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Post by daveb on Jul 18, 2014 7:57:20 GMT
How would you guys describe the fighting style (or styles) of Shotokan Karate?
How would you describe your own personal fighting style?
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Post by kensei on Jul 18, 2014 13:59:51 GMT
hey David,
Great question....but its hard to really put in a box the "style" of shotokan. I guess it would depend on what you want in a description. Generally its a striking art, So you would have to say that...but then again kick boxing, mauy thai and boxing are striking arts too...so that wont do. We use kicking...but then again Tae Kwon do, Kick boxing and Muay thai have kicking..... We are very linear, as opposed to Goju ryu or other circular styles.
Now you start looking at different instructors and they all seem to have different styles. Some kick more than others, some use alot more striking, some use straight line attacks with explosive movement, others use rotation and get out of the way, countering while they move.
How would I describe Shotokan Karate...a dynamic and self driven style that includes striking, kicking, some stand up grappling (depending on the instructor and preferences) and a Japanese interpretation of a Okinawan system of Self defense that can be used as a sport or art form.....pretty open to interpretation...and horribly for a bumper sticker!
My style...its "Oldman-Fu" When I hit 40 my body changed and now I have a few injuries that I need to deal with, and I dont heal as fast and I take longer to "get over" hard work outs. I tend to punch more than kick due to a hip injury I have ignored for far to long and I like to use rotation alot more than direct straight attacks.
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Post by daveb on Jul 18, 2014 16:37:47 GMT
Thanks for replying Kensei.
When I think of fighting styles I define them asthe blblending of 3 major elements Mechanics Strategy Tactics
Mechanics is the power generation and ways of moving the body. Strategy is the game plan for any fight you're in. Tactics are the key methods and movements, the signature hit making methods of the art.
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Post by tomobrien1 on Jul 19, 2014 2:43:36 GMT
Like a freight train going straight through you!
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Post by daveb on Jul 25, 2014 17:08:07 GMT
My own Shotokan training was angular/circular in defence and linear in attack. Power came from a solid grounded stance, wider than most, translating power from the legs into torso rotation for striking. This meant we were a heavy footed bunch compared to more bouncy traditionalists. Tactically we compensated with excellent pivoting support our blocks (keeping us close) and by crowding the opponent in counter attack. We also dominated opponents by applying a range of joint locking to control them, making them easier to hit. Thus our core strategy was something like: Avoid and cover, Counter and close Control and destroy.
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Post by kensei on Jul 25, 2014 18:56:19 GMT
This meant we were a heavy footed bunch compared to more bouncy traditionalists. Funny I thought us "heavy footed bunch" were the traditionalists
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Post by daveb on Jul 26, 2014 2:02:35 GMT
I always associated bouncy footwork and explosive ground crossing attacks with JKA/sport Shotokan. When we came across them they usually got the first blow. We got the last
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