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Post by superjock on Jul 25, 2011 4:23:05 GMT
Ok there is a lot of discussion around Shihan internerd about karate going into decline. Lets see if we can develop the perfect karate syllabus. I'll kick of by stating that we should start with a goal. From this goal the syllabus will grow. My karate aims are simple Self-development, self-protection and self-defence. Self-development encompasses the physical, mental and dare I say it spiritual side. Self-protection is the 'soft' side of the art i.e. how not to be there when the punches start flying. Self-defence is the tactical side of things the part we all hope we will never have to use. You may note that competitions don't enter my karate but if yours does = ok just be honest and state it as a goal I view my training like the spokes of a wheel all of equal importance. I'll come back to this domestic issues call
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Post by fujicolt on Jul 25, 2011 23:29:25 GMT
Mmmm................... all of the above and - Enjoyment of my chosen 'addiction' (LOL!) an essential (for me) to train to ensure that (despite diminshing abilities via illness) I can be as prepared as possible to defend say - my Son Celt should someone try to hurt him! Having been a Professional Instructor for most of my adult life and loving to have the opportunity to help other Karateka = an ongoing quest to improve my teaching abilities - this means that my syllabus includes lots of study and research that i then have to personally add in to my training and then work out ways to make it useful to those I teach. Health maintennance - both physical and mental - I KNOW I would deteriorate fast in both areas IF I did not have Karate to help me with both. I'll write more later _ cos dog clearly needs to go out for a Pee! He's going mental LOL!
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Post by superjock on Jul 26, 2011 6:02:05 GMT
I reckon that you need to explore the soft side of the art mate, like sanchin or hangetsu. Let the dynamic stuff take a back seat for a wee while
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Post by fujicolt on Jul 26, 2011 13:17:33 GMT
MMM.... brings to mind something about Grandmother and sucking Eggs! PMSL! Have been doing this for a while Andy and began studying 'the Soft Side' oh about 30+ years. If you ever attended any of my classes you'd get that BUT I do really appreciate your helpful comments. The principle 'less is more' is most definitely key to my thinking re fluent and efficient'effective Karate. Have wrote about it several times over the years I'll try and find the Old Mags and post the articles for you. Please be patient though cos my idea of 'filing Stuff away' is which unmarked box will this fit in! ;D ;D Did some work with Bob and Phil Last weekend on several areas of 'less is more' as long as you know the why, where, when and how of it all! I suspect with your wide arsenal exploration of a full karate syllabus that it is an aspect that you also work upon. Efficiencyis doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.
Peter Drucker
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Post by kensei on Jul 26, 2011 13:38:30 GMT
Years ago I had worked on a hook kick to the back of the head as a counter to someone trying to punch me in the face....I aint pretty to start with so getting hit was not that bad of a thing! I got it down so well that even at my SkyScraper height of 5'5" I could kick a guy in the back of the head who was over 6 foot! I even used it when working the door at the bar....very intimidating, and it KO'd a few guys as well.........however....... after two hip in juries from Judo and working the door, and after I turned about 30 I started to adjust that massivly intimidating Hook kick to be a leg sweep, the power was so good from training to kick high and working on hamstring strength that I litterally swept a guy ass over tea kettle at a demonstration once and did not even mean to do it! Luck for him he landed on his head! ;D Point being that even if Steve is old and falling appart, I still would not want to tangle with the old "git" as I am sure it would be like two tigers going at it and both of us would limp off licking our wounds...and applying generous amounts of Ice to many different joints! Adjusting training does not mean that we are adjusting ability. I am sure that many of us old timers could break out a lot of verocity if'n we were attacked by a much younger "Tiger".....like the old saying goes...the older the preditor the more tricks they have to make sure you are the one being served for dinner!
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Post by fujicolt on Jul 26, 2011 19:52:02 GMT
Be warned short arse - I stand at an impressive 5'7'' so clealry have a massive advantage LOL! But to be honest - although I had quite substantial front splits flexibility I was always side splits VERY limited - Dave Hazard was a genious and taught me how to kick technically better BUT musta regretted it when I hit him in the head with a spinning back roundhouse (that he taught me how to do!) right in front of Shirai Sensei on the Crystal Palace European Course. Shirai Sensei roared laughing and kept shouting 'Dabie Stebie got you!'. DH was brilliant about it and said - 'well that's the last thing I am teaching you yer b*st8rd!' and we both laughed about it! PHEW! He is simply an amazing teacher and when you get private lessons from him - as I was so fortunate to do often - he is even better and works everything in the class to HELP YOU! I have so much respect for that man it is palpable!
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Post by superjock on Jul 26, 2011 23:16:36 GMT
After 27 years I think that my kicks are just about getting there. Getting back to you guys helping me with my silly bus............ Kicks.....yes I do teach them but only because I was never any bloody good at them. I have however studied the wonderful world of stretching and more importantly alignment and strengthening and have re-invented (notice that I'm always re-inventing things.....makes them mine ) strategies to improve overall kicking ability. These include dynamic and static stretching at the appropriate times.....squats and stance work to help improve dynamic flexibility, slow kicking with ankle weights (using a balance aid) into a kick bag. I also build short high intensity kicking drills (into the bag) into my overall conditioning work (not on the same day as the slow stuff). Stretching I gave up on partner stretches years ago due to the git I always ended up with thought that I should be more flexible than I am. I use isometric contractions which are similar to the PNF stuff without the idiot holding your leg Having said that I am of the (humble) opinion that flexibility is of secondary importance to technique, abductor/oblique strength etc. This I discovered after 20 plus wasted years pursuing illusive flexibility. As for syllabus although I see kicks as a minor part of my self-defence armoury they remain there as they are a challenge and (proper) training for them does improve overall conditioning and suppleness. Also it is nice to be able for this old git to stand there holding my leg up high (rib height) to the side when all the young fellas are falling about the place Hook kicks......I do them to the the knee/IT band......
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Post by fujicolt on Jul 26, 2011 23:56:01 GMT
Andrew - many years ago I found this book - it is fantastic and since technology has grown there are now DVD's etc. I used his stuff and went to full front splits in weeks having before been as stiff as a board. Admittedly side splits didn't improve much for me but here I am 30 yrs later with my consultant showing me it was my HIP structure that disallowed it not muscle or ligament etc flexibility potential. this guy's work is the best in the world on stretching IMHO! good luck! www.stadion.com/stretching_scientifically.htmlJohn Cheetham did a review on it in SKM years ago - and said 'I don't know where you can get this book - Steve Hyland lent me his copy!' Haha! Cheap bathsteward that he is!
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Post by superjock on Jul 27, 2011 1:40:21 GMT
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Post by fujicolt on Jul 27, 2011 2:02:17 GMT
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Post by superjock on Jul 27, 2011 2:12:02 GMT
Probably but I've had his vid for a couple of years now just being polite as was the way of me 6 months ago
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Post by fujicolt on Jul 27, 2011 2:27:35 GMT
Fibber!
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Post by guyakuzuki on Aug 25, 2011 7:31:02 GMT
After 27 years I think that my kicks are just about getting there. Getting back to you guys helping me with my silly bus............ Kicks.....yes I do teach them but only because I was never any bloody good at them. I have however studied the wonderful world of stretching and more importantly alignment and strengthening and have re-invented (notice that I'm always re-inventing things.....makes them mine ) strategies to improve overall kicking ability. These include dynamic and static stretching at the appropriate times.....squats and stance work to help improve dynamic flexibility, slow kicking with ankle weights (using a balance aid) into a kick bag. I also build short high intensity kicking drills (into the bag) into my overall conditioning work (not on the same day as the slow stuff). Stretching I gave up on partner stretches years ago due to the git I always ended up with thought that I should be more flexible than I am. I use isometric contractions which are similar to the PNF stuff without the idiot holding your leg Having said that I am of the (humble) opinion that flexibility is of secondary importance to technique, abductor/oblique strength etc. This I discovered after 20 plus wasted years pursuing illusive flexibility. As for syllabus although I see kicks as a minor part of my self-defence armoury they remain there as they are a challenge and (proper) training for them does improve overall conditioning and suppleness. Also it is nice to be able for this old git to stand there holding my leg up high (rib height) to the side when all the young fellas are falling about the place Hook kicks......I do them to the the knee/IT band...... talking about kicks:do you guys have the same feeling that one leg is stronger or one side is more flexible than the other ? I have much power in my right leg and no problem whatsoever to kick someone in the head.My left leg kicks feel much weaker (although I have once dropped a younger tiger on his knees with a low kick--probably a lucky shot and when I kick jodan heigt it feels less powerful.
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Post by fujicolt on Aug 27, 2011 18:07:40 GMT
Guy - I think most of us have this 'problem' with both arms and legs. I have found it is simply a matter of making sure you expand the practice with the 'weaker side' and even add particular exercises to improve strength, suppleness, and control. perfectly normal situation for the vast majority.
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