At least I think that is what these kicks are called in the tounament circles. Anyway, my question is who developed/was the first to use these kicks in competition?

 

Thanks

I don't know who used them first in competition but I believe that the "tornado kick" (a 540) was traditionally taught. Several systems have capitalized on the athleticism of such kicks-especially the 720-for demonstration purposes and they have become quite popular with the younger set. For me...no thanks! I love my knees way too much!!

 

That's true about the 'ol knees It is amazing how far these tourneys have come. Back when I attended them, there was no such thing as these kicks persay. The most I ever remembered seeing was a triple kick combination in the air. As for the musical katas, they too were just coming into existance.

 

Hmm........It would be interesting to see the look on the founders of the TMA faces when they see something like Unsu done to music with the continueous kiai

The continous Kiai very annoying!

i like the chinese schools' performances cos they tend to be deadly silent...

 

well, except some of the forms where they start to make hissing noises!

540/720 Kicks takes time and a healty body to get them..

 

I'd rather use that very same amount of time to develop a better basic front kick, side kicks or roundhouse.. lol

540/720 kicks are just for show. They are near impossible to land because you can't see where you are going and although they go very fast they don't pack that much power compared to a kick executed on the ground.

there's always been controversy about the more acrobatic techniques featured in current tournaments.

 

honestly... if you learn them properly they won't do as much damage as everyone says. i mean... kyokushinkai practitioners are hardcore, and they study VERY traditional karate.

 

it all depends on what you make of it. demonstration purposes or not... being able to hit a target with a really advanced move will only improve your body knowledge. it opens up a whole new world in point sparring. i think learning how to manipulate your weight by getting used to being upside down can't do anything but speed you up on your feet when you're right side up. continuous sparring is a different story. but if the argument is whether or not it's practical... i've been studying martial arts for a while now, and i've NEVER used a front stance downblock in sparring. so it all depends. it takes a lot of skill, and focus to be able to pull the stuff off that competitors are using now-a-days.

 

oh... and the continuous kiai is very annoying.

 

and unsu to music is (in my opinion) very disrespectful. i hardly see people doing traditional forms to music. usually, musical forms are forms that the competitors put together for that season.

oh, and about the "just for show" & "don't pack as much power" comment.

 

-...i think you're wrong. i can't put nearly as much force into a paddle with a standing kick as i can with my 540.

Why on earth would someone have music to the kata they are performing??????? Yuk!