Questions tagged [karate]

A collection of empty-handed martial arts originating in Okinawa, Japan.

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1 answer
48 views

Karate kata event regarding disqualification

If disqualified due to not doing bow after completion of kata? Can we defend and apply to qualify?
2 votes
1 answer
206 views

Heel Hook Head Kick in Karate or Taekwondo

Whats the name of this Kick in Karate or Taekwondo? Chris Leben called this the "Heel Hook Head Kick". However, he does it with the right outside of the heel foot, instead of the inside. ...
1 vote
4 answers
625 views

Why does Karate recommend kicking with feet instead of shins?

What is the historical reason Karate and Taekwondo recommend kicking with foot instead of shins for Round kicks (different from Muay Thai)? In Krav Maga, they teach to kick with foot, since most of ...
0 votes
3 answers
510 views

Would a Pankration Fighter be allowed in UFC?

Would a Pankration fighter be allowed in the UFC? If so, how would he be able to fend off other foes who use Karate, Muay Thai and Krav maga?
6 votes
2 answers
130 views

As an instructor, how to deal with complaining parents?

I've been teaching karate for about 10 years now, and business has been going well. All of my advanced classes have 40-50+ kids on the mat, and I normally run the class myself. The problem I run into ...
3 votes
3 answers
918 views

Is South Korean tae kwon do based on Japanese karate? And then what about Chinese kung fu? Is kung fu based on either karate or tae kwon do?

According to Wikipedia, Japanese karate was first practiced in 1936: Funakoshi had trained in two of the popular branches of Okinawan karate of the time, Shorin-ryū and Shōrei-ryū. In Japan he was ...
11 votes
6 answers
11k views

Why are traditional karate gis white?

I was reading about some of the history of Karate recently, and this question came to me. I can understand, in modern times, different coloured gis with sport martial arts, but can anyone tell me, or ...
6 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is the main technical focus of Bushin Ryu?

I have met many practitioners of Bushin Ryu over the years and all seemed very skillful. It seems an admirable martial art and something I aspire to. However, I am unsure what exactly the focus is of ...
12 votes
4 answers
9k views

Did Karate really originate in the Okinawa region of Japan?

Several Karate instructors I've spoken to indicate that Karate originated in the Okinawa region of Japan. However, when visiting the region and speaking to some of the local Karate students, they ...
5 votes
6 answers
429 views

Should I wear a cup for sparring?

Should I wear a cup for sparring? I've been getting interested in Karate sparring, but I'm still murky on some things.
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why are punches to the head prohibited in some Eastern striking martial arts?

Some eastern martial arts (such as karate, taekwondo) prohibit straight boxing-style strikes/punches to the head in their sports rules: A punch that makes strong contact with the opponent's hogu ...
5 votes
1 answer
862 views

Should I sign up for my school if I notice inexperienced black belts?

In my dojo for karate I can separate the black belts into two individual groups. One group knows what they're doing, and one other group doesn't. I was able to tell this from various occasions. One of ...
1 vote
1 answer
285 views

Why some people think that martial arts are useless?

I have a gym instructor that was in karate and half year in boxing. He sparred in boxing against someone who weighs less and shorter than him and that guy was 7 years in boxing and even so my ...
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why does WKF not allow Mae geri (Front Snap Kick) and Yoko geri (Side Kick)?

I am a Shotokan Karate practitioner and I have good control over my kick. However, even with that I am not doing well under WKF sparring because these two kicks are disallowed. I find them very ...
2 votes
1 answer
400 views

What is the weight of dipped-foam TKD/Karate sparring gloves? (see photo)

I often see TKD and Karate folks sparring with these types of open-palm glove, made of some sort of plastic-dipped foam that seems common for those styles' equipment. How much do they weigh? (I ...
3 votes
4 answers
187 views

How do I keep everyone's attention?

I'm a student teacher in Karate. I try to teach younger students, but they don't take me seriously as an instructor. I've tried countless of times to get them to listen to me, but they don't. I've ...
3 votes
2 answers
108 views

Gym Dojo Etiquette, Pairing people up

I am at a Muay Thai Gym. Before class, coach pairs up everyone into partner groups for drills and pad work. Sometimes there are odd number of people, so some people are in a 3 group (which is totally ...
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Muay Thai: Is Numbing of Shin Nerves Healthy?

Is numbing of the nerves generally healthy for a person? What are the long term of effects of doing this? I only do light sparring, but my legs are little bit desensitized. See contents below: https://...
6 votes
2 answers
740 views

Are there "right" and "wrong" kata bunkais?

This guy says some karate kata movements are to meant to represent defense against takedowns: frames, even sprawls. In other videos (example), his interpretations of kata, or kata bunkais, usually ...
3 votes
1 answer
224 views

How to prepare for/win the 100 man kumite?

In this Wikipedia article and in the beginning of this video they reference a 100 man kumite, in which you have to fight over and over again against a new opponent that is of similar or higher skill ...
7 votes
3 answers
7k views

Karate doesn't provide defense against wrestlers and MMA fighters. Or does it?

Let's say it out loud: karate doesn't provide defense against wrestlers and MMA fighters. Or does it? I heard the old-school karate (Okinawan karate) includes grappling and such, but I never saw any ...
3 votes
2 answers
844 views

Cross Training Judo with Shotokan Karate

I am 33 and I have been doing Shotokan Karate for 9 months. And I am also considering starting Judo. I have read that Karate and Judo can compliment each other nicely and that it was quite normal in ...
3 votes
1 answer
185 views

Muay Thai vs Karate Kick Force

Has anyone seen other studies of Muay Thai kick vs Karate in terms of strength and force impact? They say Muai Thai is Lot stronger but by how much? Couple of my muay thai teachers said its 2 to 4 ...
2 votes
2 answers
184 views

Is it true that 'A strike is a block is a lock is a throw'?

I often hear this idiom from karate YouTube channels. A strike is a block is a lock is a throw In my experience the movements for blocks, throws, strikes and joint locks are completely different (...
3 votes
1 answer
67 views

What stretches should be done before performing Shotokan kata?

When I took a Shotokan class, sensei always had us completely stretch out before the class, which usually had tenokata. The master (Gichin Funakoshi) writes that one can enjoy and benefit from karate-...
2 votes
4 answers
290 views

Is there any practical purpose of kata?

I expected Japanese karatekas to kick everybody's asses at the Olympics and rake in all the medals. But in reality, the Japanese excelled at kata but pretty much sucked at kumite (only one bronze). ...
2 votes
1 answer
182 views

Striking with the shoulder in Karate

I'm just starting longsword sparring and already see application for shoulder strikes. For instance, many fencers will let you lock or vertically press their blade, where the expected response is an ...
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why kata competitors wear red and blue belts?

These two colors are also used in Taekwondo Olympic sparring, where the two opponents use red and blue colored protective gear. In the case of Taekwondo, the choice of colors is the same used in the ...
0 votes
1 answer
415 views

Karate Side Kick in Muay Thai

What are the consequences if I did this jumping side kick in Muay thai? Would it work, or would a professional Muay Thai opponent do a big counter from that? See this link from Jeff Chan channel. ...
3 votes
2 answers
152 views

Is Karate artistic on purpose or is it unintentional?

When observing people shadowboxing, it seems like Karate is a more pretty, artistic, and fancy martial art. Muay Thai seems more brutal and ugly looking at some times (even though I practice it). Did ...
2 votes
2 answers
196 views

Can the Rolling Wheel kick (Kaitan Geri) of Kyokushin Karate be used on hard surfaces?

I have seen some knockout videos of the Rolling Wheel Kick mostly used by Kyokushin Karate practitioners. I wanted to know if it was invented just for that sport, or for fighting and brawling as well. ...
2 votes
1 answer
212 views

Karate vs Muay Thai: Side Kick Foot Rotation

Why does Karate and Taekwondo side kick have the foot tilt sideways or even downwards? In Muay Thai, the side teep foot is held diagonal. Is there a functional reason between the two? Curious as I ...
1 vote
2 answers
225 views

MMA: Fighting Opponent who uses Karate stance

I am training in MMA stance with Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. What happens if I face opponent using a Karate stance? Should I go for double leg takedown or leg roundhouse kick? What are some options? How ...
2 votes
4 answers
389 views

Are old high level black belts actually better than young low level black belts?

I'd like to preface this by saying I have virtually zero martial arts experience or knowledge so sorry if I'm not the clearest or if my question doesn't make much sense . You know that scene in The ...
5 votes
8 answers
8k views

Can Karate/Hand Chops be lethal?

I always see on movies people using Hand Chops. I know that this can be lethal to the neck, but does it serve any other purposes?
3 votes
3 answers
146 views

Going from MMA back to Traditional Martial Arts

Currently I go to an MMA gym (Muay Thai with BJJ). After a couple years, I always ponder about going to a traditional school. Just curious what are the benefits of going to a traditional martial arts ...
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why doesn't Muay Thai use the Karate/Taekwondo front snap kick?

Why doesn't Muay Thai incorporate the Karate/TKD Front Snap Kick? Muay Thai instead has a Teep kick with slightly different motion. I understand why Muay Thai has its own roundhouse kick, as its more ...
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why do people Shadowbox without full extension?

I noticed during drills, many people shadow box without full extension of arms? Is there a reason for that? Around half the class has full extension, other half does not. I thought when you box, you'...
3 votes
1 answer
157 views

Muay Thai Roundhouse kick: Rotate in stability without friction

I like the Muay Thai kick as its more fluid rotation, faster motion, and more power with hip/legs. One thing compared to Karate and TKD kick, it takes a lot more balance and friction against the ...
5 votes
2 answers
438 views

Why don't Muay Thai fighters bounce like Karate fighters?

Why don't Muay Thai fighters bounce like Karate fighters, with their leg forward? In Karate they teach that gives energy with the bounce. Just curious, not sure what is the best way. It seems Muay ...
5 votes
2 answers
667 views

Muay Thai Teep Front Kick: One hand is always down reason

I noticed in Muay Thai Teep kick, they always recommend to keep same side hand is down. You will notice one hand is up, and another hand is down in picture. Why do they recommend this? In other ...
9 votes
2 answers
2k views

Was Goju-ryu developed specifically for use by the Japanese navy?

I need to know the real and original history of Goju-ryu karate. In other words, I need to find why this style of karate was introduced. I am a Goju player, this is what I know: Goju is specially ...
2 votes
1 answer
302 views

Why don't they wear Headgear or Mouthguard in Karate Sparring?

I noticed in many Karate sparring videos, they aren't wearing any helmets or mouthguards. It seems like they can get very hurt, if opponent messes up. Is there a reason why? https://www.youtube.com/...
-2 votes
1 answer
92 views

Has There Been Sufficient Emphasis on Strategy During Your Martial Arts Training?

It's a beautiful thing to watch an athlete, outmatched on paper, employ strategy to overcome the favourite. Effective strategy can enable competitors and participants to overcome otherwise apparently ...
7 votes
4 answers
3k views

Origin of the "pinyon" in Villari's Shaolin-Kempo-Karate system?

When I was young, I took a few years of Shaolin-Kempo-Karate at a couple Villari's dojos. As part of our training, we had the expected set of katas that we were required to learn. However, there was ...
2 votes
0 answers
100 views

Author of Kata Diagrams

Does anyone know who has made these diagrams? I reckon that it was a published in German, so the author is probably from Germany.
10 votes
5 answers
3k views

Etiquette when changing from karate to jiu-jitsu

Background information: I will start university in September and I want to continue practicing martial arts. I've been doing shotokan karate for 8 years now and I have a black belt exam in December. ...
5 votes
4 answers
328 views

Mixing different martial arts?

I am a university student and just come back home for summer holidays. I want to take up some form of martial arts, mainly to have self defense and build confidence and strength, but I would also like ...
1 vote
1 answer
115 views

what are the advantages of having strong gluteus muscles in martial arts?

Does strong gluteus muscle strength give the pro athletes an edge out there? Maybe I can rearrange my training schedule for the next karate competition.And I had an injury before and had to work my ...
4 votes
2 answers
96 views

How is the "direct connection from fist to floor" refered to in "Karate Science" achieved?

The book Karate Science includes the statement that: One of the main goals of karate is to have the body postured in such a way as to allow a direct connection from the floor to the striking limb at ...