Kyokushin head injuries

[Safroot]

Just wondering if anyone (specially kyokushin practitioners) have any idea about how common the head injuries are in Kyokushin specially with kicks allowed to the head.

I am actually bit worried about this as I have seen lately very tough knock-outs videos !! Am I a bit coward or that's normal ?!

Anyone has the same or similar fears?!

N.B: I am training karate for self defence, well-being and getting tougher, it's good to do so but without getting serious injuries !

[brickshooter]

The real danger is your head hitting the ground if you black out, especially the back of your head.

That being said, it's actually difficult to hit a trained fighter with a head kick. Exception - Dan grades can do it regularly versus beginners. But they don't because it's poor etiquette it plus anger the head instructors since beginners tend to complain, complain, complain and eventually drop out after continuous abuse.

You can buy a protective head gear if you're apprehensive about head kicks. BTW, in tournaments your purpose is to KO the opponent, who is likely an evil stranger. During class sparing, you're really messing around with a friend. He/She isn't going to want to take your head off.

[Safroot]

That being said, it's actually difficult to hit a trained fighter with a head kick.

But that's actually common in tournaments !

check this video:

[Safroot]

You can buy a protective head gear if you're apprehensive about head kicks.

Head gears are not allowed in kuokushin

[yamesu]

I am not too sure about "how common", and I think that is a bit of a vague question all things considered.

How common is getting a hang nail?

I think it depends on the person, their ability and their focus at the time.

The vid you posted is a KO compilation, so its representative of knock outs.

I felt the same about Kyokushin and Muay Thai at first too, but after a while, the fear goes as I became more confident in my own ability.

I think your fears are normal. But I would also think that your training environment is likely to prepare you well for this kind of thing. I completely agree with Brickshooters comments above.

I would encourage you to go to a tournament and watch to see how things go in the ring.

Your in Oz, and the Queensland State titles are coming up in May. The Nationals through AKKA will follow mid-year in Sydney.

Go along and see what you can expect from both novice and seasoned fighters!

Osu.

[Safroot]

I am not too sure about "how common", and I think that is a bit of a vague question all things considered.

How common is getting a hang nail?

I think it depends on the person, their ability and their focus at the time.

The vid you posted is a KO compilation, so its representative of knock outs.

I felt the same about Kyokushin and Muay Thai at first too, but after a while, the fear goes as I became more confident in my own ability.

I think your fears are normal. But I would also think that your training environment is likely to prepare you well for this kind of thing. I completely agree with Brickshooters comments above.

I would encourage you to go to a tournament and watch to see how things go in the ring.

Your in Oz, and the Queensland State titles are coming up in May. The Nationals through AKKA will follow mid-year in Sydney.

Go along and see what you can expect from both novice and seasoned fighters!

Osu.

Osu

Thanks for your post .. I am bit worried as I am new to karate (started training mid January) & it's good to know that it's normal feeling at the beginning of your journey

I am planning to go to a tournament to watch everything live

I have done only 2 sparring sessions till now and for this reason I am still bit confused with techniques and so no confidence yet.

Just a simple question: Are all Kyokushin tournaments Knock-outs ?!!!

[sensei8]

Imho...

No! Not all Kyokushin tournaments are to knock-out; things happen.

The kicks that I'd worry about depends on rank. Not many white belts know how to properly execute an Axe kick, if at all, and probably won't be in a beginners syllabus. The Axe kick is one of the most damaging kicks in your style, imho! Not many white belts know a spinning hook kick, another kick to avoid. White belts might know how to throw a roundhouse kick, but might lack power, but the mass, might be enough to be concerned with.

Future Events Appearing Real = F.E.A.R. In time, the more you spar, the more confident you'll become. In 2-3 months, you've only sparred twice? Not good!! How often have you trained in 1-3 step-sparring? Step-sparring is the pre-requisite for free sparring, imho. Got to get wet by getting into the water if one's going to learn how to swim.

So, learn how to deflect/block effectively!! If not, well, learn how to use proper footwork or close the distance; either way, if all fails, DUCK/GET OUT OF THE RANGE!! Jam the kick, and most kicks are 4 counts, so get up close by the 2nd count and punch/strike the tar out him/her before they can do the same to you.

You've only the kicks to worry about seeing that your style doesn't allow head punches/strikes at tournaments. To me, this will create an unknown area of your defenses; false security. How so? First attacker that punches/strikes towards your head, you'll not have the minimum of an idea on how to properly react effectively because you've not dealt with these type of attacks because they'll be foreign to your mindset via tournaments.

[yamesu]

I am not too sure about "how common", and I think that is a bit of a vague question all things considered.

How common is getting a hang nail?

I think it depends on the person, their ability and their focus at the time.

The vid you posted is a KO compilation, so its representative of knock outs.

I felt the same about Kyokushin and Muay Thai at first too, but after a while, the fear goes as I became more confident in my own ability.

I think your fears are normal. But I would also think that your training environment is likely to prepare you well for this kind of thing. I completely agree with Brickshooters comments above.

I would encourage you to go to a tournament and watch to see how things go in the ring.

Your in Oz, and the Queensland State titles are coming up in May. The Nationals through AKKA will follow mid-year in Sydney.

Go along and see what you can expect from both novice and seasoned fighters!

Osu.

Osu

Thanks for your post .. I am bit worried as I am new to karate (started training mid January) & it's good to know that it's normal feeling at the beginning of your journey

I am planning to go to a tournament to watch everything live

I have done only 2 sparring sessions till now and for this reason I am still bit confused with techniques and so no confidence yet.

Just a simple question: Are all Kyokushin tournaments Knock-outs ?!!!

No, many tournaments have a light or no contact portion.

Also, I am not sure of your age, but under 18's are required to wear headgear and full pads.

Hope to see you at a tournament in the near future!

Osu.

[Safroot]

unfortunately we do only 1 sparring session a month but at the same time I am attending only 1 class a week because of my work shifts so I am expecting to have a very slow progression even on grading and times doesn't worry me as long as I am getting better

I haven't done any step sparring yet !!

[Safroot]

To me, this will create an unknown area of your defenses; false security. How so? First attacker that punches/strikes towards your head, you'll not have the minimum of an idea on how to properly react effectively because you've not dealt with these type of attacks because they'll be foreign to your mindset via tournaments.

Yes I agree with you and actually this is the most common in the street ... I will check with my Sensie this issue