Mrt333

Agreed, there's loads of problems with boxing now, the stupid number of 'world' champions is probably the biggest of all.... But... I think one of the things that make boxing so great is that politics keeps getting in the way, but eventually a truly great fight will happen (e.g Hatton Mayweather Dec 8th), and the fact that you've had to wait so long for it just makes it more incredible. I'm like a kid waiting for xmas about that fight and it's only September!!! Don't get me wrong, I do love my MMA too, but just wanna argue a couple of points in boxings favour... 1) I look at the crowds at MMA fights - can you honestly say that the majority are truly 'into' martial arts in a broader sense? Seems like a lot of screaming blokes who want to see a brawl! Not saying that everyone at a boxing fight is a true boxing historian or anything but I do think there's a difference..... 2) The reason boxing always has been, and always will be a huge spectator sport is because it has one essential ingredient - simplicity. Two guys, punching only - anyone can watch and appreciate the skill. Much more difficult with MMA (and Thai boxing etc) because you need to be a martial artist to really 'get it' I'm a martial artist through and through but I love boxing - when you get the (rare) opportunity to see a truly great fight nothing can compare (in my humble opinion) Peace & love Dave PS COME ON RICKY HATTON!!!

Don't know what scoring system was used, but in some styles you're awarded more points according to difficulty of the technique, so kicks will score more than punches... ?? Helps to encourage more exciting fights.... Cheers D

Well first up it sounds like no big loss! I don't pretend to know anything about these guys but one other explanation might be 'tanking'. Don't know if the term is widely used or not but in sports psych it means 'deliberately giving up so you can pretend that you could have done it if you'd REALLY tried'. Maybe deep down, underneath all the bravado, they just didn't think they were good enough, so took the easy option instead of admitting it and training harder! Just a thought...... Dave

Mate, I've no idea. Sometimes there's a bit of friction between the uni and the locals so maybe that has something to do with it. It suprises me though because Tom really is a top guy. Probably just gossip. Good luck in the training, whoever it's with!!! Dave

Actually, James, i've just noticed your name - are you training in Loughborough? If you're training at the uni, I guess it will be with my old sensei, Tom Martin. Please tell him Dave Tointon says hello! Tom is a superb instructor and a great guy - I suggest you buy him a pint after training and ask him the same question - I'm sure you'll get all the answers you need. Cheers Dave

Yes, there are some softer techniques tucked away in some of the kata (Hungetsu springs to mind, but many others I'm sure), but they won't be taught as part of your basic syllabus. For me, the 'softness' in Shotokan (although, like everyone here has said, Shotokan is essentially a hard style) tends to come through angular movement. So whereas when you first study you will punch/kick/block in a straight lines and basically use force to deflect blows, later you will block and move at 45 degree angles which creates a softer feel and 'deflects' energy rather than using pure force. As a note, if you get the chance to study Ju-jitsu / judo a little 'on the side', I'd really recommend it - many of the movements in Shotokan kata which are often interpreted as block/strike take on a new 'softer' meaning when looked at as throws/locks etc. Well thats my take on it anyway! Cheers Dave

Good post Kez, once again you've really made me think! I guess i'd just like to share my little experience of martial arts. It's kinda late here and I've had a few beers so forgive me if i go on a bit .... I know its not going to be the same for everybody but here goes.... The thing I have got out of my training is that I simply do not care anymore whether or not i can defend myself. I just don't think about it. I guess i've just seen so many people who look like nothing special that could completely anihilate me that i just don;t think about it anymore. I really love that feeling! So many guys (and gals) are basically hung-up about whether or not they are tough or not. Karate has given me the confidence not to worry about it. And the thing i find is that if you have no chip on your shoulder, nobody tends to try and start trouble with you. I'm talking from a blokes perspective here, but if when you meet another guy no part of you is thinking 'could i knock this guy out?' you can meet some really amzing people when you least expect it! I guess what i am saying is all my friends have 'expectations of a martial artist' but fingers crossed they will never ever find out whether or not i live up to them Cheers Dave

Here's a nice little drill to try: Get a pair of 2 pound dumbells, a pair of 5 pund dumbells, and a pair of 7 pound dumbells.... To start, punch with no weights in your hands, and do the following: 1 straight left, 1 straight right, 2 str lft, 2 str rt, 3 str lft, 3 str rt, up to 5 punches on each arm. Then go back down again (e.g. 4 lft, 4 rt, 3lft, 3rt back to 0) Then pick up the 2lb dumbells and repeat. Then the 5. Then the 7. Then back down to 5, then 2, and then without weights again. By the end your upper body has a nice burn AND your hands are feeling quicker. Give it a bash! Cheers Dave

I'd be right with you on all your points if we were talking about a teenager or an adult here. I guess my point is just that I don't feel it's necessarily good for a kid of 9 to be thinking in this way. Maybe its more important for him to know that it happens to everyone from time to time, it doesn't mean he's a wimp, and it doesn't mean his karate is a waste of time. Most honest karate instructors (that I've met, anyway) would admit that really karate only starts being genuinely effective for self-defence from 1st/2nd Dan upwards anyway, so its much too soon for him to be worrying about that. IMO anyway... Anyway, Kez certainly has plenty of material to go at in this post! Cheers Dave

A few random comments to add, in no particular order: a) shorter boxing stance with hands raised is well suited to head-movement / slipping punches, which a lot of 'traditional' martial arts (esp Karate, TKD etc) simply do not cover. Try to hit a boxer and likelihood is they won't block or parry, their head will simply not be there anymore! b) I'm sure there are lots of 'advanced' techniques that you learn after many years boxing, in much the same way that after a while you realise there's more to karate than flying kicks. I'm particularly impressed by their body movement when at close range - watch closely when a top boxer is against the ropes getting pounded and in a split second will turn the tables on his opponent and reverse the situation. May not be flashy, but its incredibly subtle, very 'advanced' and VERY difficult - give it a go sometime! c) Sure, a jab may not finish a fight outright, but many a boxer can pretty much take your head off with a jab - so bare knuckle, whilst it might not put you on your backside, it may certainly set them up to finish you shortly after... Anyway, just a couple of thoughts. Ps I am a Karate guy by the way - not 'sticking up for my own' but I'm sure everyone here agrees that a good boxer can be truly awe-inspiring and most MAs could do worse than going a few rounds with a boxer and picking up a few tricks! Cheers Dave

Hey Kez Like everyone here, sorry to hear about this happening to your son... Would like to offer a 'second opinion' in relation to Cross's post (no disrespect intended, Cross, of course!). I think you (and your son) should be very wary of thinking of this in terms of 'was his Karate effective?', and certainly i wouldn't agree with the idea that you should now be looking for a 'more effective' art. This would merely encourage him to think about MA more and more in terms actual fighting and violence - he's a very young lad and the last thing this world needs is young kids worrying about whether or not they're good street fighters. The simple fact is, even us 'grown-up' martial artists, if we are honest, know that there are situations which no amount of training will get you out of - it's not about the art, its about the reality, and your son got attacked by a bunch of lads and its unrealistic to think that any amount of training, in any particular art, would have got him out of that particular situation. To tell him otherwise is to give him false hope. Agree with all those who say talk to his sensei. If the guy has a heart he will tell your son a story about a time when HE got beaten up, and your son will understand that a) it happens to the best of us sometimes and b) it didn't stop his sensei going on to be a great martial artist (and probably more than capable of defending himself when push has come to shove again!!). Good luck - hopefully in a few months time you'll both look back and see a bad moment that led on to a load of positives!! Cheers Dave

I'm no expert on Kenpo but I think they have a technique called 'compounding' which is a way of flowing from one close range strike to the next very quickly (in a way that is not practised in traditional japanese/okinawan styles). Must admit, what little I saw looked pretty impressive. Must be some US karateka on here that can shed some light? Cheers Dave

You could say that Karate is about doing some very simple things extremely well. Punching, kicking, blocking, and movement. Certain basic techniques - e.g reverse punch, front kick will still be a focus of your training many years after you first walk into a dojo. In some Martial Arts you learn a great variety of techniques in a (relatively) short space of time. Karate is not like this. I personally felt that it took years rather than weeks or months to even begin to 'feel' what these basic techniques were really about. So that's not to say Karate is more difficult or easy then any other style. But you do need to be prepared to drill and drill simple techniques to begin to understand the art, which deosn't suit everyone out there. Dave

Hey all Having been out of training for a few years, was gutted to find out that my former chief instructor Sensei Kase passed away in 2004. He was chief instructor of the WSKA (World Shotokan Karate Academy) and was represented in the UK by the English Shotokan Academy, founded by the late Sensei Steve Cattle. I never had the opportunity to train with either he or Steve before they passed away. Was wondering if any of you guys have any stories to share? Thanks Dave

How about when rubbish Karate/Kickboxing/TKD instructors tell you its easy to win a fight with a boxer 'because they can't use their legs'. Nothing makes me think 'McDojo' quicker (and I'm a karate man not a boxer by the way!). D