Looking for Advice (with a side order of suggestion)

[cathal]

Hello again,

First, thanks for all the advice in the past.

What I'm trying to think of now is a lesson plan where I will be endeavouring to pass on the concepts of enthusiasm and drive vis-a-vis kime.

My guys all have great kime, in fact I'm very proud, so I'm hoping that in reinforcing these two things that they'll become better karateka.

[Jiffy]

Not really clear on what you are after. Could you perhaps specify further?

[cathal]

Well they all have a lot of spirit. They kiai loud and perform their techniques well according to the level they are at. The ones at 5th kyu to 3rd kyu are at that point where they really need to start working on not just kime but also demonstrating the drive. The technique isn't going to be as effective if all they do is throw their arm out, or leg.

I've tried visualization techniques like having these students concentrate on focusing on opponents when they perform their techniques/katas. That is only going so far.

Edit: I guess what I'm saying is that I am having troubles articulating. I am just not sure what to say and how to present it to them so they'll easily understand.

[parkerlineage]

Am I understanding correctly that you do not practice techniques and kata on an opponent as part of training? If you don't, you may want to; I'm one of a very few instructors that trains their students to do their kata on a body, and you can tell the difference.

[cathal]

We do practice bunkai as a part of our regular syllabus. This includes the 5-Kata Kumite, a mix of techniques from the five heians using three opponents.

[atalaya]

i think it's actually pretty common to practice bunkai for a kata- "practice kata on a body"- so it shouldn't be considered anything particularly special. instead we should view it as a necessary and obvious part of learning, not that we are a "few" who do it, but that we are a part of the larger whole.

something that has helped me focus more on kata is to meditate before i do it and focus on each individual movement. you may also enjoy changing speeds as this can help a student focus on the minutiae.

[AngelaG]

We do practice bunkai as a part of our regular syllabus. This includes the 5-Kata Kumite, a mix of techniques from the five heians using three opponents.

That's not what I myself would personally call Bunkai, but rather an exercise. I think it's important that students realise that stuff like 5 step kumite and unrealistic set pieces with multiple attackers are just exercises, and not instructions in how to fight.

[atalaya]

okay, while the discussion wasn't originally about the validity of practicing kata/bunkai, i feel that the proper practice of kata can enhance a student's focus and help them to learn how to apply techniques in a realistic way. of course no one is going to attack you in an "I" format as many katas have or follow any set pattern for that matter, however, the practice of kata and bunkai (especially in small sets) can help improve reflexes and reaction time to give a fighter the unique ability of reacting to a threat without having to think about it. by repeating (an effective, applicable technique) over and over again in various speeds and starting from various distances a student can help overcome the initial rush of adrenaline that may actually hamper their response time.

[cathal]

That is useful information, I was able to get through to the students the idea by having them perform the techniques with a bag. So rather than moving through the entire kata they did all of the techniques in place, against a bag. So they understand now that while they aren't encountering opponents they have to assume they are. This type of mindset is allowing them to go full power when they are supposed to, so they can demonstrate they do have a mental and phyiscal knowledge of the techniques proper applications.

[AngelaG]

okay, while the discussion wasn't originally about the validity of practicing kata/bunkai, i feel that the proper practice of kata can enhance a student's focus and help them to learn how to apply techniques in a realistic way. of course no one is going to attack you in an "I" format as many katas have or follow any set pattern for that matter, however, the practice of kata and bunkai (especially in small sets) can help improve reflexes and reaction time to give a fighter the unique ability of reacting to a threat without having to think about it. by repeating (an effective, applicable technique) over and over again in various speeds and starting from various distances a student can help overcome the initial rush of adrenaline that may actually hamper their response time.

As I said on the Bassai thread, I think that thinking of kata in terms of techniques is fine for beginners, but by the mid/high kyu grades students should start thinking in terms of principles. The response should be natural, because the principles should be trained until they happen almost instinctively. (Build on the natural instincts in order to make this easier - i.e the flinch reflex)

Practicing kata is great, and doing partner work is great, but it needs to be done in an effective manner against realistic attacks, and slowly built up to resisting partners. Practicing against things like front kicks and side kicks is great for sparring, but is not realistic for a real fight. Pushes, grabs and haymaker punches need to be trained. The defender needs to realise that if there are multiple attackers then one does not wait around whilst his/her mate gets beaten up.

To the orginal poster.. do you mean Kime as in the oft misused meaning of a bit of tension at the end of a technique... or do you mean something more like focus/decision??