sensei8

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!!

The 2004 basketball team the won bronze, not gold. They could have been the most disappointing team ever. Whoa!! My bad...I stand corrected...thanks JR 137...I'm shocked because I didn't think they'd ever get anything else but gold.

Solid post!!

I doubt the average person will know the difference between TKD and Karate. I doubt the average person will even watch either, but, a MAist will, if not just out of curiosity!!

I believe that your Sensei is saying that the Oyo Bunkai is where you are teaching yourself other Bunkai's. If that's not what he means, well, LEAVE THAT DOJO!! Kata isn't a dance, therefore, we have to learn the who, why, when, where, what, and how of each said Kata taught. It's vital, without exceptions!! If not, then why even learn the darn Kata in the first place, or for that fact, why learn the style of MA at all. I'd rather learn bowling!! We teach all levels of Bunkai from 10th Kyu to 8th Dan, with no exceptions.

To me...it doesn't sound mean at all. Beside, I've no way to know how the tone of his voice was. Was it hateful? Was it light? Was it dry? From you OP, I don't think he was mean, at all. Over all these many years, Soke and Dai-Soke were old school; quite strict!! I, myself, well, I'm quite old school; the apple didn't fall far from the tree. After all, I was their student. Neither of us are mean or cruel or insensitive or from another planet. Our floor is considered holy ground, and once on the floor, one best be serious or leave. Time to socialize is before and after class, or wherever that tone is permitted. However, I've always insisted that I be called "Bob" or "Sensei Bob", albeit, I do prefer "Bob" because I believe that it has a calming affect on the student body. I set the tone, and often times, especially that I'm almost 60 years old, I will kid around and prank often times while on the floor. For the most part, I'm old school, but that doesn't mean that I'll not laugh or kid or prank while on the floor. Yes, Soke and Dai-Soke didn't like it when they'd visit my dojo, but, after all, it was my dojo, and they were my guest...they'd just shake their heads in disapproval. New students have to learn the protocol and decorum of the dojo, while those students that've been there for a short time, already know what to do and what not to do. As far as the kids...well...I'm old school but I'm the biggest kid on the floor...if not, I'll have NO KIDS because I've scared the crud out of them. Who wants to be around a mean loud instructor?!? I don't, and neither do kids!! They get enough of that at home. So the dojo needs to be the one place in their live where they can relax and be themselves. You'll be fine, but you'll not avoid said instructor all of the time, and that means that you'll have to learn when or when they're not awfully strict.

Thanks, Danielle; great information!! Do they have in the UK, Open Carry Laws, and if so, could Pepper Spray become part of that??

My wife and I did this while she was in college to become a school teacher. It was dynamic, to say the least. I ran the floor, and she ran the front. We did fine unless she tried to tell me how to teach...THAT WAS A NO NO!! Her advice wasn't wanted nor appreciated. Why? She's not my Sensei!! Know your role!! In short time, she learned not to do that anymore. After that, we became that solid machine; doing our parts, and doing them well. The most important thing that we learned right off the bat was...WE'RE A TEAM!! Separate at times, but a team, nonetheless!! We respected each others areas, and we learned to appreciate each others strengths. When she graduated...she left to become a school teacher, and she's a GREAT teacher!!

Yes...GO FOR IT!! Enjoy both the tournament as well as the KF LiveStream. I wish you the best for the tourney, and I look forward to hearing/seeing you this Saturday. But if you can't to both or one, it'll be understood!!

Why not!! If an NBA player can play in the IOC, then why not allow a pro boxer enter the Rio 2016?!?!?! Let me say this, then I'll shut-up!! I hate the fact that NBA players are allowed to play in the Olympics. I thought that the Olympics were for amateur's, who then moved up to the professional status. I do know the difference from a pro and an amateur...one gets paid while the other doesn't. How many Bronze and Silver medals have the USA Basketball team won since NBA players have been allowed? ZERO!! Nothing but Gold...each and every time. Levels are not to be ignored!! High school...College...Semi-Pro...Pro!! As one goes from one to the other, they're much more better than that of the level before. To me...it's an unfair advantage! Imagine Mayweather at the Rio 2016...quite unfair to his opponents. Sure, the upset might happen, but that's a hope and a dream for his opponent.

Either...both the Makiwara and the punching bag are needed, yet, necessary tools for any serious MA practitioner. Hit either incorrectly, you'll know it...same with...hit either correctly, you'll know it as well!! Strength...speed...power...etc...are achieved with either, and imho, it depends highly on what drills are being utilized and with which tool, and if they're used correctly...proper. I suppose, how I address either tool, differs from others, and this includes those within Shindokan. Call me wrong, but if you've not been on the floor with me, then you can't assume me being wrong. I can train speed on a Makiwara...I do it all of the time. Many things are worked on across the board with either the Makiwara or the punching bag. As I've told many, you train them how you want to, and so will I...and I do!!

I hope that Karate doesn't become an official anything with the Olympics. Why? I believe it might further devalue Karate. How? Karate ISN'T a sport, and this is my opinion, and Karate shouldn't become a sport. Hence, Karate-do!! Just because Judo and TKD are a part of the IOC, doesn't mean that Karate should follow suite. I'm not going to speak toward Judo and TKD being a part of the IOC beyond that they are, because, I'm not either a Judo practitioner or a TKD practitioner. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, but as far as Karate is concerned, imho, it's not, not in the least. Call me old fashioned!! Nonetheless, change is good...except this!!