Next belt test

[BigAl]

I'm in the middle of this. While I agree that it's always valuable to ask your sensei first and foremost (especially for something like this, as he will be the one testing you and not us on the forum), I don't feel it's improper for them to ask others for more input on what they could do.

I had a fantastic instructor several years ago who could teach and train with the best of them, but was not what I would say in the best physical shape which he himself admitted. He wanted more of an instructing role than a fighting role, and he was a great instructor who passed on a lot of ideas that only recently have started clicking. In my eyes, anything related to what I was training in, he was the man to ask. However, I doubt I would approach him for physical fitness tips.

As to the OP: You've gotten some great ideas here already. As for my own, my own sempai is big on having us do rounds of bagwork with rope skipping in between what would be the rest times (i.e. 2 minutes working combinations on the bag, 1 min skipping rope) and repeat for the length of time you're expected to perform. However, also as said previously, if you're not sure what all the test will entail the best thing to do first and foremost is to ask your sensei.

[Nix]

Often the Sensei do not yet know, or do not wish to tell the student exactly how the grading will proceed. Some things in the curriculum may be written in stone, while others are guidelines that can be adjusted to the student(s) performance and skill. For example, if the curriculum only say "kumite", the grading board can decide how many rounds, depending on how well the individual student does at the grading. Of course, it's always adviseable to inquire with the Sensei, and hope that he/she will give some pointers on exactly what to focus on.

As you say, running is good. Personally I don't really fancy it, sadly, however I have enjoyed the positive effects of it. Sprinting up stairs or steep hills is definatelly good for cardio, but unfortunatly not so good for your knees. You could also do sprint intervals, for example by sprinting 50 meters, jog slowly for 25, then sprint again - you can use the distance between lamp posts for measure.

[sandman]

First, I think this is a great place to post questions about training - I whole-heartedly agree that the sensei is the place to start, but as several have mentioned already, the sensei doesn't always know everything there is to know, and I think its great to pick up little tips from a variety of people. For example, I didn't have any idea what a burpee was until reading about it in this forum, and I've since added them to my training. I love 'em (and I hate 'em too)! Also, someone earlier in this thread mentioned flapjacks - I still don't know what that is but I'd like to find out (I don't remember seeing the explanation anywhere)....

As for your training amokbel - I have found that its best to put the most emphasis on the activities that are most like sparring - bag work, shadow boxing, and of course as much actual sparring as you can get in. On top of that, I do a mix of long distance running and sprinting. When I'm a ways out from the event, I tend to do more long distance, for example 2 to 3 miles 4 days a week and sprints 2 days a week - 100 meters is a good distance for the sprints (for me anyway). The key is to push yourself harder everytime you do it. Time your self on the long distance and try to beat your last time everytime you run. When you sprint, increase the intensity every time by running one more sprint, sprinting a little further, or jogging back to the start line between sprints instead of walking, etc... Depending on where you are now, you might start with say 4 or 6 sprints, and by the time you are a few weeks away from your test you could be up to 12 or 14 or so. Apply that same concept to your shadowboxing and bag work - if you can only do 4 2 minute rounds now, slowly add rounds and work your way up to 12 or 14 rounds. For both the running and the shadowboxing / bag work, as I get closer to the event I start changing the focus from volume to intensity - I cut the long distance running back to just a couple times per week and up the sprinting to 4 times / week, and I also start doing fewer rounds on the bag, but I do it with as much intensity as possible on those rounds.

Its also a good idea to do some strength work - at a minimum do pushups and situps (or crunches or whatever) and some kind of leg work. When I am training for a fight I like to do a lot of squatting kicks, lunging kicks, bunny hops, duck walks, and stuff like that, along with bear crawls, various versions of pushups and a s#% load of ab work. I'm definitely also going to be doing burpees now that I know what they are

The last little piece of advice is to make sure you don't stop your cardio training too early before the test. I learned that one from experience - I had been training like crazy for my first "big" fight, and my sensei recommended that I start to take it easy when the fight got close. I sort of mis-interpreted his advice and stopped the cardio altogether about a week before the fight, and I ended up gassing big time. It was a shame because I had been in the best shape of my life.... Live and learn I guess.

I hope that helps...

OSU!

[Spirit]

Look the question was "I'm getting ready for my next belt test in December. Going for 4th Kyu.

Any suggestions on how to get ready?"

Yet no one has given this guy a straight answer on ALL aspects of a testing...
All everyone can say is sparring an cardio...

MMMM sure cardio is good, but that should already being taken care of in a standard class, so should sparring [as well everything else one needs to know for each testing].
Yet no one talks about, kata, basics, written test, ideologies, vigor, spirit determination ... should I go on???

This is the point that makes it so true that the forum gives answers, yet no way close to the answers people really need to hear.

In 30 years sitting on testing boards, being fit in cardio had no determination to me and to each of the members if one would pass or not.

And just because one is "in-shape" does not or did not help them pass if they could not do kata with spirit and realistic movement etc. Nor did it help if one could do burbee or sprints all day long if they totally burned out because of nerves energy drain. Or they personally sucked or bullied others during sparring.
Their are so many different thoughts and angles to testing and yet no one even came close to go down that road.

PS 99% of the board knows who they are going to promote even before the test [with-in a dojo type testing] Yes this is different if one tests at camp or outside your dojo, but spirit, vigor , determination and being a balanced all around karateka usually if far better than just being in shape and a good fighter.
If you are promoted based on sparring you are being cheated out of ALL the kyokushin experience

[Nix]

Spirit,

The original post was somewhat vague, whereafter amokbel elaborated and said that he specifically seeked advice about endurance and kumite, as this is his main concern. This explains why other posters have attempted to give advice on cardio and sparring. Of course, kumite is only a small part of a grading, so kihon, kata etc. should not be forgotten.

Osu!

[tmd]

Yes the initial question was vague and no the first answers were not work on your cardio they were work on your Kata and study you syllabus the writer was then asked to be more specific and he was, I need help with kumite. Then to reiterate, I really need help with kumite and cardio. hence the 'advise' not answers were provided.

No, grades should not be dependent on fitness or fighting ability at all it is about being a well rounded karateka with the right level of knowledge representative of the test you are about to undergo, if this includes kumite then you need to be as prepared for this as the kata and kihon.

[amokbel]

And the debate goes on...

First, thank you Sandman and Nix for your answers. I'll integrate your ideas into my daily workouts.

Spirit:

what I didn't mentioned, although I didn't think I had to, is that I do practice my katas after my workouts. Since I do my workouts outside in a nearby park, I have plenty of space to do my katas. I always bring my kata book with me to make sure I do the techniques I'm not sure about right. I sometimes integrate some "standard" exercises we do in class, like punching and kicking sequences, etc. As well as meditation and lots of static and dynamic stretching.

Again, I wasn't clear in my original question. Like I elaborated in my previous post, due to long off period between my last class and now, I am mostly concerned about my stamina and being able to stay up during the test. My cardio and endurance has improved during the last month, but since we have only one class a week, and I always had bad endurance, I don't like the "speed of my progress", hence, my question... and yes, I am deeply concerned about the kumite. I know and I accepted that I will be destroyed, but, if I can minimize the degree of destruction, that would be great.

Also, Spirit, I am dumbfounded at how you are so strong minded on this debate when I saw in another post, a member who basically asked for a curriculum and wishes to learn on his own. I would think that asking for tips of improve my endurance would be more "tangible" than flat out asking to be taught kyokushin online. any thoughts?

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by amokbel

And the debate goes on...
Also, Spirit, I am dumbfounded at how you are so strong minded on this debate when I saw in another post, a member who basically asked for a curriculum and wishes to learn on his own. I would think that asking for tips of improve my endurance would be more "tangible" than flat out asking to be taught kyokushin online. any thoughts?

Because unlike most, I'll tell straight how it is...

If you only train 1 day a week then your sensei will set the testing {should} so.
Your training should be all you need to be in shape for each testing or tournament.
If not then move on and find a dojo that trains you so.
This is a basic fact that is so forgotten by the youth of this forum.
The dojo you train in should train each student to a level or degree so they can handle any testing or tourney WITHOUT outside training or special training needs other than weight training.
You should be doing Kata till to feel like you are going to puke, as well fight in class hard and often as well at least get a good lesson in sparring from a more talented fighter once if not more a month.
You should be able at any point execute your techniques [according to your rank] without having to do extra training to meet or exceed the expectations of the person asking.

This is the facts, and I get a bit tied of reading all the B/S that is so often spread on the forum.

Sure asking is a good thing, it is so often what is ask that is not good...
Take a look at more than 90% of the threads on this forum or others. "who could win bruce lee or sosai....or best fighter ever stupid question. If you are interested in Karate focus or Karate and learn from what is going on in the dojo where you have live in person people to correct you actually and not give you assumptions based on a question that is so often not to the point and then runs amuck do to everyone talking about this and that.
FOCUS on what is going on at the dojo, one does not need to ask question if they are observing what is going on during class!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Observation is the strongest tool you have and need to learn to use it every second of the day in your life.

[hasbeen]

osu amokbel!!

my considered thought is, once a week is not enough.

my thoughts are:

once a week to stay at the same level and consolidate.

twice a week to improve slowly.

three times a week imo is what is required for an average person, or it was for me.

your kumite will only improve with practice, again imo at the moment the practice is just not enough.....i am trying to think of things to help but the only way anybody can learn karate is under the supervision of somebody who knows what they are doing.....books+dvd`s etc are just a waste of time.

if your sensei is only able to teach you once a week for a couple of hours, i think you will struggle.....how about approaching your sensei and saying you would like to train two or three times a week and see what ideas she comes up with?

imo sparring outside of the discipline of a dojo is not a good idea but in this instance how about approaching somebody senior who appears to be sensible and ask for help with your sparring, most people are flattered when their help is asked for.

if you cannot train under your existing sensei more than once a week, i think you are wasting your time and should consider going else where.

my 2 cents is only offered trying to help you...the big thing i would say is please do not try and learn from dvd`s and books..great for watching and reading but if you try and learn unsupervised you WILL develop bad habits.

[amokbel]

OSU Spirit and Hasbeen,

You are both correct. Once a week is not enough. I am being told by the shihan that it is because they are renovating the building where the actual dojo is and that we'll get it back in January. Meanwhile, our Sensei, the other students and I are looking for alternatives locations for training during the week.

Thank you for sharing.

OSU
Alan

[tmd]

Just a quick note - as of last Thursday I backed off and readdresses my training based on advise from GJL & Big Al, trained Thursday Friday and Saturday, intensive stuff but only 1 session a day (1-2hrs)

I was then away for 3 days this week, eat well and had a few beers didn't get to train till Thursday night. It was honestly like I was on something, I haven't felt that fit in 20 years. Very strange and probably just a reaction to the rest after so much over training, the only downside is my weight, I really, really can't see me ever getting down to 70kG's so maybe the national events maybe a bit of a stretch but lets just see where this new format takes me, if K2 had been today, after Thursday session I would have had a go .

[seienchin]

Originally Posted by amokbel

what I didn't mentioned, although I didn't think I had to, is that I do practice my katas after my workouts.

amokbel.
This, in my opinion, is where a big shift in focus and attitude might be required.

In the Kyokushin system I was raised in, 4th kyu was the first "senior" grading. it was the first really hard grading, where you would be pushed to your limits. 10th to 5th kyu are the beginner grades. 4th kyu is where you get down and get dirty in full flight.

To become a rounded karateka, you have to work hard on all aspects of yoru training. You probably didn't mean it to, but the statement above indicates a mind-set that kata is an "add-on" that you can do when you are spent after working on the important stuff.

Certainly, that is one way to practise kata. The problem with it is that you might then develop habits of slow movements, sluggish thoughts, and not concentrating on the kata. Kata is NOT about just doing the movements. To do kata at proper green-belt level, they need to see you knock an opponent down with EVERY strike and kick, even in the very basic kata.

You have to revisit the beginner kata, and start to do them like a mature karate-ka. A green-belt doing a kata with the same level of focus as a blue-belt would fail in my dojo. It should be obvious to all, if 2 karate-ka are doing a kata side-by side, without their belts, who is the higher rank. Make sure you practice your kata so that every one of them is a "black-belt" kata.

Try making kata the "main game" of your workout at least once a week. Work the kata with every ounce of strength and speed you have. You should be utterly spent after 30 minutes of hard kata. If you are not, it is not because you are super fit. it is because you don't know how to do kata properly - because the fitter you are, the stronger your kata. It is like "30 minutes running flat out" - no matter how fit you are, you will be exhausted, because your "flat out" becomes stronger after each improvement in your fitness.

bonus - kata trained in this way does help your cardio fitness too... It is not a complete replacement, but neither is it a rest. In particular, it helps your explosivity, which comes out in punches and kicks in kihon, ido-kihon, and kumite.

Best of luck, - but definitely ask your sensei which kata you will have to do!!!!

[GJEChamberlain]

Osu! tmd,

Supercompensation in action.

Onwards and upwards!

Gary

[amokbel]

OSU Seienchin

Thank you for your advice, much appreciated.
I didn't mean to make it sound like "kata" was an extra. What I meant to say is that training for katas is "simple", i.e. I know clearly how to train for it: You do the kata. That's why my question was more focused on the kumite.

Thanks for bringing up the point that doing katas is also helping in endurance and cardio. I will keep that in mind and do katas more often.

OSU

Alan

[seienchin]

Originally Posted by amokbel

. I know clearly how to train for it: You do the kata. That's why my question was more focused on the kumite.

Amokbel- at risk of sounding like a "kata-nag", I have to chip in a response to this.

If you just do reps of the kata over and over, you will just consolidate (probably into sloppiness, unless you are a truly remarkable karateka).

There are three core elements to training a kata AFTER you know where your feet, hands and gaze should be going.

These are:
Tempo of technique
Ponits of Power Stress
and Breath control.

Doing a kata well is like the difference between hearing a clever and precocious six-year-old play a piece of Bach on their little violin, and then hearing it played with emotion, power, strength by one of the great violinists. There is just no comparison, even though both of them play EXACTLY the same notes. If you want to improve your kata, you need to be trying to turn your kata into the Yehudi Menuhin version!!!!

If you can get hold of a copy, Cam Quinn's book "Budo Karate of Mas Oyama" has 3 excellent chapters on kata training that I think are essential reading for green-belt.

Best of luck....!!!

[amokbel]

OSU Seienchin

I'll definitely get the book. Thank you for your insight. You are indeed absolutely right.

I just wanted to clarify what I meant by "I know clearly how to train for it: You do the kata." I'll use fat loss as an example...

There are many ways to train for fat loss, from resistance training to cardio to sports, etc. Right? As long as you expense enough energy and eat well, you're golden. For me, it's the same for kata, where you have a specific formula to follow (now enhanced by your comments). That's all I really meant...

I completely understand and agree with your comments. It's not enough to just "do the kata", and at green belt level, it's not acceptable anymore to do katas like a white belt...

You made me realize that getting my green belt means more than just getting belt and is indeed a major step in my career as a karateka, as I am getting closer and closer to shodan.

I'll look for the book and read it.

OSU

Alan

[seienchin]

You are welcome...and we look forward to hearing the story of your successful grading!