»

[Layne]

Osu!

I'm beginning to feel frustrated with myself during kumite, not because I get beaten most of the time ( a white belt here...) but I'm starting to have this bad mental habit forming of trying to control my punches to a degree that it becomes just a tap to my opponent, and also worrying that I might give a bad impression that If I throw fast, powerful punches, I'm trying to hurt my fellow students.

So far I've done around 5 kumite class sessions, and each one builds on the other that it becomes frustrating for me. Here are the things that frustrates me / worries me:

1. I spar with a higher belt kid - perhaps 12 yrs old, so I just tap-punch him but I allow him to punch me with his power shot, some I can block, others I can't, at the end of the session, I feel I didn't learn anything...
2. I spar with a frail lady black belt - I'm sure she can take any power, I don't try to push it, because I might give the impression that being new I'm trying to be bully, so she returns the same power I give her, i.e., tap-punch...
3. I spar with white belt kid - perhaps 10 but heavy built and taller than I am, I learned that even higher belt kids, and in this instance, a white belt opponent, still doesn't know how to control their power, or how to punch properly with control and technique, so I let him make me a punching bag and I don't throw much power either...
4. I sparred once with a heavy built black belt - the only time I enjoyed kumite, because I got bruised and felt his controlled power, but totally worth it. Only frustration is he seldom spar with white belts, don't want to ask him as not to sound foolhardy...
5.And last and the most frustrating, bad habit for me - I spar with higher ranks, but allow them to throw punches and I just try to block because I'm trying to learn their techniques and how they attack, in the end I become a human punching bag. I also have this very bad habit of looking at the centre of their chest and not the face or below the neck, so I'm like hanging my head during kumite if we're the same height...

I need your expertise please. Whenever I'm facing my opponent, should I relax my body, and in so doing, the punches to my chest will be felt so much, or flex with arms in blocking mode (to block kicks to face) so that my body will be stiff but punches to my chest will be easily absorbed and ignored?

Maybe, next kumite will be a better one for me, as I'm thinking of going with a bit of power in my punches, perhaps, taking 2 to deliver 1, and not worry that I spar with kids, ladies or white belts. So many things going on in my head during kumite, but hey, I'm a white belt!

Osu!

[sandman]

Do you feel comfortable asking your sensei about this?

I would imagine he'd understand where you are coming from and would be happy to help you - it would probably be easier for him to point you in the right direction than for us...

[powerof0ne]

Five kumite sessions still leaves a lot of room for growth. It takes some time.

Control is great but there is such a thing as too much control. You have to 'let loose' some times and go for it a bit. If you don't, you'll miss out on a lot of stuff. A lot of this is trial and error, finding out what works for you and doesn't. If you're always holding back that your punches are just a 'tap tap' I urge you to quit doing this.

I don't care if somebody is frail if they're doing kumite with a black belt on and they can't handle you then they shouldn't be wearing a black belt.

I realize I might say some of this a bit crude but it really is the honest truth and I hope you stick to doing years and years of kumite.
Osu!

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by powerof0ne

I don't care if somebody is frail if they're doing kumite with a black belt on

(Puts on white belt.)

Osu!

[Hangtime]

In all honesty, I didn't become comfortable with kumite until I was on the road to my nidan...no joke. I'd felt "comfortable" with kumite since I was a 4th or 5th kyu; yes, there is a difference.

Learning to throw a technique, defend, etc will help you feel "comfortable", but it take years of practice and honing your skills to become comfortable. Seek all the help you can (you're in a great place for that, by the way ). I regularly ask Shihan's, including my instructor, for ways to improve and my main squeeze dance partner (Sandman) if they notice anything strange during our sessions. It doesn't hurt to ask; the more you know about your faults, as well as your strengths, the more prepared you are to address them and attack them.

I spend a lot, A LOT of time doing kumite at our organizations functions and black belt testings. One camp about 3 years ago: I drove down Thursday and spend nearly a solid hour sparring with our reigning heavyweight champion, sparred during that portion of the black belt test Friday night, and took every kumite course offered at the camp on Saturday. My legs looked like hamburger meat on Sunday and I felt like cooked ice cream.

K4L was key in helping me establish good strength and conditioning practices/regime/evaluation process (Meguro, Gary, Sandman immediately come to mind; feedback from Dent & Fred; ideas abound from others).

All of that leads me to this question: outside of the sparring sessions, are you putting any work into getting better? Are you working on throwing technique/combinations outside of class? Are you addressing your fitness at all?

You can't necessarily control what other people do, but you have total control over yourself and your training. It may help to have a steady sparring partner in your class that you can train with before/after class, if your sensei allows. Once you can control the things you can control, the things you can't won't matter much (*filing that one in the "Hangtime's Gems" folder...).

OSU!

[sandman]

Great post Hangtime - repped

[FredInChina]

Tried to rep you too --- no chance.
Great post indeed.

Osu!

[Hangtime]

Thanks Sandman & Fred.

OSU!

[Cujo]

Layne,

Perhaps your sensei has a reason for your opponents thus far. Cordially and respectfully ask him why he partnered you up with those opponents during down time (before or after class or send him an email). Don't be afraid to ask him for stronger opponents if you feel that you are ready and make sure that no one else can hear you so you don't hurt their feelings. Maybe he is testing the other person instead of you. Or maybe he sees that you have great control and that you can handle any opponent. In one class, I had to fight 3 to 4 consecutive times without rest because I was tall and harder to knock out plus I could really kick hard (so I was told anyway). It was a small class so yes only 3 - 4 times and it would have been more if we had more people brave enough to be in Kyokushin. We had some Preying Mantis Kung-fu practitioners watch us and they were shaking their heads at how hard we were pounding each other and hobbling afterwards (the Kyokushin Strut).

@Hangtime, yes very nice post and rep time.

[Layne]

Originally Posted by sandman

Do you feel comfortable asking your sensei about this?

...

Not at this point as I'm not comfortable yet, maybe another month or so, will come to that if as we go along...

Originally Posted by powerof0ne

Five kumite sessions still leaves a lot of room for growth. It takes some time.


I don't care if somebody is frail if they're doing kumite with a black belt on and they can't handle you then they shouldn't be wearing a black belt.

I realize I might say some of this a bit crude but it really is the honest truth and I hope you stick to doing years and years of kumite.
Osu!

I also think that it might also take time, but thanks for reminding me... And I intend to stick with KK until the body is able, even if I move to another country in a few years time, one of the first consideration for me as early as now is a good KK dojo...

Originally Posted by Hangtime

All of that leads me to this question: outside of the sparring sessions, are you putting any work into getting better? Are you working on throwing technique/combinations outside of class? Are you addressing your fitness at all?

You can't necessarily control what other people do, but you have total control over yourself and your training. It may help to have a steady sparring partner in your class that you can train with before/after class, if your sensei allows.
OSU!

Yes, I'm hitting the bag, working on my mawashi geri and 1 2 combos and hooks, lifting weight and doing squats for power kicks. We rotate during kumite and there's no steady sparring partner...

Originally Posted by Cujo

Layne,

Perhaps your sensei has a reason for your opponents thus far. Cordially and respectfully ask him why he partnered you up with those opponents during down time (before or after class or send him an email).

@Hangtime, yes very nice post and rep time.

will do that when I'm comfortable talking with him, now is just not the time, I'm very new with kumite and KK, and I need time to adjust, maybe next kumite will increase power and stand toe to toes with those kids and ladies alike, not just be 'punching bag'. thanks

Really appreciate you all giving your insights on this and spending time with this post.

I'm sure it will get better as I progress...

Osu!

[FredInChina]

Originally Posted by Layne

(...) I'm sure it will get better as I progress...

ahhhhh --- yes

osu!

[Smoke]

Originally Posted by Layne

Osu!

2. I spar with a frail lady black belt - I'm sure she can take any power, I don't try to push it, because I might give the impression that being new I'm trying to be bully, so she returns the same power I give her, i.e., tap-punch...

I've sparred with upper belts that are not as strong as I am, but I don't give it reason to make the fight handicapped.

I figure if he/she has endured the vigors of Kyokushin training, he/she can take a good sparring (mind you, I don't mean go full force, but I never go easy or let myself become a target simply because he/she is physically weaker!)

Osu!

[Layne]

Originally Posted by Smoke

I've sparred with upper belts that are not as strong as I am, but I don't give it reason to make the fight handicapped.

I figure if he/she has endured the vigors of Kyokushin training, he/she can take a good sparring (mind you, I don't mean go full force, but I never go easy or let myself become a target simply because he/she is physically weaker!)

Osu!

Osu!

a good idea to have this mindset next sparring session...will definitely do this...

Osu!

[kakatootoshi]

Originally Posted by Layne

1. I spar with a higher belt kid - perhaps 12 yrs old, so I just tap-punch him but I allow him to punch me with his power shot, some I can block, others I can't, at the end of the session, I feel I didn't learn anything...

You learnt to block punches. Is not that imporant enough?
You could not block some of the punches. Is not that reasonable and fair enough?

Originally Posted by Layne

2. I spar with a frail lady black belt - I'm sure she can take any power, I don't try to push it, because I might give the impression that being new I'm trying to be bully, so she returns the same power I give her, i.e., tap-punch...

Originally Posted by Layne

3. I spar with white belt kid - perhaps 10 but heavy built and taller than I am, I learned that even higher belt kids, and in this instance, a white belt opponent, still doesn't know how to control their power, or how to punch properly with control and technique, so I let him make me a punching bag and I don't throw much power either...

I do not know what is a "tap punch" but it does not mean you have to punch slow. Of course you do not punch them with full power. There should be an in-between, fast, relaxed and not all the way in, just hitting the outside.

BUT ASK YOUR SEMPAI TO SHOW YOU AND DO NOT ASK SOMEONE ON THE INTERNET TO DESCRIBE FORCE, YOU NEED A LIVE DEMONSTRATION. KYOKUSHIN KARATE IS NOT ONLINE KARATE OR TALK KARATE.

Originally Posted by Layne

4. I sparred once with a heavy built black belt - the only time I enjoyed kumite, because I got bruised and felt his controlled power, but totally worth it. Only frustration is he seldom spar with white belts, don't want to ask him as not to sound foolhardy...

What if the black belt comes here and says the other day he sparred with a Layne guy and he did not enjoy it? In a Dojo whether someone is superior or inferior to you in skills, physical built or other data, you should take the Kumite serious and adapt to their abilities so that both can test their skills to a maximum level that both feel comfortable. Even if you spar against a 5-year-old kid, you can improve your footwork by circling around him. Every one in the Dojo has the right to improve and if you can enjoy every Kumite, you will learn more and consider them all worthwhile experiences..

Originally Posted by Layne

I spar with higher ranks, but allow them to throw punches and I just try to block because I'm trying to learn their techniques and how they attack, in the end I become a human punching bag.

I do not understand what you mean by to "allow" them to throw punches. You do not allow them. They just punch and either you can or cannot block. Stop thinking about learning their techniques or other things which bother you (you can vividly decribe what is bothering you so you are already answering your questions) JUST BLOCK, PARRY, MOVE AROUND and FIGHT BACK! After the Kumite you should have learnt something.

Originally Posted by Layne

I need your expertise please. Whenever I'm facing my opponent, should I relax my body, and in so doing, the punches to my chest will be felt so much, or flex with arms in blocking mode (to block kicks to face) so that my body will be stiff but punches to my chest will be easily absorbed and ignored?

When you are in the ready position, relax.
When you are attacking or blocking, become tensed at the last moment of impact. And go back to the ready position.

Kumite is this simple cycle. Now clear you mind and do not think too much when you are doing Kumite.

[TheShah]

I can see where your coming from about not wanting to go too hard.

I have a middle aged green belt at my dojo, i was going hard and he was just blocking and throwing a few techniques, i thought this is how it was supposed to be, i didn't for one second think i could beat him, my Shihan stopped me and gave me a little lecture, i could tell i'd made him a bit angry, but yeah now i control myself, except when fighting my own age (we kind of have a silent agreement that we can go hard) and fighting blackbelts as the USUALLY encourage to go my hardest.. then mae geri me in the solar plexus :P
Edit: I'm also a whitebelt, how old are you?

[Layne]

Osu!

Thanks Kakatootoshi, I get your point. My 'allowing them' I mean I don't retaliate most times, just absorb hits, but thanks for the pointers. Will just go with the flow of kumite and power up whenever needed...

TheShah, i'm almost 40.

Osu!

[residentrenzo]

Originally Posted by Layne

Osu!

Thanks Kakatootoshi, I get your point. My 'allowing them' I mean I don't retaliate most times, just absorb hits, but thanks for the pointers. Will just go with the flow of kumite and power up whenever needed...

TheShah, i'm almost 40.

Osu!

Your advice is very valuable to me as well, Kakatootoshi. Thanx a lot!

BTW I'm 41, that "allowing them" bit, I confess I also did that
...in my case, out of frustration. Sparring against brown and black belt young dudes, I thought "I can't get these guys so I'll try to at least practice blocking" but I got carried away lost my concentration and burned out very quickly.

I've got grading exam next week and I'll have 3 kumite rounds in a row

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by Layne

TheShah, i'm almost 40.

Originally Posted by residentrenzo

BTW I'm 41, that "allowing them" bit, I confess I also did that

The majority of my current adult students are in their 40's. They often seem to struggle with their own power. Meaning that they have been told not to hit, not to get angry, not to allow physical expression through fighting, and this really hampers their progress. (Note: I"m seeing more and more of it in the children too, and I don't like it there either..... )

This leads to a lot of frustration, and cracking that social shell is proving to be quite a challenge. So much ego is involved in the process that even close friends can become quite snippy with each other.

Osu!

[residentrenzo]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!
The majority of my current adult students are in their 40's. They often seem to struggle with their own power. Meaning that they have been told not to hit, not to get angry, not to allow physical expression through fighting, and this really hampers their progress. (Note: I"m seeing more and more of it in the children too, and I don't like it there either..... )

This leads to a lot of frustration, and cracking that social shell is proving to be quite a challenge. So much ego is involved in the process that even close friends can become quite snippy with each other.

Osu!

It's very hard for me to control punches and kicks, but I believe I can get better if I keep training.

Dent, as a sensei how do you deal with such students? Perhaps you could give us advice to overcome insecurities we newbies usually have.

I'd like sometime in the future to study at your dojo for a couple months (if I keep training hard and toughen up... maybe a few years from now so I won't die, that is). Having you as sensei must be challenging but also very rewarding.

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by residentrenzo

It's very hard for me to control punches and kicks, but I believe I can get better if I keep training.

Dent, as a sensei how do you deal with such students? Perhaps you could give us advice to overcome insecurities we newbies usually have.

Thank you for the kind words, Residentrenzo.

You already have the first part of the solution. Time in the Dojo. Second is to choose three things to work on. The third is to find like-minded partners for practice. People that you can communicate with openly. Fourth is to take advantage of every opportunity for Kumite, treating each person as a learning moment. I get a lot of benefit from training with every single partner, from the smallest to the biggest, youngest to oldest, and weakest to toughest.

Osu!