical conditioning was better but it will be what it will be. Spouse isn't crazy about me signing up...maybe I shouldn't have shown her any videos of kumite matches.

Has anyone tried ones that you do the impressions at home for? Something like these... http://www.gladiatorguards.com

Definitely leaning towards it mainly because we are traveling a distance to go and it's hard to justify going all the way to just do one kata. Just have never done full contact in competition before...and at this age it's not like I will bounce back quite as quickly...

New to Kyokushin (2 years) but not new to MA (did TKD for 14 years). Current rank is 7th Kyu (Blue with Yellow stripe). Will be 52 YO in June. There's a tournament coming up in about 6 weeks that I will be competing in. I'm definitely going to compete in kata but I'm still not sure about kumite. It's semi-knockdown rules which from what I've seen is basically knockdown with protective gear. I'd be competing against 35+ YO males ranking from 10th to 5th Kyu, but from what I can see there's no weight division. I'm under 180 lb so if there were weight divisions I would not be in the heavyweight one. I have been attending additional fighter's workouts for a while so I'd consider myself to be in pretty good shape for my age and size, but I'm not rock solid or particularly strong. If possible, my approach would be to fight smarter and try to make shots count instead of trying to out-power an opponent. Guessing pain is going to happen and I've done enough tests to know what hard contact is like but we usually spar with light contact in class. Main goal (aside from enjoying the experience) would be to avoid injury and at least win one match. Any thoughts on whether I should go for it?

I would say yes, but as mentioned, natural physical talent and coordination can help to reduce the hours required. I'm at the low end of the gene pool on the physical talent scale, so I just need to put the hours in. Beyond hours, I'd say that consistency matters...IMO it's better to train 3 times a week for 2 hours each than 1 day a week for 6 hours. That said, training one day a week beats not training at all.

Thanks for the info. Nice way to get whole body cardio. I can get the HR going well with my longer runs but it only really works the legs, and not in the same way the bag work does.

From a 10:00/mile pace to 8:30/mile in a week...nice progress. That will likely plateau as you become conditioned/used to running. I've only been running for a few years and I started late in life (late 40s) so I'm no expert by any means, but this is what worked for me... Main thing I do to control breathing is to time it to steps. At an easier pace I do breathing at 4 step in/3 step out which sometimes goes to 3/3 after a few miles if I don't want to slow down. If you can push harder you can consider a 3/2 or 2/2 pace...whatever works for you. You may actually fund that you will need to slow your running pace while you settle on a breathing pace. I wouldn't worry about that, once you get the rhythm your running pace should improve again. Personally I also find I need to stay unplugged. The few times I tried to run with music it messed my pacing and breathing up. Good luck with the running...

Just wondering...when you say you hit the bag for 45 - 60 minutes is that continuous? Asking because right now one part of a workout I do involves three 2:00 rounds on the heavy bag, which is a challenge...and while I'm not in great shape I'm not a couch potato.

Just continue training and get your high kicks up as high as you can with good form. I'm still waiting for the flexibility gains to happen but it doesn't stop me from continuing to work out. When stretching, don't limit yourself to static stretches...also try to work dynamic stretching in.

Worst situation I had was after sparring with people who had colored pads...color wore off on the Gi (did help to show me where I need to do better with blocking!). Took several washes with pre-treat to get it all out. I solely take care of washing my Gis and pads. Can't use bleach on the Kyokushin Gis because they have the kanji sewn in. I have found out that non-chlorine bleach doesn't hurt them, although it doesn't seem to get the yellow stains out either.

Work on being more fluid and smooth...something I should have learned a long time ago.

Congratulations!!

I really like the analogy here. Not sure how many here train or have trained in more than one style. In my own case, my previous experience may have helped with the basics, but as far as anything beyond that is concerned I've been no different from a brand new person.

Agree with what others have said about speed. I never did well in point sparring (lack of speed and too much thinking), but one other thing I have noticed with people who do well in point sparring is that they eliminate any "tells". Since speed is king, any signals of an attack will give a decent opponent a chance to defend and counter. This also applies to continuous sparring but is even more important in point sparring.

Ask the close friends or family why they feel that way...and try to take an objective look at one's training to make sure that you aren't doing too much. Sometimes friends and family can see more easily when you are over training...

Favorite to use is Chudan Mae Geri (front snap kick)...quick, not as effective in close but opponents don't expect it. Also like a nice Gedan Mawashi Geri off of the back leg. One I can't do well but I sure want to learn is Ushiro Mawashi Geri. Yes, the wheel kick is flashy, but we don't have the floor to practice it and I don't like the idea of intentionally falling or rolling to do a technique.

In my own experience, making sure I have "active" rest periods helps. Feel more sore when I'm not moving.

If you like the training, and you have good reason to believe that you won't be the only student long-term, then I'd say stick with it. I've been training in a small dojo (3-4 adults in the class on a regular basis) for the past 18 months or so, and so far so good. The instructor has a lot of experience, the workouts are well-balanced, and there's plenty I can learn.

No such thing as a non-contact martial art? Tell that to these guys... Quoted from http://www.wmakarate.com/rates-policies "2) Do not spar unless under the supervision of the Instructor. During Free Style Sparring, NO OFFENSIVE CONTACT is allowed at any time. There are no kicks to the head, face, neck or groin area allowed. Contact shall be limited to the execution of a defensive move (Countering) during Free Style or Three-Step Sparring practice; provided however, that such defensive moves are properly executed with control and not intended to cause physical injury. NO CONTACT is allowed at any time except as set forth above." What does that look like at the higher levels? This is allegedly a 5th dan test (not being sarcastic with the allegedly part; that's what it said)... No copyrights that I saw in the video, posted the link to my quote, and didn't take more than a fair amount. I'm trying to get this right wow. they must be in great aerobic shape though(seriously). Looked to me like the one guy sparring was sucking wind after 1 minute...each match was maybe 15-20 seconds? Would also like to see all of the BBs after doing about 5-6 kata at that frenzied pace... Going back on topic, and maybe a different type of complaint...no matter how good I am about washing my Gi it still gets sweat stains I have yet to figure out how to remove. Mine isn't the worst I've seen (some people have originally white Gis that are some shade of yellow throughout) but I still don't like how mine look.

I agree with this, too. Lighter contact tends to lend itself to a different strategy, and I find it favors faster, lighter fighters, too. The kyokushin dojo I train at does continuous sparring (no hand techniques to the face) but most times we try to keep the contact light. We do ramp up the contact on occasion and for testing we do go harder, but going light gives us more opportunities to work on strategy, technique and combinations. Don't think we will ever try any kind of point sparring though...just not part of what we are taught. I have sparred against students from other Kyokushin schools that must emphasize more full contact...good experience to learn how to deal with it, but I did notice that their technique wasn't quite up to what our Sempai is trying to train us to.

Maybe it's because I'm an adult (and of a certain age) but this is one of the questions I never ask as a student. Just train, and when the instructor feels you are ready, then you will get to...

Interesting...guess I've always thought of Kyokushin sparring as being more knockdown than points-based. Our variations in class have more to do with the level of contact than the tactics. I did point sparring (no to light contact) in TKD and it's quite different from what I do in Kyokushin...and not just because Kyokushin doesn't allow hand techniques to the head.

I'm sure this depends on the school, but where I go the sparring during a shinsa for lower ranks is "spirited contact" which is enough to make you feel it but not enough to leave lasting marks. Worst I had on my last test where I did several rounds was a shot in the solar plexus that I didn't evade/deflect or prepare for...was winded for a few seconds. What level of kumite have you done so far? Most times in class we only go light contact (to learn and not worry about getting injured).