sensei8

Solid post!!

Thanks for sharing the link Brian. I always find it interesting how different associations and even countries evolve their own style and flair to sparring even though they share the same base and rulesets. Thanks, Danielle. I do wish we could change things up from time to time, and do some strikes to the head with perhaps some different padding or something. It really changes the strategy, and opens up things for students. I'd agree the strategy does change. Even though we do head shots, we're limited too, no hooks or uppercuts, straight shots only in tournament. Of course we do train them from time to time but when our sport sparring excludes it, we don't tend to focus on it much. For comparison, here's some of me (I'm with red gear): https://youtu.be/qwweN3PR-NE Yeah, you got skills, Danielle! I like how you constantly pressed her; she's a runner...that's for sure!! Because you weren't wearing headgear, I'm thinking that headgear wasn't mandatory!!

Yeah, I think a rope, a pulley, and some hardware to mount the pulley, is much cheaper, even with that, performing the old fashion stretches will be even cheaper than the rope and pulley method.

Ummm, well, sounds fine, but I STILL have no idea, and I've tried with no success, to download off my new camcorder. I'm teachable, but this fangled technology makes me feel super stupid. For me to challenge someone, and by the way, I think this is a good thread and idea, won't the person/people I challenge have to be a KF member first, and active for them to respond?!? If I challenge someone, and that person is not a KF member, how are they going to see the challenge. Is Iain Abernathy a KF member?

Solid post!! Not every instructor can teach 4-5 year olds; it takes a special instructor to do so successfully. And you're right, it is "playing" because that's how they learn, and how they retain, even if it's a miniscule of information...patience is greatly needed to teach that age group. Everyone knows that when it comes to that age group, I'm nothing more than a big kid. That age group responds to that silly instructor who they can play with. If I may ask... What happened that made you make that statement to your wife?? Well your right about how they learn. I am still learning how to be more fun because Im more rigid in a lot of ways. As to what happened it really wasnt a big deal, I always converse with my wife after class, she helps put as needed every night, BUT what happened was I had a new student, 2nd day in and he was crying. He was crying to the point he wouldnt talk to me. I was doing a relay race with 2 lines of kids 3 in each line. My 2 daughters also help me in class and were holding pads. The goal was to run to the front wall of the gym, and run back and perform the chosen technuiqe such as jump front kick and so on. I stopped to try and get the new kid into class and he wouldnt so I said ok and went on with the races. So, what i did wrong is what my instructor who taught me how to teach taught me... "dont ever let a kid stand around". Why would a parent pay for their kid to stand there? What i should have done is get one of my helpers to go work with him, or get a helper to take over the races so I could work with this kid. I had the help, so I had no excuse. Sounds so simple but to me I was so aggravated that I let him fall by the wayside. Its little things like that, that I work at every class to get better. When i taught for somebody else I always taught the 8yr oldand up classes the best. So when we debate a good instructor, I think its important to look at many things, because theres many different facets to what we do. The important thing is to get better. Sorry, I feel like im venting now lol. I get a strong sense deep in my gut that you're an excellent instructor; one I could learn a lot from, and not because I'm an adult!! I learned that kids that age can't, and shouldn't be forced to go to class. By that I mean, if the kid, being that young, is crying, it's best to let that kid return to one of the parents for some comforting. Let that student watch from the sidelines by whomever, including if that person is YOU, and before you know it, that student will be in class, to your surprise. Kids watching other kids having a blast make them want to join in because they don't want to miss all of the fun, nor do they want the other kids having all of the fun without them. It's like a fly drawn into the light...they can't help themselves. Could be that that kid is scared for some reason(s), and usually, it's the new environment and the activity that the MA requires; can be very intimidating, as well as horrific for them. With one of the parents encouragement, IN TIME, the kid will or will not join class. Parents will pay, but only for so long before the parent says enough is enough. Formality and etiquette is important, but, for the moment, that's for another day and time!! Remember, the CI sets the tone!! Had it been me, in your shoes, I would've had one or both of your daughter(s) buddy-up with this student. Why? One, your daughters are female, and not a man. To a child, a female is less intimidating than the big scary barking man. A female instructor is more nurturing, and if I may say, more mothering than we male instructors can be. Your daughter(s) playing with this student, in any way to earn trust and security and comfort, will go quite along way. Also, this will show the parent(s) that a genuine concern and interest is being given. The parent(s) will not think that their wasting any of their hard earned money. In time, I'd slowly ease myself in with the daughter(s) as a joined play mate. Easing MA activities, but not until that student starts relaxing and trusting and not experiencing parent separation anxiety. After all, who does a child that old want to be with? MOM...maybe Dad, but for certain, MOM!! You've two daughters! Both in the MA! Both were once that young! Your a dad! Your a male! The way that you taught your daughters, teach that very young student the same way!! The way you played with your daughter when they were that very young, play with that very young student the same way. It takes a special instructor to teach students that young; not all great instructors can. You're a great instructor; TEACH!! Don't give up on that student and/or parent(s) as of yet. Time heals all wounds and this little one needs some healing from you, your daughters, and the parent(s). Hang in there...you got this!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

Great posts, ALL!! Thank you!! Keep them coming!!

In short... 1) Business Knowledge 2) Money Management These are the two areas that I struggled with the most when I first opened up my Kyuodan Dojo back in 1977. Business Knowledge: Well, having a black belt, and I was a Sandan in 1977, doesn't mean that I had the Business Knowledge at all. To manage and operate a dojo requires the nuts and bolts of Business 101. I can teach...but I didn't have the required knowledge to do all that's required to manage and operate a business. Yes, a dojo/school, IS A BUSINESS. If you've overhead, like rent, utilities, supplies, etc., then your dojo/school IS A BUSINESS! How did I overcome that? I went to two schools! School #1: Los Angeles Valley College where I majored in Business Management. The sad thing is that I only went 1 year...dojo scheduling and raising a family ended that. School #2: The school of hard knocks; d.b.a., the school of trials and tribulations. I made my share of dunderhead mistakes, and then I learned from them. Money Management: I'm not referring to knowing how to manage private finances, even though that goes hand in hand. Can't manage personal finances, then one can't manage business finances. No, I'm referring to business...the dojo! Have to have a student body to reach weekly and monthly and quarterly and annual budgets. That is important, unless you're a millionaire. How did I handle this? I had to learn the difference between needs and wants. I need to pay rent! I want to buy a motorcycle! I need to pay utilities! I want to go to Six Flags! The dojo can't take care of itself; it needs an owner/staff to care for it!! I did demos and passed out flyers to get the word out about my dojo. Being in the San Fernando Valley in Southern California in the late 1970's did make it possible because the San Fernando Valley isn't a tiny town, and in that, it's population back then was hundreds of thousands. Word of mouth was, and still is, a vitally important way to increase the student body. I'm a firm believe that is I take care of my family; I'm taken care of too. If I take care of my students; I'm taken care of too. If I take care of my dojo; I'm taken care of too. I had to learn to put EVERYTHING BEFORE ME!! To do these two struggles any justice will take more explaining; it's not a short answer!!

I've used machines of this type, but they're not my cup of tea. I'm more of a rope-and-pulley type of practitioner as well as a stretching bar as well as partner stretching too. Besides, I'm not trying to change the light bulb with my feet...I'm just saying.

Shindokan Saitou-ryu is an Okinawan style that incorporates 85% hands and 15% feet, and in that, all kicks are waist down. Shindokan is Tuite (Joint manipulation) and Tuite is Shindokan; that's the deep core of its methodology and ideology. Also, Kyusho jitsu (Pressure points) and Tegumi (Grappling/wrestling) are a big part of Shindokan. We don't block; we deflect! We don't back up; so Tai Sabaki (Footwork) is important to us because of the many directions that transitions can take. Shindokan is a get-in-your-face type of style, and that simply means to us, we strive to stay in close proximity of our opponent; in short, close range techniques! Shin = Heart Do = Way Kan = House The House of the Heart Way!! Saitou-ryu = The Soke's (Founder) name; Fuyuhiko Saitou. Many styles of the MA use the name Shindokan, therefore, in order to identify our Shindokan, Soke added his sir name to it.

Solid post!! Not every instructor can teach 4-5 year olds; it takes a special instructor to do so successfully. And you're right, it is "playing" because that's how they learn, and how they retain, even if it's a miniscule of information...patience is greatly needed to teach that age group. Everyone knows that when it comes to that age group, I'm nothing more than a big kid. That age group responds to that silly instructor who they can play with. If I may ask... What happened that made you make that statement to your wife??

Australia and the US are about the same size. The US looks a little bigger, actually... http://m.aboutaustralia.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aboutaustralia.com%2Faustralia-size-compared-to-usa%2F&utm_referrer=#2728 For grins and giggles... Australia is 2.9 million square miles USA is 3.8 million square miles

No, I don't think so. His or her expectations wouldn't necessarily match up with mine. He could be a former tournament champ, and I could have no interest in competition. But, that doesn't mean I still can't find value in his teaching style. I also think it is important to expose yourself as a student to teachers with varying expectations; it helps us learn who we are and who we want to be. Solid post!!

I do hear what you're saying, Brian. Perhaps, there's a slim chance that Houston, and others within that governing body are just pawns of that governing body...perhaps.

The possibilities excite me to no end!! Resistive drills, imho, are key to understanding movement. When my opponent does this, and I can do that, and so on and so forth. Kind of reminds me of something I saw in a Jackie Chan move, and the apparatus gave him a fit, to say the least.

I hear ya'!! It seems, imho, that WC Dummies, in general are all expensive...UNLESS...one makes their own WC Dummy, like we all have those kind of skills...and I don't!! Unfortunately, "What the market will bear" holds true in this case. I was born with a wooden spoon in my mouth, and not afforded the silver spoon at all.

Solid post!!

Thank you for the link, JR 137; I just purchased the book and look forward to read it from cover to cover with an open mind as well as an open heart!! He was SHOT?!?!?!?!?! and by Kyokushin guys I wonder if Oyama received Nakamura's appeal about the belt system in Kyokushin eagerly or with a sour distain? I suppose that I'll find out when I read the book!

A WC Dummy...on some serious steroids...I like it. Nominally priced at $900; down from $1200. Thanks for sharing it!!

Was going to say this. Some of my best TKD memories are from travelling with others to events, even better if you get to stay overnight in a hotel. Yes, oh God yes. Many times I've slept in my car because I couldn't afford a hotel; that wasn't always in my budget.

I don't believe that Bruce just did anything; movie or not. Seems to me that he always had some type of deep meaning/lesson to pass onto the viewer, MAist or not. I agree that what Bruce was teaching was to see the whole picture, and not just a small picture. I'm simple minded, because 42 years later, I STILL want to know what COULD'VE he added to "It's like a finger pointing away to the moon", and as I've stated, the entire direct and indirect point was fully made. As a student of the MA...what is it like? What is what like? I agree, that his incomplete point, as I've labeled it to be, was the preamble of the entire point. Maybe my OCD, won't let it rest, and wants to know...what is it like and what is what like? It is like a finger pointing away to the moon....and...now...oh, never mind...I forgot what I was going to say because you were just staring at my finger, and not paying attention to anything else but my dumb finger.

Welcome to KF, send2coolboy; glad that you're here!! Mortal Combat...that's a game there...I agree. Old school, but still, one of the best!! Too comic book-ish for me, and too many ridiculous things such as babality, animality, etc. distracted me too much from the game. I'm a Tekken fan. Fair enough!! I'm a Scorpion fan, myself, and am drawn to Mortal Combat. I agree it's too comic bookish, but, that's the old school that I like.

Very interesting post; solid!! In our little neck of the woods, Kaicho is President, and Kancho is Vice-President, yet, in our By-Laws, Kaicho and Kancho are addressed as you've stated in your first paragraph, and the President/Vice-President is in brackets beside actual meanings. No, er, I mean yes, I've not read Nakamura's autobiography, but I'd love to read it. Where could I buy it, and how much?

LOL!!

Very, very interesting article, to say the least. That weapon looks devastating; it's not your normal pocket knife, is it?!