I know kung fu

[k0pp0]

Ouch.. fair play for still standing on that one mate. I'm still training - don't think that will ever change

[k0pp0]

What's a taijutsu? Also, how much Japanese do you speak (or how much English do your instructors in Japan speak)? Training Muay Thai in Korean is one thing - "elbow goes in face" - but I imagine ninjutsu is a lot more complex...

Regarding glasses and martial arts/combat sports - Benson Henderson, who is the current WEC lightweight champion, recently had laser surgery to correct his eyesight. He's shortsighted, and reckons that now (fighting without contacts) he has maybe 3/4 of a second to react to a punch coming his way rather than 1/8 of a second... a lot of people who wear glasses train and fight.

A taijutsu is the way of movement for a martial art really. Amount of Japanese used is dependant on the instructor but there's usually about 2-3 translators in each class anyway. Every technique has a traditional name, but most of the time it's 'when they move here smack them with this'.
So out of the 9 or so schools we are supposed to learn, only about 7 of them have actual listed techniques, the others are more like instruction guides for samurai's.. reading weather, building fortresses etc (cue 'that wouldn't work on the street' statement).

Interesting thing is that the westerners need a lot more 'verbal coaching' when training, whereas the japanese just watch everything very closely - it's rare to see a Japanese student ask an instructor to repeat a technique.

[Peekay]

A taijutsu is the way of movement for a martial art really. Amount of Japanese used is dependant on the instructor but there's usually about 2-3 translators in each class anyway. Every technique has a traditional name, but most of the time it's 'when they move here smack them with this'.
So out of the 9 or so schools we are supposed to learn, only about 7 of them have actual listed techniques, the others are more like instruction guides for samurai's.. reading weather, building fortresses etc (cue 'that wouldn't work on the street' statement).

Interesting thing is that the westerners need a lot more 'verbal coaching' when training, whereas the japanese just watch everything very closely - it's rare to see a Japanese student ask an instructor to repeat a technique.

The first kick I checked was fairly unpleasant - felt good to get the win when I was basically fighting on basic brain stem functions.

So did you go to Japan in the end? Is there any sparring? Such a thing as ninjutsu contests or matches? (I'm thinking no?)

I've noticed that training in Korea, too. Westerners (me) are always asking "so why do we..?", "how can I..?" etc, whereas the Koreans training repeat what they're shown and only change things if they're told to.

[k0pp0]

The first kick I checked was fairly unpleasant - felt good to get the win when I was basically fighting on basic brain stem functions.

So did you go to Japan in the end? Is there any sparring? Such a thing as ninjutsu contests or matches? (I'm thinking no?)

I've noticed that training in Korea, too. Westerners (me) are always asking "so why do we..?", "how can I..?" etc, whereas the Koreans training repeat what they're shown and only change things if they're told to.

End of October for Japan (yay!).

No competitions. No pads or anything in training anyway, but generally training is done very slowly and carefully, almost learning by playing with techniques - getting fingers in the eyes at high speed often offends. Some guys do randori style sparring, usually aiming to tak ethe uke to the floor and control. And quite frankly it can look very ineffective (as can any martial art not being done at full speed/intent).

However, I've been hit/thrown/twisted into pretzels enough times to say that it's very effective. My brother is employed to teach control and restraint techniques, and I reguarly show him little gems from what I do that supplements the teaching he does, and he's worked in places like Broadmoor.

Most of the Japanese guys have high ranks in Judo, Kendo, Jujitsu, Karate etc and have migrated to Ninjutsu - Nagato Sensei was a very handy kickboxer for instance (and scary as fook too) - some great stories about him around as well.

[Peekay]

Most of the Japanese guys have high ranks in Judo, Kendo, Jujitsu, Karate etc and have migrated to Ninjutsu - Nagato Sensei was a very handy kickboxer for instance (and scary as fook too) - some great stories about him around as well.

I Googled him - sounds like a right nutter. Presumably when you go to Japan you're training full-time? What's the schedule like? And what's your training schedule like in the UK?

[Peekay]

My fight from Sunday is here.

[k0pp0]

I Googled him - sounds like a right nutter. Presumably when you go to Japan you're training full-time? What's the schedule like? And what's your training schedule like in the UK?

Training in japan is 2-3 lessons a day, 2 hours each for around 10 days. Generally ruined when we get back. In the uk it depends where you live as to the amount of training you can get in, at the moment it's twice a week for me with the odd lunchtime session thrown in. Before wife + child it was 5-6 times a week.

[wicky]

i do judo, it's been great for fitness but after 18 years of it, i am getting a few creaky bones

ah bless this was back in 2005 - i have since quit (in 2007) and took up netball (due to lots of pain in my joints after every practice)

How is everyone else getting on ?

[Peekay]

How is everyone else getting on ?

Got a fight on the 31st of this month, I'll post a video. (Unless I get knocked out or something.)

[Rick]

My fight from Sunday is here.

hope you don't mind me picking up on a few points as i watched that

Everytime you went for a kick your arms drop, infact they were all over the place at some points. You were telegraphing them in, if you watch you can tell when your going to throw a roundhouse by the way your arms move.

your not covering up when being attacked. I know your probably getting tired with it being 3min rounds, but you need to keep those arms up.

your not using your range advantage.

Where is your jab? In the past I've used a softer jab to make them feel like my jab is crap, then when they stop covering up for the "soft" jab I throw proper one through

Well done for fighting, 3 minute rounds feel like hours

[k0pp0]

Just waiting to see if both my knees disintegrate before I get to Japan. Definitely forsee issues after training there..

[^Katsu]

Just waiting to see if both my knees disintegrate before I get to Japan. Definitely forsee issues after training there..

Hehe, I'd say its a worthwhile forfit esp if you get to train with soke & co. If I could just go somewhere & do something thats where i'd be!

[k0pp0]

Well, I'm in Japan and have been since wednesday last week. It's truly awesome, but my trusty knee injury is trying to make a reappearance.

And I had my lip split very nicely today.

[Charlie]

I've been doing Tai Chi for a while (dunno whether that really qualifies as a martial art) as well as Yoga for over 10 years (which definitely isn't a martial art) and both have the paradoxical effect of simultaneously relaxing and energising me. To say they're physical exercises, I find they benefit the mind more than anything and have a positive effect on my mental clarity and general sense of well-being.

[NW2013]

How much are people paying for their classes and how many classes per week is that for?

Also if Jiu Jitsu any good as a self defence martial art? I'm thinking of going to a class.