the beast

I agree with Bushido man here, something as simple as standing on one leg for a given amount of time can help, once you have this down try increasing the time or do it with your eyes closed( this is definitely harder). hope this helps.

Having to judge is tough especially for sparring. Remember the judges cant see everything. I like to think that I'm being fair when I give points but not everyone will see it the way I do. Some tournys will not allow two judges from the same school in the same ring, this seems to eliminate the bias, also when judging students from your own school in kata you do tend to score them harsher than students from othe schools.

I would focus on all core muscles ( back upper, middle, lower, abs obliques, legs and shoulders)

I totally agree with you here . I also believe they should conduct themselves in a professional manner. You wouldn't want one of your blackbelts acting a fool while representing your school.

Congrats

We also have to write an essay for blackbelt. About once a year we have to write a report. last year we had to pick one martial artist and write about them.This year it was about the pros/cons of sport karate.

I really think they should be allowed but not count as a point. I see no problem with setting up a technique with a leg kick, as long as it is not a thrusting kick, and for round kicks as long as their to the outer leg and above the knee. In the tournaments I go to even leg checks are illegal, but groin shots aren't. I still can't figure that one out.

There was also grappling at this tournament , before this happened alot of the grapplers were watching the karate part and admiring it saying how cool the katas were and such but after that happened they stated that is why they don't do karate because there is too much ego involved. I just hate that a few idiots can ruin what should be an honorable art and give it a bad rep like this.

In our dojo we sometimes have to write reports, translate Japanese sayings ,etc . I was just wondering if this was something unique to our dojo or if others do this also.

Just a quick question to see what everyones thoughts are. Should leg kicks be allowed in point sparring?

Thanks Patrick and a Happy Holidays to one and all

When you are waiting at the doctors and they call your name and you respond with "hai or osu ".

I always tell people to be alert, and walk with confidence because predators are looking for victims or easy targets they are usually not looking for any type of confrontation.

I agree that the judges are partially responsible for letting it get out of hand but ultimately the responsibility has to be on the competitors. (These were not kids or people who are new to this, these were blackbelts 18-34 they should know the rules. )

I subscribe to Black Belt ,and sometimes pick up Martial Arts Masters, but I found one mag I really like called Classical Fighting Arts.

I've never tried it but always wanted to .

If you liked Nepoleon Dynamite you should like it . I on the other hand thought it was two hours I'll never get back.

I also have been told that jumping rope is a great alternative to road work unfortunately I'm terrible at it so I have to stick to running.

I was at a tournament this weekend and witnessed two black belts point sparring and it turned into a brawl that had to be broken up by several others. I find the lack of discipline and/or lack of control to be apalling, what type of example are these guys setting for the youngsters watching them? Honestly if I were in charge they would both be disqualified and banned from tournaments for at least 6 months, since most people there are point chasers I feel this type of punishment might teach them a lesson.

Congrats and keep working hard .

Our school has junior belt ranks but we use the same belts as adults, but when the kids reach bb they come to the adult class and start at green belt .

Welcome to the forums, Ranpu

I realize Dave's reference is to do what's required for the students to know, and do other things that the students keep interest, but I think that the instructor can keep from becoming stale by having class contain different things now-and-then as well. I go to a Shotokan school but we also do some grappling ,we have some students that any time they get a chance they want to grapple, now dont get me wrong I enjoy rolling as much as anyone else but if we let them dictate what we do it would no longer be Karate it would be ( Jujitsu/ MMA).This is why I say senseis shoul keep to a curriculum and maybe mix things up once in a while.

I think that the instructor should have a criteria that they follow but they should keep it fresh so that students don't get bored .

I would go with whatever one you can perform better , so stick with shodan until yoou have nidan nailed down.