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It's definitely an interesting blend of effective and esoteric, which makes it hard for less-discerning martial artists to work out what to do with it, I suspect. I can see that causing some people to think that, because some of the techniques are ones they know work, the others must work too...

Just to throw this out there, I know that Iain has his students spar with kata applications pretty extensively, and it's something I harp on when I teach, as well. He is sure to hit on the importance of pressure testing in his seminars, and likes to say "if you haven't done it live, you haven't...

They are brown/purple belts in BJJ, IIRC correctly. I think Aaron was just promoted to brown. They are actually a little too big on the grappling components in their karate, for my taste, but I appreciate what they are doing, nonetheless. Mark Bishop is an odd one, because his books on Okinawan...

You're absolutely right that most instructors/practitioners don't know, but some do--they may be scattered across different styles, in various countries, but they are out there. We have a number of legitimate instructors teaching material handed down to them through their lineages who include...

It has throws, besides trips, as well, including a very basic version of a double-leg called ude-wa (arm ring), but even that isn't done the way wrestlers do it. As you say, most of karate's grappling methods are focused on standing grappling, in general. Historically, karateka on Okinawa...

I own a pair of wraps, but I've only used them two or three times in 13+ years. Of course, I also don't bother with gloves for bagwork or padwork--only sparring.

I agree with all the previous points in the thread, but additionally, some parents simply don't CARE, even if they DO realize that it's BS. They aren't enrolling their children in a program to teach them how to fight, after all--they want the kids to learn discipline, build some confidence (even...

Last I read, the Olympics are dropping the use of headgear in boxing, and IIRC there have been a number of studies done on TBI that suggest that headgear actually increases your likelihood of receiving a TBI. I stopped using headgear years ago, anyway, because inevitably I ended up with worse...

Because, for better or worse, karate (in general) doesn't attract the type of people who want to fight, and the whole ethos behind karate is to avoid fighting unnecessarily. Hell, I straight up hate competition--I am not a competitive person, and don't find ANY enjoyment in it, even though I...

Not to be rude, but you don't really know what karate is, so a lot of what we do probably wouldn't "seem very karate" to you. Funnily enough, we've literally had someone scream at one of our students in a tournament because "That's not karate! She's just brawling!" I get it, you're really only...

I don't think any of the karateka here have suggested that "kata is all nonsense," and certainly haven't said anything negative about Shinjo Sensei. The only thing that has been said is that the solo practice of kata, by itself, will not develop fighting skills, and that is objectively true. You...

Naihanchi has so much depth to it--even just exploring the implications of the kosa-dachi in that kata gives you a lot more to look at. A student actually got a shirt made for me that says "Everything is Naihanchi" because I refer to it so much, so I'm admittedly biased. Kokutsu-dachi and...

That's awesome! Since you're already debating bringing back the neko-ashi-dachi, I would urge you to consider the other stances that have been changed in Shotokan, as well. Typically, Heian Shodan is taught with a level head height throughout the kata, while Pinan Nidan very specifically changes...

I wish! IIRC, Patrick McCarthy has written some articles on it, here and there, but they are kind of hard to find since he has re-done his site so many times. Tegumi (AKA "Muto") kind of morphed into Shima after Japan started nationalizing Okinawa, so these days it is only practiced in smaller...

You're thinking of modern Okinawa Shima. Tegumi was described as including "twisting the joints" and "sealing the breath" to get the other person to tap out, as well as pinning opponents for time. I'm positive it wasn't as highly developed as BJJ when it comes to groundwork, but it was...

As several people have already pointed out, he is getting power by launching his entire body at the opponent. When you think about it, hip rotation is really an indicator that the legs are being used to torque the body, since they don't move independently of the legs, so he's still using his...

I've done the same drills, and they are definitely a valuable experience. Sometimes, we will mix them up with different goals--protect someone else, escape, hold the line, etc. For kids and new students, my Sensei liked to have the "attackers" all hold kicking shields in front of them as an...

Absolutely! The trouble is that most martial artists only know of one way to do that, and the most popular ways to do it with karate are not very good for the grappling-type material in the art. Karateka used to engage in kakedameshi for that type of live training, but it fell out of favor...

Both, to a degree, but primarily philosophical. I know you know this already, but for the benefit of others; both the point fighting approach to karate and the knockdown approach to karate are modern additions that don't fit the material and intent of karate (hence the huge disconnect between...

That is true, but I have noticed that there tends to be a separation here, and on other MMA forums, between "karate" and Kyokushin/Enshin/Ashihara/Daido Juku/etc. It's almost as if they aren't considered to be "karate," and are constantly mentioned as exceptions. Again, though, I can't really...