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I was going to say something very similar to this tbh. You mentioned that you wanted to learn something very specific and this person could teach you it so maybe you could separate the learning and the application: it sounds like the instructor in question is capable and can teach the curriculum you were wishing to learn so you can use the sessions to acquire the skill and then you can work on the application of the skill independently - no reason why they need to happen at the same time. It sounds like you already have an individual style that you are hoping to improve a facet of so this should still let you do that. Tbh you would likely come up with a different application anyway even if they taught more in that way. I had to make a similar mindshift when i went back to karate a few years ago as you would hear "when on the street you use this technique this way" etc. and it would be a very rigid application of a stereotypical kihon technique. I just decided that i can learn the technique as taught, benefit from this in improving my co-ordination / balance / timing etc. and then apply it how i would like to / not apply it as i saw fit if it every came down to it. My son already seems to be doing the same thing: he has 5 years of judo training already at 9yrs and same time in karate and i had to have words with him after he started footsweeping other kids in kumite (he was talking about how he had openings for 'stronger' throws). Had to sit him down and tell him that it is really good he is spotting ways to integrate his techniques but if he actually follows through with blocking a technique and launches someone with Uchimata i will ban him myself for 6mths! Additionally you may find that you notice a benefit yourself that you didn't expect: eg for myself when back at karate i went from being a bit sceptical about stances to realising that they are actually leg exercises / stretches and a way of getting more reps of this in etc. so it did lead to a new awareness for me too

My background is quite diverse. Started with Karate for a while, dipped quickly into Kung Fu Wing Chun, delved into Krav Maga with a very technical and realistic instructor (I feel important to mention it as the name has a bad reputation), and back to Karate with a specific for practicality in Karate. As part of my experience I also had the opportunity to have sparring of high intensity with people from Muay Thai and MMA. I quite agree, it makes for a poor relationship, if any at all...

Pre-Season game #2 is a done deal for my wife’s Raiders with a pre-season record of 0-1-1. Yesterday we went to the one and only 2025 pre-season game as the Raiders hosted the 49ers; red shirts were everywhere. Both teams battled back and forth with 1 TD each along with the rest being field goals. Stadium was nearly sold-out. For a second there, I surrendered to another tie game. BUT Nnnnoooooooooooo!! With a 49ers interception with under a minute to play, the 49ers began their drive. However, 3 plays later, the 49ers were driving…backwards!! The tie I was hoping for, after all, a tie is better than a lose…I suppose, was not to be. With 3 seconds, if my memory serves me well, the 49ers split the uprights with a 58 yard field goal for the ‘W’. Final score: 49ers 22…Raiders 19 It was a great game!! GO COWBOYS!! (Cowboys lost their 2nd pre-season game yesterday to the Ravens: 31-13…we got smashed) [I’d tried to post some photos I took with my phone but I STILL don’t know how to do that…sorry…I’m not tech savvy at all]

I have a question: What is YOUR martial arts background? Joining a martial arts school, any MA school, you are looking to learn from that instructor. Don't like him/her? Quit. Just because that instructor doesn't do what you think they should do, makes for a real shaky instructor/student relationship.

7/28/2025 TKD: 6:00 - 6:45 pm. This was more of a solo workout. Do-Gans 1-6, and I did three-steps 1-6 between each Do-Gan. Stretch. 7/31/2025 TKD: 5:45 - 6:30 pm. Traditional Class. I worked the arms in basics again. My hands were shaking a lot; it's always more noticeable on my right hand. Choi Yong went ok. I did some technique work with a high orange belt on the side with kicking, especially side kicks. White and high orange belt one-steps. Sparring: 6:30 - 7:00 pm. Working with lots of lower ranks. Some of them are getting more aggressive, which is good. Self-Defense: 7:00 - 7:30 pm. Punch flow drills, then we worked some trapping to random self-defense, locks and takedowns.

7/24/2025 TKD: 5:45 - 6:30 pm. Traditional Class. I taught this class. Added in more kicking to the upper body basics. Then got the students through their forms and one-steps. BJJ: 7:00 - 8:00 pm. We worked from a 50/50 position, working/defending heel hooks. Later on we worked from a backside 50/50, then to a 90/10 position. I tried to apply the defensive applications that were explained in the seminar from the week before, with some success.

Probably due to the sport aspect. I've always had instructors that worked in some of the self-defense aspects, and we always learned how to fall, if even rudimentarily. In Aikido, we spend a lot more time on ukemi, and it's a different level of attention to detail.

7/22/2025 TKD: 5:45 - 7:00 pm. Traditional Class. My knees were giving me fits today, and one of them gave out while stepping in stances in basics. Took a while to finally get it warmed up. Lots of pain especially in the front stances on the front knee. Had a decent stretch after basics, and then Choi Yong was decent again. I did white and green belt one-steps. Sparring: 6:30 - 7:00 pm. Five rounds. White belt x2. Low green belt that was pretty aggressive, and has some good things to build on. 2nd dan, tall teenager that did not want me to get close to him. He kept his distance well and I had to lure him in. 2nd dan, adult, also tall (the kid's dad, actually), we worked each other really good. He commented that I set him up and tricked him on some points, and he got me at times as well. My arms were dead after that match.

Just because you don't like someone, or how someone does things, doesn't mean you can't still learn something from them. There are egos on both side of this; yours and his. If his won't flex, then perhaps yours might have to, at least for a time if you think you can gain something from his teaching. Which to me, it sounds like you probably could. The important thing to remember is that what he teaches you doesn't demean what you already know. You are just adding to your knowledge base. Take what you learn in class, and then on your own time, work it from your own training philosophy. Take notes, maybe ask some questions here and there on the side so as not to cause an issue in class. If after a time you don't feel like the training is beneficial at all, you can always move on. I'll say this, from my time in grappling class, there is nothing theoretical about rolling. That's one thing BJJ and Wrestling benefit from. A lot of instructors could benefit from that kind of exposure. Best of luck to you, and let us know what you decide.

Ouch!! Tell us what you really think!!

Thank you Very Much!! This is quite appreciated. I am speechless

Thanks for sharing that! Something I kind of want to add to my previous points which is that a Black Belt is supposed to give us a better perspective on how things are going in this world and to give us the tools to assist us. Now how we use those tools varies person to person, one being know when to talk abou being a Black Belt in a Martial Art over not talking about it. To me it is like my knowledge/skills are that little pocket knife that you keep in your back pocket; you don't go around telling people that you have it but when you need it its there. So with that when I go out, i'd talk about everything else but MA. Even with my friends, the closest thing I talk about MA with them are movies and TV shows that talk about it. For example; how much it annoys me when I watch "Bloodsport" (yes that Bloodsport about Frank Dux), of how Jean-Claude Van Damme does his weird hoppy style fighting stance. Especially after a kick where its a skip skip skippy knee. Even where I get into situations where a fight is possible; i'd rather communicate to see if i can resolve it first that way before having to use something else. Which I believe is a skill that not many instructors teach nor the same at schools/universities. If we were simply taught to use our words first above all else, I wonder how much less conflict there would be?

It probably was clear! I sometimes miss little nuances like that!

In terms of size; I'm pretty sure NFL are by far bigger. But it is hard to compare positions between the two, as they are so vastly different. Speed and Agility as well is a strange thing, because both sports have high demands on it. Rugby [Union] is 15 a side (League the less common brother is 13 a side) - there are no offensive or defensive teams. Everyone plays Offense and Defense, meaning everyone has to have a high level of Cardio and Muscular Endurance. The longest you would find a stoppage (without the Referee talking) is maybe 30-45 seconds. And that is where a Scrum is having to be formed from an infraction of the rules. They know the importance f keeping their position, but ignore the potential long term consequences. You don't get longevity in a game like the NFL, as you don't many players who last more than 4-5 years in the Professional League. Now I don't know much about the lawsuit. But out of the people that you listed; I believe the Doctors had their best interests. As at the end of the day, if something happened they could lose their Medical Licence.

It could be worse, at least you are not a Jets fan. The Cowboys have only sucked for 30 years. The Jets have sucked for over 50.

Another big news day on the NFL front, this time about the continuing saga between the league and former head coach Jon Gruden. Gruden scored a big win this week when the Nevada Supreme Court ruled in his favor that he can go forward with his civil lawsuit against the league, and do it publicly. This makes the league potentially vulnerable to public humiliation, especially Goodell. If what comes out in discovery shows that Goodell is the one who was behind the leaking of Gruden's emails, the fallout could be huge. Two options now for the NFL to avoid this going to court. One, the league has the option to appeal the ruling (they will), so it could be heard by the US Supreme Court. Popular opinion is that the odds of the Supreme Court taking the case are slim. Option two, the NFL offers Gruden an absurd amount of money, plus the chance to coach in the NFL again, in return for him not going to court. Basically, a settlement. However, Gruden appears to be holding such a grudge against the league that he has said no amount of money will be enough and he intends to "burn the house down," in his case against the NFL. If the Supreme Court does not take the case (or if they take it and rule in favor of Gruden), then the question is, will Gruden stick to his word or will the NFL make such a great offer he can't refuse it? Oh it's getting spicy!

One thing that I know used to happen in the NFL, and this is not to excuse anybody, but players would often lie or downplay their injury so they could get back into the game. The NFL is so competitive that if you miss time due to an injury, another player could step in and take your job. Or the team could use your injury as negotiation leverage against you when your contract is up. The "tough guy" attitude was/is a big part of the football culture and "playing hurt" was often celebrated by players, fans, coaches, and the media, praising players for their toughness. When it comes to concussions, NFL coaches would often rely on doctors to decide if a player is healthy enough to play. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, before all of this came to light, concussions were not always taken as seriously because you couldn't see it the way you can see a broken bone or torn muscle. In the 90s, NFL Commision Paul Tagliabue put a doctor named Elliot Pellman as the lead doctor for concussions. Problem was that Pelman worked for the NY Jets, and the NFL, so he was not independent. A bigger problem still was that he was not an expert in neurology. This is who the league picked to head up the concussion investigation. Irresponsible choice by the NFL IMO. It is my belief that the NFL from the coaches, to the commissioners, to the owners, to the doctors, did not have the player's best interest in mind and were willing to downplay the concussion risks for fear of how it would hurt them financially. Which it did eventually did. A class action lawsuit against the NFL was settled out of court for over a billion dollars. You bring up the coaches and heat. In 2001 there was a Vikings player named Korey Stringer who died during training camp from heatstroke. There is a lot of information about that situation, but it did cause the NFL to change some things. If it happened in the NFL I wouldn't be surprised if irresponsible coaches were doing the same thing in college and high school. I've never been a coach, it is not for me, but I would think any responsible coach would prioritize the health of their players for many reasons, one being it is the right thing to do, and another being that without healthy players you don't have anyone to put in the game.

I find this interesting. I don't know anything about Rugby so I figured I would ask someone who has experience with it. Many Ruby fans I talked to years ago looked down on American Football, saying it was "soft" due to the pads worn by players, which I guess Ruby does not have, or did not at one time. I don't know the size/speed of the Rugby players or how the game works, I do know in the NFL you have very large people coming at you quickly in a small space, looking to knock you down, and, sometimes, they aim to knock you out of the game. See Vikings/Saints playoff matchup January 2010. The Saints players were offered bonus money if they were to injure Brett Favre. They roughed him up, but at age 40, Brett Favre, the record holder for most consecutive starts, never missed a snap in that game. Favre was one of the toughest guys ever. Your feedback is helpful and appreciated.

I was trying to be playful. Sorry if that was unclear.

First of all welcome to the forum! Where in Japan are you looking at travelling to? As that will greatly help the other members provide you with helpful suggestions. Does your club have any affiliations in Japan? May be worth speaking to your sensei if they know any other Shito-Ryu Clubs that are members of a Japanese Organisation.

Miguel Da Luz - founder of the Okinawa Traditional Karate Liaison Bureau (OTKLB). Miguel has lived in Okinawa a long time…20 years or more. Miguel would be the main contact between you and any given Okinawa Master; I’d say his list of Okinawa Master is the who’s who of Okinawa Masters. If you are a black belt holder, it is recommended that you bring both black and white belts: you should wear a white belt first. If sensei urges you to wear your black belt, only then you can wear it. Good luck!! (EDIT: Auto Spell hates me)

From what i've seen, Yes it is less dangerous. The rules around tackling are strictly enforced, where it is effectively around the waist and from the front. Anything above Sternum is a High Tackle. So there are No Tackles from the Side or Rear. A few people I played with, received concussions during the course of a match. They had to immediately report for Medical Assessment, until cleared to return they aren't playing. They can do supervised training; but is more about movement and cardio. We had a few exchange students from the US, and played a match or two with us. I remember talking to them, and what shocked them was how safe the game of Rugby is in comparison to NFL. IMHO at the end of the day the Coach has the final say about who plays and who doesn't. Also they are the ones responsible for Player Safety. When I was a coach (I coached Basketball), and had players ruled out due to injury. Now a few times - I had a few parents, or even club management try to force me to get an injured player to get court time because they had organised a scout to come watch. However I strictly refused, and the scout came to me to ask what happened and why I didn't play a certain player. Now I explained to them that I do not play a player that is injured, as it is my responsibility for their safety and if I did let them play it would just be reckless. However I have heard disturbing reports from various places that coaches at the High School Level push their players to unsafe levels during extreme heat.

This line here distills a lot of how I feel about young black belts. It is our job, not only as adults but especially as instructors whose responsibility it is to guide the journey of these kids, to set a good example. Kids are sponges, and they lack the nuance to decipher when someone is good for them or bad. They're dopamine monsters, just like we all are. They will seek whatever gives them that boost. Whatever makes them feel like they have a place. What are bullys but people who are scared that they have no place in the world? When we teach karate, for whatever reason, in whatever way, we instill within our students not only confidence to stand up and face challenges, but the ability to be violent about it. This is why good instructors focus so much on the budo of martial arts. We are meant to teach honor, compassion, and understanding. No teacher worth their salt teaches that violence is a first reaction. It is, unequivocally, a parent/guardian's job to imbue their children with a strong moral compass. However, these are hardly ever the only players in a child's life. As much as I am a product of my parent's beliefs and philosophies, I also have a lot of others to thank for shaping me. Despite the philosophical issues I have with my original teacher, I will forever be indebted to him helping me (and, by extension, my parents) shape myself into the man I am today. It's an incredible responsibility, being a teacher. We're not always going to make the right decisions. The same is true about parents. However, being honest about our shortcomings and showing our students and children that we, too, are human is important. I've seen too many black belts, adult and children alike, who wear it as a status symbol. Black belts aren't meant to remove us from the equation, making us above the others. Black belts are meant to put us at the front, so that our example can make the world a better place.

Well, I can say that Shito-Ryu isn't very popular on Okinawa, as it's really more of a mainland Japanese style, but there are quite a few dojo on Okinawa that are open to the public. The Karate Kaikan actually has a program to connect visitors with dojo on Okinawa, but you need to register right away, because they ask for 2 weeks' notice: https://karatekaikan.jp/en/pages/experience-program-karate Aside from that, you can try connecting with other karateka visiting Okinawa and see if they will let you tag along when they go to training. These personal connections are generally the best way to go, but can be difficult if you don't already know people on Okinawa. You can start by reaching out to James Pankiewicz, who runs the Asato Dojo and BujinTV, as he has lots of connections and knows a lot of people who might be able to help you out. Alternatively ,you can ask a taxi driver to take you to a karate dojo they know about and just show up asking respectfully to train. I don't generally recommend the "show up and ask" approach unless you have exhausted your other options.

Congrats!