these are a few videos of the style of shotokan i pratice, they feature sensei Avi Rokah of the ITKF. enjoy.

kata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPLltJ5NxK0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acvQLjT4BhI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENyY0ytmr2U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOL692Wtguw

timing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBIlzeeFQ2g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUYqrcU0RW8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JeuvI5bYFY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5-nCJu1Pcc

misc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc4vA0BpSvA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94SSmc_Risk

SOL,

Thanks for sharing. But was unsure if you were looking for critical comments or not, good or otherwise.

I don't know about kata...so I can't comment. The instructor seems to have really good speed.

My concern was for showing the timing bits and that last show of the other black belt hitting the pads.

For the timing of the defense against the front kick, the kick was aimed to miss and not hit, takes the fun out of a defensive rebuttal when when you really know you are not going to get tagged, even moderately.

But as far as the pad work, I would say poor to 'midl'n.' There was no real need for the Thai/Kickboxing pads since the round kicks were relatively light and didn't have follow through---they were snapped just past the surface and didn't have requisite body weight in the kick to have 'real' impact.

Also, for real use, the punches didn't seem to have much on them either or have a good guard from which to throw them in case there were counters aimed at the face.

I understand that there are stylistic differences that have to be considered, but with the use of the pads I thought there might be the implication of heavier hits or a more realistic stance and face guard from which to throw these techniques.

Didn't know if you wanted the comments, but thought I would respond since you showed the videos. Again, thanks for sharing.

i hadn't planed on discussing it because don't know the man working on the pads or spoken with sensei rokah as to the purpose of the drills or demo's, i simply found them on youtube and decided to post them as demo's.

i agree with your remarks though, not alot of power or a solid looking delivery system. maybe it was just a drill/demo of timing and distance and control? sorry i don't have the answers, lol.

I looked at his Heian Shodan. Is stepping BEFORE punching not a principal that is important to you?

me? i just do what ever it takes. if you want to ask sensei avi rokah, email him?

in your opinion, do you consider the videos to be good examples of Shotokan movement?

yes, as i understand shotokan's movement to be, these video's are very representative of sensai nishyama's shotokan. however for best representation, consult sensai nishyama personally. the content of the video are some solid basic principal, upon which numerous more training drills are built upon. what i'm trying to say is that this is a good example, but inly a small portion of, not then entire thing.

some one asked if steping before pnching was not a principal of ours, simply because no one did them in the short videos. of coarse what you see in the video, and so, so much more.

i had to reread you post again, and what makes you think he's not punching and stepping, thats just one application to that move. there are others, like he could be punching to the face, pulling on his opponets arm, and kneeing him in the pills. or he could be tiger striking to the throat, while pulling on the opponents arm and kicking to the shin. arn't these core principals where you train?

In my opinion the videos posted show the kind of movement, technique and practice that gives Shotokan a bad name.

Whats interesting is that if you look at footage of Nishiyama when he was a young man his movements were so much more fluid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3doBN7ad8U

It looks like Sensei Rokah has learned by copying the movements of the old man as opposed to learning how someone fully able bodied would move.

In contrast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWTspBwfKwk

One can see clearly how the practitioners move with relaxed bodies that snap to rigidity at the completion of the techniques.
It is still only one way of displaying the art but to my mind it is a much better example of Shotokan.

Loved the B&W archival footage.

Anyway, whenever video is posted (just like a comment or question), responses are in order - positive or negative. Just maintain decorum & a sense of respect (if deserved).

Sorry but your sensei isn't in the league. The 1st thing I saw in his kata was a terribly bent rear leg during every zenkutsu-dachi (front stance) performed. This is a "fatal-flaw" for Shotokan.

The drills have that "mimic" quality (doesn't understand but doing the best he can to look like what he believes is good technique). Leaving the punching hand out for any length of time (no immediate recoil) is not a Shotokan characteristic. Many people will leave the punching hand out to demo a technique allowing everyone to see it. Punching & kicking drills shouldn't be done any different than for competition or SD. Anyone leaving their hand out is asking to have it grabbed (the handle).

No impact w/ either punch or kick - why use the pads, the asst could have used his body w/o fear of injury.

So my 2 cents (just so others not familiar w/ Shotokan won't get the impression that this is "good" Shotokan) on a scale of "1" (don't teach) to "5" (I want to learn from you)...this guy's a "2.5".

owari