"Sam the Bam" <samthebam1@lycos.com> wrote in message 
news:1134603363.553215.255590@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Yesterday I worked out with a local Kyokushin club,
> more or less by accident.
>
> They were teaching the jab to the beginners (myself included),
> and the technique seemed quite odd.  From the usual right
> hand stance, the left foot pivots 90* clockwise, the hips and
> shoulders turn to face right, as the arm thrusts out.  The head
> remains facing the opponent.  The instructor explained that this
> method gets the strength of the hip into the punch.
>
> In my experience, one slides forward with the left foot, to get
> the body weight behind the punch.  The hip turn is slight.  I
> had trouble adjusting to their method.
>
> Is this the norm in Kyokushin?  Has anyone else ever done it this way?
>
> In addition, they taught a sparring stance with both feet facing
> straight ahead, whereas I have always turned the front toes
> to one o'clock.
>
> Otherwise, it was a vigorous workout, except I thought too
> much calisthenics, not enough karate.
>
> Sam

I'm not particularly familiar with Kyokushin, but using hip rotation to 
create power is the kihon behind a basic punch at my dojo. Thrusting with 
the legs is also important, but as Sensei says, no hip, no hit.

I suspect that the exagerration you describe might be to emphasize to 
beginners the need for the rotation. It doesn't seem entirely practical, 
although I'd estimate my own hip rotation in the 45- to 60-degree range.

Todd