Sensei Hanratty discusses why he's not a big fan of the side snap kick.

He also touches on the following:-The power sources of rotation, counter-rotation, vibration, lifting/dropping, and pendulum-Proper delivery of kekomi-Role of kime in kicks-Importance of returning to “ready position”-Why, “If you have to block, you’re probably to late.”

Sensei Hanratty discusses the following:

-The three main body types and the types of activities to get the best out of them

-Ability vs. capability

-Different types of stretching

-Why the learning curve is steep at the start

-Importance of visualization in martial arts

Sensei Hanratty offers thoughts on how he grades and how other instructors grade. He touches on the following:

-How grading systems have evolved

-The first things he teaches students

-Evolution of his grading guide and syllabus

-What he looks for in Heian Shodan

-What he looks for at gradings

-Using the voice as a weapon

-Signature moves in katas

-The difference between commercial dojos and traditional dojos

-What it was like earning his first black belt

Sensei Hanratty discusses the following:

-Some of the nicest dojos he’s seen

-Things to consider if thinking of running a full-time dojo

-Why running a dojo is a huge responsibility

Key quote: “It’s a balancing act between teaching good, traditional karate and attracting enough students to be able to afford to do that.”

Sensei Hanratty also reads the epilogue to a private memoir he recently wrote.

Sensei Hanratty discusses the following:

-Why the focus in your first year of training is going to be 90% physical

-The role of self discipline at the start

-How too much focus on competition can be to the detriment of other aspects of karate

-Extrinsic and intrinsic sources of sports motivation

Sensei Hanratty offers coaching tips. Among the topics discussed:

-The difference between coaching and instructing

-How to build a good team

-Tips for teaching kids, including the role that parents play

Key quote: “What I always want to do is bring out the best in you.”

Sensei Hanratty looks at the differences between the Shotokan and Goju Ryu styles.

He also discusses the following:

-Difference between inside tension and outside tension stances

-Urban myths surrounding karate, such as ripping flesh from an opponent

-How most weapons will work if you hit the right target

-Location of nerve centers

-How his traditional dojo is set up

In the 66th episode of the Hanratty on Karate Podcast, Sensei John Hanratty discusses the following:

-A trip some of his students just took to Okinawa, where they trained with a Gōjū-ryū grandmaster.

-Criteria he follows when taking juniors on international trips.

-How the Gōjū-ryū style, and particularly its kata, differs from Shotokan.Episode recorded on November 24, 2025