AlwaysInTraining

I wish someone would have explained to me when i started that their are rules to sparring. 1. you will get hit and it might hurt. 2. try and learn from each other. 3. accidents will happen its not done maliciuosly. 4. if someone is going too hard they might not be aware of it and so you have to say something. 5. If you dont say anything then its your own fault. 6. respect is paramount to sparing leave your ego at the door.

Do you actually know the kata because one way to draw the embusen is to map out the direction of travel for each move? Thats not the 100% correct way to do it but it does give you the pattern well. E.g. Taikyokosono ichi looks like this: ---- | | | --o-/ Yansu looks like this: | -o- o= start /= finish point Apologies for the look of it im typing this on my phone.

If this sort of post isn't allowed on this site then moderator please delete. Ive just been looking up rare Karate books on Ebay and just see The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama for sale: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/321975113587? I've actually already got a copy else and i know its very rare so i thought id point it out in case anyone else wants it.

This article from this site sums it up best for me: http://www.karateforums.com/excuseologists-vt28016.html?highlight=excusologists

I've written a book and thought id put it on here. Not as an advert but as, hopefully, that some of you may read it and give me your opinions. It's not a karate book but more my understanding on how and why we do things in life and better ways in which to look at life rather than just blindly going on and on and putting up with daft things that happen. Its aimed at younger people who don't know all those things that they are expected to know yet. I used a lot of what I know about life from my karate in order to write it and, hopefully, that comes across. Anyway Here's the link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Probably-Brilliant-Answers-Stupid-Dilemmas/dp/1511653280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430935518&sr=8-1&keywords=david+cawley

Thats really helpful. Just what i need. Thanks Hammer

Hi Guys. I can kick quite well/high with control and am quite flexable but im looking to be able to strengthen my back and legs to be able to hold my legs up high for more than a couple of seconds and was wondering if anyone had any advice or exercises that i could do to do that.

My advice is allow yourself to get hit and get used to it. You'll soon stop flinching and just hit back and work at it until you find what feels right and natural to you where you can hit and be hit. All it takes is time and practise regardless of age or experience. Also remember if an opponent is going too hard in sparring say something. You dont get points for standing there and taking it and THEN complain to the instructor.

Where do you train Hawkmoon? Im with the IFK and train at Westcroft I was also at the tournament although i lost in the first round to the guy who won my group[.

I went through the same thing when i first started. I went to my instructor at the time and he said "yes but your not going to use them on anyone are you?" which summed it all up nicely for me. He was the right because the only time your ever going to use the techniques is when in class under controlled conditions or in a situation where you have no choice but to act and get away. Unless your somesort of nutcase (which im sure your not) I wouldnt worry about it.

That is a good point. But, in a wierd way, they kind of help by exposing others to the Martial Arts to begin with.You are right it did expose me to the world of martial arts but I did learn stances and blocks really well and there were some very talented people there who had nothing but the style but it kind of set me up for when i moved on in terms of mentality of the martial arts but i found that the focus on class numbers and politics was a big thing and i feel it is a substandard style having mastered the syllabus by 4th kyu and i became much happier when i left and started learning more and better things. Overall it gave me a starting point but i would only recommend it to those people who have a family and want to do karate with their kids in same class as a way to bond and keep fit and to those who want to be a black belt by age 12 (something i came across).

Did Kenshukai Karate (Exactly the same as GKR), recruited same way as described above, learnt very little but got high up the ranks, loads and loads of politics, left, much happier now. I hate to say it but if you dont know much about martial arts then the door to door method of selling to you really does work. Who wouldnt be interested in becoming a black belt or an instructor in a short amount of time and if your being positivly renforced (when recruited) that what your doing is good and effective/authentic then how are you to know?

Im coming to watch this and a couple of my mates are entering. It should be a good tournament but knowing my luck I'll probably get roped into being a steward again

...He'd be a MMA Pundit

I was 5 and was sick one night and went downstairs in the middle of the night and found my Dad watching an old Jet Li Film (the legend of fong sai yuk). He let me stay up and watch it with him and that planted the seed and at age 19 i played Tekken one too many times and decided to something about it and took up Taekwondoe. Since then ive switched to Shotokan Karate and then Kyokushinkai Karate and im going for Black Belt in August.