GOM

I trained at a dojang here in Korea that offered karate and hapkido. I wasn't at all impressed with their karate, as it was very old 80's style, no real practical self defence. I trained in hapkido for about a month, and it was ok, not great, but ok. There was a big emphasis on break falls, flips, jumps, twirls and little emphasis on locks and restraints. So I was dissapointed in that aspect as I was hoping to find new, or at least variations on the locks I already know. I went to a Hapkido demonstratoin competition, and found the flips and twirls were the emphasis in most dojangs. I don't know what it compares to other countries, but I wasnt impressed with my experiences in hapkido.

IF I was training under a 9th Dan, I would be looking for something more than training combinations. I would be looking for older style karate kata, techniques and his interpretation of applications in kata. But, each to their own I guess.

Give him a backhand and tell your instructor that kids and adults shouldn't train together.

No, I just know of your instructor, Mark Passmore from many moons ago.

Cross- Do you train in Coffs Harbour?

Congratulations on passing the test.

I have competed in team/synchronised kata tonnes of times. It can be quite fun, but at the same time it can be stressful, especially if you are with people who aren't the same standard as yourself, higher or lower. You must work as a team, learn how to compromise. Hrm....sounds like my marriage. As previously mentioned by another poster, the team should be all looking in the same directions, not looking at each other during the kata. Also, the way the team is set is also important. It is better for form that you are all the same height, but if that isn't the case, the the tallest in front, the shortest at the back. Or the other way around depending on the majority. In the WKF, the team must perform their kata, and then move onto bunkai. I don't know if you are in the WKF or not though. Just as a side note, have any of you seen the bunkai they use in WKF world championships? It is totally unrealistic and looks more like movie fighting than applications of kata.

26 versions? More for Rohai?? Sheesh!! How many did you find for Rohai?

Yeah there are a lot of different versions of Rohai out there. I think I have been taught around 5 if my memory serves me. Another kata with a whole lot of versions is Bassai Dai. In my dojo, we do 3!! Bassai Dai (Shito-Ryu WKF version), Matsumura-ha Bassai (karate competition) and Matsumura Passai (close to original version).

I also agree with Sohan. Not every karate is the same. There are schools out there who focus on sports karate, and that's fine for athletiscm, but not for realistic self defense. You may need to do a bit of research on karate (or other MA schools) to find out what you want. The link you posted was sports karate, nothing more, nothing less. Board breaking is useless. I don't see a reason for it. If you want to practise focus, use a focus pad, or better yet, use a person's body.

How did you enjoy the seminar with Vince Morris? I have always wanted to meet him. With respect, Sohan I like Vince both as a person and as a teacher. He is a funny bloke but also very serious about his karate. He used to be in a band in the 80's, but we don't hold that against him. Although he did publish instructional books with Aidan Trimble on shotokan kata, what he taught us in his seminars (I think I attended around 6 or so, it was about 10 years ago now) had nothing to do with his books. He taught us his interpretation of applications in kata, including pressure point strikes and attacks to vulnerable areas. IF you get the chance, make sure you meet him as he is a great bloke and very knowledgable.

I have been to so many seminars it is hard to pin point the best one. I did enjoy training under and learning from Patrick McCarthy, Kazuya Mitani, and Vince Morris as they all had different subjects to speak on.

quote="Killer Miller"]McCarthy looks like a fun person with a lot of character - based on his pictures. I enjoyed looking at the pictures. - Killer - I have trained under McCarthy plenty of times and found him to be a fairly good instructor. He is very informative and knows more than anyone on the history of karate related subjects. He has written plenty of books, the most famous being The Bubishi - Bible of Karate. I recommend you buy that.

I think I have been taught well over a 100 kata, different versions of different kata and what not. My school dumped a lot of kata and have gone back to what we believe to be essential kata - Nifanchi Pinan Tensho Bassai Dai Seienchin Matsumura-Ha Bassai Rohai Nipaipo Heiku Seipai Suparenpai Matsumura Passai Itosu Koshokun Dai Funakoshi Seishan Aragaki Niseishi Hanashiro Jion Yabu Gojushiho

I think you are putting too much pressure on your son, he is only 9 years old and you can't compare him to adults. Some kids bloom at later stages. Try to make his experiences with Karate fun, especially if you both want to continue for a long period, otherwise he might get frustrated with you and himself and quit.

Obviously there are a lot of variables, but I would choose my instructor over the organisation. I trust my instructor, and for whatever reason he chose to leave the organisation, I would be next to him supporting his decision.

I agree. I think terms are thrown around much too often by people who don't understand the actual meanings.

If you ask a Korean about karate, 9 times out of 10 they will not know what it is. If you try and explain it a little further, they will say "ahhh Taekwondo". And if say what a big influence karate (shotokan) has in taekwondo, they get offended and tell you that tkd is 1000 years old. Elbows and knees is right about the big influence in Korean MA. This is due to the colonialisation of Korea by Japan between 1910 - 1945. Korea in general is very much influenced by Japan, but the Koreans would never say so!

Front kick using the ball of my foot to the knee or shin. I also like to use a knee to the hip, thigh or groin.

http://www.martialartsmart.net/1133.html That one is also pretty interesting.

We are in the same boat - bucketload of new kids up to around 16, and not many between 17 - 25. Although we still do have quite a few 17 - 25, but they have generally been training since they were young.

I could NEVER go back to a lightweight, just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. .

I think you may need to find a mentor, someone who has been in the same boat as yourself and ask them plenty of questions and advice. I don't think 5 years is enough time, hell, I don't think 10 years is enough.

Bruceflea - I was refering to her technique she used in the dojo. Why was it awful? No power, no hip movements, wrist wasn't straight when punching the bag. I commented on her form, regardless if it is effective or not. She claims she does Karate, and for Karate, her technique wasn't very good.

I find tokaido shrinks and turns into cardboard after about a year. I always use kamikaze uniforms as I find these feel the best on my skin and are a better fit for westerners (bigger legs, bodies, stomachs).