By and large, it was a good kata, well performed. The current trend in ultra-fast tournament kata does nothing for me. The "stomping" in your kata does not appear forced by you, and it's probably a consequence of the floor, and your weight (no offence intended). Performing this kata in the dojo wrecks my head (and my legs)... but if could offer you any advice it would be to try getting the rear foot to face more forward in zenkutsu.. that will stop the knee from collapsing.
yes in western society it would appear strong, threatening and the way we would feel a martial art should be displayed but shotokan should laid down traditionally when done in its home town.
I think the stomping is a fatal flaw, if I may say so and if this is a grading, he would have failed. But my respect still goes out to him for posting, I think it takes a lot of courage to post one's karate videos on the internet and I can also hope that I can still perform kata as powerful as him when I reach my late 40s.
I train in JKA under Ochi sensei here in Germany. The performer looks very dedicated and powerful in his kata performance. This is commendable especially since he's probably in his mid to late 40s/early 50s. However my main criticism is the stomping. Whether intentional or not, it shows poor execution of technique and makes the whole performace look clumsy and at times comical.
To all, there is nothing wrong with a fast lunge punch and a slow uchi uke( it is not an uchi uke really. It is breaking a grab and pushing my opponet's grabbing hand/arm into my opponet, which allows me to lunge forward for another punch.
Hi, I'm in my late 30's and have been practising Shotokan most of my life. I started in a JKA branch-out (cut-off) dojo in the Philippines, and continued practicing in a JKA dojo in New York since 2001. I was always taught by my Japanese teachers (JKA or not)to step with minmal sound and only stomp when the technique calls for it (However, stomp HARD). Maybe that's why they didn't took you kata so well? Did Nishiyama teach you the same thing? I'm curious...
Nishiyama never taught me to stomp into the floor. Stomping is a side effect of other things. Stomping itself was not the goal. If you were using your lower body, and your legs to deliver the technique, and using return force from the floor, then you might get a stompping sound.
I do high stances because that is the way it is taught in ITKF. The slow Uchi Uke is because I see it as a pressing block forward, not a pulling back action. I feel it is a power move and should be done slowly. I also did it, to slow down the pace of the kata and to show proper hip motion. Thank you for your comments.
The cheif instructor is Heditaka Nishiyama in California. In competition you can change the timing of the kata. Kata techniques are "set in stone" if you think they should be. But, I feel as you move along on a karate path, sometimes kata techniques, or the way of doing techniques in general may need to change. Each to his own is what I say. I hold nothing against those who do not want to change techniques, and those who do it for sound reasons. I feel my changes are sound. Thanks for commenting
I think your movement is really impressive for your body type. You are quick, and thus powerful. My only criticism is that at times your back foot droops, collapsing your knee. This means there is a major flaw in your stance at that point. However, for the majority of the time, your stance is clean. Your hips are sharp and fluid, and really impressive. Also, I thought your sidekicks and following strikes were great.
Yeah, that blasted back foot. I am working on it. Sometimes I can do it correct for a few months, and then I slide back into bad habits. Some days are good, and some days are bad. Thanks for your comments.
Some one posted a comment on how they agreed I stamped too much, but at the end of the kata what I did was okay, and that I should bring this approach to the rest of my kata. To that person, I accepted you comments, it was there for a few days. I just now accidently erased it. Please post again. I just want to reply to your comments, not remove them. My deepest apologies to you.
No it is not. Well it is not meant to be. It is a shotokan version. Not a typical version I will admit. Sorry for not replying sooner. Thank you for you comments.
all i can see is,so called experts bad mouthing this guy doing kata,post some video,s of yourselves so we can all learn,i,m sure this guy would appreciate helpful critisism after all we all follow the same path no matter what style we do,none of us are perfect,if we were we wouldnt have to train anymore,i thought the kata was good,lots of spirit
I have noticed there are a lot of nasty insulting comments on this guys kata,we should all be striving to help each other and make our karate better,none of us are perfect we all make mistakes,then all those that are perfect should post some video,s of them selves so we can all learn.how we treat each other is also an important part of karate
Solid kata, the jumps especially were clean (not easy for a person with your build). One thing I noticed on the first the oi-zukis as well as the mae-geri/urakens is that your front knee in zenkutsu-dachi seems to be pushing back a little bit, creating slight instability (jerking) at the start of shifting or the finish (kosa-dachi wobbles). I only noticed because those stood out as the less solid parts of a strong kata. Just my 2cents!
Yes, having self important arseholes not honestly giving me advice, but just taking shots. Calling it a crappy kata, no understanding of kihon, etc. That is not helpful. That is just expressions of self importance and arrogance. I do not have to take it, not from you or anyone. People who want to tell me what I am doing wrong, get the utmost respect from me, like greynobody below here.
So, I have to ask, who is really bringing out the dummy. You?? Or Me??? I think you are.
I enjoy this performance more each time I watch it. The stomping is merely a result of the floor and the microphone rather than real. My two bits? Should be more hip action on the wrist twist from the two step in punches? Maybe greater and faster recoil on the side kicks? And perhaps you could make sure to lead your body motion with your eyeline. I do not suggest I could do better, I just am seeing this from a "coaches" perspective. I really don't care much for Kanku Sho.
Katasochin, I accidently removed your comment. But it was about how arrogant I am for posting a video of myself. First, you use an anonymous name. You do not have a video of yourself to prove that you are so great. Lastly, you are a hypocrite. It is totally arrogant to post in the manner in which you did. You are the arrogant one not me.
So kindly move on, your comments are not welcomed here.
Also Katasochin and others who want to say I do a bad kata. Where is a video of you doing your kata???To be so critical and yet have nothing to back up your statments is very weak.
On Karate Underground we call people like you the kata police. You guys are a bit of a joke.
No, you do not. Just be nice. You can even say what you feel is wrong with things. I might and might not agree. But just saying it is crappy. Calling me arrogant. Being just plain insulting is not welcomed.
a very poor performance of kanku sho. Why are you stomping to create the illusion of power? you have no kime, poor stances and a lack of understanding of kihon. 1 star!!!
Thank you for your comments. In a few months I will show my shochin as well. However, I disagree with the comment that I have no kime, and that I have a lack of understanding of kihon. I would suggest you have a more open mind.
Rather a nice performance. The 'stomping' did seem odd to me but that may have an exterior cause: floor, room... The start, when you slide/jump, struck me odd as well but I don't know the kata so it might have to be done thay way. (So must it be done that way? I'm curious)
But overall it's a good kata. Your technique is good and there is clearly power behind it. You balance was good too, most notably at the jump.
It shows real power -- with obvious coordination between the step and the strike that is missing in a lot of kata performances posted on YouTube -- without relying on snapping the gi to create the illusion of power.
A lot of the good things about shotokan are demonstrated in this video.
For a heavy guy the kata seems good. He doesn't loose balance and stance on the jumps and "does his kata". I don't think he is a pro-karateca so You can expect a beatifull flawless presentation the likes we see in WKF events. Besides this seems to be filmed at some local tornament. For me the heavy stomping just seem odd, but maybe it's because he is heavy and there is no tatami on the floor.
Nice. Keep it up John. I agree with your persepctive on power and effectiveness being more important than asthetics. I'm always curious about how many of these tournament winners would actually win a fight. Again, nice job.
laurangelo, you comments only show that you do not understand there are a number of ways to do shotokan karate. What I really like is the no rhythm. IT is not a dance dude. No focus, you have got to be joking. Lets see you post a video of yourself. For you this is a personal attack, it is not about the karate at all.
bad mechanics, poor understanding of basics, unhealthy and unimaginative. stomping like and elephant, no rhythm or focus. this comes from lots of experience... 30 years... this is a perfect example of how good one can become at doing something so wrong.
I've seen ur other posts about itkf and I fully agree with you, but you gotta realized these itkf people are doing what their judges want.
the only karate offered at university is itkf and i'd rather do some karate than none at all. when im at itkf tournaments, i tweak what i do. as i said earlier about the paintball/lazertag match. just switch your weapon
i believe that people in itkf are farther down stream. i doubt they could travel 'upstream' and compete in non-itkf tournaments
an itkf member at a jkf tournament is like showing up to lazer tag with a paint ball gun
not saying that the paintball gun would own everybody's ass, but more so that you should expect a different set of expectations that has difficulty in transfering over.
i dont know how people here could help critic your kata if they're not from itkf. how should they know what your organization wants/looks for
John , this is a rock solid performance and not a dramatic pause in sight. All this nitpicking when there is no valid reason to find perfect stance or form all the way through in a Kata unless you wish to look like a porcelain doll. It is presented well and looks more than fit for purpose , so here lies a great Kata performance. Well done John. KevinM
Thought your kata performance was excellent. A lot of the comments posted don't seem to get that shotokan has moved on somewhat since Dynamic Karate was published. Hombre
I agree that stances need some work. However, I'm one of those new age tournament kata guys, so I like the low stances which some say aren't as practical. If you want my two cents, here they are: The kiba dach should be as low as humanly possible with the knees pointing much farther out, feet straight ahead, and butt in. The backstance should be much lower with the back leg bent more. The frontance should be lower as well. The frontstances in the beginngin look almost like freestyle to me.
The comment on kiba dachi is incorrect even by competition standards. If you do your stance like that you may damage your knees. You're confusing kiba dachi with shiko dachi and melding the two together.
With what I am trying to do, the back leg is suppose to be bent in front stance. Back stance looks fine to me, any deeper and it just looks pretty, not effective. As for the supporting foot, what do you mean? Which stance? Yes at the first kosa dachi I do lose stability a bit, but after that everything is fine.
As for my stances being all over the place. Please explain further.
At :10, and most back stances-your rear knee is inward. It should bow, like a horse stance. Your rear foot is also not forming a 90 degree angle with your front. Your body is turned square on your augmented block, when it should be at 45 degrees. Your zenkutsu dachi requires (per Nakayama) a straight back leg, and a rear foot pointing forward as much as possible. Yours consistently roll forward and point to the side.
No it should not bow, that means for a weak back stance. The knee should be at an angle like it is. Lastly, I do not consistently roll my foot forward. Only when I do gyaku hanmi does that happen. The rear foot should point between 45 to 60 degrees to the side, this allows for full hip rotation.
Sure thing John. I like the way you perform your kata. I especially was impressed by the last four moves. The way you expand into the uchi uke and use the release of power to propel yourself into the oi-tsuki. Now for a nit pick. I thought you brought your back foot too far round the other when making Kosa-dachi. I try to keep it more behind the leading foot and try to press the knees together. It seems to stabilise me. But then I am a tall skinny guy. Happy Training, good kata.
Watching your kata from a judges point of view its a good solid kata but it comes out as average to me. It's the same problem I have, the idea is to keep relaxed until the very end so your technique looks light and snappy. Its fine to have strong powerful techniques but don't expect to win any tournaments.
I do not want light and snappy technique. I want to have effective and strong technique. I know, I should change up if I want to win tournaments, but I am past that now. I want to do true kata. Not for show. Thank you for you help just the same.
@MCMC. I am sorry but I do not agree with most of what you had to say. Thanks for trying though. I have been doing karate for 30 years now, so what I do comes from lots of experience. I could have done the kata lower stances, but I do not agree with lower stnaces. The rythm I chose was because that is the rythm I like. As for using my whole power, I believe that you do not do a kata for to look pretty.
john-you posted a competition kata. You're going to get competition critiques. Perform your kata for your own development as you wish, but in a Shotokan tourney, low stances win. As for rhythm, it's not up to you to define what the rythm is in these traditional events. The rhythm is largely known. Leave creative interpretation to acting and personal kata practice, not traditional karate competitions. At least, not if you want to win!
Here is m advice: for a nidan level (brown belt) it is ok. But if u want to improve ur stances need to lower. Ur jump could be higher and u should use a sundan rhythm (one...two/three) to combine ur techniques and put accents in it. And do not se ur whole power, cause u obviously have enough of it. Try to be relaxed when u begin ur technique and only put kime in the very end of the technique. Keep on training, i liked ur kata and i'm a competing brown belt myself together with my kata team ;)
Thanks for the comments. aznboi and maoswidow, I do the stopping on purpose. I know there main school of thought is gliding across the floor. But the stopping is a result of me trying to put as much power into my technique as possible. I want to be firmly rooted in my stance when I perform a technique.
Daniel Samurai, I am sorry I do not speak Spanish.
Your stances are a little all over the place throughout the kata. Your back leg is almost always bent in a front stance, your back stances are too shallow and your supporting foot isn't in proper alignment, and you lose stability after the first temple strike/front kick combination.
What do you mean by my stances are all over the place? It is okay if the back leg is bent. I do it purposely. My back stances are that way again on purpose,too deep of a stance is impractical and not very mobile.If you are referring to the first kosa dachi uraken,then I would agree that there seems to be a wobble.But I do believe I am fine in the other kosa dachi/uraken combos. My foot is in perfect alingment(kosa dachi).It is actually stronger that way.
It's not okay if your back leg is bent. In Dynamic Karate Nakayama specifically states to keep the back leg straight in zenkutsu dachi. If you want to do better in competetions, listen to what I have to say. I've won state, regional and national competitions with my kata. If you want to just do your kata the way you prefer to do it, more power to you, but don't expect to win anytime soon.
I have won many many kata competitions in my own right. Dynamic Karate, and JKA karate, is not the only authority on shotokan karate. There are many kinds of shotokan karate. I do ITKF karate and the aims and goals differ from what Nakayama taught.
Well, your kime was strong but sometimes you lost stability in stances. I think some of your interpretations are quite uncommon, this could be the reason of your result. I am an instructor belonging to the Italian "Itkf" federation and I would even judge as "average" your kata.
hey john! its me mark from last years nationals, i hope to see you again in a few weeks for the upcoming ITKF nationals. the kata looks great to me bud, keep at it! you keep making newfoundland proud kataoka! osu
By and large, it was a good kata, well performed. The current trend in ultra-fast tournament kata does nothing for me. The "stomping" in your kata does not appear forced by you, and it's probably a consequence of the floor, and your weight (no offence intended). Performing this kata in the dojo wrecks my head (and my legs)... but if could offer you any advice it would be to try getting the rear foot to face more forward in zenkutsu.. that will stop the knee from collapsing.
DonalPhelan 2 years ago
I dunno, I thought it was a good change from the uber fast tournament katas you see all the time. Nice, stable and strong.
Psycho888999 2 years ago
yes in western society it would appear strong, threatening and the way we would feel a martial art should be displayed but shotokan should laid down traditionally when done in its home town.
yippe 2 years ago
I think the stomping is a fatal flaw, if I may say so and if this is a grading, he would have failed. But my respect still goes out to him for posting, I think it takes a lot of courage to post one's karate videos on the internet and I can also hope that I can still perform kata as powerful as him when I reach my late 40s.
moritzkunow 3 years ago
I train in JKA under Ochi sensei here in Germany. The performer looks very dedicated and powerful in his kata performance. This is commendable especially since he's probably in his mid to late 40s/early 50s. However my main criticism is the stomping. Whether intentional or not, it shows poor execution of technique and makes the whole performace look clumsy and at times comical.
moritzkunow 3 years ago
Nice, but you have to get rid of that stomping. It's not good.
Svlasov55 3 years ago
The kata looks great to me, but what do I know?
weaseldragon 3 years ago
To all, there is nothing wrong with a fast lunge punch and a slow uchi uke( it is not an uchi uke really. It is breaking a grab and pushing my opponet's grabbing hand/arm into my opponet, which allows me to lunge forward for another punch.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
Hi, I'm in my late 30's and have been practising Shotokan most of my life. I started in a JKA branch-out (cut-off) dojo in the Philippines, and continued practicing in a JKA dojo in New York since 2001. I was always taught by my Japanese teachers (JKA or not)to step with minmal sound and only stomp when the technique calls for it (However, stomp HARD). Maybe that's why they didn't took you kata so well? Did Nishiyama teach you the same thing? I'm curious...
Bassai 3 years ago
Nishiyama never taught me to stomp into the floor. Stomping is a side effect of other things. Stomping itself was not the goal. If you were using your lower body, and your legs to deliver the technique, and using return force from the floor, then you might get a stompping sound.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
Overall a very nice performance, but I think your stances are slightly too high/short.
I am wondering why you have a fast Oi Tsuki, followed by a slow Uchi Uke ?
In our Association ( JKA method ) we use a fast Uchi Uke following the punch.
karatefella 3 years ago
I do high stances because that is the way it is taught in ITKF. The slow Uchi Uke is because I see it as a pressing block forward, not a pulling back action. I feel it is a power move and should be done slowly. I also did it, to slow down the pace of the kata and to show proper hip motion. Thank you for your comments.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
As a matter of personal interest, who is the chief instructor of the ITKF ?
I didn't realise that in competition, one can change the timing etc of the techniques of a Kata.
I thought that the techniques of a Kata and the way they are performed are "set in stone", as it were.
Andy 4th Dan BMAA (Wirral Shotokan Karate Club)
karatefella 3 years ago
The cheif instructor is Heditaka Nishiyama in California. In competition you can change the timing of the kata. Kata techniques are "set in stone" if you think they should be. But, I feel as you move along on a karate path, sometimes kata techniques, or the way of doing techniques in general may need to change. Each to his own is what I say. I hold nothing against those who do not want to change techniques, and those who do it for sound reasons. I feel my changes are sound. Thanks for commenting
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
I think your movement is really impressive for your body type. You are quick, and thus powerful. My only criticism is that at times your back foot droops, collapsing your knee. This means there is a major flaw in your stance at that point. However, for the majority of the time, your stance is clean. Your hips are sharp and fluid, and really impressive. Also, I thought your sidekicks and following strikes were great.
shoemoodoshaloo 3 years ago
Yeah, that blasted back foot. I am working on it. Sometimes I can do it correct for a few months, and then I slide back into bad habits. Some days are good, and some days are bad. Thanks for your comments.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
Some one posted a comment on how they agreed I stamped too much, but at the end of the kata what I did was okay, and that I should bring this approach to the rest of my kata. To that person, I accepted you comments, it was there for a few days. I just now accidently erased it. Please post again. I just want to reply to your comments, not remove them. My deepest apologies to you.
DOOH
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
Thank you for posting this video! Is this an Okinawan version of KSK?
Pope2501 3 years ago
No it is not. Well it is not meant to be. It is a shotokan version. Not a typical version I will admit. Sorry for not replying sooner. Thank you for you comments.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
all i can see is,so called experts bad mouthing this guy doing kata,post some video,s of yourselves so we can all learn,i,m sure this guy would appreciate helpful critisism after all we all follow the same path no matter what style we do,none of us are perfect,if we were we wouldnt have to train anymore,i thought the kata was good,lots of spirit
wolvoboy 3 years ago
I have noticed there are a lot of nasty insulting comments on this guys kata,we should all be striving to help each other and make our karate better,none of us are perfect we all make mistakes,then all those that are perfect should post some video,s of them selves so we can all learn.how we treat each other is also an important part of karate
wolvoboy 3 years ago
Solid kata, the jumps especially were clean (not easy for a person with your build). One thing I noticed on the first the oi-zukis as well as the mae-geri/urakens is that your front knee in zenkutsu-dachi seems to be pushing back a little bit, creating slight instability (jerking) at the start of shifting or the finish (kosa-dachi wobbles). I only noticed because those stood out as the less solid parts of a strong kata. Just my 2cents!
Teleran 3 years ago
you ask people for comments on your kata, when they state the obvious,and point out the many poor techniques, you spit your dummy out.
get a life.
hssp900 3 years ago
Yes, having self important arseholes not honestly giving me advice, but just taking shots. Calling it a crappy kata, no understanding of kihon, etc. That is not helpful. That is just expressions of self importance and arrogance. I do not have to take it, not from you or anyone. People who want to tell me what I am doing wrong, get the utmost respect from me, like greynobody below here.
So, I have to ask, who is really bringing out the dummy. You?? Or Me??? I think you are.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
I enjoy this performance more each time I watch it. The stomping is merely a result of the floor and the microphone rather than real. My two bits? Should be more hip action on the wrist twist from the two step in punches? Maybe greater and faster recoil on the side kicks? And perhaps you could make sure to lead your body motion with your eyeline. I do not suggest I could do better, I just am seeing this from a "coaches" perspective. I really don't care much for Kanku Sho.
greynobody 3 years ago
I appreciate you taking the time to make comments. I understand what you are saying, and agree with you. Thank you.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
Katasochin, I accidently removed your comment. But it was about how arrogant I am for posting a video of myself. First, you use an anonymous name. You do not have a video of yourself to prove that you are so great. Lastly, you are a hypocrite. It is totally arrogant to post in the manner in which you did. You are the arrogant one not me.
So kindly move on, your comments are not welcomed here.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
Also Katasochin and others who want to say I do a bad kata. Where is a video of you doing your kata???To be so critical and yet have nothing to back up your statments is very weak.
On Karate Underground we call people like you the kata police. You guys are a bit of a joke.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
Do we have to post a video of ourselves to critique your kata?
R0CKY44 3 years ago 2
No, you do not. Just be nice. You can even say what you feel is wrong with things. I might and might not agree. But just saying it is crappy. Calling me arrogant. Being just plain insulting is not welcomed.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
a very poor performance of kanku sho. Why are you stomping to create the illusion of power? you have no kime, poor stances and a lack of understanding of kihon. 1 star!!!
katasochin 3 years ago 2
Thank you for your comments. In a few months I will show my shochin as well. However, I disagree with the comment that I have no kime, and that I have a lack of understanding of kihon. I would suggest you have a more open mind.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
Rather a nice performance. The 'stomping' did seem odd to me but that may have an exterior cause: floor, room... The start, when you slide/jump, struck me odd as well but I don't know the kata so it might have to be done thay way. (So must it be done that way? I'm curious)
But overall it's a good kata. Your technique is good and there is clearly power behind it. You balance was good too, most notably at the jump.
aiyer1989 3 years ago
All I can say is wow. Thank you for you generous comments. I am left speechless. Really. Thank you.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
I really like this performance.
It shows real power -- with obvious coordination between the step and the strike that is missing in a lot of kata performances posted on YouTube -- without relying on snapping the gi to create the illusion of power.
A lot of the good things about shotokan are demonstrated in this video.
Thanks for showing us!
billiardjay 3 years ago
For a heavy guy the kata seems good. He doesn't loose balance and stance on the jumps and "does his kata". I don't think he is a pro-karateca so You can expect a beatifull flawless presentation the likes we see in WKF events. Besides this seems to be filmed at some local tornament. For me the heavy stomping just seem odd, but maybe it's because he is heavy and there is no tatami on the floor.
44pod 3 years ago
Nice. Keep it up John. I agree with your persepctive on power and effectiveness being more important than asthetics. I'm always curious about how many of these tournament winners would actually win a fight. Again, nice job.
pdolly3000 3 years ago
have to agree with many of the critical comments made here.
hssp900 3 years ago
laurangelo, you comments only show that you do not understand there are a number of ways to do shotokan karate. What I really like is the no rhythm. IT is not a dance dude. No focus, you have got to be joking. Lets see you post a video of yourself. For you this is a personal attack, it is not about the karate at all.
johnpricekataoka 3 years ago
I liked it very much. Great spirit.
You can come and teach it to me here in sunny Andalucia anytime, Senor
hombre8888 3 years ago
bad mechanics, poor understanding of basics, unhealthy and unimaginative. stomping like and elephant, no rhythm or focus. this comes from lots of experience... 30 years... this is a perfect example of how good one can become at doing something so wrong.
laurangelo 3 years ago
I've seen ur other posts about itkf and I fully agree with you, but you gotta realized these itkf people are doing what their judges want.
the only karate offered at university is itkf and i'd rather do some karate than none at all. when im at itkf tournaments, i tweak what i do. as i said earlier about the paintball/lazertag match. just switch your weapon
i believe that people in itkf are farther down stream. i doubt they could travel 'upstream' and compete in non-itkf tournaments
ThePurdude 3 years ago
an itkf member at a jkf tournament is like showing up to lazer tag with a paint ball gun
not saying that the paintball gun would own everybody's ass, but more so that you should expect a different set of expectations that has difficulty in transfering over.
i dont know how people here could help critic your kata if they're not from itkf. how should they know what your organization wants/looks for
ThePurdude 3 years ago 2
John , this is a rock solid performance and not a dramatic pause in sight. All this nitpicking when there is no valid reason to find perfect stance or form all the way through in a Kata unless you wish to look like a porcelain doll. It is presented well and looks more than fit for purpose , so here lies a great Kata performance. Well done John. KevinM
navekmac 4 years ago
JPK,
Thought your kata performance was excellent. A lot of the comments posted don't seem to get that shotokan has moved on somewhat since Dynamic Karate was published. Hombre
hombre8888 4 years ago 2
I agree that stances need some work. However, I'm one of those new age tournament kata guys, so I like the low stances which some say aren't as practical. If you want my two cents, here they are: The kiba dach should be as low as humanly possible with the knees pointing much farther out, feet straight ahead, and butt in. The backstance should be much lower with the back leg bent more. The frontance should be lower as well. The frontstances in the beginngin look almost like freestyle to me.
shushyoustupidfool 4 years ago
I appreciate your comments. But I think we come from two schools of different thought. Thanks again.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
The comment on kiba dachi is incorrect even by competition standards. If you do your stance like that you may damage your knees. You're confusing kiba dachi with shiko dachi and melding the two together.
ShotokanKarate85 3 years ago
Not an attack, just looking to learn. What is wrong with the kiba-dachi?
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
Overall not bad. Good spirit. Kiba dachi needs work and need hip rotation on nidan tsuki.
brunosanchez1 4 years ago
With what I am trying to do, the back leg is suppose to be bent in front stance. Back stance looks fine to me, any deeper and it just looks pretty, not effective. As for the supporting foot, what do you mean? Which stance? Yes at the first kosa dachi I do lose stability a bit, but after that everything is fine.
As for my stances being all over the place. Please explain further.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
At :10, and most back stances-your rear knee is inward. It should bow, like a horse stance. Your rear foot is also not forming a 90 degree angle with your front. Your body is turned square on your augmented block, when it should be at 45 degrees. Your zenkutsu dachi requires (per Nakayama) a straight back leg, and a rear foot pointing forward as much as possible. Yours consistently roll forward and point to the side.
calibansfury 4 years ago
No it should not bow, that means for a weak back stance. The knee should be at an angle like it is. Lastly, I do not consistently roll my foot forward. Only when I do gyaku hanmi does that happen. The rear foot should point between 45 to 60 degrees to the side, this allows for full hip rotation.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
Too much pause in the moves after the punches in the beginning . needs more fluidity .
oghabealborz 4 years ago
Sure thing John. I like the way you perform your kata. I especially was impressed by the last four moves. The way you expand into the uchi uke and use the release of power to propel yourself into the oi-tsuki. Now for a nit pick. I thought you brought your back foot too far round the other when making Kosa-dachi. I try to keep it more behind the leading foot and try to press the knees together. It seems to stabilise me. But then I am a tall skinny guy. Happy Training, good kata.
Cheers Spike
mwspike8 4 years ago
I seem to be dropping down in the ratings. lol. Anyone wanna help me out???
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
Watching your kata from a judges point of view its a good solid kata but it comes out as average to me. It's the same problem I have, the idea is to keep relaxed until the very end so your technique looks light and snappy. Its fine to have strong powerful techniques but don't expect to win any tournaments.
Bellshazar 4 years ago
I do not want light and snappy technique. I want to have effective and strong technique. I know, I should change up if I want to win tournaments, but I am past that now. I want to do true kata. Not for show. Thank you for you help just the same.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
@MCMC. I am sorry but I do not agree with most of what you had to say. Thanks for trying though. I have been doing karate for 30 years now, so what I do comes from lots of experience. I could have done the kata lower stances, but I do not agree with lower stnaces. The rythm I chose was because that is the rythm I like. As for using my whole power, I believe that you do not do a kata for to look pretty.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
john-you posted a competition kata. You're going to get competition critiques. Perform your kata for your own development as you wish, but in a Shotokan tourney, low stances win. As for rhythm, it's not up to you to define what the rythm is in these traditional events. The rhythm is largely known. Leave creative interpretation to acting and personal kata practice, not traditional karate competitions. At least, not if you want to win!
calibansfury 4 years ago
Here is m advice: for a nidan level (brown belt) it is ok. But if u want to improve ur stances need to lower. Ur jump could be higher and u should use a sundan rhythm (one...two/three) to combine ur techniques and put accents in it. And do not se ur whole power, cause u obviously have enough of it. Try to be relaxed when u begin ur technique and only put kime in the very end of the technique. Keep on training, i liked ur kata and i'm a competing brown belt myself together with my kata team ;)
MCMcZuckerruebe 4 years ago
minor correction MC--nidan is 2nd black, so I believe you meant nikyu--2nd kyu, which is second brown.
calibansfury 4 years ago
Thanks for the comments. aznboi and maoswidow, I do the stopping on purpose. I know there main school of thought is gliding across the floor. But the stopping is a result of me trying to put as much power into my technique as possible. I want to be firmly rooted in my stance when I perform a technique.
Daniel Samurai, I am sorry I do not speak Spanish.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
Batendo muito o pé da frente no deslocamento do zenkutsudashi, e falta usar mais um pouco a cintura.
Oss!
DanielSamurai 4 years ago
Very good performance in general...just a little bit too much stomping in my opinion...
aznboi0816 4 years ago
too much stomping! lighter on the feet, your feet should almost slide across the floor. when you stomp
your power goes into the floor instead of your technique.
maoswidow 4 years ago 2
Thanks for your comments. Where is the lost stability in my stances. I do not understand what you are referring to.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
Your stances are a little all over the place throughout the kata. Your back leg is almost always bent in a front stance, your back stances are too shallow and your supporting foot isn't in proper alignment, and you lose stability after the first temple strike/front kick combination.
calibansfury 4 years ago
What do you mean by my stances are all over the place? It is okay if the back leg is bent. I do it purposely. My back stances are that way again on purpose,too deep of a stance is impractical and not very mobile.If you are referring to the first kosa dachi uraken,then I would agree that there seems to be a wobble.But I do believe I am fine in the other kosa dachi/uraken combos. My foot is in perfect alingment(kosa dachi).It is actually stronger that way.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
It's not okay if your back leg is bent. In Dynamic Karate Nakayama specifically states to keep the back leg straight in zenkutsu dachi. If you want to do better in competetions, listen to what I have to say. I've won state, regional and national competitions with my kata. If you want to just do your kata the way you prefer to do it, more power to you, but don't expect to win anytime soon.
calibansfury 4 years ago
I have won many many kata competitions in my own right. Dynamic Karate, and JKA karate, is not the only authority on shotokan karate. There are many kinds of shotokan karate. I do ITKF karate and the aims and goals differ from what Nakayama taught.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
Well, your kime was strong but sometimes you lost stability in stances. I think some of your interpretations are quite uncommon, this could be the reason of your result. I am an instructor belonging to the Italian "Itkf" federation and I would even judge as "average" your kata.
gabrielemofo 4 years ago
good kata
CCYKWONG 4 years ago
Lol tried this kata in the dojo the other day, nearly fell flat on my face when I tried the spin-jumpy thing :p. Good work!
blindbadger123 4 years ago
bueno
makandeli 4 years ago
Hi John - send me an email when you hae a moment.
Nice kata!
Hack
scabbeus 4 years ago
Hey, Mark. Yes, you will see me there. In a few days from now. Hope to see you do your stuff again too.
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
You are very fast but just a bit like a wooden plank :D you need to be more flexible but still keep your speed and power.
Cockiez 4 years ago
Thanks
johnpricekataoka 4 years ago
hey john! its me mark from last years nationals, i hope to see you again in a few weeks for the upcoming ITKF nationals. the kata looks great to me bud, keep at it! you keep making newfoundland proud kataoka! osu
mjfeener 4 years ago
i like ur kata a lot...who cares about jkf
pantsoffbitch 4 years ago
bien
makandeli 4 years ago