Soon to begin building my own house with full basement and would like to devote about 400 sq. ft. to a karate dojo and I would appreciate input on appropriate flooring, bare feet friendly, to put over concrete slab. Splinters are a no no, but hardwood isn’t out of the question. Maybe just a matter of enough polyurethane coats? Also, some shock absorption would be ideal. Any advise? By the way, it’s a tradional JapaneseOkinawan karate style called Chito-ryu.
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Replies
Then should your screen name be choppawguy?
;)Isn't ahrdwood fairly typical for dojos? Then mats also?
Any hardwood system for base3ments would seem to do the job, but if you placed it over extra padding, that could absorb a bit of the shock of blows or falls. For instance -
use drainage mat, then playwood, then snap click engineered flooring over the matt material.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Dear Piffin, What exactly is your motive for the latent insult to my screen name of all things? Not exactly what any hard working person would like to see on their very first query into Breaktime, agree? Do I need to quantify my 10 years trim experience to you by generating a more challenging building question than flooring to earn some respect? Or have you self-generated some idealized image of me just from my screen name? No matter, I won't let it bother once I end this sentence, grasshopper.
Um, Piffin was just joking. I hope you are calmer in the dojo.
I see you need to learn something from your martial arts training sir.There was no insult. Merely a reference to the concept that karate involves chops with the hands. So - if you practice chops with your paws, you could frivolously be considered a chop paw guy.Admittedly, some jokes are not funny if they have to be explained, but that is certainly far from being any kind of insult to be taken. Do you typically take insult at the most random of expressions? If so, I can make sure to avoid insulting you again by not replying to your posts. I have already got my quota of ugliness for the year, thank you.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Old chinese saying..Man who ask for free advice ..should be nice.But b/c you apologized I will offer some advice.Is this a traditional art you plan on pacticeing. By traditional I mean lots and lots of Kata (i picked up it was a Japanese/Okiawan style with the use of the word dojo)If so, I just use some of the clear coat finishes/paint that one would normally use for a garage floor. Since with the trad arts other then Kata and 1 step/ 2 step sparring and free sparring etc there are not a ot of throws falls or take downs.When / if you want to work on that you can purchase some mats that are made to practice falling/ thows etc. They fold up and take up very little room . They arent cheap but they are good.
I think you can google for them. Im not sure If Ringside or NAGA sells tem. But they are good starting places.But you do need to control your temper. Most people here are very friendly and freely offer advice. But they also throw in alot of humor otherwise the place would get to boring.
But I hope I answered your questions.Sancho
YODAN UNITED BUTOKUKAN KARATE "We fight not to enslave ,but to set free"Thomas PaineEdited 4/6/2007 12:29 pm by Sancho
Edited 4/6/2007 12:32 pm by Sancho
Thank you for your advise, and yes it is a traditional karate, although two years ago changes occured in our style , new directions and all, amending our name to Koshin ha Chito-ryu karate-do. (koshin-old ha-new) blending old traditions of practice with new ways of learning, somewhat bold for tradional karate practice, since many of our senseis are acconplished in other self defence forms, why not integrate? That is why I include shock absorbtion in my query, because we are doing more holds, falls, and submission techniques to complement standard katas and kumite.
I figured that you were a trad sytem. Yes you should incorporate te grappeling. Thats why I recomended the mats. I feel its a better use of space. Use the at we ya need them. Fold them up when ya dont I was officiating a tournamentin San Diego a few years ago and there was a company there that had some awesome mats. I would look for the ones that are specificallu made for Jujitsu. Very durable and shock resistant.
View Image "We fight not to enslave ,but to set free"
Thomas Paine
I din't plow my way through all the posts, so sorry if I repeat, but there are "sprung" floors for dancing and that might work. They are hardwood, but over siome sort of spring system. Yeak, lots of coats of urethane would be good--like a gymn floor. It's been discussed here before, so you might be able to do a search and find something. mats are good, but hard to just walk on. There are also interlockking dense plastic foam pads that are used in weight rooms that may work for you--you could find out about that at your local exercis club of "Y". I've foundthat oneof the most comfortable floors for Tai Chi is very low-dense carpet (like a "Berber") over hardwood or even concrete. Easy to get ballance on--some floors get too soft and spongy andit's hard to get a good, firm footing.
How about this. Shoot down a row of treated 2x, say 16" OC. Then, nail down a transverse level of 1x, also 16" OC.
THEN screw down another row transverse to those 1x, but offset 8" from the 2x two layers below.
THEN, one final row, transverse to the third layer, offset again. The goal is to have each intersection over thin air.
Then, 3/4" T&G strip flooring installed normally. (Bamboo seems appropriate!)
Supposed to be a real resilient floor for violent effort - read about it somewhere; always wanted to try it. Why don't you, and tell us about it!
Forrest - interested
(Bamboo seems appropriate!)
Why, is bamboo a native Japaneese plant?
Doug
Don't know, Just seems Asian, somehow.
Forrest
Soitanly is...PaulB
We actually are going to use bamboo throughout the house, so that most likely will be my selection for the basement, and yes it is tradionally an oriental building product , finding success here in the west for it's beauty, strength and sustainability. Thank you for your response.
yes it is tradionally an oriental building product
Huh, is Japan in the Orient?
I do know about bamboo flooring but that wasnt why I asked the question. Sorta in the same vain as the above question!
Dont give no never mind to Piffin, I think he was just trying to be funny, doubt that it was meant as an insult.
Sometimes you have to hang around the locals for a while to "get them"
Doug
Dear Piffin, I stand corrected and I offer my apology. I didn't catch the "paw" humor, wish I had, hope we can move forward. And actually, karate training is both peaceful training and violence training. Sorry once again, now I'll know what to watch for.
Let's be friends then in pursuit of peace.How much padding are you thinking of? Will you be practicing throws and rolls as in jujitsu?
My teacher would have scoffed at anything softer than hardwood.
;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
You, specifically, I wanted an opinion from on that 1x web-supported floor. Have you ever seen one of those?
Forrest
I lost something here...are we in the right thread? Which post are we linking back too?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Thanks for your suggestion on the flooring, although I fear approx. 3 3/4 inch rise over concrete may be too much, at least that is what I came up with. Could I sub 1/4 inch ply for one of the layers perhaps? Thanks again, I'll let you know.
<1/4 inch ply for one of the layers perhaps>
N0 - I think the floor systems is a series of little "bridges"; 1/4" woulnd't work.
Wasn't sure about your headroom. I'm about to do a basement floor (at the McBathrooms house) with DriCore, 2x2' squares of OSB with a waffle grid of plastic bumps on the bottom. I'll jump up and down on it for ya'!
Forrest
I've never worked out in any dojo that didnt have hardwood floors, no mats, thats for the girls!
Most of these floors were probably just hardwood glued on concrete such as a gym floor.
Doug
"no mats, thats for girls"
Is wrestling for girls?
I wrestled too but we arnt talking about wrestling, the subject at hand is martial arts. NO mats.
Doug
No mats? Judo and Jujitsu traditionally use tatami mats. Sure, if you fall right on concrete you won't get hurt too badly, but not everybody falls right every time when learning.
judo and jujitsu will naturally invole more falls and rolling than karate. I would suppose that for the individual home dojo for practicing and workout, a fall would be very uncommon for a Chito-ryu student.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Agreed, but Doug said "Martial arts, no mats", not "Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Muy Thai, no mats".
Fair enough.
But my mind was in the original context of the OPs Q about karate.I had some exposure to aikaido and taekwando, but primarily an Okinowan style called Kempo where power is developed from the hips and center. There are some throws. My teacher moved away so I had to settle for the taekwon.
Then I moved, and never got back into it.Interesting how we can go from talking about laundry to martial arts in one night! Either subject involves a certain amt of "go with the flow";)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
said "Martial arts, no mats", not "Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Muy Thai, no mats".
Quite. And, not solo, hapkido and jeet kun do use limb-bar and similar sorts of attacks that cause falling, too.
I'm still mentally trying to sort out kata in a 7 or 8 foot tall space; but I may be biased by too much kenjitsu work, where the art requires space to train, and space in some volume. (May be from repairing yari "injuries" in our local dojo, too <sigh>.)Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I was wondering about ceiling height too.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I think that would only really be a concern (if it was less than normal if he wanted to train with weapons such as the Bo. If he doesnt then its no big deal
View Image "We fight not to enslave ,but to set free"
Thomas Paine
I had a pretty decent hurdle kicck that I would not want to practicce in a 7'4" basement cieling
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Ceiling height will be close to 8 ft. I think 9 will be unfinished and after hvac and all should drop down some, so Bo kata is a possibility. My concern though is the transition from dojo floor to rest of finished basement floor, being as it will probably be an open transition between the two areas.
If you're going with a blonde bamboo floor, how about a nice dark piece of Ipe or Teak for the transition? Or a shaped piece of Rattan if you want to stay with the blonde theme.SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
I wondered about that as well. We work out in a recreation center (pretty high ceilings), but when we do daito we have to do it in the right direction to avoid hitting light fixtures.
but when we do daito we have to do it in the right direction to avoid hitting light fixtures.
And, the strict tell us that kata creates the ki; so "indoors" practice limits 'outdoor' expertise--or, at least that was the inflexible wisdom of my old iaido sensei.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
For a specific example of this principle, there are a whole bunch of TKD moves that work great on a hardwood floor in bare feet that don't work quite as well in shoes on asphalt that has just a little bit of dry sand on it.Cowboy boots on a wet barrom floor is even worse.Just trust me on that one. <G>
Cowboy boots on a wet barrom floor is even worse.
Just trust me on that one. <G>
koh-boi jitsu is complicated at the best of times <g> . . .
tough as koh-boi Dao, too <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
<<koh-boi jitsu is complicated at the best of times <g> . . .tough as koh-boi Dao, too <g> >>Beautiful. <G>I may put that to use, if you don't mind. I knew there had to be some good name for this no-style/no-form thing we've been working on for, what, three decades now?
Koh-boi Dao is attitude is all.SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
This is getting good. Please continue.Only problem is this is all copyrighted by Taunton, or we could publish it in Black Belt. <G>
A redneck Mother was the Blind Princess of Koh-Boi Jitsu. Her name was Callie. She drifted hither and yon across the high plains keeping the peace and protecting her brood.SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
Sam, I should have guessed you'd know about her.When my sister is not keeping her brood in line she's running a Cajun food stand out of an old converted bus by the side of the highway. Gives her plenty of mobility, a steady income, a vantage point for continuous uninterrupted surveillance anywhere, and an unbeatable disguise.Do you suppose we should tell 'em all how we train to the music of Jerry Jeff Walker and Merle Haggard?Are they ready for the notion that Escrima can be practiced as a two-step?
the notion that Escrima can be practiced as a two-step?
Or that hapkido is easier on a person's thumbs if one snags the 380 out of one's safariland sock garter first . . . <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
<<Or that hapkido is easier on a person's thumbs if one snags the 380 out of one's safariland sock garter first . . . <g>>>Now we're talkin'. I knew I always did like your style around here.My favorite question is when they say, "Wow -- THAT'S part of this system?"Sometimes it takes a while to get rid of the concept. <G>I was once long ago trying to explain to a former instructor why I thought these weapons forms as they were presented in their classical(?) expression (katas?) were just so d#mn ridiculous. These are pre-industrial agricultural implements from halfway around the world.I suggested that the genesis of these forms was probably practical, that the folks at the time were doing just what anyone with any common sense would do -- use what they had.But I am not a barefoot farmer in a rice paddy.So this former instructor mockingly replied, "What would you like, then, beer-bottle-do #1 and pool-cue-do #2?"I thought that was a pretty good idea. So I went looking and happened to find a big bunch of old pool cues by a dumpster and gave the idea some concerted investigation. The result of course was something I had already suspected based upon casual observation on several occasions but never took the time to subject to rigorous investigation.So let's see, there must be a few other styles we need to update . . .
So let's see, there must be a few other styles we need to update . . .
Probably more than can be counted . . .
Does make me wonder, though: rasta-(honky)-do <g>
Hmm, rasta-(honky-tonk)-do . . . <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Oh, h#ll yes. As far as I'm concerned, Rasta-Honky is on the Board Of Directors.[edit]: The only question I have is does Rasta-Honky listen to Merle Haggard?
Edited 4/10/2007 3:09 pm by Catskinner
The only question I have is does Rasta-Honky listen to Merle Haggard?
Dunno. I'm not sure I wanna ask <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
All stick fighting styles have been pretty well updated by the Dog Brothers.
Uuhh? Escrima is not stick fighting.SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
With all due and sincere respect, I would disagree.The only styles that were updated were the ones who were willing to pay attention, for lack of a better term. I have nothing but positive regard for the ones who were willing to admit that there was progress to be made, and puzzlement for those who would not.The regularity with which some of the "styles" simply yawned, looked away, and continued with their delusional silliness was simply amazing.They acted as if real contact was not really happening. Or that DB was somehow just a bunch of nut-jobs who were not really doing escrima."Brawlers with sticks" was the phrase I heard once, actually.Sort of amazing that anyone would call themselves a student of an art and then not avail themselves of every legitimate opportunity to advance.But anyway, I do appreciate the point you make.
I hope I didn't just kill an otherwise great discussion and a first-rate running joke with all that seriousness.I'm really looking forward to reading some more about this Koh-boi-do and Koh-boi-jitsu.Now that we have a Founder and a nomination for the Board Of Directors, I'd volunteer to serve as an Adviser Emeritus to the Department Of Blunt Trauma. <G>
I grew up with one of her national champions and his trainer. For a while I taught the healing arts in his camp.SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
Man, I already had enough trouble with work avoidance here at Breaktime. Now I really have a problem.I can quit any time I want to. I just don't want to. <G>
Koh-boi Dao is attitude is all.
Hey, careful now. Like many Tao & Do, it's easy to be a poseur, to be "all hat and no horse." It takes a life of hard work to achieve the ease of a true master. The master may not have latigo under his nails, or calluses hardened with resin; but the hands will act as if they know a rope with hardly a humble. Riding, shooting, and speaking the truth will be second nature (although, the highest masters also know when not to, too).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
<<Hey, careful now. Like many Tao & Do, it's easy to be a poseur, to be "all hat and no horse." It takes a life of hard work to achieve the ease of a true master.>> Too bad by then we're too broke up and tired to do anything with all that ease. <G><<Riding, shooting, and speaking the truth will be second nature (although, the highest masters also know when not to, too).>>Cap'n, I'll defer to you here as the acknowledged founder of this new non-system of PMA <G>, if'n yer willing to expand that observation to include iron horses, I can keep this one moving for quite a while. <G>
Talk to me after you've stood face to face with an enraged drunken yahqui and let 10 gallons of Koh-Boi Chi flow into him so that said yahqui humbly goes to the sherriff and meekly surenders his blade.
SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
stood face to face with
I've ridden fence for the Four Sixes, and had it rain minnows and pea gravel on me; los borrachos relatively easy to cope with after that (if occasionally assisted with good implementia).
That, and superior zanshin is almost always a good thing.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Koh-Boi Dao can easily be discerned in the cheerful smile offered up, (way up,) to the big outranking foo' who just sucker punched the master, unwitnessed in a room crowded with Petty Officers.
A Koh-Boi greenhorn might have only used his Jitsu and stomped said foo's instep, but that would not have made the foo' keep at least 15' distance at all times thereafter.SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
I guess I would have to go back and re-read the original post because maybe the guy is talking about some judo or jujitsu style, dont recall. Both of those are similar to wrestling in that there is a lot of "on the floor" activity, so that would make sense.
I've been in maybe some 100 odd martial arts training facilities(some styles dont call their place of worship/workout a dojo) over the last 30 years and I've never seen a mat being used. Now of course I didnt participate in any judo, jujitsu styles so maybe that has something to do with it, mainly TaeKwonDo. About the closest thing to a mat would have been indoor/outdoor carpet glued down to a subfloor or concrete. In thinking back I'd say the majority of workout centers that I practiced in were hardwood floors such as a gymnasium.
Doug
My mma gym has Kickboxing, Submission wrestling, Muay- thai (sp). Except for the cage, its all mats.
Chute Box, Miletich, most gyms are the same. The tma's like Karate and Tai kwon do might use hardwood... and I guess that's what we are talking about, so I'll shut up and go to bed.
The tma's like Karate and Tai kwon do might use hardwood... and I guess that's what we are talking about, so I'll shut up and go to bed.
I dont know, has it been determained what style we really are talking about. I assume TKD and thats probably my bias so who knows?!?!
I participate in traditional TKD, some kick boxing, some boxing but I've never done any of it on a mat. And I know there are 1000 different styles with a 1000 different ways of doing things so ............
Doug
the subject at hand is martial arts. NO mats.
Ah, budo include such grappling arts as akido, judo, and the like. Hard to teach breakfalls on a hard floor (concussing one's ichikya being considered a tad declassè).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I'm sitting here in my living room, in Iowa, listining to 107.1 (Austin radio) hearing about Mopac all backed up, 35 up to Georgetown backed up, probably all the way back to the splits - I'm in Nervana!
Seriously, I know that there are a lot of martial art styles that require mats for the grappling end of things but I've never been involved in any of that. I've been a student of TaeKwonDo since high school, picked up a couple of other styles along the way but my roots are TKD. Did a little boxing just to get more hand work in but the local boxing club really likes it when theres a budding martial arts practicianer in the building! They take it as a challenge - I hired a trainer for that part of my workout, not a wise move trying to take on the boxers. <G>
I interpruted this thread to read traditional karate, thats usually not done on mats. Tournaments are a different story.
Master Jung came to this country after teaching American Viet Nam soldiers "the art of hand and foot fighting" - no way would he allow a mat for his personal students. Although sometimes we get to go out and practice in the snow, thats sort-of like a mat! If you dont like hitting the hardwood floor then make sure you dont! Old Korean proverb. :) Oh, another proverb, dont eat the kimshee either.
Doug
hearing about Mopac all backed up, 35 up to Georgetown backed up, probably all the way back to the splits - I'm in Nervana!
Yeah, they issued a winter storm warning in Waco last night about sundown. So 35 was probably a mess al lthe way to Oklahoma.
Front of the Houston Chronicle this morning was of blue bonnets in Crawford with a frosting of sleet on them. Was odd last night, the air was near freezing, but the ground was 40/50s--the pavement would steam, then condense as fast as it steamed.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Did you get any snow? I thought I heard on the national news that central Texas got 4", is that possible?
Its a rare thing for you to see snow but even more rare in April!
Doug
Did you get any snow? I thought I heard on the national news that central Texas got 4", is that possible?
There was an excess of hyperbole out of Waco and the like, and some transposition of information more apt for Dennison & Denton, than for central Texas.
I have a report of ice still in the grass as far south as Kosse on TX-14, but, that's about it.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
In the 60's I studied Judo in the big Dojo in Tokyo. Horrible place, dark, smelly, cold water only, and the entire thing covered with Tatami, the rice straw mats.
Stef
no mats, thats for the girls!
And in the akido dojo, on the mat is where the girls all toss a person . . . vigorously, repeatedly, with great elegantness . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Get some wrestling/marial arts foam mats. Or go straight tatami mat if you want the skin to come off the top of your feet.
Be one with the foam!
: )
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
cork
You know, not to generalize, but the 29% of people who still support President Bush are the ones who love to pronounce themselves more patriotic than the rest of us. But just saying you're patriotic is like saying you have a big one. If you have to say it, chances are it's not true.
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
cork is on my list of investigates, so thanks for that one
don't forget chain link fencing for the Octagon!
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
and bridge chairs...or is that the WWF?
You know, not to generalize, but the 29% of people who still support President Bush are the ones who love to pronounce themselves more patriotic than the rest of us. But just saying you're patriotic is like saying you have a big one. If you have to say it, chances are it's not true.
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
don't forget chain link fencing for the Octagon!
If it aint in an octoagon it aint real!
the UFC is killing me this month ...
one this weekend and one 2 weeks later ...
the DirecTV bill is gonna be high ...
waiting for my BIL to call and let me know which one he's gonna fund/host.
the reality show started again on Spike tonight ...
so far ... the baby seems to like UFC and hockey on TV. Good signs ...
she got a full dose of both this evening. Pen's won ... she smiled.
she's a good kid.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Don't forget to use your 'chop' saw!
We rebuilt our basement more for the kids but based on what I've found it would probably be ideal. I put down a layer of Delta FL as a type of Vapor barrier (some here I didn't think like it but I've also seen good reviews on it). This was also over an existing concrete floor (it had no moisture coming through it when I tested it but I also know it has no Poly below the concrete). On top of the delta Fl I put a hard wood underlayment, poly with a thin maybe 1/16 layer of foam then covered it all with Interlocking Cork flooring. Came out great. Plenty of kid crashes already and no major bumps concussions as a result.
I have worked out in a dojo and believe the cork would be sufficient with regard absorbing falls. It can be gouged by sharp objects, so if you're using Sais at all you might want to reconsider. It definitely has a nice feel to it and does have some cushioning as well. The delta FL gets you off the hard concrete offer a bit of a cushion, add the poly /foam and cork and it seems perfect. The kids love it.
Thanks Ribs for your contribution, I like the cork idea, I still have another 1000 or so square feet of basement to consider, finished, and integrate the remaining flooring. My wife and I are merely at finishing design stages of this new home construction process, so there are more challenges still to be faced beside my little dojo area. There will be a vapor barrier beneath the slab per my builders recommendation, so moisture should not be a problem. And yes our kids will be using the area also.
I studied Okinawan Karate in Okinawa just prior to the vietnam war......Uechi Ryu....a small academy in Futenma that catered to both Okinawans and GI's.
Smooth hardwood floors.....Kick/punch/block ...not a whole lot of flipping
Kanei Uechi, taught the style at the Futenma City Dojo, Okinawa, and was considered the first Okinawan to sanction the teaching to foreigners. Uechi Ryū emphasizes toughness of the body with quick hand and foot strikes. Several of the more unique weapons of Uechi practitioners are the one-knuckle punch (shoken), spearhand (nukite), and the toe kick. Because of this emphasis on simplicity, stability, and a combination of linear and circular motions, proponents claim that the style is practical for self-defense.
I wasn't there long enough to get really good at it, but I still practice a few katas every day to keep my balance good...that's the key to good technique....balance. (Thus the need for a solid floor).
One thing I learned is to never tell anyone you studied Karate :-) Be a Mr. Migami (Karate Kid movie).
Most karate "experts" I've met in the US are pretenders that old man Uechi would still consider a beginner student.
It is really good to hear of another Okinawan karate-kai, I would have to investigate the Sensei you mentioned (Uechi?). Sounds like there could be a connection with Gichin Funikoshi though who took karate to Japan in the 1920's. Are you familiar? And what katas do you still work on: Seisan, Bassai, Chinto? Let me know.
In 1925 Kanbun Uechi came to Okinawa from China where he studied Kung Fu.....in a few years he established the Uechi Ryu school in Futenma....his grandson ran it when I was there.Sanchin was the first form (that I still do)......and all the others were branches off that tree.I've never been interested in forms per say....so I have created my own taking into account the strike/kick/block technique that I learned while there.IMO to be effective it must become second nature and fit your particular body style and speed. I never kick above the knee or do any of the fancy, showy stuff. My priority is balance. I am getting old and as you age so should your form. I also am practicing the bo because I'm not allowed to own a gun.
Chopsawguy, How about running hardwood or laminate floor throughout the basement, then in a smaller area you could use the interlocking foam flooring that is sold for use in weight rooms. I know I've seen it somewhere, I want to say they were 2' x 2' foam pieces, puzzle shaped, maybe 1/2" or 3/4" thick. moveable and I'm sure they would absorb plenty of impact.
Also if you will be using a heavy bag, make sure you reinforce the ceiling well, not so much for the weight, but when I first hung mine it shook the floor above when I would kick. I had to go back and distribute the weight to multiple joist so as to not irritate DW (dear wife). Still thinking of a way to mount it on a sliding track to move it out of the way when not in use. I'm thinking maybe heavy barn door track.
Knight
Edited 4/7/2007 9:50 am ET by knight
IMO to be effective it must become second nature and fit your particular body style and speed. I never kick above the knee or do any of the fancy, showy stuff. My priority is balance.
jj, I found that paragraph interesting. Years ago I went to some tournament in Chicago just to watch and I dont think I saw many kicks above chest high. Certainly not any of the fancy round house, spin reverse, full crescents, none of that stuff. I dont care how fast one is you can see some of that stuff coming for a mile and leave yourself wide open for counters.
I remember when the olympics were held in Korea, the host gets to introduce a new event, sometimes its picked up, often its just for the one time. Of course Korea chose TKD seeing as its there offical sport! In all the matches that I was able to watch I dont think I saw many kicks that wasnt either a front snap or a side kick with maybe an occasional roundhouse or spin reverse but 95% + were just the two basic kicks.
Good point regarding the "pick what works for your body". I can do a spin reverse but as slow as I am any guy could be sitting down waiting for me to come around so he could clock me!
Doug
<pick what works for your body". >
Small handgun - SW hammerless Airweight Bodyguard
Forrest
My greatest move when challenged is a relaxing smile..... my second greatest move is a quick side step, round house block, and follow my hips into a short hard punch to the rib cage close to the arm pit.......My third greatest move (if that don't do it) is to take a 180 spin....thrust one leg in front of the other untill they become a blur and I'm 100 yards down the road.:-)
88186.60 in reply to 88186.58 "My greatest move when challenged is a relaxing smile.....my second greatest move is a quick side step, round house block, and follow my hips into a short hard punch to the rib cage close to the arm pit.......My third greatest move (if that don't do it) is to take a 180 spin....thrust one leg in front of the other untill they become a blur and I'm 100 yards down the road.:-)"
Ha! Ha! Hilarious, I guess everybody was too busy practicing their kicks to realize that you understand what a fight is all about.
I did a few years of tae-kwon-do in the mid-eighties in a community center with hardwood floors. I can still remember that moment of weightlessness when I had lost my balance on the sweaty surface attempting a high kick, followed by crashing down painfully onto my hip. Maybe that's why I am partial to mats.
Don't give up on high kicks yet. In recent UFCs, St. Pierre - Hughes and Evans - Salmon were both ended by nice shins to the noggin. I'm not sure Salmon has woken up yet...
In recent UFCs
Thats to violent for my taste, I prefer a more controled form of violence!
Full contact karate has a few more rules then the two that UFC has. <G>
Doug
I understand your reluctance to use mats. We don't spend the rest of our lives on mats (usually), and it does give you a strange sense of timing and some unrealistic expectations.
Best floor I ever spent any time falling on . . . well, at least as part of an organized and realtively well-disciplined activity . . . was a regular old hardwood floor that was installed (unintentionally, many years before)on seriously over-spanned joists.
Real smooth, clean, warm surface, no splinters, and plenty of give when you hit.
I'm wondering if this could be replicated. What if a person was to put 2x4 or 2x6 framing lumber on the flat, and shim it up off the concrete every few feet (maybe 4 to 6 feet) with some strips of heavy rubber, like strips of old mudflaps off trucks?
So you have a wide, bouncy joist.
Now a layer of T&G OSB, not too thick.
Now strip flooring, take your choice.
Seems like it ought to work, no?
Reading through the post I suprised no one has mentioned the topic of prefinished or regular 3/4 in flooring. You mentioned splinters. When I walk on my pergo, I feel the seems sometimes in my bare feet. I just istalled some prefinished oak 3/4 in my bed room and its not totally free of a raised edge. If you want a splinter free floor, HD sells unfinished oak for $2.50 sq foot. Sand it reall good and you should have a nice floor.
PS I must be a weenie. My son and I go to TKD class . I don't know how many times I've landed flat on my back (either by my mistake or with someones help) I thank God for the foam padding on the floor.