EvilGrasshopper Posted September 21, 2004 Posted September 21, 2004 Hello there. I need to know what style of karate I should crosstrain in. I am currently practicing American Kenpo, and have practiced Fa' Chuan under Master Ray Pruitt. I am interested in crosstraining, but am unsure what style I should go into. My choises are not vast, but they are not all that limmited either. I can chose from Kickboxing, Arnis, Ju Jitsu, Kung Fu San Soo, Black Tiger Martial Arts, and apparently, a Shokotan club meets at a locat fittness gym. This would be for once to twice a week classes, as I can hardly get through my seven class a week scedule as it is. I am a good kicker, and can kick about a foot above my head, but am lacking as a puncher. I can hit hard, and fast, but I cant seem to get in fast enough. By the way, I am a 4th kyu (Green Belt) in Kenpo, and a 4th kyu in Fa Chuan (Green Brown). Thanks!
aefibird Posted September 22, 2004 Posted September 22, 2004 Well, try out each class and see which you like the most. As you say that you're lacking as a puncher you might want to look for an art the concentrates more on punching rather than kicking or grappling. I hope you find something you like, however, be careful not to overdo it. You already train 7 classes a week - that's already a lot of training, without adding a new art on top of that. If you feel that you're lacking something in your current training you might want to think about switiching completely to an art that will encompass all the things that you are looking for in it. That way you probably wouldn't be overtraining but you'd still be learning the things you want to learn. Good luck! "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers!
Vito Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 7 classes a week is plenty. id recommed cross traning in something virtually unrelated (as always ill plug bjj). some kind of grappling or something to compliment your striking perhaps. "If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared." -Machiavelli
EvilGrasshopper Posted September 23, 2004 Author Posted September 23, 2004 So far, im looking at Shokotan and JJ. Kickboxing is an alternative, but if i learn any boxing style, i would prefer it to be something with knees and elbows. Which would suppliment my kenpo the best (in a competitive sence) and which is more effective (in a street sence)? Ive been doing karate for seven years, so I can absorb new styles well. Time is not a matter to me, because I am homeschooled, so my dad can take me to whatever classes I want to go to. How much of JJ is throws, sweeps, and takedowns? How much is ground grappleing? What does Shokotan center arround (combat wise)? How much ground fighting is in shokotan? Thanks!
aefibird Posted September 25, 2004 Posted September 25, 2004 There's quite a bit of ground fighting in Shotokan, it just depends on the instructor as to how often (if at all) it gets taught. My instructor is into grappling and ground fighting, so we practice it more than a lot of other Shotokan clubs do. Shotokan would be an excellent art for you to take to boost your punching / hand technique skills. It's always difficult to try and explain the 'philosophy' or 'centre' of an art, as each club and each instructor is different. Try out a few lessons with each place (I'd suggest that you have at least 2 lessons at each club, rather than just 1 in order to be able to get a 'feel' for the art) and then you'll be able to make a decision based on what you've experienced. "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers!
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