gojoinstructor

All I'm saying, IMO, is that if I wanted to bring someone down to the ground, a leg sweep would not be my first choice. You have to ask yourself, do you want this to be a ground game or a stand up game? If my sweep does work and I am still standing, what next? Usually if I am going to drop someone, it is to engage them on the ground fully. At that point I want to be as close as possible to them to control their movement. If I am staying upright, a sweep is just a way to knock someone off balance to set them up for something else.

Hmm , interesting thought KM. I guess we need to define what is being asked by "sweep". I never intend to use a sweep as a way of bringing an opponent down. I usually use it to throw their balance off so that I am able to use that time for my actual attack. I do agree that a sweep with the front leg is much more effective than a rear. Be cautious though and know your opponent. Trying to sweep a guy that has legs like a tree trunk and a low center of gravity might put you in a bad position, using the front or rear leg. These types of people I usually try to shoot in on and bring them down another way. It all depends what you are trying to do. As always keep the opinions coming, I love hearing different peoples views on things! Gives me insight into my own fighting methods.

One technique I usually use on opponents who are less than willing to come in on you is I come around with my rear leg like I am going to throw a round house to mid section or head. I lead it out alittle wide so they can see it coming and raise their guard. Then I kick in a downward motion at mid calf to ankle height so that it drives their foot into the ground. This allows me to follow the momentum and immediately spin into a hook or side thrust kick. It works very well

Well they took me, so I know you can at least be 32 ! Actually we like to start them around age 6. There are a number of reasons behind it, maturity, focus, they can use the bathroom on there own.. My son is going to be 3 and he has been in the dojo with me since birth, but would I call it training, no way. I won't have him start until 6 or so. (in a formal class anyway)

BL, Most tests are tailored to the belt level that you are testing for, at least in our school. Our white belt tests are nothing compared to our blue belt tests, etc... I hear that every once and a while from a student too. They will approach me and say, "wow, that wasn't that bad" and I always tell them "be careful what you wish for " I have seen kyu belts and black belts fail tests before. It is usually because they just give up. We only allow students who are ready to test, test.

This is a bit off topic, but Master Jules, what part of NY are you from? PM me, maybe we can get together and train.

I agree with all the posts so far. You have to practice all kata. I have a phrase that I use with my students when I see them slipping on their lower belt katas. "You can't build a strong house without a solid foundation"

Well all makes mistakes, that is part of being humans! The more you practice and the different environments that you do kata in , the better it will get and the more comfortable you will become.. It just takes time.

We do isometrics for blocks, punchs & kicks with 1 - 3 lbs. wrist and angle weights. After about the 10th rep, it really starts to burn. We have also done blindfolded bagwork. My instructors son usually sets up 3 bags throughout the school (mind you the school is only about 1100 sq ft.) And we all have a starting point. On his count, we approach the first bag and perform hand techniques, then onto the next for leg work and the 3rd is everything. It really raises your sense of awareness because you get a picture in your mind and try to move towards the bag, only to find out that it isn't there! Have not done that in a while though, in fact I think I will do that in class tonight!!

Calf rasies, bag work and isometrics will help.

We approach testing in two ways and we do hand out belts. The belts are basically a measure for the younger children to gain a sense of accomplishment.. They get very excited when they get a new belt or a tip. For the adults they are less important. I have students who have been green belts for 5 years. To them it just isn't important. I have given them permission to test forms, but they never show up. We do throw a little party at the school for students who get there Yudansha or Shodan. Nothing fancy, just some punch & cake. Let me explain our testing.. For the kids (12 and under) asking them to take a 2 day test that lasts for 5 - 6 hours each day wouldn't be fair. Ever try and get a 6 year old to focus for 5 hours straight?! We follow Shorinryu's philosophy of making them work hard each class and doing the test "when they are not looking" so to speak. This will typically occur over a 3 day period. If they pass we have certificates and belts ready at the end of class. Our adults are a different story. Due to the nature of being an adult, commitments with the family or at work sometimes interfere with their training. Although we train them hard also, we have found it to be more accomadating if we have testing on Friday nights and saturday mornings. Fridays we usually start with kihon and then go into some bag work and the right to katas (minus the required katas for whatever level they are testing). Saturays usually start with a run, then back to the school for more kihon, kata (requirements for level), self defense, strength training, terminology and then sparring and ground fighting. While this doesn't always allow for 100% of the students that we ask to test to actually test (due to vacations, etc..) This has worked out very well for us so far.

Pictures (and videos) really are worth 1000 words. Nice vid Gyte

In addition to informing your sensei about your knee injury, I would also speak to your doctor about you starting Karate. I'm sure he has other patients that are in your shoes and might have some tips for you. Good Luck!

I really like performing Seipai and Nijushiho.

At this point in your training, you should know all the *techniques* that are required, no matter what the kata is. It is just a matter of putting it together. That is just a combination of muscle memory and knowledge.