Hi,

The base of CNOMAA, my first extended training in MA (as Judo at 10-12 w/ master Ed Mally in Tampa so long ago dont count), is Shotokan and my late Master Ngo Dong DID alter forms and purists might notice; but, in Judging a forms ring I look for
*Can I hear explosive exhale on blocks and strikes unless
in Tension where I want to hear breath and tech end same
*solid long stances, w/o so long poor transition results
*crisp non-over extension of blocks w/ eyes forward
*solid strikes eyes forward and as blocks facial
Expression eyes focus so I can "see" opponent
*Head and Eye focus and movement prior to 'addressing'
new 'opponent' with good facial expression
( In Iaido tho no expression aside calm relaxed face)
*at least 1-2 good kiai at 'key' points in Kata,
*as to a pause, if used, should be not for posing,
it should show springy readiness while visually assesing
360 the possible end or next threat, so I need visual
scanning w/ intensity reflected in eyes and face
*Crisp entrance, jog from on deck to center, crisp bow
w/ jog to approach judges, scanning eye contact w/
Judges while voice projects so I know audience can hear
"Judges my name is..", My Style is, The Form today is..
*GOOD End, I should not hear heavy breathing, a scan of
potential remaining opponents prior to move to bow out
slow calm poised bow and placid face attention to
Judges till scored and bow to exit
*Form level commensurate to rank

I liked seeing traditional tournament form again.. not the new age Team Paul Mitchell CRAP, all flash no substance, never used to be like that. Pimping for ratings(I spit)

I liked much about His Performance, score tho accurate, no Explosive Kiai anywhere and level to easy for Rank, the shorter stances allow for good transition but rear leg bent, head snaps could be more crisp. But overall good technique and focus, and I realize some people will perform a Form below their rank, as forms can ALWAYS be improved and to demonstrate a superlative lower level form is a mark of good Dan Rank MA.

But, I like sparring, so who am I to comment. Thanks for video, miss the old days

-Karl. Peace.

I enjoyed that performance. Very clean. And he wound up only 2-3 inches back from where he started, very close to the original spot, a key criteria for me.

Kakushidi

This seems odd to me. Funakoshi's Karate do Kyohan had some good applications. The updated version (Nyumon) was "cleaned up".

Seeing that I graded recently on Meikyo and have gotten some good throws out of it, and the judo base of some of the early high ranking students, I think their level of ignorance of effective bunkai is overstated. It is apparent they lost what was being taught by the Okinawan masters and never passed on a culture of truly analysing kata.