"They aren't even hitting each other" | Beyond the Dojo Podcast | Episode 84 

Sparring is not beating the crap out of each other. You two are right. If they are hurt on Monday then they won’t be their Friday

I have practiced Shotokan for over 50 years, ran my own dojo for 16 of those years, turned the dojo over to two of my senior students who ran it for another 18 before turning it over to their senior student. Back in the day (before my time) there was no sparring in karate training. Nakayama and his fellows introduced sparring one year at a time: 5-step, 3-step, 1-step, semi-free and, finally, free sparring. You are doing this teaching as it has always been done (at least within Shotokan). Everything is done step by step. In a dojo that is not competition based (mine wasn't either) this is exactly how this is done. My understanding of the term "kumite" is "to engage hands". Just like when you shake hands with a new acquaintance or take the hand of your partner in a wedding ceremony. It is a co-operative activity. At 72 years of age, my wife and I continue to practice kata twice a week with those two senior students who are lucky enough to have a home dojo. I love your channel, keep up the good work and don't pay attention to the inexperienced haters.

A good discussion. This is why I like the literal translation of the word kumite: exchange of hands. A more nuanced term than sparring or fighting. The goal is to challenge each other; not beat each other up.

Great video and excellent points. oss!

I think what you do is great. I practiced shoto-jka till green belt. moved and now study Chito Ryu. I literally use the jka workouts almost daily. I've also listened to every podcast. I think there's a difference in being beat on in Class and feeling like you were pushed (and feel good.) Most ppl think karate is soft and is non practical, I highly disagree. Keep pushing and making content- love your podcast.

I've done the martial arts for a lifetime. I spar every class.

Probably should take a look at what sparring looks like in other contact sports like boxing, jiu jitsu, wrestling etc... I think you'll find that you maybe on the other end of the mindset of what sparring should look like. One of the purposes is to physically and mentally prepare students to a more realistic encounter. This way they'll know how to react when lets say they get sucker punched and don't counter or defend. Just Saying!

It's many ways to sparr i change club if it's not atleast one day that isn't obligated with hard sparring I'm not going to become a professional i just want to bang from time to time and it's really nice using Sunday all other types of sparring it's best to just have in the obligated training day's..when you have trained for more than 20 years and isn't on your way up that we specially interested can meet and sparr the type of sparring that is as close to a professional fight as possible for us if not we can never legally do what we're trained for. When you have used that long time and so much effort you want to harvest the fun part to but I totally understand that it's not how you sparr with random people maybe coming to train ..here it's a small group so here most muay tnai and kickboxing club's has this one day that is voluntary if it's not coming people that can beat me on those days i change club ,,I trained in circles around all club's because i start where it's best sparring day's all the other training i can basically do by myself exempt from tasks I need a partner for that..anyways I haven't been training since the virus hysteria the third time they closed it starting to be a long time ago and I been prepared for a new one i know it will come..I wish I could be 15 again or twelve and do it all over again just better

Hi Beyond the Dojo. The understanding of karate tradition is very poor... both inside & outside the TMA community. Social media. prompted by the advent of commercial MMA, has only spurred the misunderstanding. TBC. 😊😊CHEERS