Taco101

The closed finger design would make gappling and grabs difficult. They'd be OK for pure standup sparring.

Take a look at http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=22814 these. They work very well for what you are describing.

I believe that UFC, Pride, KOTC, et al...are great SPORTS. MMA is very valid on the streets. I'm pretty sure no strict MA would call for picking up a rock and using it to end a fight. But in a real fight there are truly "no hold barred". Sport is just that, sport. MA is a very old form of self defence. MMA is a philosophy that, I believe, uses what ever works at the moment to let me survive the next 5 minutes.

Chuck Liddell- light heavy Frank Mir- heavy Diego Sanchez- middle/welter

There are those that badmouth airsoft. I have several airsoft guns and use them quite a bit in training. Keep shooting your airsoft and practicing the basics of marksmanship. The last "Steel Challenge" winner is from Japan and had only shot airsoft prior to the challenge.

Along with MA I love to shoot. USPSA, Silhouette, Long Distance, you name it. Any others here that like to shoot?

Recently got a pair of open finger sparring gloves made by "Gladiator" (AWMA http://www.awma.com/index.cfm/action/productdetail/product_id/9982.htm These are the Cobra model. I've sparred about 15 times with them now. These are the best gloves I have tried. Very protective and comfortable. Not a advertisement...just a satisfied review.

I am relatively new to Shotokan. But in our dojo we do a lot of bag work. We also go alot faster and further in kumite than it seems what you are describing. I have a grappling background and see elements from that in several katas. Others have said You get back what you put in. If your dojo is limiting this.....find another. As far as feeling apprehension and fear before and during an altercation? Welcome to the human race. We all feel fear....but doing what is required in spite of the fear is what gets us through.

Hola from NM. I am a Defensive Tactics and Firearms instructor and a new Shotokan Karateka. Currently 8th kyu in a small quality dojo. Most of my knowledge base is down and dirty stay alive fighting. I am truly enjoying learning Karate. So.....I will probably just read a whole lot more than I post. Thanks for having me. Taco