I could talk about this at great lengths. (so what else is new for a big mouth?)
Yes, I think there are some techniques that aren't being taught like they used to - in dojos that compete. I don't know if the same is true for dojos that don't care about any competition.
But what troubles me more is the style of fighting from the elimination of those techniques. It's more tag football than tackle football. Even being an old fart, if I went to a karate competition and fought like I always have, I'd probably be arrested for assault. That's just plain crazy.
From what I've watched several times over the past five years, there isn't any flow to fighters anymore. You can't sweep - which beside being an opening technique for a rush, you can't throw one WHILE IN a rush, when you have your opponent off balance, trying to evade or counter.
Some tournaments (not sure if all) they have this ridiculous "one leg hopping thing" where a competitor will raise a leg up high and skip along on his base leg throwing.....I guess they're supposed to be kicks. An opponent can't kick him in the groin like he deserves for being such a clown, can't just rush him, slam him to the floor and smack him, also like he deserves. Or just take his head off in the first place for the insult. I'm not sure if competitors train like that in their dojo, my guess is they don't, but I don't know.
It used to be if a strike landed, it had to be of sufficient quality that it could have croaked you if it wasn't controlled. Now, a punch can be at full extension and be called a point, or anything that remotely touches your head, or even LOOKS like it MIGHT have touched your head, will be called. That's like playing baseball and calling every foul ball a home run. Or calling a swing and a miss a hit, because, hey, it came really close, dude. You can't slip a punch in Karate tournaments anymore, if you do it properly, they will call your beautiful slip a point for the other guy, because YOU MADE HIM MISS. It used to be that strikes came in bunches, in combos, and one had to really stand out to be called. Now, from what little I've seen, it's a one technique at a time.
Sometimes I wonder who was ultimately responsible for this. Maybe it's the (insert style here) people who are trying to eliminate Karate all together. (that was a joke)
You mark my words, because you heard it here first - twenty five years from now karate tournaments will be held from the safety of your own home. Matches will be held on line with joy sticks. The worst part is you think I'm kidding with that. I ain't.
