It’s not the speed of the kick that impressed me (all though very fast) but the fact that, he can hold that coiled position without fidgeting with perfect balance - for THAT long...! That’s very impressive indeed! (Kyokushin / Enshin / Muay Thai background here) Osu!
Good demo video! Your student is very impressive! I posted the following on another Karate RU-vidr’s video on a similar subject: This is probably going to be a controversial opinion but as far as the kata movement goes, I’ve come to the conclusion that it was never intended to be a “side snap kick.” Hear me out: I believe the original movement in Heian/Pinan Nidan, Yondan, as well as Kanku Dai/ Kushanku: “cup & saucer” followed by simultaneous “backfist” (I don’t think those originally existed in the kata either) and “side snap kick” is currently misunderstood because of karate’s transformation from an extremely close range self defense system into a long range competitive sport. I’m confident that the original intention behind that kata movement was actually a representation of TWO distinct applications, i.e. plan A or plan B. Plan A: you’ve successfully grabbed your opponent’s upper body, head, and/neck and pulled him down into an off balanced position, then you simply hook your foot around one of his legs and sweep his feet out from under him via the “snap back” portion of the kata movement Plan B: your opponent has resisted your efforts to pull him down into the “cup & saucer” position and is able to maintain his distance from you. You have hold of him but your arm is extended hence what looks like a “backfist” when done solo in the kata. Instead of being able to hook and sweep his feet out from under him you instead do a side THRUST kick into any available target from mid section down to knee, lower leg, or just stomp his foot/ankle. FYI, I borrowed this idea of kata giving us “Plan A” and “Plan B” from Iain Abernathy. I find it useful for interpreting some movements in various kata as well as understanding the order of some movements. I.E. don’t necessarily do this, then this, then that. But instead sometimes look at ok you can do this OR that depending on what your opponent is trying to do. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying anyone shouldn’t do side snap kicks or that anyone shouldn’t teach them. If you find them useful for modern sport competitions or you just think they’re fun and enjoy doing them then by all means please continue. I’m just trying to say that I believe they’re a modern addition to karate because of its reinterpretation for long range competition. Hopefully all that made sense and thanks for the video
I have taught that the head stays constantly at the same level but here it does not but "bounces" up and down. Not sure which technique is right. This seem right to me but I have to do like in my dojo.
