Kumite Tips #1/Kumite Tips #2/Kumite Tips #3/Kumite Tips #4/Kumite Tips #5/Kumite Tips #6/Kumite Tips #7/Kumite Tips #8/Kumite Tips #9
The reason your Sensei is always telling the class to get lower in their stances, is to build the strength of the leg muscles.
Having strong legs means having quickness in movement and power when kicking.
Being low initiates the flow of power from low to high.
Power comes from the ground and moves laterally or upwards.
Just try to deliver power from a high to low position and you'll soon understand where power comes from.
If beginners don't train from low and deep stances, they'll be at a disadvantage when sparring against someone who has...
...they'll get to feel the extra sting and power in their opponents attack and it'll be intimidating, knowing that they can't respond in kind.
Advanced students who have trained low and deep have the power and spring built into their legs and can train at more natural stances for increased manueverability.
They've also learned to drop their weight and rebound off the floor when punching or kicking.
No one, including myself likes to get down lower and deeper in stances, for the simple reason that it hurts, it's down right painful...
...but like what my Sensei says, "...if it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger"
Then there's the old adage, "no pain no gain"...
...I never new what that meant until I started my Karate training...
...I do now.
So, when your Sensei says get lower, then get lower, it's for your own good and you'll advance a lot faster on your path to becoming a true Karate-ka.
RJF
