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Getting Your Gi Size Right Before You Buy

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Buying a gi without understanding how the sizing works is a reliable way to end up with something that either flaps around you or refuses to sit properly after the first wash. Whether you're buying your first gi or switching to a different brand or weight, the same principles apply - and they're straightforward once you know them. How the Numbers Actually Work Most manufacturers base their sizing on height in centimetres. A size 170 is built around a practitioner who stands roughly 170cm tall. That sounds simple enough, but it's only the starting point. Height gets you in the right ballpark; your chest and waist measurements determine whether the jacket and trousers actually fit comfortably once you're moving. For fit benchmarks, the standard is practical: sleeves should come down to the wrist bone, and trouser hems should reach the ankle bone. If you're trying something on and it falls noticeably short of either mark, it's too small regardless of what the l...
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Timing in Kumite: What to Work On Before Your Next Sparring Session

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Most karateka, when they want to improve their sparring, reach for more speed or more power. It's an understandable instinct. But if your techniques aren't landing cleanly, the problem is more likely timing than either of those things. Timing is the ability to execute at precisely the right moment. Get it right, and even a moderate-speed technique will land before your opponent can do anything about it. Get it wrong, and the fastest kick in the dojo won't save you. Why Timing Is the Skill Worth Prioritising The reason timing matters so much comes down to how people move in sparring. Your opponent is never static. They're attacking, recovering, shifting their weight, or reorganising their thoughts after a flurry. Each of those moments creates a window. "Timing exploits the gaps in your opponent's movement - the moments when they are transitioning, attacking, or mentally resetting." A fast technique launched when your opponent is balanced, alert and re...
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