As karate is primarily a striking art, I have always believed in punch bag, focus pad, kick shield and makiwara, training.
You may disagree, but one of my primary objectives with new and experienced karateka, is to encourage them to hit fast and hard. Not only is this an essential part of a striking art, such as karate, it's also good fun!
I am still shocked at how many karateka are not training with, punch bags, focus pads or makiwara!
I do not practice Shotokan karate just for fighting, I love everything about karate, kata, kihon and kumite, if I wanted fighting I would join a MMA gym, they take the best fighting techniques from all the martial arts and put them to practical use in the ring or cage.
Our karate dojo is a traditional shotokan dojo and the majority of our training is the three k's, kata, kihon and kumite. But we do use focus pads and kick shields quite regularly and everyone at our dojo enjoys pad training.
Take boxing, a very physical sport, the fighter everyone fears, is the fighter that can knock people out, fighters like this are obviously the most dangerous ones to fight.
Lets put it another way, you have a choice, you can fight boxer number 1. He has one all his last 10 fights on points, he is technically very skillful. Or you can fight boxer number 2. she has only won 6 of her last 10 fights, all 6 of the wins were by knockout in the first 3 rounds. (notice how I use he and she, if I didn't, my wife would ground and pound me while I was sleeping)
Which one would you prefer to fight? I know which one I would rather fight and it isn't number 2!
If you don't strike pads or bags, I encourage you to do so, not only will it help your karate, it's great fun!
Ossu
Linden
karate classes online
"Why waltz with a guy for 10 rounds if you can knock him out in one?"
Rocky Marciano Quote
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Choose The Right Karate Dojo, For You!
Well, what do I mean by, ‘choose the right karate dojo for you’.
Quite often there are karateka who are completely out of place in their dojo, they are as good as every other karateka in the dojo, but they look uncomfortable, unhappy and uneasy. This is normally down to differences in their mind make up when it comes to karate practice.
The sensei (teacher) has their way of training, a way that has developed over many years, they may be more interested in kumite (sparring), than Kihon (basics) and Kata (forms). Because of this they practice everything, but the majority of their training steers towards kumite training, this is only natural for sensei who have been training many years.
Everybody should find a karate dojo that fits their martial arts mind set. If you like kata, find a dojo where kata is the main theme. If you like kumite, find a dojo where kumite is the main theme. If you like competition karate, find a dojo that competes often. If you like a mix, find a dojo where they do just that, etc, etc, etc.
If you really not happy at your present dojo, look around, there are karate dojo everywhere. Keep trying different dojo until you find the one for you.
Whenever a karateka moves on from my dojo for that reason, I’m happy and I wish them well. You must be happy at your dojo, or what’s the point?
I know this article is about choosing the right dojo for you, but a little advice for the sensei reading this. If you try and please everyone at your dojo, you’ll end up pleasing no one.
If someone isn’t happy, the sensei or senpai should go have a chat and maybe recommend another karate school.
Well, if you’re happy at your present dojo, I’m happy. If you’re not happy at your dojo, I hope you soon find the perfect karate dojo for you!
Ossu
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Why Do I Practice Karate?
You must enjoy you training, as I have said before, life’s short, make the most of it!
I do not practice karate just for fitness, fighting, character building, socializing, a hobby, or any of the many advertised reasons.
I love karate, I practice karate because I want too and because of a combination of all the above reasons.
Why do you eat chocolate? It’s not because it’s healthy, it’s not because you have too, I would hope, it’s because you like it, well, that’s the same reason I practice karate.
If I just wanted fitness, I would join a gym, if I just wanted fighting, I would practice no holds barred fighting, if I just wanted character building, I would join a monastery, if I just wanted socialising, I would go clubbing and if I just wanted a hobby, I would choose an easy one!
I have had lots of people tell me why, for fitness, I should be doing this or that, for fighting, I should be doing this and that, I have been told I shouldn’t be doing kata, because it doesn’t help in a fight, but I don’t care if it works or not. For character building I should do this. Linden
I say to most of them (in my mind, because I don’t like to be rude), please go away, or words to that effect. I like what I’m doing, you go off and do what you want to do, I’m happy for you.
As everybody knows, in life there’s always someone waiting to give you advice, waiting to let you know how you should be living your life, they can’t wait to tell you their way and how you to can be just like them!
The hard part, is knowing the difference between good advice and poor advice. But remember good advice to one, can be bad advice to another.
I always listen to people’s advice, the people that make sense to me, great, I’ll take their good advice and implement it, the people who don’t make sense, can take their advice and……………
I look for people that like training the same way as me. When you have a group of people that all want to practice martial arts the same way, not only is it a great feeling, it’s also very powerful.
I do listen to people, but most of what I hear, I don’t like. That’s not to say that what they’re saying is rubbish, it just doesn’t make sense to me.
People should first determine what they want from the martial arts, the way to do this is to try different clubs, styles and instructors. It shouldn’t take long to find the right martial arts school for you.
If you want to cage fight, mixed martial arts is the way, if you want slow gentle movement, Tai chi is probably the way, if you want to keep fit, go to aerobics, etc, etc.
So, in a nutshell, the reason I practice karatedo is because I want too.
Ossu
Linden
Monday, December 14, 2009
How Often Should I Train?
Normally, someone new to Karate will attend one session per week in the beginning, as the student progresses this will obviously increase. I personally recommend training one session per week for the first three to six months, after this, a minimum of two lessons per week is essential. There is so much to learn and practice, if after six months you are only training one session per week, not only will your progress be slow, you will also struggle to keep up with others in your class and because you will struggle there is a good chance you will become disillusioned.
These numbers obviously vary from person to person, we have members who go straight into unlimited training and members who only train one session per week but train regularly at home, everybody is different and everybody has different circumstances.
The important point to remember is that if you continue training one lesson per week, your progress in karate will be extremely slow, you will struggle to keep up with your fellow karate practitioners and ultimately, you will quit.
Over the years I have had people who try and train one lesson every other week, or even one lesson per month, in the end they either leave or come to me and say, ‘I’m sorry, I’m going to have to stop training’, there is always a string of excuses, but in 95% of cases the only true answer is, they’re not willing to dedicate and commit themselves to Karate, which is fine, it’s a free world and we can’t all be obsessed with Karate, nothing would get done!
But I absolutely cringe when they do turn up for training, I try not to let them hold the class up, but I feel I must try and encourage and help them, so I do. I always come away from the class happy, happy because, by the end of the class, they seem to be getting it, whatever ‘it’ is at the time, ‘it’ may be a combination, a Kata sequence or just simply working on a particular technique, like reverse punch. Then you don’t see them for another month and BANG, we’re back to square one!
Some of you reading this will be laughing, but the Sensei’s out there will be crying! Yep, they know what I’m talking about and some of you potential Sensei’s will find out soon enough.
The guys that train very sporadically are always perplexed by the answer I give, when they tell me they’re going to have to stop training, my answer is always, ‘good!’, I then explain why I’m happy they’re moving on.
Obviously, I want them to train but if they are only attending one lesson every other week, or even less, then something really needs to change, because, not only are they wasting their time and my time, but they’re also wasting everybody else’s time in the Dojo.
Everyone at our Dojo is keen, they have great attitudes, it’s very satisfying when you arrive at the Dojo and people are excited and looking forward to training. I believe it’s down to the Sensei’s(teachers) and Sempai’s (senior’s) to encourage everyone at the Dojo to do their best and train as often as they can.
Some people are genuinely disappointed when they realise how much work is needed to achieve a high level of expertise in Karate, there’s one thing for sure in Karate, you absolutely get out, what you put in.
It doesn’t really take a tremendous amount of dedication and commitment to progress in the Karate classes, training two times per week is enough for the majority of people. Once you get into a routine it’s a lot easier. There are people who are hooked from the first day and who wish to take it to the next level and that’s great to see, but the danger of this approach to training is Burn Out! But that’s another article.
Ossu
Linden
These numbers obviously vary from person to person, we have members who go straight into unlimited training and members who only train one session per week but train regularly at home, everybody is different and everybody has different circumstances.
The important point to remember is that if you continue training one lesson per week, your progress in karate will be extremely slow, you will struggle to keep up with your fellow karate practitioners and ultimately, you will quit.
Over the years I have had people who try and train one lesson every other week, or even one lesson per month, in the end they either leave or come to me and say, ‘I’m sorry, I’m going to have to stop training’, there is always a string of excuses, but in 95% of cases the only true answer is, they’re not willing to dedicate and commit themselves to Karate, which is fine, it’s a free world and we can’t all be obsessed with Karate, nothing would get done!
But I absolutely cringe when they do turn up for training, I try not to let them hold the class up, but I feel I must try and encourage and help them, so I do. I always come away from the class happy, happy because, by the end of the class, they seem to be getting it, whatever ‘it’ is at the time, ‘it’ may be a combination, a Kata sequence or just simply working on a particular technique, like reverse punch. Then you don’t see them for another month and BANG, we’re back to square one!
Some of you reading this will be laughing, but the Sensei’s out there will be crying! Yep, they know what I’m talking about and some of you potential Sensei’s will find out soon enough.
The guys that train very sporadically are always perplexed by the answer I give, when they tell me they’re going to have to stop training, my answer is always, ‘good!’, I then explain why I’m happy they’re moving on.
Obviously, I want them to train but if they are only attending one lesson every other week, or even less, then something really needs to change, because, not only are they wasting their time and my time, but they’re also wasting everybody else’s time in the Dojo.
Everyone at our Dojo is keen, they have great attitudes, it’s very satisfying when you arrive at the Dojo and people are excited and looking forward to training. I believe it’s down to the Sensei’s(teachers) and Sempai’s (senior’s) to encourage everyone at the Dojo to do their best and train as often as they can.
Some people are genuinely disappointed when they realise how much work is needed to achieve a high level of expertise in Karate, there’s one thing for sure in Karate, you absolutely get out, what you put in.
It doesn’t really take a tremendous amount of dedication and commitment to progress in the Karate classes, training two times per week is enough for the majority of people. Once you get into a routine it’s a lot easier. There are people who are hooked from the first day and who wish to take it to the next level and that’s great to see, but the danger of this approach to training is Burn Out! But that’s another article.
Ossu
Linden
Friday, December 11, 2009
Kids Karate Classes - Teaching Karate to Kids
I have very strong feelings towards this subject, Karate instructors or Martial arts instructors in general have a MASSIVE responsibility upon their shoulders, but some do not take this responsibility anywhere near as seriously as they should.
Karate or martial arts instructors are in a very strong position of influence, the kids look up to their Sensei or teacher, they want to reach the coveted Black Belt and in some cases will do anything the Sensei or instructor says.
When I was competing I saw many Sensei or instructors, from different karate Dojo and martial art schools, some were fantastic role models, but unfortunately there were an awful lot of instructors that made the evil karate instructor from the movie ‘Karate Kid’ look like a saint! Oh, and guess what, their senior students were just the same as them.
I did notice one positive from these sad people, sometimes the parents of the kids that trained with these sad instructors were just like the sad instructors, so I suppose it’s true what they say, ‘like attracts like’, which is good in a way, because one day they may need to be rounded up and shot and it would make the job all the more easier if they were grouped together.
Seriously, I find it very disturbing that there are karate instructors out there imposing their sad and disturbed way of life on small and very easily influenced children. In defence of the parents, we are all taught from an early age to respect authority, so when a parent brings their child to a karate school, they trust and believe the instructor, because the instructor is a black belt and we all know black belt means expert!
I may not be the best Karateka in the world, but I take my teaching responsibility very seriously, I want our karate kids, in and out of the dojo, to ~
• Know "right" from "wrong"
• Develop good self-esteem
• Treat others as they want to be treated.
• Assume responsibility for their actions
• Know that Karate begins and ends with respect
• Behave Responsibly
• Know that time is precious, so make the most of it
• Work cooperatively with others
• Use self-discipline to achieve goals
• Never Quit
• Resist negative peer pressure
• Be a positive influence on everyone they come into contact with
Ossu
Linden
Learn Karate At Home
Karate or martial arts instructors are in a very strong position of influence, the kids look up to their Sensei or teacher, they want to reach the coveted Black Belt and in some cases will do anything the Sensei or instructor says.
When I was competing I saw many Sensei or instructors, from different karate Dojo and martial art schools, some were fantastic role models, but unfortunately there were an awful lot of instructors that made the evil karate instructor from the movie ‘Karate Kid’ look like a saint! Oh, and guess what, their senior students were just the same as them.
I did notice one positive from these sad people, sometimes the parents of the kids that trained with these sad instructors were just like the sad instructors, so I suppose it’s true what they say, ‘like attracts like’, which is good in a way, because one day they may need to be rounded up and shot and it would make the job all the more easier if they were grouped together.
Seriously, I find it very disturbing that there are karate instructors out there imposing their sad and disturbed way of life on small and very easily influenced children. In defence of the parents, we are all taught from an early age to respect authority, so when a parent brings their child to a karate school, they trust and believe the instructor, because the instructor is a black belt and we all know black belt means expert!
I may not be the best Karateka in the world, but I take my teaching responsibility very seriously, I want our karate kids, in and out of the dojo, to ~
• Know "right" from "wrong"
• Develop good self-esteem
• Treat others as they want to be treated.
• Assume responsibility for their actions
• Know that Karate begins and ends with respect
• Behave Responsibly
• Know that time is precious, so make the most of it
• Work cooperatively with others
• Use self-discipline to achieve goals
• Never Quit
• Resist negative peer pressure
• Be a positive influence on everyone they come into contact with
Ossu
Linden
Learn Karate At Home
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Dancing Kata People!
Several years ago one of the black belts at our Dojo decided he was going to enter a competition.
We all knew what was going to happen, he would lose in the first round.
He was a great Karateka! his techniques were focused, strong and fast. Every time he executed a technique it was like it was his last.
The great Karateka Terry O'neill, always says, you must be able to switch on and off at will.
Well, this black belt could certainly switch on and off at will, he would die rather than lose, a very hard man to stop.
The day of the competition loomed ever closer, as an extra to normal dojo training we were running early in the morning for several weeks before the big day, we all prepared ourselves as best we could.
We arrived at the venue and warmed up.
Our black belt friend was the first one up, the first event was kata and the heian katas were the chosen katas.
The chief referee called Heian Nidan.
We sat and watched as our friend bowed, announced the Kata, flicked the switch on and performed a very strong Heian Nidan, that looked AWFUL!
His opponent strutted onto the mat like a proud peacock, as soon as his eyes met with chief referees eyes there was an overwhelming look of love. The chief referee announced Heian Nidan and our friends opponent replied OSSU with a look at the referee that translated as, 'I love you, please vote for me to win'.
Our friends opponent bowed, screamed the kata, didn't switch on, well that's not exactly true, he had already switched on, he was in Hollywood performance mode before he even walked on the mat. When he came to the first kiai I thought someone had been kicked in the nuts while trying to announce something on the tanoy system, also when he performed a kiai his head shot forward as if someone had hit him around the back of the head with a sledge hammer while his body was held completely still.
Saying that, he performed a very fast Kata that was text book technique and looked GREAT! I think.
Needless to say our friends opponent won.
Many years ago I watched Yahara Sensei perform Unsu, it was amazing but at the same time it was almost frightening, it was alive. I can always remember thinking, Yahara Sensei is actually fighting, really fighting.
That one performance from Yahara Sensei had a strong impact on me. I thought to myself, am I going to dance, or am I going to fight.
I believe competitions are good, great training arenas, places where you can test yourself with people you don't know, but I believe the emphasis should be on training, not winning a trophy, don't get me wrong, I would rather die than lose and it's a great feeling to win, but if I lose, I lose graciously.
If you are aHollywood film star Karateka, I have a question, do you wear underpants that match the colour of your karate suit label? If you don't, then you should, If you do then you really should give the chief referee a quick flash as you strut on the mat, it can only help!
Ahhh.... That's made me feel better.
Linden
We all knew what was going to happen, he would lose in the first round.
He was a great Karateka! his techniques were focused, strong and fast. Every time he executed a technique it was like it was his last.
The great Karateka Terry O'neill, always says, you must be able to switch on and off at will.
Well, this black belt could certainly switch on and off at will, he would die rather than lose, a very hard man to stop.
The day of the competition loomed ever closer, as an extra to normal dojo training we were running early in the morning for several weeks before the big day, we all prepared ourselves as best we could.
We arrived at the venue and warmed up.
Our black belt friend was the first one up, the first event was kata and the heian katas were the chosen katas.
The chief referee called Heian Nidan.
We sat and watched as our friend bowed, announced the Kata, flicked the switch on and performed a very strong Heian Nidan, that looked AWFUL!
His opponent strutted onto the mat like a proud peacock, as soon as his eyes met with chief referees eyes there was an overwhelming look of love. The chief referee announced Heian Nidan and our friends opponent replied OSSU with a look at the referee that translated as, 'I love you, please vote for me to win'.
Our friends opponent bowed, screamed the kata, didn't switch on, well that's not exactly true, he had already switched on, he was in Hollywood performance mode before he even walked on the mat. When he came to the first kiai I thought someone had been kicked in the nuts while trying to announce something on the tanoy system, also when he performed a kiai his head shot forward as if someone had hit him around the back of the head with a sledge hammer while his body was held completely still.
Saying that, he performed a very fast Kata that was text book technique and looked GREAT! I think.
Needless to say our friends opponent won.
Many years ago I watched Yahara Sensei perform Unsu, it was amazing but at the same time it was almost frightening, it was alive. I can always remember thinking, Yahara Sensei is actually fighting, really fighting.
That one performance from Yahara Sensei had a strong impact on me. I thought to myself, am I going to dance, or am I going to fight.
I believe competitions are good, great training arenas, places where you can test yourself with people you don't know, but I believe the emphasis should be on training, not winning a trophy, don't get me wrong, I would rather die than lose and it's a great feeling to win, but if I lose, I lose graciously.
If you are a
Ahhh.... That's made me feel better.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
What Karate Dan Grade Are You?
When people ask me what karate Dan grade I am, I always respond with the same answer, DESPERATE DAN!
Many years ago, in ancient China, oh! Sorry, I’m getting carried away here. I'll start that again, several years ago I attended a seminar in London, England, there was a selection of Japanese Karate masters, all were brilliant.
There were hundreds of Karate practitioners, all ages and all grades. The Dojo captain shouted, 'Line up' and we all moved to where we thought our Karate Dan grade equivalents would be standing.
I remember looking towards the top of the line and there were some awesome Karate legends in the line, Terry O'neill, Bob Poynton and several others. There was also a group of very senior looking Karateka, their black belts were extremely worn, they had a certain look of authority about them, but they also looked worried and were standing down near the 1st and 2nd Dans.
The training began, warm up and stretch lasted maybe 20 minutes, then onto Kihon (basics), the theme of the seminar was to be a particular Kata (form). I will refrain from mentioning the Kata being taught, because a lot of karate seniors will know what seminar I am referring to, because they were probably on it, not that I’m saying they were the group I am going to talk about, because there were some hot Karateka on the course. I later realized that these paper martial artists were only on the course because it was a Kata seminar, if it had been Kumite (fighting), they would definitely have stayed at home.
I was near this group of what I thought were senior karate instructors, I was still wondering why they were down my end of the Black belt lines when I suddenly noticed one of them execute a sort of, reverse punch, it was weak, slow and with about as much focus as my 1 year old son has, when he’s watching the CNN news channel.
I know what you’re thinking, why wasn’t I concentrating on my Karate, all I can say is SHOCK!
There was 5 or 6 senior karate instructors in the group and in my opinion, they were awful, nice guys, but their karate was of a very poor standard. I later found out that the lowest grade in the group was Godan (5th Dan). Now I’m not the best in the world but when my instructor packed his bags and moved away, he said to me, ‘Linden, always train with the best, because there’s a lot of s**t out there’. I now know what my instructor was talking about.
Now there is a point to this story, thank god I here you all say. Because of this event happening all those years ago when I was still a teenager, I decided wasn’t going to test ever again, what a PRATT I was, I stayed Nidan(2nd Dan) for 15 years because in my mind I thought the Karate ranking system was a joke.
A great karate man changed my mind, he said, ‘ It’s all about you! Do not worry what everyone else is doing, it’s what it means to you that’s important, now go and grade.
I now realize more than ever that Karate is a one man/woman journey, it’s your journey and I wish you the best of luck.
Ossu,
Linden Huckle
karate for beginners
Many years ago, in ancient China, oh! Sorry, I’m getting carried away here. I'll start that again, several years ago I attended a seminar in London, England, there was a selection of Japanese Karate masters, all were brilliant.
There were hundreds of Karate practitioners, all ages and all grades. The Dojo captain shouted, 'Line up' and we all moved to where we thought our Karate Dan grade equivalents would be standing.
I remember looking towards the top of the line and there were some awesome Karate legends in the line, Terry O'neill, Bob Poynton and several others. There was also a group of very senior looking Karateka, their black belts were extremely worn, they had a certain look of authority about them, but they also looked worried and were standing down near the 1st and 2nd Dans.
The training began, warm up and stretch lasted maybe 20 minutes, then onto Kihon (basics), the theme of the seminar was to be a particular Kata (form). I will refrain from mentioning the Kata being taught, because a lot of karate seniors will know what seminar I am referring to, because they were probably on it, not that I’m saying they were the group I am going to talk about, because there were some hot Karateka on the course. I later realized that these paper martial artists were only on the course because it was a Kata seminar, if it had been Kumite (fighting), they would definitely have stayed at home.
I was near this group of what I thought were senior karate instructors, I was still wondering why they were down my end of the Black belt lines when I suddenly noticed one of them execute a sort of, reverse punch, it was weak, slow and with about as much focus as my 1 year old son has, when he’s watching the CNN news channel.
I know what you’re thinking, why wasn’t I concentrating on my Karate, all I can say is SHOCK!
There was 5 or 6 senior karate instructors in the group and in my opinion, they were awful, nice guys, but their karate was of a very poor standard. I later found out that the lowest grade in the group was Godan (5th Dan). Now I’m not the best in the world but when my instructor packed his bags and moved away, he said to me, ‘Linden, always train with the best, because there’s a lot of s**t out there’. I now know what my instructor was talking about.
Now there is a point to this story, thank god I here you all say. Because of this event happening all those years ago when I was still a teenager, I decided wasn’t going to test ever again, what a PRATT I was, I stayed Nidan(2nd Dan) for 15 years because in my mind I thought the Karate ranking system was a joke.
A great karate man changed my mind, he said, ‘ It’s all about you! Do not worry what everyone else is doing, it’s what it means to you that’s important, now go and grade.
I now realize more than ever that Karate is a one man/woman journey, it’s your journey and I wish you the best of luck.
Ossu,
Linden Huckle
karate for beginners
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Hirokazu kanazawa Shihan
Shihan Hirokazu Kanazawa 10th Dan (3rd May 1931 – 8th December 2019)
Kanazawa Shihan inspired hundreds of thousands of karateka around the world. He was an incredible karateka and a gentleman.
I can still picture him demonstrating his kata with grace, power and precision. He was truly one of a kind.
He would often come to the UK and when he did, it was the highlight of my training.
Luckily there's lot's of amazing karateka continuing his teaching style and we still have lots of video footage and memories of this great master. Oss!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Site hacked into!
My blogger account got hacked into and they deleted all my pages!
I could possibly understand it if they were getting money from me, but hey, everybody to their own. They must be pretty sad if they get their kicks from doing stuff like that, I really feel sorry for them.
Ah well, start again.
Ossu!
Linden
I could possibly understand it if they were getting money from me, but hey, everybody to their own. They must be pretty sad if they get their kicks from doing stuff like that, I really feel sorry for them.
Ah well, start again.
Ossu!
Linden
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