Learning how to fight

[Hart]

I practice Karate (Isshinryu) and am a little unsure about many things. I've pretty much mastered the basics (punching, kicking, blocking, etc), but I'm not entirely sure if I can fight yet. I'm totally stellar at kata, but when it comes to kumite, I have this annoying habit of trying to be flashy--especially with kicks--and I lose most of the time. Does anyone have any tips?

[SevenStar]

mastered? how long have you been training?

as far as fighting goes, slow down. From the sounds of it, you are not really ready for it yet - not at full speed, anyway. drill your techniques more with a partner and also spar slowly. by sparring with speed at this point, the only thing you are doing is creating bad habits.

[Hart]

Mastered was a poor choice of words. What I meant is that I've become pretty competent--form wise anyway.

[shitokai-student]

as an experienced fighter the best advice any one can give or recieve is "devolop a strong yakazukie"(punch with back hand)(sorry about spellin) it opens up the whole body of your opent and create opertunites for higher scoring techniques (i.e mowashageri to head, sweeping, step in punch etc)

if you wish to chat further catch me on thechosen17@hotmail.com

Mark

[fangshi]

Best to keep it simple in the beginning . In my opinion it is far better to have a few simple techniques that you drill with partner over and over until proficient enough to be useful in a sparring situation than a whole bunch of fancy stuff . There is a big difference in being able to throw a technique into the air and executing an effective technique against a partner . Practice , dilegence and perserverence will be a part of your trainning for as long as you study . Keep at it and good luck

[Chaz]

Think simple, if your actually in a situation where you have to protect yourself, be spontanious and don't plan what your opponent or you yourself are going to do, that will lead to disaster. Thats all the advice I can really give you at this point...

[Straight Blast]

Get a friend and spar full contact or go with MMA rules(take downs,clinches,etc)

Or

Cross train,play around with other styles.

[pineapple]

It seems that you are aware of your problem. Cut the flash and stick to basics.

[Mr Pockets]

Forms aren't fighting.

[CapitalKarate]

I'm with everyone else, just slow down and don't use the flashy material. It looks bad anyway, when doing a spinning jump kick, to have your partner just push you while in the air. I've seen it lol.