Just passed grading to green belt, not happy with kumite

[residentrenzo]

Osu! How have u gents and ladies been? Hope all's well

Well, just to let you know, yesterday had my grading test for green belt, passed it.

Just to ask advice about improving my defense in kumite. It's kinda taking away my motivation in karate, 'cause I'm not enjoying kumite. Just for kihon and katas don't make much sense to me... I want to learn effective self defense skills.

I can't move around much, I get tired fast... maybe I'm too tense, maybe I don't have enough cardio? My defense is very bad, I get kicked in the head and punched in the stomach even by newbie karatekas! And I've just graded to green belt which I feel doesn't reflect it on my fighting skills. Or maybe I'm missing the point here?

So basically I'm asking for some practical advice to improve on that... I'm slow, get tired quickly. I'm short at 1.72 (dunno how much is that in feet and inches, sorry) and I don't kick very well... other guys at dojo are taller, faster kickers so they have advantage over me.

At grading got owned and kicked on the head again... is there a way to improve defense, get faster, better footwork, and improve kicks?

Osu!

[babyface]

I am the same height some of the great kyokushin fighters are short like us.

Honestly it's all in the training:
* Technique
* Conditioning
* Flexibility
* Sparring
* Fitness

Work on all those things and eventuality you will put it all together. TRAIN HARD.

[residentrenzo]

Honestly it's all in the training:
* Technique
* Conditioning
* Flexibility
* Sparring
* Fitness
Work on all those things and eventuality you will put it all together. TRAIN HARD.

Makes sense, but... what should I do to get those? Jogging? Lifting weights? Tried it, still get trashed. I must be doing something wrong and I can't figure it out by myself. Obviously my dojo training ain't cutting the mustard. Plus, I'm 44... started KK at 40 not exactly champion age material. I reckon age DO makes a difference after all.

[GJEC]

Renzo

You're not alone. Lots of people work hard then get frustrated when it all vanishes when someone stands in front of them. I always think it's like a jigsaw puzzle, we can't just tip the box out and hope it all falls in the right place. We have to find the corners, makes the edges etc. You get the idea.

Wanting to win is an 'outcome goal' but it's hard to get there in one easy jump. I found that having a couple of 'process goals' in any bout helped. I'd think "Today I'm going to make sure no one kicks me to the head". Once that was achieved I'd think, "OK, no ones catching me in the head now, so every time someone tries I'll move in and body punch"

Obviously those are just examples, and you can decide your own process goals. This will be like the edges of the puzzle. Once a few process goals are achieved simultaneously you'll find you're in charge of the outcome.

Gary

[wullie]

It does get disheartening when nothing seems to work but perhaps you're being too hard on yourself, obviously you're doing something right when your Sensei promotes you, how often are you getting hits in at your partners?
See if there is a high grade at the club who will spar at your level with you and as you get more comfortable start raising the level, this should help bring you along. IMHO nothing gets you better at sparring than sparring

[meguro]

I am not in the IT field but I see many things in MA as hardware and software problems and solutions. The quick fix is software: keep you hands up; recognize when you are in your opponent's kicking range, and move; control the position. The last software recommendation is perhaps the hardest to grasp unless you are an experienced fighter.

Hardware fixes require sweat and determination, and 44 is too young to pull the age excuse. There are lots of resources out there to improve stamina, strength and flexibility. You might start with perusing the workout logs here, but don't feel limited. Ross Training, Strong First, lots of place to go. Personally, I think kettlebells provide just the right amount of resistance to help you develop speed, strength and stamina. To develop fleetness of foot, look into Carioca drills and the like. Anytime you plant your heels in a fight, you may as well grow roots and prepare to get beat down.

[residentrenzo]

44 is too young to pull the age excuse

Thanx Meguro! you've made my day.

Gary: to be honest, I've been lazy in truth, didn't really worked hard this year. Just regular dojo sessions, no extra supplementary work.

Something you shared in your book really got to me: "Try your hardest before giving up"

So I don't get to complain

[GJEC]

You're not alone Renzo

Most training comes in waves. People try then ease off then get back on it.

But you are the key. Now you've recognised a problem what will you do? Many will leave claiming they're 'not being coached properly' or 'it doesn't work' yet others in the same club will be getting strong.

So I wish you well. Dig deep. Short term goals. Small steps but ever forwards.

Gary

[MMX]

Osu!

I agree with Gary.

Work on one thing at a time. Keep a big picture but don't get lost trying to get better at everything at once.

As far as Strength and Conditioning goes I tried a lot of things but the most bang for my buck as been the Kettlebell as Pavel teaches it. Check out his new book Simple and Sinister. www.strongfirst.com

[blacktiger]

Would recommend, start with Kata practice, do each kata at least 3 times, this will get a bit of a sweat on with a little warm up to start with

I used to do 1000 hits on the bag a day, 10k run, 2 hours weights and 1 hours stretching

Now, I'm 42 and a lot old, just had a knee operation this year and just started training again in August.

So my fitness has plumitted in 2 years of not training properly.

Eat properly, drop any access weight on a High Protein, 0 Carbohydrates diet, (see doctor for this one)

And get training more often. even if like me I go in the garden at night and just do my kata to get me going and keeep it fresh in my head. this will add

try 10 rounds of shadow sparring too

and ask your Sensei to give you guidance on how to improve

Congratulations on you grading, OSU

[GJEC]

Your choice Renzo. I'd be doing less not more. I made the mistake of thinking my 'lack of energy' was 'lack of fitness' when in reality 'lack of recovery' was the real culprit.

So I'd do less and concentrate on sharpness.

Gary

[Ros]

Dec 9, 2013 11:43:15 GMT -5 blacktiger said:

I used to do 1000 hits on the bag a day, 10k run, 2 hours weights and 1 hours stretching

...just had a knee operation

Any connection here, I wonder?
 

Eat properly, drop any access weight on a High Protein, 0 Carbohydrates diet, (see doctor for this one)

If you need to lose weight, any diet that eliminates an entire food group is probably not the way to do it. Sensible and healthy is the way to go; trust me on this.

[blacktiger]

Dec 10, 2013 2:46:27 GMT -5 Ros said:

Dec 9, 2013 11:43:15 GMT -5 blacktiger said:

I used to do 1000 hits on the bag a day, 10k run, 2 hours weights and 1 hours stretching

...just had a knee operation

Any connection here, I wonder?
 

Eat properly, drop any access weight on a High Protein, 0 Carbohydrates diet, (see doctor for this one)

If you need to lose weight, any diet that eliminates an entire food group is probably not the way to do it. Sensible and healthy is the way to go; trust me on this.

Yes, I wondered that myself lol. probably why my body's all messed up now with worn out joints etc.

I used to be able to do side splits AND put my chest on the floor, now my belly gets in the way.

On the diet my Doctor prescribed due to the increase of weight due to not being as active with my knee has allowed me to drop 20+ kilos but, its monitored etc. so I agree a healthy diet IS priority hence why I stated to see the doctor.

[Ros]

Dec 10, 2013 6:00:32 GMT -5 blacktiger said:

On the diet my Doctor prescribed due to the increase of weight due to not being as active with my knee has allowed me to drop 20+ kilos but, its monitored etc. so I agree a healthy diet IS priority hence why I stated to see the doctor.

I'm really surprised a doctor recommended a high protein, no carb diet, as it certainly isn't standard, evidenced NHS advice!

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/weight-loss-guide/Pages/losing-weight-getting-started.aspx

Fantastic that you've lost 20 kilos, I did too but luckily the Rozzy^TM diet still lets you eat loads of yummy, healthy carbs!

[MMX]

I also do not subscribe to the no carb theory. Eat sensible portions and you should be ok(as long as the portions are not Candy bars..)