sensei8

Sounds to me that their on an upswing of things, and this is a good thing, whether they win or lose, they're keeping it real!! And of course, I look forward to VIDEOS!!

Solid post; spoke in volumes!!

Like MMA? No, but an open format where all(most) styles are welcome to attend. These will include a wide range of styles. I'm not sure where in TX you are, but here are some I know of.... Houston - http://www.jamallnationals.com/#!home/c14q Grapevine, TX - TForce Elite Internationals 8/13/16 San Antonio - http://www.yellowrosenationals.com/ Austin - Lonestar Open normally in October Also check the NBL site - http://www.nblskil.com/pages/tournamentlisting.html And these sites too - http://theaok.org/Tournaments.aspx, http://www.texaskarate.com/tournaments.htm, http://tklonline.com/tournaments.html And finally, if you use Facebook follow 'Buckeye Karate Tournaments, Seminars, & More'. Folks post a lot of tournaments there. Now, that's a solid post!!

Both Bulltahr and JR 137 have offered solid advice in their posts!! I'd only add, and this is what I was told by my Sensei and this is what I tell my students... The testing cycle will take care of itself!! You've done the training...you've bleed the tears and the sweat and all that encompasses in MA training. So, just take a deep breath, relax, and do your best. If you pass, then you pass...if you fail, you fail; worse things can happen to you! If you mess up, and you will, big deal, ALLOW THE TEST TO TAKE CARE OF ITSELF. Whatever you THINK you've messed up, you can't, for that moment, do anything about it. Remember, as in any test, and this includes tests that aren't from the MA world, you can miss so many questions, and STILL pass the test. Passing, for most, is 70%, and in time, that percentage will increase. Relax; it's all good!!

Solid post!!

Enjoy... Being honest with oneself...isn't easy, but necessary!! Thoughts, please.

In the most basic of dumbville language, can someone PLEASE teach me how I can download something either from my phone or from my computer to KF or to YouTube or etc. I barely, no, that's a lie, I don't even know how to download anything onto my computer and with that, I don't know how to download FROM my computer or to my computer. I've a new camcorder, that I still don't know how to use. And when I learn how, how do I download it to aforementioned places. I've asked family, and friends, and others, but, I'm dumber than dumb, and I get confused easily with these things. Great at MA, but the simplest stuff, WAY OVER MY HEAD. Seems that I have to be drawn out directions in crayon...but that too, might be well over my head. My wife's shown me, but, I can't grasp it at all. Patrick and other KF members have tried to help me, but even then, I scratch my head and go..."HUH??". I'm not wired that way. I want to learn. I want show the world Shindokan!! But, my want isn't meeting with my abilities.

That's what I'm talking about; very cool, Brian, very cool!!

Solid post!!

I'm in their corner...all the way. Good luck Kenneth and Kendall!!

I agree with the bold type above; being eye catching, at least. I've trained so long in resistive training that any other method bores me to tears. This is my shortcoming, I suppose!! I was watching some Tiger Rock videos and I was appalled at what I saw. One of their 9th Dans struggled to execute their 9th Dan form: unbalanced kicks, jerky movements, spinning kicks that were knee to waist high...their suppose to be TKD core. All breaks were with a 1-inch board, even for the High Dan ranks...below expectations in my opinion. They defined what drives me crazy. Do a demo....dominating against said attacker...then when that same dominator spars, they're not the same...they're the one being dominated...and these again, are High Dan ranks. Now, they do have a 7th Dan that was pretty good all around, and with that, I can only hope there are more like him!! I've done my share of non-resistive demo's. Yet, nowadays, I won't do them because they, well, bore me to death!! I'll leave those demos with someone else in Shindokan!! When teaching techniques, we'll teach the nomenclature of the entire technique, and then, we'll turn the tables by having the student resist or we'll resist the student. Then their learning curve peaks up. Our students know that their attacker will be quite proactive in their attacks, and at times, a give and take emerges.

Congrats, Bulltahr; well deserved!!

Ever watch any MA demo targeting in the realm of self-defense? Ever be so unimpressed that you just walk out shaking your head in wonderment? Ever then watch same MA demo master engage in Kumite/Sparring, and they're no longer that dominate? Well, so have I; more times than I care to remember. Why? Why the difference from the demo to the Kumite? RESISTIVE VS NON-RESISTIVE TRAINING!! Non-resistive demos bore me to death!! In Kumite: That's resistive! In demo's: That's non-resistive! In Kumite, your opponent isn't just standing there static while the "star" does as he/she pleases 2...3...4...5...wow techniques and you do nothing but submit. In demo's, the "star" is super-human and perform, and I do mean perform, an amazing plethora of techniques, thusly dominating the "victim". How...unrealistic! How...demoralizing! How...ineffective! How...false! Building up self-confidence in one thing, but creating a false security that what they're demonstrating is effective. Effectiveness can only be achieved with resistive training. Non-resistive training only harbors imaginative effectiveness. Yet, to their shock, they're not effective on the street; they're no longer the MA superman that the non-resistive training birthed. That's why I'm so fortunate to have learned resistive training. Whereas, we train 90% resistive to learn how to be effective in our techniques! The other 10% of non-resistive training is to learn the techniques. Our demo's are resistive. You attack me, I execute 1...2...3...techniques, however, you're resisting EVERYTHING I do. Yeah, but how can I train resistively and not injure my partner? You can! In Shindokan, we're taught that to learn Shindokan one must experience Shindokan. Alas, some discomfort will occur. Listen, I don't have to use full force to manipulate you! Grab me, and I apply! Yet, that application isn't breaking your bones, but I've your undivided attention, and yes, for the moment, you're feeling quite uncomfortable. I can do 2-steps on you in a resistive manner, and you'll know that I was there; you'll be uncomfortable, but not maimed. I've control, therefore, I decide the amount of force. In resistive training discomfort MUST be experienced. Spank a child, they're uncomfortable, but they're not maimed or killed! Same thing in how we train resistively! You MUST EXPERIENCE Shindokan, otherwise, false securities creep us and become a standard. When I trained a few years ago with bushido_man96/Brian, I told him that for him to understand Shindokan, he'd have to experience it first hand. He did on both grounds! To learn our brand of Tuite, you have to experience it to understand and believe in its effectiveness. Brian and I did some resistive training those days together over one weekend, and I believe that Brian appreciated our mindset towards resistive training. Non-resistive training has its merits, but it's limited. Resistive training is limitless because not only do you learn more about the technique, but you learn a lot about yourself. How to react when something doesn't go as it's suppose to, is a learning model for all; both the attacker and the defender!! Sure, do the non-resistive demo to show what "it" looks like, but then, right after, do the same demo resistively, and see the big difference unfold before your eyes. Next time you're doing 1...2...3 step sparring, throw a monkey wrench in the whole thing, and see what you see. I pretty much guarantee that you'll open up a new avenue that you hadn't expected. Imho!!

Welcome to KF, cblupo; glad that you're here!! Well, there's the UFC and venues like that. Then there's the old PKA bouts with guys like Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace and the gang. Then there's also Don Wilson and Benny Urquidez and the gang with some great kickboxing matches. Nonetheless, compared to the list in your OP, Karate hasn't had, imho, moments like those!! Sport Karate, lacks quite a lot in the aura in the long run!!

Solid post!!

When you click on the "Learn More" box at the end of that video, you get this... http://tigerrockevents.com/promotion/the-masters-invitational/ With Hotel info, and the like.

Our Hombu will be bringing in the New Year with a special New Years Class, open for all ages and for all ranks from 11pm to 1215am, and that will be followed by a party from 1220am to 145am. Just like its been done for as long as I can remember. Of course, we don't expect many, if any, kids to attend because the lateness of the celebration. NO ALCOHOLIC BREVERAGES WILL BE SERVED OR ALLOWED!! My family and I will celebrate the New Year...by staying home in Houston, TX. Nope, I've not been to the Hombu's New Years Class but for a few times since I left California to care for my mom in Dallas, TX before she passed away many, many years ago.

Well, that's real cool!! You've got my support!! Wastelander lives in Phoenix; maybe you two can meet one another one day to train.

My thoughts...well...ahem... Why is it that places like this are TKD based??!!?? Can't be just because TKD is a well known name, after all, TKD dojangs use the word "Karate" on their front window, brochures, and the like. According to their website, TKD is their core, through and through. The lineage is TKD, through and through. I think that this might be a great thing because, after all, they've a website. And if they've a website, then they must be all that and a bag of chips. Besides, they've a 4th Dan who is/was Ms. USA, and can break boards. Seems that their franchise might be financially viable across the board. If one wants to follow THIER franchise rules, and not have a voice of your own. Franchise owners who do things their way, are subject to losing their Franchise licensing, and that'll doom that school; they'll be Ronin's, with no port to call their own. Here's more about that... http://tigerrockmartialarts.com/franchise I'd be interested in knowing how General Manager/Lead Trainer ARE SELECTED. Franchisers do not have to have any MA experience. Fine! Then that position is more of an Administrative position, and not the CI. Then there's this... http://tigerrockmartialarts.com/trainer-certifications How do these "trainers" EARN their BB rank. I saw pics with individuals wearing 1st Dan to 5th Dan. By what way have they the right to wear those identifiers with their current means of certifications?? But, wait, they do award rank certifications... http://tigerrockmartialarts.com/2015-world-championships-high-rank-promotions http://tigerrockmartialarts.com/2015-spring-nationals-high-rank-promotions Maybe this place in question utilizes TKD training in a way to Work Out and Fitness, and the like but not referring to any notable TKD curriculum in the completeness; just bit and pieces of TKD to build the Work Outs and Fitness programs that they're offering. I've seen things like this where the CI was a GREEN BELT under THIER system/style, but they wore a black belt while that CI was teaching. OK?! Green belt as a CI? OK!?!?! But, a green belt wearing a black belt is false advertising, imho!! Based on what I've garnered from their website, imho, they're a McDojo of the worse type. However, without visiting one of their schools for myself, I can be making a false assumptions. Their Franchise Models appear to have a very nice appearance to their schools from the nice wallpaper to their lobby to their main training floor; makes me want one for myself. Franchise prices aren't too steep, yet, I suppose that the tier differences are based on square footage, location, bells and whistles, and things like that. Somewhere, you'll have to hang up on some noticeable wall the Franchise Licensing Certificate, as well as affixing their seals on the windows and the doors and wherever else they decide. They've a school in Sugar Land, TX, a Houston suburb, and I just might pay them a visit to get a sense of whom they might be or might not be. Even then, it'll still be my opinion based on my interpretations. I just don't know!! Is this place a dojang...or a fitness gym...or both?!?! Again, I just don't know!! To each their own, and while I've my suspicions about them, I must say that whatever a person decides about them, then that is their choice, and I respect that. By me posting some of their links, for conversational purposes only, I'm in no way affiliated with them in any shape, way, and/or form; not in the past, present, and/or future!!

Has any of you ever had YOUR parent(s) as one of your students?? Do you know of any instructor(s) that teaches their own parent(s)?? I've heard of it rarely, which doesn't mean it's not happening at all. I've seen families train together, which to me is quite normal. But, in the SKKA network, we've never had a CI teach their own parent(s). I think it would've been cool to have taught either one of my parents. They were both very involved in my training, but it was from the sidelines.

Isn't that just a lack of awareness on the part of the Sandan? Yes! That lead to his suspension! His lack of awareness in following the Kun [Rules] in the first place. When one becomes an Instructor, they carry the badge of the Hombu...the banner of the Hombu. Every instructor goes through an extensive training course, and one of the things they learn are the Kun [Rules]. Awareness of each students areas of discomfort and the like, are important, but to be honest, it's quite a lot to know about EVERY student's likes and dislikes in matters as this because not all students are given to speak about private things for their reasons. That's why the Kun; no ambiguity exists if enforced properly every time, for every student, no matter rank. Besides, the Kun hung up at the Hombu is quite large, and it's everywhere, and they can't be missed. At my last dojo, my Kun was as the Hombu....large and everywhere!

I'd not fill it all the way with sand because if it gets that cold, then the base might crack on way or another. Would you be apposed to bringing the Wavemaster inside of the house, if there's room and your wife won't object?!? Cause, it would be a hassle to empty and fill the bag every time you want to work out...I sure wouldn't. Do you have a way to hang a regular heavy bag? If so, I'd go that route because it won't require water or sand or rock salt; just a strong beam to hang from.

I like the idea. But of course, don't forget go purchase insurance for your tournament.

Whether you can enter a competition depends on the individual tournament and the organizers. The ITF tournaments I've been to all allow non-ITFers to compete but of course it is under ITF rules. There is definitely no point competing in forms as you would have to do the ITF ones and in the ITF way to win but as long as you understand their sparring rules there should be no problem. Would the competitor have to be a student of TKD to compete?? Would the competitor be required to wear a dobok, as apposed to a gi?? To enter said ITF "Open" tournament!! In the Open tournaments that I've ever entered in my days, the style was of no consequence and the competitor could wear their normal uniform and belt.

Welcome to KF, JonnR; glad that you're here!! Nice to hear it when parent(s) and kid(s) train together; very rewarding!! Don't worry, after you finish setting up the business, the floor will still welcome you back with open arms!!