sensei8

If the manner for which one operates their school's testing or promotions works for them, than that's their right to do so. As it's the right of schools of the MA to differ from other schools' SOP. None is right...none is wrong...just different, as it should be. I'm a firm believer that the choice is that schools choice, and I've no right to condemn that school as it being incorrect. Therefore, my way is not their way, and in that, I respect their choice and would ask that they respect mine, as well.

So quick question, if a student attends an SKKA school that isn't the Hombu itself. can that student open up his or her own school under the SKKA banner? Or does that student have to have trained under the Hombu first? Yes!! To the first question. No!! To the second question. Neither is a prerequisite of either!! I just happen to have been an in-house student at the Hombu before and after I opened my dojo's. Having said that, we've dojo's within the SKKA network where the CI has never been an in-house student of the Hombu. Those CI's that have had their dojo open for some time now, they've been in-house students of the Hombu. Nowadays, as the years have melted away, that is becoming more of a memory than it was in years gone by.

Both, if possible! However, I'd select taking business over PhysEd, but only if you're wanting to run a school. If not, then PhysEd would compliment the major quite well. Imho! You don't need a business degree to run a small business. Just take a few of the basics. Accounting I and II, Business Law I and II. Marketing, and a professional writing course or advanced grammar (even this is not necessary, but could prove useful). Try getting into nursing and working in sports medicine, or orthopedics. Good paying, in demand jobs, and you can start with a 2 year degree from a community college for lower entry cost. Many hospitals will pay for you to go to get a 4 year nursing degree after you are already working for them. Then side gig Martial Arts. Maybe teach in a dojo as a fun side job. I work with many people who do this. If you found a degree similar to Phys Ed but a more medical focus then you have a larger pool of employment opportunities. Just some thoughts. I see my and later generations being sold into mountains of debt for hollow promises. Side gigging in a Dojo would provide valuable real world experience which is much better than classroom theory. If you were in an medical/exercise related field skills would transition easily. If you are into business go into accounting. Break the stereotype and be a combat accountant. No, one doesn't need a business degree, or any degree for that fact, to operate a school of the MA. I was only merely offering that as a suggestion of the two courses you had mentioned, and I do feel that we MAists kind of have the Phys Ed thing understood, especially as a MA instructor, whereas, not many, if any, schools of the MA teach Business 101...mine didn't/doesn't.

To the bold type above... You're correct Nidan Melbourne. No matter the rank ALL students have to apply with the Hombu, and the Hombu decides who is and who isn't admitted to any Testing Cycle!! No dojo within the SKKA network can conduct a Testing Cycle without the specific approval of the Hombu. I can't conduct a Testing Cycle in my own dojo unless the Hombu has approved it, even though I'm the Kaicho of the SKKA, and am of a Senior Dan Rank....no way and no how!! SKKA network wide conduct Testing Cycles once every quarter, Hombu included. Also, the Hombu conducts a annual Testing Cycle in June/July for all ranks, especially Godan and up: they MUST test at the Hombu without exception. To the Bolded Information, if you wish to hold your own Testing Cycle would you have to gain approval of your Board of Regents/Directors? Also I'm curious to know how far would people have to travel to the Hombu for that particular Testing Cycle? No!! I don't need Hombu approval to conduct a Testing Cycle, that's a separate concern. One in which the Hombu has no say over. However, every candidate that wishes to attend my Testing Cycle, they'd have to have Hombu approval, in which that specific approval/denial would then be forwarded to me from the Hombu prior to the date of my Testing Cycle. 75% of the SKKA Student body lives not far from the Hombu. The Hombu is located in the San Fernando Valley, which is just north of Hollywood, California. The other 25% live outside of that region...as far away as Tulsa, OK, and as near as Dallas, TX, no further north and/or east than the Lower Midwest.

Solid post!!

Solid post!!

To the bold type above... You're correct Nidan Melbourne. No matter the rank ALL students have to apply with the Hombu, and the Hombu decides who is and who isn't admitted to any Testing Cycle!! No dojo within the SKKA network can conduct a Testing Cycle without the specific approval of the Hombu. I can't conduct a Testing Cycle in my own dojo unless the Hombu has approved it, even though I'm the Kaicho of the SKKA, and am of a Senior Dan Rank....no way and no how!! SKKA network wide conduct Testing Cycles once every quarter, Hombu included. Also, the Hombu conducts a annual Testing Cycle in June/July for all ranks, especially Godan and up: they MUST test at the Hombu without exception.

You too, JR 137, were missed! You had to do what you had to do; life does get in the darn way at the worse times. Btw, how did the tourney turn out for you??

Solid OP!! I feel your pain through and through. There's nothing you can do about the manner of which other MA schools conduct their affairs; they do what they do, no matter how wrong it might feel to you. Conduct your affairs with a conscience that's above board, and you'll be fine. I'd rather close my dojo than conduct my affairs without any integrity across the board. Our job is to teach EFFECTIVENESS through and through; alas, providing solid confidence, and not false confidence within our students. One gets what they deserve. They choose you...they'll be solid! They choose the fast food school mindset...they'll be that house that is built upon sand; without a solid foundation. All we can do with schools that lack integrity is to shake our heads, and pray that before it's too late, they wander in your school or my school or any credible school, whether it be by mistake or on purpose, and discover the truth. Cause you know, we don't force them into our schools, the consumer decides on their own, and sometimes, they regret their decision either now or to much later. We, when that stray student wanders into our school, we've got one chance and one chance alone to make that positive impression; so make it a good one. It would be a waste of time to try to do anything about those type of schools that wear the badge proudly of being that fast food business. Why? Because that's the path they chose to reach that bottom line, and their bottom line is much more important to them than worrying about their lack of integrity. They're set in their ways, as we're set in our ways...so let them have their cake and ice cream...all they want...and in time, they'll get that upset stomach from eating all of that greed and more and more and more. Meanwhile, an integrity based school, as yours and mine, might not like what we're witnessing, but at least, we can lay our heads down on our pillows and sleep soundly because we've conducted our affairs with integrity.

Thanks for sharing that video of Jesse's, Noah!! I share your thoughts, Noah; wholeheartedly!! There are other ways to market Karate to attract prospective students, and I suppose, any way is better than no way, and using the Olympics as a marketing tool for Karate, might have its merits. Only time will tell!!

By any chance, Alex, do you have a video of Dakup y Punjo? Thanks! I don't out right now. I'll try to shoot one. Thanks, Alex; I'll be looking for it!!

We missed you, Noah!! When you get to my interview, it's the last one, don't listen to it because I suck at phone interviews.

When I look at the aforementioned time stamp...I see the opening, and I would've attacked that with a straight punch without hesitation, but that's me. Any opening draws me like flies to a light, and I register an attack to that opening. If it works out, great...if not...great; nothing ventured is nothing gained. To me, that opening is akin to a blind/hidden attack in chess. Only you see the hidden opening, until it's too late for your opponent because they've already taken their finger off the chess piece. Then I attack, and capture that piece.

Just how small is the town? If it's 15k or less, 3-4 schools of the MA are 1 too many. Also, other than the MMA club, what are the other styles of the MA are offered in the town? What's the demographics of those schools, and yours? Are the other MA schools battling low student counts during certain annual sporting events in your town, like baseball or basketball or football through independent organizations and/or K-12 public schools, or are they just suffering in general? However, and please don't take offense to what I'm about to say, please, I only mean to offer a suggestion...Not all black belts can teach!! If one can't teach, then the school is doomed before it ever started. Consumers, and MA students are just that, are quite particular when it comes to enrolling their kids into anything, and the MA suffers from that as any business does that depends on body counts on the floor. Generally speaking, consumers are quite particular about how they want to spend their hard earned money; just because it's the MA, isn't a guarantee that they'll show up in droves...it's more like a trickle and not a flood. Are you doing any marketing at all? You have to your share, and much more than that! If the consumer...aka...prospective students don't know what services you offer, and that you're there, then cobwebs will show up before any prospective student. How's your signing just outside of your school? Large? Medium? Small? How are you getting their interest?? You've got to get them to look your way before they can see you, and if they can't see you, then one might as well not ever open the doors. Are you doing any demo's...anywhere?? Are you wanting to teach only adults, and not kids, or vice versa?? Adults don't want to train with kids, and parents don't want their kids to train with adults. Don't forget this... The squeaky wheel gets oiled first!! MMA is on a high right now, and has been, and might continue for some time, and that simply means that consumers want "THAT" and nothing else, no matter is the other schools have done, and are doing everything absolutely right...the rage of the page IS...MMA and BJJ. So, adapt or die!! If you can't attract students because you've no MMA or BJJ or grappling, then that hill of success will be quite difficult to climb, if at all. But wait, it's still not the end, find the niche that separates you from the others in a positive light, and then expand that with all that you're worth!! How's the tone in your school? Harsh? Kind? Drill Sargent? How's the lighting in the school both in and out? Do you offer lockers? Do you have any bathrooms? Do you have water fountains? Can you look objectively at everything honestly and ask yourself this... Do I want to try this school of the MA or not?? Why or why not?? Hang in there, be patient, and strive for what the other schools aren't!!

Great topic, Lex!! I teach Shindokan because of my love for Shindokan, and because I'm teaching Shindokan, I want to share not only Soke's and Dai-Soke's knowledge and experience that they've given me, but mine as well. The ultimate reward for me is when I see a student have their AHA moment, which is quickly followed with a big grin of accomplishment.

Yes, you're absolutely correct. Thanks, 5thdan!!

Solid post!! As to the bold type above... I believe that it would depend on who's delivering said punch; knowledge/experience can make all of the difference...again, it depends on who's executing said punch. I can generate quite a lot of power in my straight punch, standing or not. Connecting with the straight punch to the chin/face doesn't have to be a deciding factor because I might just want my opponent to move his/her hands from the side of their head so I can have more options. Also, let's not rule out that not many can take a straight punch, or any punch for that fact, to the chin/face; they quickly retreat in haste, and that's all the time one might need to end it all; distraction isn't mastered by everyone.

I agree. Day one. If one is using any kinds of forms they are essentially dance without an understanding of the meaning of the movements. That's the critical difference. For me, I'm not a big fan of the "interpretation" either. If someone designed these movements, then there should be an answer of what they do. I think randomly assigning what may or may not be the primary function of the movement is guesswork at best. One of the great things about the FMAs is that often we're still close enough to the source that one can look at a form and go "this is what it is teaching" and often (but not always) it's pretty apparent. There's usually a deeper lesson about the greater strategy of everything as well, a cut can be a cut and a lesson about recovery from vertical. But in both cases the answer should be there given from instructor to student so that learning is maximized. But that's just me. And an opinion that's changed over the years. Solid posts, both!!

By any chance, Alex, do you have a video of Dakup y Punjo? Thanks!

Thank you, and great comment. I always start out teaching from a wider punch for a couple of reasons. First up, it is, quite frankly despite what we teach in MA classes everywhere of every type, the most common punching attack we face from any position. Given the amount of fights I've seen, broken up, and been part of on the job, I really believe that this is true a preponderance of the time. Second, for new people or people new to a skill set, the added travel time makes it easier to see and begin to learn the movement. That said, it's important to play with the straight punch as well. The concept is actually the same, I'll attack the straight punch before it launches. Setting up from guard and pulling with the legs. This has the same effect with the straight punch as it does the hooking punch. It takes energy out because there is less travel and preempts the travel. The trap will be slightly more difficult, but a simple pummel will work. It's important to note, I really believe that no system, or set of movements, from any position will make one immune to getting hit, or hurt, or worse. It's a fight, things happen- no matter how well prepared. We'll be free rolling with strikes and occasionally someone comments that they re getting hit despite attempting the correct set of responses. I always comment, it's a fight. There are no guarantees. When we start to roll free is when participants are encouraged to take the tactics and play with them across different angles and different energies to find these little adjustments. Great point, I'm glad it came up in discussion. Knowing that you're addressing the hooking type punch over the straight in that tutorial, I retract my point(s). I wholeheartedly concur that anything and everything is possible, thusly, there are no guarantees, whatsoever; things happen, and no one is immune to being hit, no matter who one is. The straight punch leaves little time to defend it, as you've mentioned, than the hook. However, how the straight punch is delivered, does change the parameters about either one. You and I can hold our hands just like in the aforementioned time stamp, and still sense movement changes as to the forthcoming straight punch, and react effectively to it, unlike our students...for the moment.

Welcome to KF, T.j; glad that you're here!! As to your post...Solid post!!

Welcome to KF; 5thdan; glad that you're here!! Can you briefly explain some of the certain requirements on kata further??

Let me say this, because I believe that it's quite important... Please...Please...Please believe me that I'm not criticizing your methodology and/or ideology at all; they're solid!! No. I'm just speaking about what I see, feel, and have experienced for myself. First thing I saw, Alex, was that you're not taking in consideration for the straight punch/jab/etc to the chin, but only covering the punch that travels along a wide arc to head/face, as in time stamp 0:52-0:58. Soon as you see the hand moving to punch, you seize your opponent, thusly, arresting the arm and so on, and that's solid, but I don't see you addressing the straight punch to the gap between the elbow, while the hands are covering either side of the face/head. It's that small opening that I'd attack with a fever, especially if my opponent's offering that small opening for me to attack repeatedly and that often. Still, as always, Alex, solid tutorial!!

I agree, Brian!! I always get excited when a LiveStream is scheduled...LOVE THEM!! Patrick asked me during my interview how'd I quickly describe Shindokan... When you watch/listen to my answer it sounds like I'm saying... "50 percent hands...50 percent feet." And that's what Patrick heard as he repeats my answer... Let me get the marbles out of my mouth and fix my inability to master the spoken word... Shindokan is 85% hands...15% feet!! Our kicks set up our hands, and yes, we do know how to kick offensively as well, and not just set up kicks. Not to boast, but I kick like a mule and I've extremely strong legs; I can do a 550lbs sitting leg press with ease...with one leg, and a two legged sitting leg press I can do over 1000lbs with ease. I can understand perfectly why Patrick heard what he heard and said what he said....because it DOES SOUND like I'm saying 50% hands...50% feet. Another miserable answer from me was when Patrick asked about where I was, Shindokan wise, back in 2008 when I joined KF, and where I am currently. Well, great question, on Patrick's part...lousy answer, on my part. So, in 2008 in Shindokan...I was Hachidan in Shindokan's Karate-do and Nanadan in Shindokan's Kobudo...I was a member of the SKKA's Board of Regents...I was operating my 3rd dojo/retail store. Currently, I'm Kaicho [President] of the SKKA...Kudan in Shindokan's Karate-do and Hachidan in Shindokan's Kobudo. Future goals, is to bring the SKKA out of the stone age technology base we currently have, and have had since Soke founded it, i.e. website and the like so that Shindokan can be accessed by those interested parties...to open a North, East, and Central/Midwest Regional Sub-Hombu's within 5 years. I just wanted to correct my unclear phonetics...I'm the biggest dork I know...good grief, Bob...sheech!! Alex, you've a new career as an Interviewer, and how easily you handled the Stream from start to finish. Hopefully, you can interview me...one MA to another. Don't misunderstand me, Patrick is a master of the interview, and I really enjoy his interviews. It was great SEEING KF members...it's that putting faces with KF member names that adds to the familiarity and closeness of the KF community. Great interviews across the board. And the way Patrick did this LiveStream was incredible...with the Co-Host...with the split screen shots...with the live video feed for the interviews...all in all...I'd give this LiveStream...a...SOLID 10 out of 10....in baseball language...it went yard!! One last thing... Coming soon to your local store for your next purchase... The Cell Phone Sling You too can use this fantastic new technology to secure any cell phone to anything...anywhere...anytime...in just seconds. Get yours now for the unbelievable price of only...$9.99...that's right...ONLY $9.99. If you order yours right now, you can also receive, not just one, but TWO, at no extra charge. Order yours right now...telephone operators are standing by....CALL NOW!! Necessity is always the mother of invention, and Patrick did what anyone would do when facing a problem....improvised with what he had available to him right at that moment. GENIUS...pure GENIUS.

Solid post!!