Montana

Good topic! My origional sensei learned in Okinawa from one of the top people in the system, Sensei Kuda Yuichi. My sensei never really mentioned what language they spoke in class, but I know sensei Kuda only spoke a little English. What I learned from my sensei was mostly English terms for the techniques, such as: Outside block Inside block High block Low block Hand block Snap kick side kick Roundhouse kick etc. Katas were in Okinawan: Pinan Sho, Ni, San etc. Counting was in Okinawan also. I had a BB student that started researching the Japanese terms for the various techniques, but I really never got into it.

What I've seen over the last 45 years is a longer, more aggressive "tournament kiai"..one aimed at intimidating, impressing or "SEE ME" type of kiai. There are 3 purposed of a kiai: 1. Startle your opponent. 2. Tighten your body to absorb impact. 3. Add strength to your technique. IMO, these long Kiai, especially at the beginning of a kata, are ridiculous!

There was no "requirement" to remove jewelry, but a recommendation. Rings can get your fingers hurt. Necklaces can get broken. Bracelet's can hurt yourself or others. Facial jewelry can be a bad idea.

My thoughts also. Are they afraid you'll switch to the other side?

As far as I know, my branch of Shorin Ryu doesn't do that kata. Descended from Soken Matsumura, to Soken Hohan, to Kuda Yuichi, eventually to me. Interestingly, my branch of Matsumura Seito does do Seisan. However, my lineage branches differently, from Soken Hohan to Kise Fusei.Essentially the same thing as I do then. Kuda and Kise worked together at first, but as I understand it from several high ranking sensei that left Kise, he was passing out BB's like confetti and changing things quite a bit. My origional sensei studied under Kuda in Okinawa. I received my Shodan from Sensei Kuda.

We've talked about this before. My personal Shodan testing took maybe 5-10 minutes under 7th Dan Kuda Yuichi, head of the Shorin Ryu Matsumura Kenpo. I didn't even know I was being tested. We don't make a big deal out of the BB tests, or any others for that matter.

America...none

As far as I know, my branch of Shorin Ryu doesn't do that kata. Descended from Soken Matsumura, to Soken Hohan, to Kuda Yuichi, eventually to me.

Top of the foot

100% agree. Almost anything can be used in self-defense if you get your mind to thinking about it.

I don't remember my first test. Sometime in March or |April 1975. Yeah, a bit ago. I'm sure my test lasted maybe 10-15 minutes. Basic blocks, kicks and punches. Stances of course, and Pinan Shodan. Sensei Miller made corrections and suggestions, and that's it. Done. Pass or fail. I really, REALLY don't like instructors/systems that feel they have to put a student thru a 2.5 HOUR long test! WHY??? As an instructor, I should know what you know better than you do. I see you in class every day, make corrections, give advice, correct flaws and MAKE YOU BETTER!

I'd take you up on that. Most of the schools I've been a part of have not indulged in this kind of training. I've dabbled a bit in the past, years ago, but without really knowing anything about what I was doing. I've seen a partner forearm blocking drill that I think would work really well, but never any of the leg kicking stuff. I do think this kind of training would be beneficial, so long as it's done right. I'd be afraid of getting that "no pain, no gain!" style instructor that would batter someone up to the point that movement was difficult and actually causing injury. Kicks are easy. Only hit as hard as your partner can take, but take all you can. Does no good if you're not pushing your limits. receiving end determines how hard. 1. Face each other, right or left legs forward. Roundhouse to partners thigh. Alternating turns. Emphasis NOT flinching the knee away or could be hurt! Do other side. At least 10 reps each leg. 2. One person with right leg forward, other left. Same kick but to the INSIDE of the thigh. Roundhouse kick. Same thing, don't flinch! 3. Back shoulder kick, facing each other, right let, right hand on top of the head. Roundhouse under the arm to kick back of shoulder blade. 4. Stomach kicks. Partner stands sidewise to you, hands behind back, horse stance. Partner roundhouse kicks to stomach 10 times. There's one using an openhand block where a partner punches you, block, then upwards against their forearm then double chop down. Easy to show, hard to describe. If I knew how to do a video on here and get it to you, I'd show you. Really good for toughing up the forearms.

We do what we called Kotoate drills, involving roundhouse kicks to the inside/outside of the legs. stomach, ribs and back. The idea was to accept as hard a kick as you could manage. Arm techniques involved doing outside to down blocks whacking each others forearms against each other. Thee is also one using an open hand block, but I cant really describe it. I have a grandson in Tang Soo Do class right now and offered to show it to their sensei if he'd like to incorporate it into his training. No interest..lol.

Yeah, that's an automatic TWO point deduction!

Exactly! I might be going down with another sensei from Tang Soo Do. He's VERY legit, having competed in the same circuits as Bruce Lee, Bill Wallace, Chuck Norris and the like. He's 78 years young and trust me, still has it! He's been to this tourney before and didn't like it, but might go just to watch. He said there were a lot of things this tourney does oddly. If I go, August 3rd, I'll give you guys my impressions Afterwards.