Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Old School Series #2: Karate Comes To Belgium



This is too funny. From the "frightening" Ki-ai's at the begining to the amazing feat of breaking a single board, These guys and gals are Kickin' it "Old School". There's even some jazzy music to make it even cooler. At one point, the instructor smacks a woman student in the face with a palm strike, and she goes down. And check out the Flying side kicks to a kneeling opponent! We have to realize how far the combat arts have come in terms of practicality and effectiveness, but this is fairly representitive of Karate in the 1960's. The screen shots go still for a second between scenes, so stick with it. Perhaps our fellow Dojo Rats in Belgium can translate the highlights!

7 comments:

Depechie said...

Hmm my French isn't that good to give you a detailed translation :(

I'm from the Flemish speaking part :)

Sean C. Ledig said...

Hey DR,

Yeah, it's pretty hokey, but I give them credit for the makiwara training.

The last time I saw a makiwara in a martial arts school, the instructor yelled at me for using it. He said hitting it disturbed the people next door.

I guess the makiwara was just for decoration.

These days, it's possible to get a black belt without knowing what it's like to hit anything.

I've said for years that I could beat most of the black belts to come out of karate or tae kwon do schools these days.

It's not because I'm so great (believe me, I'm not) but it's because I'm actually used to hitting things in my training.

After he cold-cocked me while sparring, my old boxing coach told me that I would never be a good fighter until I got a heavy bag and started using it.

I took his advice, saved my money and bought one.

Dojo Rat said...

H2H:
I agree, hit hard, hit first, hit fast.

Sean C. Ledig said...

My motto is "For God's sake, hit something!"

One of my biggest pet peeves is that most black belts these days seem to get their rank without ever learning to hit or get hit in their training.

I have a good friend who's a yidan under an extremely reputable TKD 7th dan, yet my friend can't hit a standard 70 or 80 pound heavy bag without having his wrist collapse on impact.

I hate to say it, but that poor guy wouldn't last a second in a real street fight.

C. C. Pieschala said...

DR said it right,
Did anybody see the Kimbo fight on Showtime? Yes the same Kimbo from youtube. His style "brawling".

He went up against some UFC 285 pound nightmare. Kimbo just threw an upper cut then cold cocked him. This guy was trying to tap the mat before he even landed face first on it. Fight was over in 19 seconds. I loved it.

Oh since we love dogging "ring fighting" ..

I told my buddy watching it "Kimbo is gonna win". He said, "how do you know that?" "Easy he controls the center and won't give it up."

Fighting is really pretty simple if you follow a few guidelines.

0. Let them talk trash; be planning your attack. You are then prepared and you forgot to listen to their B.S.

1. Power side forward, you telegraph less, look more relaxed (neutral stances are best) and it keeps your natural weapons close to the bad guy. You can get in quicker.

2. Always know where your exit is, I keep mine at about 8 o`clock

3. Play "king of the hill" for control of the center (ring, room, attention whatever)

4. ALWAYS use 1,2,3, (4,5,6), (7,8,9) combinations. With 1 of the 3 a distraction the other 2 "enders" i.e. smashing ear drums.

5. Wait until he opens his mouth (he's winded or breath will be out of sync) and attack full blast. Besides I personally hate loud mouths.

These simple concepts work in the ring and out of it. Rules or no rules.

Go Kimbo, you're my kind of fighter!

Dojo Rat said...

Mr. P:
I now agree with your statement "power side foward". I used to fight left-lead, because I am right handed. Now I prefer right-lead, power side foward. Better lead attacks and better balence between sides, with the left cross or reverse punch nearly as strong as the right lead.
I like your checklist

C. C. Pieschala said...

That was taught in my Ji Do Kwan school. My instructor used to threaten to tie your belts together if you didn't fight. Comments like "if I wanted to watch 2 girls dance I'd go to a gay bar" and "you're boring me (then he'd swap your fighter with a fresh one)" weren't un common either.

This was all AFTER class though, if you know what I mean.