Topic: DAN Grade Grading Combinations - To Pause or not to Pause That is The Question..

[JimmyTheHoover]

Right Peeps - I'm hoping to grade for Sandan in August so I'm frantically trying to memorise my Grading Kihon Combinations at the moment - as well as improve the actual techniques 

Most combinations have points where, if you view the combination as a  "Mini-Kata" against an opponent, you could choose to pause before launching the next counter attack......

.....so what's the feelings on whether you should pause or just try to continue straight into the next sequence ?

Jim

[Lloydie]

when I went for my Nidan, I made sure that I paused in between counter attacks, so that it felt a bit more like a "real" combination, i.e. one I might use against a real opponent.  I felt more comfortable doing it that way, and I felt I got a bit more "venom" into the techniques.  Not sure it looked that way however    I'd go with what you feel most comfortable with Jimmy.

best of luck with it BTW - we'll be cheering you on 

Lloydie

[Moley]

Hey Jimmy... If you need someone to fight you in the Kumite... I'll gladly oblige..
From experience, I find that the best way to pass is to have two complete nutters, beat each other to a pulp.


I'll have a word with Sensei. !

[JimmyTheHoover]

Hey Jimmy... If you need someone to fight you in the Kumite... I'll gladly oblige..
From experience, I find that the best way to pass is to have two complete nutters, beat each other to a pulp.


I'll have a word with Sensei. !

Why thank you very much for your ever so kind offer Moley but you seem to forget that I've seen the video of your grading Kumite 

Regarding the "nutters" can I presume that you mean that you're suggesting that instead of performing my Kihon section I should simply savagely assault one of the other grading participants ? 

Regarding the Kumite though - I've already decided, having watched a few Sandan and Yondan gradings,  that this is likely to be the most dangerous grading of them all. My reasoning is that basically you don't need to worry about the other Sandan candidates - just get stuck in 

....the problem  is that every Yondan grading candidate I have see is indeed and absolute Nutter and they all seem to relish getting "tore in" to the Sandan candidates 

Perhaps I should kindly as Messrs. McLaren and Hepburn to tear me a new one in preparation - after which it should be a breeze - if I make it out of Intensive Care in time for Edinburgh that is   

[Moley]

Hey Jimmy... You've figured it out all by yerself !

It all comes down to...
"Can he FIGHT and can HE FIGHT WELL ?????????????? "

Sensei sees a    "FIGHTER"  and he passes him/her

[JimmyTheHoover]

Aw Shucks ! - and there was me thinking that Sensei was simply sitting up  and politely paying attention to the Kumite section of the gradings 

....must say though  I personally don't understand why there needs to be such an emphasis on this "Fighting" lark - after all it's only a Sport for goodness sake !    it's not as if your actually fighting for your life - it's only a Grading Exam after all     

         /

[Moley]

Dave Hooper sempai once said to me......

"Ahhhhhhhh But Gwyn... don't forget...sensei was once all Japan university kumite champion"

[JimmyTheHoover]

Dave Hooper sempai once said to me......

"Ahhhhhhhh But Gwyn... don't forget...sensei was once all Japan university kumite champion"

What ? - Never ! - even punching with that back heel up in the air ? 

But of course you and Sensei Hooper are obviously correct - Sensei should be expecting the Kumite section of the grading to where the candidate really gets to show their attitude/spirit and technique - not that you're expected to win - simply (IMO) where you're expected to be seen trying to win - whatever happens 

[Moley]

Dave Hooper sempai once said to me......

"Ahhhhhhhh But Gwyn... don't forget...sensei was once all Japan university kumite champion"

What ? - Never ! - even punching with that back heel up in the air ? 

But of course you and Sensei Hooper are obviously correct - Sensei should be expecting the Kumite section of the grading to where the candidate really gets to show their attitude/spirit and technique - not that you're expected to win - simply (IMO) where you're expected to be seen trying to win - whatever happens 

"Ahhhhhhhh I sink this one you know.. O.K. I sink Pass"

[JimmyTheHoover]

Dave Hooper sempai once said to me......

"Ahhhhhhhh But Gwyn... don't forget...sensei was once all Japan university kumite champion"

What ? - Never ! - even punching with that back heel up in the air ? 

But of course you and Sensei Hooper are obviously correct - Sensei should be expecting the Kumite section of the grading to where the candidate really gets to show their attitude/spirit and technique - not that you're expected to win - simply (IMO) where you're expected to be seen trying to win - whatever happens 

"Ahhhhhhhh I sink this one you know.. O.K. I sink Pass"

LOL - God Moley I hope that the blood of the Seer runs strong in your Clan 

[Mole Bach]

Jimmy,
back to your original question...

When performing the Kihon, break it down to segments ie when there's a natural break in the combination such as the stepping back etc. use a short pause, this allows you to gather yourself for the next bit, plus gives you a short breather, which will alow you to give more 'Kime' on the punches (especialy the last punch of each segment).

NOW THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT....


Perform the Kihon like what you've been taught during the training sessions.... Sensei always does a couple of the combinations, and when you grade, he wants to see if you have listend.

Another thing, Sensei does the grading during the training sessions, so don't be tempted to coast, just go for it.

In the Kumite, you must show aggression AND control (of techniques and of the opponent), watch out for those going for ni-dan, they are the nutters; in your first fight, go mad, that will put the fear of god into the others.

Good Luck.

[JimmyTheHoover]

Oss MB - good advice - your suggestions for the combinations mirror exactly what KT was saying tonight when he took the grading candidates through some drills 

Regarding Kumite - I'll try to take your suggestions on board - hope it's a nice big Guy (or Jade  )

I don't now how to cruise during a training session - especially at Edinburgh rates - I am Scottish after all  - but seriously I only have two speeds - Full Tilt (moderately slow to you guys  )  and totally shagged out  and I've reckoned that you're right M-B since I started training - grading results are decided during training and if in doubt by your Kumite performance 

Thanks to all for the feedback and support   

P.S. I thought that it was the Yondan Candidates you had to watch out for 

[JimmyTheHoover]

1)             From Hachiji-Dachi step back Gedan-Barai in Kiba-Dachi, side
                  movement forward Yoko-Geri Keage in Kiba-Dachi ,    <PAUSE>    step back
                  Zenkutsu-Dachi Gedan-Barai    <PAUSE>  – Gyaku-Tsuki,  forward Tsugiashi, Maeashi
                  Yoko-Geri Kekomi - Uraken – Gyakuzuki
.
2)              Kizami-Tsuki - Maegeri - Chudan Oizuki,    <PAUSE>    step back Soto-Uke -
                  Gedan-Barai (same arm) - Uraken – Gyaku-Tsuki,    <PAUSE>    forward Mawashi-Geri -
                 Tsugiashi Gyaku-Tsuki.

3)           Forward Tsugiashi Gyaku-Tsuki, Tsugiashi Maeashi Mawashi-Geri -
                  Gyaku-Tsuki - Uraken,    <PAUSE>     Mawashi-Geri – Ura-Mawashi-Geri (same leg) -
                  Uraken - GyakuTsuki.

4)          Mae-Geri –Mawashi-Geri (same leg) - GyakuTsuki - Uraken,    <PAUSE>   
                  step back Kizami-Tsuki – Gyaku-Tsuki, forward Ushiro-Geri - Uraken - Gyaku-Tsuki,   
                <PAUSE>     forward Mawashi-Geri – Gyaku-Tsuki.

5)          Kizami-Mae-Geri – Kizami-Tsuki – Gyaku-Tsuki,   <PAUSE>    Tsugiashi Maeashi
                  Mawashi-Geri (change leg) Mae-Geri – Mawashi-Geri (same leg) -
                  Gyaku-Tsuki,   <PAUSE>     Tsugiashi Maeashi Ura-Mawashi-Geri, Uraken -
                  Gyaku-Tsuki.




Righty Ho - taking this to the next level - please see above for my initial breakdown of the combos.

I'm having slight problem (as you may see above) deciding whether to treat "continuous blocks/strikes/kicks" as one sequence or to break them down further - in most cases above I've tended to string them together as continuous "block-attack-attack-attack...." sequences.

Anyone care to comment or offer alternative timings/suggestions ?

EDIT: Changes/Additions to timings/interpretation are in GREEN - initial timings are RED
NOTE: GREEN additions are exactly that additional pauses - they do not replace the RED pauses.....