KarateK

Welcome x

We never sweep - sometimes I feel like I am missing out on a worthwhile skill. In sparring we are only alowed to kick above the belt. We practice ashi bari and mawashegeri to the knee against a pad but thats as far as we go.

Hey well done you x Try not to go into the next fight with revenge on your mind though - can blind you from what you have learnt - and obviously have learnt well!!

Hi Some of you will probably know that I am not training at the moment due to a seriously painful torn cruciate ligament in my knee. However when I am fit and back training I would like to try out something new - I previously tried Shotokan Karate but found the two styles too similar to really compliment my Shukokai Karate. Any ideas of a a new MA that will compliment Karate but is not too demanding on a dodgy knee?? I know this is a toughie - remember am in UK as well so not as many styles available to me Cheers all

Im 5.11. I do sometimes feel I have an advantage psychologically - when you go up against someone bigger than you and have to look up slightly it can be a bit disconcerting - and in your sub conscious mind you are probably more likely to be afraid of someone bigger than littler. I don't know about street fighting - but when I end up sparring with some of the smaller cadets who come up to my arms they manage to get a few strikes in - its hard to see where their shoulders etc are aiming for. And women - there's always one kid who "accidentally" gets your chest isnt there!!!

We will never stop practicing our basics, we usually have a few minutes before getting into the lesson where we go through all basic punches, kicks, blocks. Higher grades vary it by doing for example, two to a call or by blocking then punching. With the analogy to driving or writing - if you don't do either for a while yes you will probably still be able to do them but not very well. I used to be an excellent (and modest!!!) rounders player at school, now when I play catch with my daughter I find myself dropping the stupid tennis ball every other time. (OO i like analogies hee hee.)

There is a slight problem when cross training between extremely close styles. I am Shukokai student and love what I do however recently have been taking Shotokan lessons as a bit of a comparative. Have been struggling flitting from one style to another. Plus although my Sensei' are supportive of me doing this, when we try to bring some of the moves/stances into Shukokai our Sensei correctly tell us that we pay to learn Shukokai from them - so mixing the two is not going to happen. I think if I truly want to learn another style its going to have to be something COMPLETELY different - judo, boxing.... i dunno

I am more used to training with blocking then following through. Quick strikes and yes of course the occasional kick. However as we don't do a lot of tournaments, and the ones we do are usually kata based - its not as combative as some of you guys. Therefore I would not feel as comfortable in a real life situation throwing a high kick etc. Against the pads yes but I have yet to gauge the right level of force gainst an opponent.

Thats it - spot on. However I do feel at times that boxing could be more my thing. However am STILL struggling to find clubs in my area who accept women - but thats another post!! I do think you should be commended for not purely dropping out. It does sound like you have some conflict with the way you were taught though? Or am I completely off-base?

Surely this only applies to tournaments? Faking and circling wouldnt neccessarily apply in a real-life situation. To me the risk of using high kicks outways the their use. This is probably due to my style, which is purely self defence. A high kick seems useless when the same damage can be done with proper use of a block and follow through. Although they look pretty damn good in tournaments I will say!!!

Party at yours??? Well done x

Mmmm sounds very good

Yeah thats kind of like ours, only not as deeply sat down, and its literally only the front of the toes that touch the floor. I have never used it in sparring only kata so far, I can see the reason it is used but don't find it entirely practical. Its supposed to be used I believe when up close to an attacker, you drop back slightly out of his way and it is usually teamed with kiketi - like an open uchi ukem then a grab

nicoashidachi (prob spelt wrong) Its basically as if you drop on to your back leg from fighting stance. All weight on your back leg, both legs bent and basically just your coshi of your front foot touching the floor. Probably not explained well!! Our back stance is generally wider in technique than when sparring

No no no no I do not think you can learn any MA online. Yes it can be used as a suppliment an initial interest, or as interesting alternative viewpoint. There is no substitute for learning from a sensei.

I have never heard of that but it sounds painful!!! What does it do?

How do you mean back stance? Our style - back stance is front foot facing forwards, back foot at 90* angle, both legs slightly bent. For us you wouldnt be able to use all kicks from this stance - for example round house kick - maewashegeri, wouldnt work as it would be too slow and very ovious what you are about to do. Am really interested in the differences in stances between the styles. Ultimately I agree that a loose fighting stance is best - keeps you open for all possibilities - including moving into a different stance ie cat stance when necessary

So you just basically want to copy his kata not learn how to perfect it from a master? I have to say I find this a little disrespectful - if you want to learn his style how better than to learn from him? I don't think you can properly learn something from a video. He is probably blowing you off as I imagine he gets dozens of emails like yours - I also imagine he doesnt generally have the time to differentiate between "fly by nights" and genuine students. P.S This is just my opinion so please don't jump down my throat if I have offended anyone

Does anyone try the whole "imagine everyone naked" thing? I don't see how that could possibly help other than to make you break down with laughter?!? You have probably competed by now shotokanbeginner but its true what has been said once you are up there and focus on what you are doing you won't notice any flashes or cheers etc. Your shotokan definitely helps your life - with your balance, mental attitude - everything. Its true mind body and soul development. Be the best you can be

Hi there Welcome

Hmm hadnt thought about youngsters. Ice cream isnt exclusive for you little ones - I might have to partake in a scoop or two

I wondered when they were going to find the other hatches. Any thoughts on how thery are going to end the show? Its gonna have to be a biggie to satisfy the fans

I have a special talent for putting my foot in my mouth

We were doing a system where three peole were coming at you with either focus mitts or a pad - you then had to either defend yourself or strike. I had just done an empi into one pad, turned to do a kingeri at the other but my supporting leg must not of turned with me. Its a bit vague to be honest - the pain kind of overtook

Whats the horrific situation in the hatch? And it was me in hospital - torn my cruciate ligament in my knee