Shotokan Karate Black Belt Exam Part 1 on PaulGaleNetwork.com

[NomadSoul78]

Your leg kicks are awful... Sorry but it's true

[hayesdu]

what a crap!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oleshotokan]

Your hips are loose my friend...by the way...who is grading you for this Shodan ??

[imzeeclever1]

Excellent. Finally some true traditional martial arts. Goju ryu and shotokan are my thing.. I train in judo/jujitsu as well. I'm all for traditional arts. Osu!!!

[macrobioticman]

Karate is a strict ancient Japanese discipline, and is little understood by those whom do not practice it. It is more about Etiquette, discipline, stamina and mental and physical training, it can also be quite spiritual. Too many people have the wrong impression of Karate. Just because you do Karate and you don a Dogi twice a week doesn't mean to say you think you are Mr Hard Man and won't to fight everyone! To be honest I don't even tell people I do it, the Wife tells everyone I'm a Black Belt

[macrobioticman]

Karate is a strict ancient Japanese discipline, and is little understood by those whom do not practice it. It is more about Etiquette, discipline, stamina and mental and physical training, it can also be quite spiritual. Too many people have the wrong impression of Karate. Just because you do Karate and you don a Dogi twice a week doesn't mean to say you think you are Mr Hard man and won't to fight everyone. To be honest I don't even tell people I do it, the Wife tells everyone I'm a Black Belt

[patitomanuel]

Today is my black belt exam wish me luck .! :)

[Dluke16]

My black belt test is tomorrow im 12 and im kind scared

[krichards816]

From a BJJ guy.... Nice form, nice test. Very tight. On the mark! Good job.

[Brazilianjj]

I dont understand the point of KATA.... Waste of training time in my opinion.. could be spending that time on actual fighting moves...

[nintai79]

@Brazilianjj : Than you dont understand the concept of Karate at all...dont try to study it...go for Kickboxing or something with fighting only.

[nintai79]

@Brazilianjj : Than you dont understand the concept of Karate at all...dont try to study it...go for Kickboxing or something with fighting only. And besides this is only Kihon hes doing no Kata there in the Video.

[Woolfrey]

@Brazilianjj

Kata actually contains all sorts of self defense moves. You're meant to practice your Kata thousands of times to improve your speed and technique. The problem now is that no one actually teaches how to apply these moves in a real fight. There are some good applications there, like leg kicks, arm locks, choke holds and even throws. When people treat it as a routine it becomes useless and, I would agree, a waste of training time. Don't dismiss it entirely without understanding it.

[thexpking]

@Maryangel24

Some tenshin Gozo will fix this

[ZarniwoopUK1]

Crisp

[Maryangel24]

congrats on passing :))

i have a little remark though and i hope you don't take this as an offense, but it seems to me your arm is very crooked when you do gedan barai. you should try and keep it a bit straighter :)

[vsean2u]

your shotokan is very different from what i practice , what orhanisation are you with? im with jks just so u know.

[MoviesInc2012]

@vsean2u dont worry, your karate organisation is better lol, and i know the way you practice karate, its very good, who is your sensei there ?>

[MoviesInc2012]

@vsean2u your very lucky to be with that organisations, which country do you reside in ?

[Tapiola2007]

If you're reading this and you're one of those people who posts uncomplimentary comments, you're not a proper martial artist - certainly not a true Shotokan karateka! Maximum respect to Paul Gale for posting this video. It's easy to watch someone else's techniques and find fault. It's harder to know you have faults and not hide them. Oss Sensei Paul!

[aoshi3000]

ITS VERY RARE TO SEE A SHODAN LEVEL EXAM

THANKS FOR THE VIDEO

[c0ndu]

i think kata will be easy for me i stil remember heian shodan even after 6 years :D but i knew many katas even something called JION(8th or something)

Heian Sandan etc :D some tipps for kumite maybe :D

[c0ndu]

im starting again next month shotokan :) i had blue belt and now im starting from white again :\ how are the exams now for each belt im 17 y.o. btw what do i have 2 do only know kata and the moves or what?

[PaulGale]

@c0ndu, you are required to perform better and better with each test. One kata (more later) is required with each test, demonstrating your basics, and some form of kumite (either jui-ippon, kihon ippon, sambon kumite, real kumite, or something else). For the beginning belt stages, usually sambon kumite and kihon ippon are required. I'd suggest checking out my Heian Shodan tutorial video by either going to my website or here on YouTube. I hope it helps.

[c0ndu]

@PaulGale i had blue belt :D but i knew kata for brown belt... last kata i remember i learned was Jion :D for which belt is Jion required :D ?

[SuperDantheman1974]

@c0ndu Jion Is usually a Kata you learn from Black Belt, you can start learning it earlier but you don't need to perform it in grading until 1st dan or higher

[c0ndu]

@SuperDantheman1974 OMG! rly? I RLY regret my SENSEI went away for 1 year and i QUITED omg! I was blue belt and knew all KATAS until JION :(( damn itt!(i was 10 y.o. at that time) now im 18 T_T

[Dharma73]

@PaulGale Your technique is graceful.

[theskywalker083195]

@c0ndu why do you have to start from white again?

[ShotokanBleach]

@c0ndu why are you starting @ white again?

[estebanmillar]

kanazawa said on the video "Interview with a karate legend. H. Kanazawa, 10th Dan.";"USA is wealthy and the life style is very relax,there is no urgency to be better spiritually. Hara is where the Ki resides and we use this energy to drive us to be more spiritual" between the translation Its understood that toget a better karate we need an attitud and an intention, so it's not only about do the stuff, it's about doing it by being (person,time,place,spirit) ww.youtube.com/watch?v=D0xAqEx­iD84

[PaulGale]

@estebanmillar, interesting.  Thanks.

[Brady2k10]

i dont know what it is with me, ive done tae kwon do, karate, aikido, wu shu kwan and i could never stick at any of them for long. The best i got was a yellow belt in Aikido, Tomiki Aikido that is, which is like half Judo, half Aikido. So since you've earned your black belt, can i ask how did you do it? i mean how did you manage to stick at it for that long?

[PaulGale]

@Brady2k10, I've trained in several martial arts pretty extensively for 23 years now, and maybe the thing with you is just not finding the right one yet. Personally, I really like the variety that I get from each style...that drive to become confident in a completely different art form is what drives me forward. I hope you find what you're looking for.

[balamut5]

awful

[PaulGale]

@balamut5, the test?

[redsoxPATRIOTS94]

i started shotokan at age 11. i got my black belt at age 13. i went and trained everyday at 5:00 am to 6:00 and then at 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. im 16 now and i have black belts in shotokan, taekwondo, wing chun and judo. right now i am taking ninjutsu. i enjoyed shotokan the most, by far. lol

[killerwhale8000]

@redsoxPATRIOTS94 Finally somebody testifies to how useless most martial arts are now that they have been so Americanized. Whichever studios you visited were a sad excuse for overpriced daycare that took responsibility of making sure you exercised. In BJJ, they don't even let you advance to the second adult belt in the ranking system until you reach age 16. I understand that advancing involves your dedication, but you can't leave out actual ability to be effective against an opponent.

[PaulGale]

@killerwhale8000, I'm going to be putting up a series of martial arts tutorial videos...maybe you'll like them.

[PaulGale]

@redsoxPATRIOTS94, very good bud!

[redsoxPATRIOTS94]

i started shotokan at age 11. i got my black belt at 13. i went to class everyday at 5:00 am to 6:00 am then at 8:00 pm to 10:00pm. if you work hard. shotokan will be a great martial art to learn. im 16 now and i have a black belt if shotokan, taekwondo, wing chun and judo. i enjoyed shotokan the most, by far. lol

[malasangre]

@redsoxPATRIOTS94 I guess you have "junior shodan" in those disciplines (sometimes also called "shodan ho")

[PaulGale]

@malasangre, by the way, new martial arts tutorial videos are going to be put up soon if you're interested...

[pat13wx]

I passed my shodan [1st black-belt] back in 1988. It was really though going and I am sure I made some errors during the grade too......I just wish I had a video of that day. Anyway, thanks for sharing this video, I am sure it will be of help to many who watch it. 5 stars!

OSU!

[PaulGale]

@pat13wx, thank you, and in the meantime (if you'd like), check out my Heian Shodan tutorial. I'm going to do this with the other 2 dozen as well.

[bunnybear1228]

Why is the Gedan Barai at the end of the sequence done in slow motion? - Surely that wouldn't work as a block?

[PaulGale]

@bunnybear1228, to emphasize concentration in that particular case.

[assassin465]

Nice, i might join karate now. You guys think 14 is a good age to start?

[hereticwarrior]

I think I started at 17 am now 3rd kyu - am enjoying it a lot and training with a great sensei, I highly recommend karate and you can start pretty much any age!

[PaulGale]

@hereticwarrior, good for you bud. How's your progress been?

[chubbystudios]

14 isn't to bad, if you do good you will be a black belt at age 18.

[PaulGale]

@chubbystudios, go into college feeling confident.

[babettye]

I think 14 is perfect. Shop around a bit and try to find a place with a good atmosphere and a dedicated teacher.

[PaulGale]

@babettye, I agree.

[Nick1metalhead]

i just started a little while ago and im 17 im getting yellow in about a month i love it try it you'll have a blast

[PaulGale]

@Nick1metalhead, what's your rank now?

[PaulGale]

@assassin465, 14 is a great year to start (you're 15 now I take it). Did you join?

[crashpedo]

@assassin465 hell yeah martial art you can start at any age the way o fighting never stops you are teached by the master and repeat the moves again and again..it never stops

[MoviesInc2012]

@assassin465 the earlier you start karate the better. but 14 is a reasonable age to start..... your comment was a year ago so i take it your 15 now lol, age doesnt matter to much, its how much you train. Tanaka Sensei, who is now 71 years old, was one of the best fighters in the world. and he started karate when he was in his twenties. check him out on youtube. he is really tough.

[MCCOLM1982]

YES you must start now as as you age your body is not as your body not as flexible. I start karate at age 28 lol

[vanagas3]

ushiro is so baad.... he doesnt deserve that belt :/

i am 15 and have brown belt and my techinkues is better :/

[chubbystudios]

if you were a brown belt then you would know that you aren't allowed to judge people that are a higher rank then you.

[PaulGale]

@chubbystudios, part of the dojo kun...

[PaulGale]

@vanagas3, do you have any videos? All feedback is ok.

[yunokami]

You are so, so, so very good!

You do things perfectly well!

I am speechless!

[PaulGale]

@yunokami, thank you very much. I appreciate it.

[Ageusia]

Very nice. I witnessed my Senpai take his Shodan test and passed, you both are great. Keep up the great work, and don't faulter!

[PaulGale]

@Ageusia, thank you for the comment!

[Spalove]

Ughh this isn't black belt material. your kicks are horrible especially roundhouse and back. The fundamentals of your stance and stepping are completely off. I don't know why your in Zengstu-dachi, should be all in jui-dachi, but that's a matter of your instructor.

[sungminro]

I don't think your attitude is black belt material either....

[PaulGale]

@sungminro, good point.

[shotokan1111111]

u are a gradeing examiner r u? i think not, show some respect!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spalove]

Where in my review do I come off as being disrespectful? Cause I'm not praising the guy?

[PaulGale]

@Spalove, no need to praise.

[PaulGale]

@shotokan1111111, who's that to?

[PaulGale]

@Spalove, no one is perfect, but thanks for the feedback.

[c0ndu]

i did this PERFECTLY ... i would like 2 subline PERFECTLYYY when i had 7 years :D i started SHOTOKAN when i was 7 and i did untill i was 11 ... i had blue belt ... 2 more exams and i would had BLACK jesus ... now i will restart ... and now im 16 xD

[PaulGale]

@c0ndu, did you start up again yet?

[Voltimax]

Why don't you guys keep your negative comments to your self! Better still why not post some footage of yourselves. Put up or shut up!

[PaulGale]

@Voltimax, it is interesting to see so very few people who criticize, actually have material of their own.

[hondacrazy123]

come on you call that kicking for a dan grading mate your not ready

[PaulGale]

@hondacrazy123, I'm Nidan now.

[Blackfire2700]

No offence. Work on your stances. Make your steps more dynamic. This makes all your tecniques better. Also use your hip more for mawashi-geri. When kicking, don´t come with the nose first. Use your hips. Ushiro-geri is too slow too...no power. Press the shoulders backward while kicking. Bring all your weight straight backward the whole time. This forces you to kick quick and with power. Ushiro must hit like lightning. Good luck.

[PaulGale]

@Blackfire2700, thanks for the advice!

[judojon31]

Good test. As a practioner of tkd and judo alot of our moves and forms are different and it is easy for some people who sit behind a keyboard and judge us. Your dedication shows and it is ignorant for someone to compare arts. No single art is better than the next, only different. it is the individual. Good job!!

[PaulGale]

Thank you very much for your comment, and you're absolutely correct. There is no single best artform, rather it depends on how involved in a style is a particular practioner. Have a great one.

[Rainierclimber100]

@judojon31 You are judged so much, because real martial artist laugh when they hear and see new student get a black belt in two years. You are judged and laughed at because TKD student get their ass handed to them when they face people who have the whole package. I just visted a TKD studio and was told I could not strike the head, do foot sweeps, take downs, backfist, and could only focus on a one foot section under the armpits. I showed respect but it was pathetic.

[PaulGale]

@Rainierclimber100, interesting experience and kinda unfortunate, but that's life.

[seaweedfunny]

Your back kick sucks, TKD kicks are so much nicer.

[PaulGale]

My back kicks are better in application.

[sehnsucht77]

@PaulGale: shouldn't matter whether you are kicking in application or not. ushiro kekomi and keage should be applied with the same intensity whether there is a person there or not.

[hondacrazy123]

yeah but tkd kicks are not real

[papaiosif]

what do you mean not real?

[PaulGale]

@papaiosif, yeah...

[Gwenaelster2]

of course they are real.

[PaulGale]

@Gwenaelster2, yeah they're real.

[PaulGale]

@hondacrazy123, how so?

[Shinkyu42]

One thing that will help you with your kicks is to practice them from both longer and shorter stances...it will help you with a smoother delivery. You are looking fine for your level of training...

Also, work on kicking pads or a heavy bag as well. It will help you aim better. Good job over all .

[PaulGale]

Thank you for the comments and yeah, one of the things I love doing after practice, is pad work. That and kicking heavy bags are great; you're right.

[osensei2987]

@PaulGale There are no short cuts to having good kicks. Kicking bags alone is not the answer. What is truly required is muscle control. This type of control is painful to acquire and require much training discipline. This is why so many non-traditional stylists have such ugly kicks! No matter at what level the target, the knee must be higher than the foot. You should be able to extend the leg and hold it elevated by its supporting muscles for a number of seconds and retract w/o dropping it.

[PaulGale]

@osensei2987, thank you for the advice.

[devinfoster14]

I like your sidekicks from the kiba dachi. Put a little more pressure in the base leg and emphasize the pendulum motion of the hip a little more and you'll see a dramatic change in power/speed.

[PaulGale]

Thank you about the side snap kicks and for the recommendation.

[lilfocusskater]

if he kicks so weak why dont you let him kick you

[PaulGale]

We do have kicking drills, so maybe sometime I'll record one.

[PaulGale]

And thank you for the support, too...it's appreciated.

[onenastylilboy]

Your kicks look very weak, and it's quite depressing watching them. You should strengthen your kicks!

[PaulGale]

I actually kick quite fast and well, but there always is room for improvement. Proper aiming, balance, hip flexibility, and distance between you and your object are all important factors in kicking, and perhaps I'll put up just a kicking video to show what they look like, some time.

[Shinkyu42]

Can you do better?

[PaulGale]

Seriously...some people only criticize, but have nothing to show themselves.

[onenastylilboy]

I wonder what it was like to criticize a grown ass man buying wii fit, I would have laughed in your face! Nice video of it though, it's kind of why I subscribed. I've always wondered if that gay little square worked.