Questions tagged [karate]
A collection of empty-handed martial arts originating in Okinawa, Japan.
148
questions
4
votes
2answers
136 views
Very high horse stance
When I attempt to go into a horse stance my form breaks down after just a couple inches of depth. I cannot go lower than this and begin to lean significantly if I go any lower. I'd estimate my thigh ...
4
votes
0answers
57 views
Adjustable dumbells instead of Chi Ishi
I've been trying to practice the Hojo Undo exercises as part of my karate training. I've been following a book (Art of Hojo Undo) for this and have found it useful especially the makiwara and nigiri ...
2
votes
1answer
221 views
Teaching martial arts online [closed]
Thanks to the lockdown, my sensei is planning to move all our classes online. We are aware that some things are not possible online (e.g. contact moves etc.). However, fine tuning kata and kihon might ...
3
votes
1answer
177 views
Should I rotate the standing foot to throw a roundhouse kick?
I stand southpaw, with my less flexible right foot in front. To throw a roundhouse kick, my Kyokushin training makes it feel natural for me to plant my left foot solid on the ground to kick with the ...
3
votes
4answers
246 views
Is there any practical use for high kicks (e.g. Jodan Mawashi Geri)?
After a good warm-up, I can perform a high mawashi geri pretty easily. Without a warm-up, however, I can barely lift my leg higher than belt level. In a real-life situation, you won't have any time to ...
5
votes
1answer
143 views
Child belt demotion for forgetting kata
My 9 year old grandson has a brown belt for around 7 months now. Usually he goes to regular class where all the color belts are put into their own groups. He hasn’t practiced some of the earlier katas ...
5
votes
2answers
196 views
Is my 3 year's old reprimand experience in karate today par for the course?
I recently started my three and a half year old at karate, because he had a great time at a bring a friend day.
I feel that I have an active child, but he seems to be no more active than other ...
2
votes
2answers
101 views
How do you move a wavemaster bag around?
The freestanding punching bag. At my studio it’s situation on a rubber mat, and we need to move it around to the middle of the mat for drills. I’ve seen a few instructors stand on it and somehow tip ...
4
votes
1answer
507 views
How to beat a Kickboxer with a Bruce-Lee-type stance and a Taekwondo/Karate background?
This is about sparring. There are a few guys in my gym (Muay Thai/Kick Boxing) who have Taekwondo/Karate backgrounds. They have a Bruce-Lee-type stance. Their front hand is low and legs are wide apart....
3
votes
3answers
206 views
Whats the difference between Hayashi-Ha and traditional Shito-Ryu style?
What's the difference between Haiashi-Ha Shito-Ryu and traditional Shito-Ryu? What does Hayashi-Ha have that Shito-Ryu don't have? And what does Shito-Ryu have that Hayashi-Ha does not?
4
votes
1answer
163 views
Final punches in Shotokan's Jion kata: Straight punch or hammer fist?
The final two punches in Jion are described as straight punches out to the side. With very little exception, however, videos show people doing a cross between a straight punch and a hammer. Some ...
5
votes
1answer
112 views
Shotokan morote uke: Use hammer fist surface of supporting hand?
Many years ago, at a university club, an instructor said that some standards group studying the mechanics of shotokan were recommending a change in the augmented block (morote-uke). Instead of ...
1
vote
0answers
47 views
Why is it permitted to kick (but not punch) someone in the face in Kyokushin tournaments? [duplicate]
It doesn't make sense to me. What do you think?
3
votes
3answers
195 views
Karate - Does being tall make you slow in Kata?
My children are learning Karate right now and they are much smaller than other children their age. I was thinking maybe they can do some kind of exercise that would help them grow taller.
However we ...
4
votes
2answers
443 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
246 views
Reasons for a Karate Kata disqualification?
In the world of Karate competitions, what are some technical rules that can disqualify a kata? For example, if the stance is too deep and Zenkutsu dachi has its front knee, well before the toe, will ...
-2
votes
1answer
164 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?
-2
votes
1answer
136 views
Are there moves that would never be taught or talked about in an MMA gym?
because they're just too dangerous to the public or for public consumption? I assume they'd be slight modifications of the more dangerous moves that would be the ones actually taught.
5
votes
3answers
154 views
Will three months of Muai Thai help?
In three months I'll be going abroad for master studies. I have left my job in order to prepare somewhat for the course in the three months before I leave. This gives me time for some extra activities ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Which pressure points are easy reachable for attack?
What I do know about pressure points are some points of body where vital attack could break the nerve system and make human less conscious about surrounding.
but most of them are very behind of ...
8
votes
6answers
384 views
Kiai, the Hara and Dantian (etymology and philosophy)
I'm trying to figure out what, precisely, Kiai means.
I've done some reading, and am aware that the Kiai is supposed to come from the Hara, or Dantian - the stomach area.
Literally Kiai, means 'join ...
5
votes
2answers
173 views
Age and Restrictions, Learning Karate
I have been a fan of martial arts since I was a kid. I begged my father when I was a teen to register me into a martial art school, like Aikido, but he never actually did it. I was frustrated, and ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
Keep old rank or start afresh?
Many years ago, around 15 or a little bit more, I practised karate.
I was a child and reached 9th kyu. Now I want to come back to the karate.
Should I start from 9th kyu or I should start from the ...
0
votes
1answer
159 views
Karate Tonfa Kata
I have trained in Judo and Karate for a lot of years. I have studied kata bunkai for a long time. I'm now moving into Karate weapons training and would like to start with Tonfa. I don't have time in ...
3
votes
2answers
536 views
How to do a good yoko geri (side kick)
I'm really struggling to perform a yoko geri. My hips and flexibility simply don't allow my legs to kick sideways.
Any tips to improve my position and flexibility ?
6
votes
2answers
240 views
How do I close the distance with taller opponents during sparring in karate?
I've recently taken up goju-ryu karate. In sparring, I'm often matched up with someone significantly taller than myself (by a foot or more), and find that I have trouble finding openings due to their ...
1
vote
0answers
197 views
My knee keeps buckling when I am in horse stance or preparing for kicks [closed]
I am 17 and I do Karate. My knee keeps buckling whenever I am in horse stance, or doing a front thrust kick. It is almost like it's going backwards. My instructors ask us to go as low and wide as we ...
-3
votes
3answers
299 views
Why is wrestling considered an Olympic sport whereas karate and kung fu are just considered martial arts?
Wrestling is a self defence martial art and also an (Olympic) game which audiences sit and watch. Other martial arts like karate are the same - with a martial/self-defence and sport component, so why ...
2
votes
1answer
96 views
Kyokushin Sparring Gear
I am looking for some shin guards and gloves for full contact (Kyokushin) sparring. Is there anything I should be looking for / avoid when buying these pieces of equipment?
8
votes
4answers
4k views
Why don't we wear shoes in karate?
Presumably people in Okinawa didn't walk around barefoot. If the original purpose of karate is self-defense, wouldn't it make more sense to train in similar clothing to what you'd be wearing if you ...
1
vote
2answers
274 views
Philosphy and history of Okinawan Karate
I've recently started stufdying Goju Ryu. I have some training and a black belt in a few other styles.
One of the things that I miss with some masters here is their lack of historical and ...
-1
votes
2answers
155 views
How to create a Bunkai of Karate?
I am good with Kata, but still I am not able to figure out in particular situation. How I use any particular move from Kata like Juji-Uke or Sukui-Uke, etc..
Are there any basic principles to apply ...
0
votes
2answers
182 views
How does BJJ differ from classic jujutsu? [duplicate]
I'm interested in studying grappling, locks, throws. Basically using my size (6'4", 280 lbs, no fat) to my advantage. I already hold a 3rd dan black belt in Goju karate, but karate in general does not ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
Why do round kicks use the ball of the foot?
In traditional karate (not kumite competition) performing mawashi-geri (roundhouse kick) such that one strikes the target with the ball of the foot is preferred over striking with the top of the foot ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Why do people wear frayed black belts? [closed]
There seems to be a pride in using a beaten up belt. Isn't a belt cheap, shouldn't a MA practitioner be in clean and well maintained attire ?
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Why do we teach unrealistic bunkai?
When we teach basic bunkai we often show impractical techniques and unrealistic situations for example blocking a mae geri by turning into the kick and using gedan barai. This is obviously not ...
6
votes
6answers
871 views
Why don't karateka practice ground-fighting and takedown defense?
Why don't karateka train in any kind of ground fighting or takedown defense? Karate contains takedowns, throws, leg sweeps etc. yet I've never seen anyone teach sprawling in karate and getting up from ...
12
votes
3answers
1k views
Why doesn't karate use hook punches like boxing does?
Why don't karateka use hook punches in kihon or kumite?
The basic technique exists (kagi zuki) and can be found in several kata eg: heian godan and the tekki kata but it is always performed as a kind ...
4
votes
1answer
674 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
70 views
Why is an Ippon rarely awarded when attacking fallen opponents?
Somewhat recently I was at a somewhat major (national-level, so the referees were competent) karate tournament which used the standard WKF rules when it comes to scoring.
While watching others fight, ...
-2
votes
1answer
375 views
Rice filled bag or mung bean filled bag which one is effective for training?
I have rice filled conditioning bag is it good for improve knuckles ? Or do I need make new one with mung beans ?
13
votes
6answers
891 views
Is modern martial arts effectiveness intentionally reduced?
Reading the "Taekwondo Grappling Techniques" book (Dr. Tony Kemerly and Steve Snyder, Tuttle Publishing, 2009), the first chapter provides an interesting overview of Taekwondo history, and the ...
9
votes
2answers
471 views
Styles of Karate
I have a black belt in WTF Taekwondo and some training in Kalaripayattu. However, the first martial art I was exposed to was Shotokan Karate. I reached the yellow belt and then had to discontinue for ...
3
votes
1answer
421 views
What causes stiff body while kicking? (Lack of flexibility or balance)
I have been doing roundhouse kicks for some time on my own.
But recently my sensei told me that my body was getting stiff during this.
I think my flexibility is ok. But its not perfect yet. However ...
4
votes
2answers
753 views
Pain when performing mae geri and mawashi geri
I've recently started karate again after a ~5 year haitus, and I am getting pains everywhere, which was expected. These are ok, but there are two that I find concerning.
Pain in back of knee when ...
4
votes
1answer
485 views
Does cycling improve stamina or any other physical characteristics?
Background info:
I've been practicing shotokan karate for 9 years now and loved exercising in general. Due to various reasons, I moved to a different region and started japanese jiu jitsu 5 months ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the purpose of slow movements in poomsae / kata / taolu for?
I'm curious what you are taught about martial application for slow movements?
Is there a general concept that a slow movement has a particular meaning? Or does it really depend on the specific ...
1
vote
1answer
253 views
Why kyokushin Karateka did not prefere soft style technique?
I did have been read article on Wikipedia that in Kyokushin karate they do not use throwing or gripping or any kind of locking technique to practice or to use. which kind of philosophy is stays behind ...
4
votes
3answers
8k views
How to condition knuckles?
I punch rock and wood slowly everyday; is it good for conditioning knuckles? What do you recommend for conditioning knuckles? I am doing knuckle push ups on concrete, too.
7
votes
1answer
1k 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 ...
