Head Punches (again)

[senshido]

Sorry to bring up this old topic, but I have just read a post in another thread which makes me wonder.

karate's focus is on body punching

Since my very first day in Kyokushin I have trained head punches, it has been said before in other threads but I will say it again... the ONLY time I dont use head punches is in knockdown tournaments.
I cant imagine a karate class that doesn't punch to the head, are there dojo's out there that dont? surely not? where does this misconception come from?

[tmd]

where does this misconception come from?

From people who only know Kyokushin from vids of knockdown on youtube :(

[brickshooter]

Yes, I was perplex too but didn't want to be rude and interupt their discussion.

IMO, the head is the favored target with Karate hand strikes during training. The only time I know of favoring the body is when tournament rules dictate.

I do remember some instructors explaining why it's better to target the body, right before they give five different ways to attack the head from five different angles. :D

[meguro]

Osu! I think until head punching is incorporated in tournament play or where dojo sparring features regular head punching at speed, the karateka head punching/defense skills will never be as fully developed as in those who train to compete with head punching. Here's an interesting vid of a Kudo seminar given this year. Notice the shoulder movement. What's that all about? I have no idea. I've got a lot to learn about head punching and more importantly, about protecting my head.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4kr7RyFFRc&NR=1

[brickshooter]

Is it me or did he just take a page from the Mike Tyson style?

[Mas]

From people who only know Kyokushin from vids of knockdown on youtube :(

Osu,
I agree with you there tmd. Some people have a misunderstanding or misconcerption about Kyokushin or more over the techniques that are applied. And still believe that they are right to represent it. By misleading
And it brings such disappointment that through years of learning in the class, they still don't understand the values.

The only time I know of favoring the body is when tournament rules dictate.I do remember some instructors explaining why it's better to target the body, right before they give five different ways to attack the head from five different angles. :D

......ofwhich there are a more number of strikes (not only punches) that can be used in those angles.

[senshido]

Thanks for the responses, I was begining to think I trained on another planet!:D

[jcc]

Thanks for the responses, I was begining to think I trained on another planet!:D

Osu! senshido,

I think Scotland is on another planet! :D (Sorry, couldn´t resist that!)

As a kid I did quite a bit of WUKO, then got introduced to clicker when I came to the UK, so strikes to the face (and defense) was never a problem, but maybe some dojo do lag behind a bit on that aspect of kumite. Over here I´ve yet to see any sort of kumite practice with head strikes. :(

Osu!

[niceguy]

Any decent dojo will teach head punches and spar with face punches from time to time.Just my opinion:)

[senshido]

I think Scotland is on another planet! (Sorry, couldn´t resist that!)

I sometimes think it is too! :D some of the pubs I go to are like the star wars bar!

[M1C]

I'm still new to Karate but we do also train head punches as well as body and lower body punches.

[Mas]

Thanks for the responses, I was begining to think I trained on another planet!

You are more than welcomed senshindo-san :)
And yeah.....the pubs..........:D:D Hee hee, will not disagree there.....

[Dent]

Osu!

The head punch question is a bit of a partner to what ShidokanAtlanta was talking about though. There really is a vast difference between a static head punch and one delivered in full-contact training.

There is so much necessary movement to deliver and avoid (Just as in Meguro's video), and not much of that is covered in the majority of Dojo. Even at the senior level. Exceptions occur in those actively preparing for certain competitions, and while I respect time constraints, I wonder whether the majority are getting what they need? :confused:

Osu!

[tmd]

There is so much necessary movement to deliver and avoid (Just as in Meguro's video), and not much of that is covered in the majority of Dojo. Even at the senior level. Exceptions occur in those actively preparing for certain competitions, and while I respect time constraints, I wonder whether the majority are getting what they need? :confused:

Osu!

A fair point for us all to ponder Dent - for the last few weeks I've been wearing 12 oz Gloves to protect a few injuries and notices a couple of things, a) harder to accurately hit target, b) still making an impact c) very hard to resist punching them in the face and when I do (coz it's toooo damn hard not too :) ) it's very easy because as knockdown fighters we don't use enough head movement and don't tend to use the shoulders up head down stance but to get our kicks working better tend to fight a lot more exposed.

My conclusion - training HP's in the dojo is vital but I realize that knockdown is still the sport I love, it is strong, requires great spirit teaches you not only how to fight, take and impact etc but how to face a tough challenge but inside the limitations of it's rules so it is not 100% suitable for SP (as Kyokushin is in my opinion) - This is true of ALL FIGHTING SPORTS Mawashigeri gedan a Boxer and see how he likes it - not a lot! Because it is outside the scope of his training and the limitations of his SPORT.