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Post by rodders on May 5, 2012 20:55:52 GMT
Hello people! Glad to see so many keen Karateka on here, I am definitely in thenright place. I am 28, I am a member of Lancashire Shotokan Karate Academy in Wigan. My karate training got off to a rocky start due to work/personal commitments. I did 5 months of Shotokan obtaining my 9th kyu in 2011, then due to a change in employment I had to change training times, and clubs, and did 6 months in Goju Ryu reaching 8th Kyu. At the turn of 2012, my personal commitments changed and I decided to switch back to my old club. I now realised how much I love Shotokan karate, and the amazing spiritual/mental benefits that Karate has to offer. I am now an 8th kyu in Shotokan and training hard towards next grading in June. I have a great and immensely experienced sensai (Richard Pavsic of Slonionia). Nicest guy i have ever met! Well, that's me. I hope to gain some good tips from more experienced Karateka on here and share best practises with people of the same experience. Oss Si Roddam (aka Rodders)
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Post by Allan Shepherd on May 5, 2012 22:19:37 GMT
Hi Rodders! Welcome to the OSS forum. I guest instructed both juniors and seniors at Richards club last Thursday, were you there? Did you train when Bojan Severs visited LSKA on Thursday 26th April? Enjoy the forum as there is a lot of information within to help you with your training, I contribute to OSS as well as www.theshotokanway.com since they compliment each other by each having a wealth of experienced karateka giving contributions to like minded people. Best Regards Allan
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Post by rodders on May 6, 2012 20:46:08 GMT
Allan Hi!
Yes, I go to LSKA every week and have had the honour of training with you a few times now. I will put the name to the face next time I see you!
I just spotted this app on my iPad the other day and thought I'd give it a go. Small world! Mad!!
I'm interested to see how others train at home. I need to improve my flexibility and strengthen my hips too as they keep getting really sore and cramp up. It's frustrating at times. I'm struggling with side kicks.
Any tips are appreciated.
Thanks for commenting Allan.
Oss
Rodders
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Post by malk103 on May 6, 2012 21:02:14 GMT
Hi Rodders and welcome to the forum.
I started late in life and am not very felxible - I wouldn't worry about it too much and don't rush to kick above head hieght.
If you train regularly and also train at home then I would suggest some running and then stretching but often and gradual.
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Post by Allan Shepherd on May 6, 2012 22:17:58 GMT
Hi Rodders
Next time I am at LSKA I will show you how to improve flexibility with some basic exercises leading up to the splits!! Also we can work on the hips, again with some basic stretching exercises.
The "secret" to side kicks is knee lift above belt height (in trouble if you wear your Obi like Simon Cowell wears his pants) maintaining upright body with compression and using the hips and kicking foot to control the outward/sideward expansion movement of the technique.
Best Regards Allan
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Post by fujicolt on May 7, 2012 3:48:28 GMT
Hi Rodders, Welcome to the forum (the land of OSS!). I am sure you will enjoy it here, nice people and lots of experience coupled with the wisdom of those new on the Way! Go search out Tom Kurz - stretching Scientifically. there are many 'copies' of his sstem but none older, better researched or more efficient than his IMHO! Good Luck. Any probs contact Kensei or I
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Post by Bob Davis on May 7, 2012 10:25:59 GMT
Hello and welcome. Just an additional thought. I've seen a lot of students (who are more flexible than me) claim "lack of flexibility" as a reason for not being able to kick very high but my feeling is, at least in the early stages of training, that the limiting factor is not flexibilty but weakness in the muscles used to raise the leg to the chamber position for the kick, (this shouldn't be a surprise as how often would you do this in daily life if you didn't train) Have a go at doing sets of front and side leg raises (knee bent) just to the chamber position for your kicks and see what happens. For the front kick position, if you can lift your knee up to your chest, or at least significantly above the waist with the aid of pulling with your hand and not experience much in the way of discomfort then you are flexible enough in the hips to kick Jodan (hamstring may be a different issue ). If you can't raise your leg to the same (or nearly) position without using your hand then you need to work on the muscle strength. Always worth stretching and working on flexibility but it's easy to ignore the muscle strength issue as it goes away over time in training as you'll do thousands of kicks over the years which exercise these muscle groups and you'll be able to kick higher because you've "become more flexible". However a few simple exercises done regularly over just a few weeks at home would give you a good head start on this, and allow dojo time to work on technique rather than exercise (just a thought).
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Post by rodders on May 7, 2012 11:10:36 GMT
Hello All,
Cheers for your thoughts and welcoming.
Im going to incorporate some leg work in the gym and see if that makes a difference.
Allen - Your tips on improving flexibility will be greatly appreciate. It will be a memorable day when I can do the splits!!.....hopefully for good reasons as I wish to have at least one more child! Ha Ha
Oss
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Post by fujicolt on May 14, 2012 22:05:21 GMT
Hi Rodders Next time I am at LSKA I will show you how to improve flexibility with some basic exercises leading up to the splits!! Also we can work on the hips, again with some basic stretching exercises. The "secret" to side kicks is knee lift above belt height (in trouble if you wear your Obi like Simon Cowell wears his pants) maintaining upright body with compression and using the hips and kicking foot to control the outward/sideward expansion movement of the technique. Best Regards Allan Oh Dear but would have to disagree - the secret to Side kick is that there are several versions and several versions of how to deliver each version. The secret is knowing the difference and also knowing your bodies capabilities in terms of suppleness and range and joint mobility etc etc. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise or you could end up with injury or a diabolical situation when your chosen and thus attempted 'side kick' fails you in a violent situation. But can see Allan may show you one possibilty
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Post by rodders on Jun 9, 2012 7:12:46 GMT
I have a question regarding Kumite competitions.
Are the categories in a kumite comp usually based on grade or is it weight and age?
I'm entering a kumite competition next month and wondering if I will be up against black and brown belts, and/or Karateka of a similar standard (I.e. 7th kyu, assuming I pass grading this month!, which I'm sure I will).
Rodders
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Post by Allan Shepherd on Jun 9, 2012 21:42:36 GMT
Hello Rodders
Depends on who the competition is being run by, ask Richard.
I will see you Thursday, it will be the last session before your grading!
Best Regards Allan
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Post by marie on Jun 9, 2012 22:19:25 GMT
Welcome Rodders! It's nice to see that you're back in training now and working hard. All the best!
Marie
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Post by rodders on Jun 10, 2012 16:44:35 GMT
Cool. Thanks.
See you Thurs Allen
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Post by Rob S on Jun 11, 2012 9:47:34 GMT
I have a question regarding Kumite competitions. Are the categories in a kumite comp usually based on grade or is it weight and age? I'm entering a kumite competition next month and wondering if I will be up against black and brown belts, and/or Karateka of a similar standard (I.e. 7th kyu, assuming I pass grading this month!, which I'm sure I will). Rodders Hi, In the old days (I mean the 60's) yellow belts would fight black belts etc. I have seen many yellow beat black belts in the first round. So it is often the person and the sprit of the person that sees them through, not the colour of the belt around the waist. I guess now many tournaments tend to go by 4 kyu and under, and 3 kyu and above categories. When I see this I tend to believe it is a Shoto Ippon Shobu style event. Modern WKF events have weight categories, perhaps also by grade separation. I can see the logic for a promoter of course. The JSKA Championships in 2008 had Sanbon Kumite, Ippon Kumite, Jiyu Ippon Kumite etc. to get younger people with lower grades involved. This gave them the chance to experience a world event at a low level. I have to say I do not agree with such kumite on a world stage, but that is only my idea. So back to your Q. I guess it just depends on the promoter. Whichever, I wish you the best of success.
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Post by fujicolt on Jun 14, 2012 17:24:39 GMT
Rodders, May I suggest that for the forthcoming Tournament you simply adopt a mindset that helps you use the whole experience as a positive and educational experience rather than focusing on what the categories etc will be. Then irrelevant of outcomes you will gain from it and find material to 'work on' thereafter. Remember this: Firstly, If you turn up, Don your Gi and, when your name is called, Step up to the line, Make Yoi and then say inside 'Right lets go!' YOU have already beaten hundreds, even thousands of other Karateka whom could not draw the courage and commitment to do so. A Not insignificant achievement and, I strongly believe, totally laudable Also, be very conscious of how you 'feel' on the day. Personal Nervousness and even fear can be observed and consider as you literally 'get in touch' with yourself under stress - some get very anxious, some get excited others even experience deep fatigue and even sleep or doze between matches as the adrenalin 'dump' kicks in. Whatever happens be in tune with it as it is an indicator of how potential danger could/would impact upon your personal functioning. In each match just commit yourself totally to doing your very best and then ENJOY the experience irrelevant of outcome. Later think it all through and use the info to help your development. As you gain more experience over time you can then get more tactical etc - that WILL come but for now..... HAVE FUN! and be proud you 'Stepped up'. Many haven't/couldn't
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Post by rodders on Jun 14, 2012 20:01:34 GMT
Thank you Rob and Fujicolt.
I am very much looking forward to competing. Im sure it will be a great experience, even if I get a beating! (however....I won't be backing down easily!)
I will of course share my experience with you fine people and I'm sure I will learn allot.
Oss
Rodders
P.s. Had a great class with fellow OSS forum member Allen Shepherd tonight at LSKA! Loads of tips taken away! Let's hope they sink in!lol
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Post by Allan Shepherd on Jun 14, 2012 20:30:21 GMT
Hello Rodders
Great pre grading class for all at LSKA this evening. Adult class finished at 19:30pm and you posted at 20:01pm!! now that IS being keen. Hope all who grade have success.
Best Regards Allan
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Post by fujicolt on Jun 14, 2012 22:03:06 GMT
Rodders, May I suggest that for the forthcoming Tournament you simply adopt a mindset that helps you use the whole experience as a positive and educational experience rather than focusing on what the categories etc will be. Then irrelevant of outcomes you will gain from it and find material to 'work on' thereafter. Remember this: Firstly, If you turn up, Don your Gi and, when your name is called, Step up to the line, Make Yoi and then say inside 'Right lets go!' YOU have already beaten hundreds, even thousands of other Karateka whom could not draw the courage and commitment to do so. A Not insignificant achievement and, I strongly believe, totally laudable Also, be very conscious of how you 'feel' on the day. Personal Nervousness and even fear can be observed and consider as you literally 'get in touch' with yourself under stress - some get very anxious, some get excited others even experience deep fatigue and even sleep or doze between matches as the adrenalin 'dump' kicks in. Whatever happens be in tune with it as it is an indicator of how potential danger could/would impact upon your personal functioning. In each match just commit yourself totally to doing your very best and then ENJOY the experience irrelevant of outcome. Later think it all through and use the info to help your development. As you gain more experience over time you can then get more tactical etc - that WILL come but for now..... HAVE FUN! and be proud you 'Stepped up'. Many haven't/couldn't
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Post by rodders on Jun 15, 2012 19:21:21 GMT
Fujicolt,
Your advise is well appreciated! A great way of looking at it.
I have done well in kata competitions (2nd and 1st placings in my category), and it seems right to be having a crack at kumite competitions. I will enjoy every minute of the competition for sure. I'm not the nervous type, so I hope that puts me in good stead to stay focused and do myself, and my sensai proud.
Oss
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Post by rodders on Jul 23, 2012 20:25:10 GMT
I did my first Kumite competition on Sunday and managed to come 3rd in my category. It was a great experience. I learnt allot from it.
Cheers for the advice people!
Rodders
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Post by tomobrien on Jul 25, 2012 1:41:59 GMT
Congrats Rodders! Keep up the good work! Thanks, Tom
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Post by th0mas on Jul 25, 2012 15:38:29 GMT
My only tip for competitions is ... don't put your box on at the start, as 8 hours in the bloody thing can lead to a serious case of chafing.
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