I think the fighters in this video look really good.

They're tough as can be, I'll give you that! From 2:45 on was their version of two-on-one, and though there were "special effects" tossed in, it would still be a rough fight for anybody.

I noticed they closed in for punches and roundhouses, the roundhouses looking much like Muay Thai with that shin slamming away at the ribs. I still wonder about not wearing chest protection, though. How is it that the ribs aren't cracked, meaning being unable to fight for a period of time and losing training/sparring time? I guess it's just their way.

The only thing that actually surprised me was the use of knees. (I don't remember seeing elbows.) I think they were done solely to the torso.

A good one, Kamahl! Thanks for sharing!

Good training, OSU.

joesteph - We don't wear chest protection in Kyokushin either. Occasionally injuries do happen but not too regularly. After a while you toughen up fairly well.

What I saw on the video was ok. I agree that the training method is quite aggressive but necessary.

I saw no Tai Sabaki/Ashi Sabaki at all. What's with all of the going backwards when being attacked?

The master at the school I plan to train at forces students to wear shin guards, helmets, and gloves when sparring. I heard that sparring becomes more intense as you progressed to higher belt rankings. One time I saw a black belt charging at the master with a double knee muay thai slam. I was really shocked that my instructor evaded it and I was shocked that the move was even allowed at the dojo. I had a talk with my old instructor not too long ago at a book store, and he said that belt rankings are not done that frequently anymore because most students are not worried about ranks since students come just to train to become good fighters. This sounds really cool because I can be the worlds strongest white belt if new material keeps on being introduced to me. I think Sean Connery is one of the worlds strongest white belts! Goju ryu has tai sabaki but kyokushin doesn't attack at angles because it is too linear. These czech fighters are obviously heavily influenced by combos and not angle fighting because of kyokushin. What is the difference between Japanese Kyokushin and Russian Kyokushin? I heard these two styles look really different.

Goju ryu has tai sabaki but kyokushin doesn't attack at angles because it is too linear.

It doesn't?

http://www.fightauthority.com/jeet-kune-do-techniques/advanced-kyokushin-karate-footwork/

At :25 you can hear..."tai sabaki"

Tai Sabaki/Ashi Sabaki aren't linear, imho, because the word linear is defined as of, relating to, or resembling a line; straight. Therefore, Tai Sabaki/Ashi Sabaki speaks of angles, 45 degree, for example, to the right/left.

Tai Sabaki is "Moving off the line" of attack. Ashihara karate, if I may, IS Sabaki, and in that, Ashihara karate epitomises the essence of Sabaki. The founder of Ashihara karate, Kancho Hideyuki Ashihara, was a Kyokushin black belt under Mas Oyama.

To me, I think Kyokushin does have Tai Sabaki/Ashi Sabaki/Te Sabaki. Also, one can go forwards or backwards when performing either, but, in Shindokan, we don't go backwards.

Ok, I'm going back to my corner now.

Tai = Body

Sabaki = Management

All styles of martial arts (worth its salts) include "Taisabaki" as part of their training philosophy - it is counter intuitive not to.

Sojobo

I saw no Tai Sabaki/Ashi Sabaki at all. What's with all of the going backwards when being attacked?

I hadn't noticed that until you pointed it out They do seem to go backwards/forwards only. Not even coming off centre slightly.

They seem to be kicking in normal shoes as well.. not sure that that is such a good idea especially if they are doing lots of headshots. Sure training has to be realistic and has to condition you but foot pads probably would be better to prevent injury..

kyokushin has tai sabaki! I wonder why almost every martial artist I meet puts down other people's style and think that their style is best.

I always thought kyokushin people prefer to stay linear and fight like crazy, but some kyokushin fighters actually have strategy.