Montana

Do you strike with the instep or the ball of the foot? Both actually, depending on target, opponent positioning, environment, etc. Do you spar in class and/or tournaments with high kicks to the head? NEVER! Do you go straight for the ribs, or try an "angle" for the roundhouse to get under the elbow and to the ribs? Again, it depends on target, opponent positioning, environment, etc. Do you work the heavy bag or a kick shield the same way you fight? Absolutely! Why practice something you won't use? Do you use the Muay Thai-style kick, hitting with the lower shin? Do you strike to the thighs of your opponent? Both are targets, however the kicking style is different than Muay Thai in that we never commit our entire bodys into a technique. It's great if you make contact, but if you miss..you're very exposed and vulnerable. Do you throw the kick from the lead leg, the rear leg, or with a hop or step--or even a jump--and then the kick? All of the above are viable techniques, but we don't tend to jump much. Do you multi-kick with the roundhouse, such as kicking two or three times with that same leg? Yes, but most often a low kick to say the knee, then up to the ribs if yoru opponent bends down to block the first kick. Again, it all depends onb the situation.

IMO, if a student has an infraction, such as bullying or starting fights, and deserves to have his belt taken away...I just kick them out of class permanently instead. I give every new student a standard speech when they join the class, and this speech includes "If I ever hear of you using what I teach you in an aggessive manner, such as starting fights physically, or verbally, you will be kicked out of my dojo pernmanently." And yes, I've enforced this on several occasions.

Well, OK then...with that added info I can understand why you left. Your initial post made it seem like nobody else was getting involved in the situation.

Excuse me for pointing this out, but your neice is also "your family", and from the sounds of it, you were the only reason her husband didn't attack her...and you left? Myself, I would have told my wife and kids to take the car and leave, and stayed at the party and either had my wife come get me later when things calmed down, or caught a ride with somebody else. I agree that your own personal familys safety is most important, but isn't your neices also? It didn't sound like any of the other men were of much help. That's just the way I'd have done it I guess..but I have a bad case sometimes of White Knight Syndrome.

I would say the vast majority of schools don't teach weapons, and in my experience, 90% of those that do teach weapons, shouldn't! This varies from school to school, but I start my students out with the bo at 3rd kyu level. Why that late? Because I want my students to be proficient with their hands and feet (karate) before they go to weapons. Weapons are just an extension of your hands. Check local laws...they vary alot!

AGREED! I have a rattan cane that I used because it's thick (about an inch), tougher than wood, lightweight and totally leagal to carry anywhere in the world, even on air planes!

I practice the following weapons: Bo (6' length) Jo (4' length) Sai Tonfa Kama Nunchaku Cane (the most versatile imo, and legal to carry anywhere, including air planes!) kobutan ashtray car keys telephone pole coffee mug beer glass rope Well...you get the idea. Basically ANYTHING (almost anyway) can be used as a weapon. Once or twice a year I take my students for a walk around town (in street clothes, not gi's) and look for literally anything that can be used to your advantage in a fight. It gets interesting sometimes!

I just wanted to add something to this from my experience. Years ago I was judging a weapons competition at a tournament and a TKD black belt presented himself to the judges saying he was going to show his expertise with a katana. I always inspect a bladed weapon (katana, kama, etc) prior to a person doing their kata to make sure it's safe. This particular katana was a cheap, aluminum (sp?) bladed weapon, and safe as far as I coudl tell. So the kata started....about 4 moves into the kata the guy did a technique that caused the blade of the katana to bend about 45 degrees at tthe base where the hilt meets the blade. He stopped and look at it for a second, then continued his kata. The other judges and I were expecting the blade to fly off the hilt at any moment, but fortunately it didn't, and he finished the kata with a smile. Before the other judges and I voted and gave him his score I huddled with them for a moment and told them that it wasn't his fault the blade bent, so please ignore that in their judging, and only judge him on the actual kata and technique. He was pretty embarassed about it though lol.

When you post a video of yourself you open yourself up to critique from others..which is braver than I am! lol I don't know what actualy belt you hold, but from an instructors (since 1978) point of view and a long time tournament judges opinion, I would say your hand techniques were good, except a few were kind of low (outside block for instance), but speed and power (kicks also) were good for a mid-level belt. Where I would suggest you focus more attention to are your overall stances, which seemed nearly straight legged at times, and not strong. I also do an Okinawan system and use higher/shorter stances. Again, not knowing what actual belt level you hold, I would estimate you are around a 6 kyu level or so?

My wife and I have this already worked out. She screms hysterically, and I fight.

There are so many funny moments it's hard to pick just one....but.... I had a adult student once that had an issue with his jaw. It popped loudly when he talked and was the source of jokes in class. We were sparring one day wearing full contact bogu gear (Okinawan sparring gear) and I had a wide open shot (punch) at his head that rocked him backwards into the wall, then down to the floor. He seemed stunned so we stopped and hastily took off his helmet. From that point on his jaw NEVER POPPED AGAIN! I kept telling him I'd send a bill for jaw repair some day...lol

One thing to note about Okinawan karate is this. Some sensei/systems have modified their arts somewhat, to include high kicks, board breaking, etc that are not origional to the Okinawan arts. These are newer additions to satisfy the public that wants or expects these things in their art, and a sensei that wants to keep students will incorporate them into the art just to get/keep students. I practiced Shorin Ryu for over 30 years and have NEVER kicked above the waist, nor broken a board. Both concepts are totally against the philosophy of the art and (IMO of course) worthless wastes of time and energy that could be spent elsewhere in more useful training.

My being 6'6" tall and 250lbs I tend to get alot of crap from smaller guys that feel they need to prove something. I used to go to bars alot because I love to dance (country mostly) and so does my wife. I wouldn't even want to guess how many "near fights" I've had to talk my way out of, walk away from, or as a last resort, get physical with the guy(s). So far, I've been lucky and never sustained any personal damge to myself. Fortunatley (or unfortunately), I've aged (62 now) to the point that most guys figure I'm to old and not worth the trouble. However last year I nearly got into it with a drunk 20-something year old wannabe cowboy (probably never even seen a horse, let alone owned one) that was spoiling for a fight. I tried a new tactic that I've given some thought to and it went somethign like this.... I told him... "OK, look at it this way. You're young, and I'm old. If you beat me up you'll be the laughinjg stock of the town for years because you beat up an old man. On the other hand, if I beat you, you will STILL be the laughing stock for years because some old guy kicked your butt! Either way, I'll call the cops and have you arrested for assualt and I will push to have the fullest possible charges levied against you, plus file a lawsuit against you for damages and punitive damages. Either way, you're going to lose this one, so my recommendation is to walk away and leave me alone and call it a night. Your choice." It actually worked! He walked away saying something about me not being worth his while and he left the bar. WHEW!

Just another idea..I know they make clothing patterns for karate gi's. My sister made me one years ago, but used poor material and it didn't make it thru one class! lol Hours of work wasted.

Maybe the guy that developed the Chinte kata had to pee real bad? OK, I'm not sure if Chinte is based on the Okinawan Chinto, but here's a look at the Chinto that I do (a little different, but close) just as a comparison...no hops.

There are HUGE differences between shotokan and Shorin Ryu from the very basic stances, blocks and entire philosophy of how to do things. I've never practiced shotokan personally, but I've worked with their classes numerous times and watched their classes many more times. My best suggestion is to go into Shorin Ryu with an open mind and leave your shotokan at the door...lol.

Oh most certainly! I've done all my kata with all my weapons at one time or the other..which can be pretty interesting sometimes! lol

Shorin Ryu schools are few and far apart. I live in Spokane, WA now (or north of it anyway) and have looked around and found none here in a city of 250,000. It makes me wish I could still teach because there's alot of "not so good" schools and belt factories here.

My "favorite" weapon is the cane. I use a bull cane made of ratton which isn't overly heavy, but it's thick and dang near unbreakable! It's used to prod bulls..as the name implies, and can be found in a farm/ranch store. it's also perfect to carry with you in a car or travel with, as there is no metal and it's legal EVERYWHERE!!! lol As for a preferred traditional weapon, I love the bo/jo the best.

Exactly the same thing I've told my wife..get behind me and away from me because I will be moving fast and don't want to accidently hurt her, or have to worry about her.

I agree with you most of the time tallgeese...but not this time. Shorin Ryu is pretty much a defensive art..meaning we defend, look and create openings and opportunities, then attack..or rather, counter strike the opponent. Guys that flail their attacks at you and ggressively attack are PERFECT fodder for us. My way anyway...I'm a very defensive fighter, preferring an aggressive opponent. As always,, this would be much easier to demonstrate than it is to describe...but we can't have everything, right? lol

I'm in absolute AGREEMENT with this. Belts need to be earned, not given.

Similar to what I do for Nahachin Shodan, but about 1/3 as long and the techniques are different. For example, the first technique with the open hand to his right side...his hand faced the camera, whereas ours faces up,.

As much as I dislike agreeing with TKD ..I have to agree with this! lol

I didn't vote, as there was no option for Okinawan karate. And no, Okinawan karate is NOT the same (not even close IMO) as Japanese karate.