Full contact, semi-contact or non-contact?

[BarbedTerror]

I'm currently studying karate with Go-Kan-Ryu which is a non-contact style. I'm starting to think that Full or semi-contact would be more benifitial as I would learn to take a hit and learn how it feels to hit. Should I change to a contact club? Can you reccomend any that are in Australia, thanks.

[Groinstrike]

IMHO a certain level of contact is necessary to ready oneself for maintaining a level of proficiency in a fight or combative situation. Its important to learn how to deal with getting blasted in the jaw or the liver and then learning fight through while not letting it happen again.

That doesn't mean letting yourself get brain damage. it means being safe, were protective gear, but allowing yourself to get beat up occasionally will instill a mindset that no matter what comes your way in a fight you can deal with it and implement your will in the fight.

I would see no problem with going to a full contact dojo, just make sure that they aren't needlessly clubbing each other in the head. Make sure that it is done in a safe, responsible manner.

[ShoriKid]

IMHO a certain level of contact is necessary to ready oneself for maintaining a level of proficiency in a fight or combative situation. Its important to learn how to deal with getting blasted in the jaw or the liver and then learning fight through while not letting it happen again.

That doesn't mean letting yourself get brain damage. it means being safe, were protective gear, but allowing yourself to get beat up occasionally will instill a mindset that no matter what comes your way in a fight you can deal with it and implement your will in the fight.

I would see no problem with going to a full contact dojo, just make sure that they aren't needlessly clubbing each other in the head. Make sure that it is done in a safe, responsible manner.

Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. Once you've had some plans fall apart you get used to coping. But, you have to learn it responsibly or you can get hurt.

[sensei8]

Only thing I can suggest is this.

FEAR dictates a lot of things with any MAist. By that I mean, a MAist will do whatever ones comfortable with. A brain fog might make one try full contact until the punch/kick/etc drives the fog away and allows the brain to think clearly once again.

If one doesn't like to get hit, then don't entertain the idea of wanting to do full-contact and/or semi full-contact.

However, if one loves the rush from getting/giving hits, then by all means, satisfy your interests.

I love contact and I will get my turn!

[BarbedTerror]

Thanks for the responses guys! Does anybody know of a karate club that is full or semi-contact in Australia? I've had a look around on the internet but they all seem to be in different states rather then the ACT.

[Dobbersky]

Thanks for the responses guys! Does anybody know of a karate club that is full or semi-contact in Australia? I've had a look around on the internet but they all seem to be in different states rather then the ACT.

Kyokushin Australia is a must to try but you'll find that any Okinawan styles like Goju Ryu, Shorin Ryu, Ueshiro Ryu etc WILL give you what you are looking for. As you have access to the internet, Google is your best friend, find a style that has good grounding and a lineage that doesn't stop at the current Kancho!

Email the heads of the organisation in Australia to source your local Dojo. Also try sports centres ans churches for the small schools (dont be put of with a small school as the quality will predominantly be better than your GKR)

OSU

[Wastelander]

Looks like Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Matsubayashi-Ryu and Kyokushin are all in your general area:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Canberra%2C+Australia+karate

Also some Muay Thai:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Canberra%2C+Australia+muay+thai

There could be more that simply don't have a web presence, as Dobbersky said, but that's a start. Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Matsubayashi-Ryu may or may not spar, at all, and if they do spar it may be no-contact or light-contact point sparring, so you would need to go watch class to find out. Kyokushin and Muay Thai will generally have full contact sparring.

[MasterPain]

If one doesn't like to get hit, then don't entertain the idea of wanting to do full-contact and/or semi full-contact.

However, if one loves the rush from getting/giving hits, then by all means, satisfy your interests.

I have to disagree here. If you're serious about learning to defend yourself, you need some realistic biofeedback. Very few people are inherently tough, and even those need realistic training to learn real skill. The rest of us need the experience to toughen us up. Martial skill is not learned by choosing to remain a delicate flower.

I think anyone serious about learning to defend themselves needs to be getting hit and hitting. A good school will build you up to it, so that it's not so bad to get accustomed to.

I feel that non contact teaches bad distance, as the strike has no follow through to give feedback. Poor combinations, as landing a combo requires a realistic reaction to the first strike. Either false confidence or lack of faith in the art, as you will have no idea whether you can actually take a hit and keep fighting.

[Groinstrike]

Looks like Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Matsubayashi-Ryu and Kyokushin are all in your general area:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Canberra%2C+Australia+karate

Also some Muay Thai:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Canberra%2C+Australia+muay+thai

There could be more that simply don't have a web presence, as Dobbersky said, but that's a start. Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Matsubayashi-Ryu may or may not spar, at all, and if they do spar it may be no-contact or light-contact point sparring, so you would need to go watch class to find out. Kyokushin and Muay Thai will generally have full contact sparring.

If its contact your looking for and you can't find it in a karate setting, there is nothing wrong with crosstraining muay thai, boxing, or mma.

[Ueshirokarate]

Looks like Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Matsubayashi-Ryu and Kyokushin are all in your general area:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Canberra%2C+Australia+karate

Also some Muay Thai:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Canberra%2C+Australia+muay+thai

There could be more that simply don't have a web presence, as Dobbersky said, but that's a start. Goju-Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Matsubayashi-Ryu may or may not spar, at all, and if they do spar it may be no-contact or light-contact point sparring, so you would need to go watch class to find out. Kyokushin and Muay Thai will generally have full contact sparring.

How can anyone consider anything else when there is a very high quality Matsubayashi school in the area.

http://www.matsubayashi-ryu.com.au/