sensei8

Congrats, Titanium; well deserved!!

Solid post!! If that doesn't work and all other avenues have been exhausted with said student, then I'm only left with one option...EXPELL the student immediately with cause!! Disrespect isn't ever tolerated, and not even for any second!! It's hard to change the mindset of someone who's under the duress of the parent. How the parent thinks, does, and says; is how a young student will be in ones dojo because that's all they know and what they know is correct and acceptable.

To The Pred and JR 137... Solid posts, both!!

His rationale is that black belts have earned the privilege of wearing what they want. Once they reach dan ranking, their training is their own and they can decide what to wear for it. We've got everything from the very proper, traditional Korean guy who wears a starched and pressed immaculately white gi every single class to the guy with the dingy faded black gi with the sleeves chopped off. It helps that it's a small, non-commercial program so we don't have to worry much about looking good for potential customers. I agree. While the training is the students own, his floor was HIS, and while you were an honored guest, the floor was still HIS. White gi ONLY...clean...tater free!!

Imagine to try to include in your class structure time of the warm up that Mario Higaonna Sensei does...it's 45 minutes long, but quite thorough!! Especially in todays model of classes lasting 45 minutes to an hour long!

I wholeheartedly agree with muttley, Wado Heretic, and Spartacus Maximus; solid points, all!!

Now THAT'S a testing cycle; one after my own heart. MEMORIES!! LOVE IT!!

I'm with Danielle on this, wholeheartedly!!

To the bold type above... I like that, and at times, I wasn't even that brave when Dai-Soke was alive because to him, "white is right", and that's all you better wear on HIS floor. Even on someone else's floor, he'd not like it, and wouldn't be afraid to let you know it, but he'd be polite. I'd test the waters whenever I could, but he'd test HIS waters and down right drown me. If you get my point!

Think of them as a torque driven technique where you go from one side of the body to the opposite side, and of course, the hips drive the torque...kind of like, to every action there's an equal and opposite action. And it that, styles have made the necessary changes to match their own methodologies and ideologies. One style will do this to do that for the sake of effectiveness, however, to separate themselves from other styles. Do they torque as much or more for effectiveness? Or to just be different, yet being effective. Hand, arm, posture orientations will do favor and reflect the who, where, when, what, why, and how techniques are to be delivered to said target for both offensive and defensive per the styles desires. You've asked some great and important questions as a student of the MA, don't ever be dissuaded by asking questions. Please always consider the advice of your Sensei and/or the governing body over others; but other viewpoints can help or harm ones MA betterment. It's your MA journey, so get as many viewpoints as necessary to improve. You've received some pretty good advice here thus far from other KF members, imho. Good luck, train hard and train well!!

Solid point!!

I enjoyed your post Dave, has made me think, "Sport" karate and traditional karate, are they mutually exclusive, can someone who practises traditional karate be competitive in Open tournaments....... One mindset says beat the other guy any way possible and the other says you are competing against yourself. Interesting topic. I'm traditional, yet from 1964 to 1990 I competed in open tournaments quite often; I did very well. From 1964 - 1977, I competed in Open Tournaments every single week, and from 1977 - 1984, I competed in Open Tournaments once a month, and from 1984 - 1990, I competed in Open Tournaments once per quarter. My last tournament was the 1990 Bakersfield California All Open Tournament where I took home 4 Grand Championships and one 1st Place trophy(s). During all of those years I competed, I never once did what the OP speaks towards; I didn't need to. If I lost, I lost, and if I won, I won!! Did you compete in the All-Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament in '84? I saw that tourney on TV. Sorry, couldn't help it. Being from the valley and competing during that time. Ahhh, you're killing me JR 137...I saw it at the movie theater. Being from the Valley during that time, as you say, California in itself, back than was a wash of tournaments all over the state of California, and that's why I was so often at tournaments weekend after weekend. A group of us traveled all over the state, sponsored by our parents. One didn't have to look hard to find a tournament in California. Las Vegas and Phoenix are just a stone throw away, as an alternate source for finding a tournament.

They are pretty crazy. I'm sure they'll spruce up the Dojo though. While I doubt that they'd be approved by governing bodies, or many dojo's for that fact because they're a distance away from traditional wear which is in the minds of every MAist. Nor do I see them being excepted at any traditional MA tournaments for the same reasons. It's hard to break away from that traditional mindset, however, I'd wear them because they look quite comfortable and cool; I like pants like that!! I'd let my students wear them at my dojo, but I'd strongly suggest to them that they'd not wear them ON THE FLOOR at the Hombu!

Students in regular or private schools, for one reason or another, carry a full load of academic classes, and then they do extra curricular classes on top of that. Staying up late, and often times, they're up all night doing homework. From 7th grade and up, the load a student takes is more than overwhelming, and when the sun rises, and they've still not been to bed yet, not all of their homework is finished. MA students are faced with a different kind of stress, but stress nonetheless!! And at times, MA students take on more than they can handle, yet, they can't find the time to smell the roses before the next whatever it might be over the next horizon. When the tale-tale signs are staring you dead square in your face, the time to intercede is right then, just not in an overbearing way, but in a subtle and caring way, yet not intrusive.

I enjoyed your post Dave, has made me think, "Sport" karate and traditional karate, are they mutually exclusive, can someone who practises traditional karate be competitive in Open tournaments....... One mindset says beat the other guy any way possible and the other says you are competing against yourself. Interesting topic. I'm traditional, yet from 1964 to 1990 I competed in open tournaments quite often; I did very well. From 1964 - 1977, I competed in Open Tournaments every single week, and from 1977 - 1984, I competed in Open Tournaments once a month, and from 1984 - 1990, I competed in Open Tournaments once per quarter. My last tournament was the 1990 Bakersfield California All Open Tournament where I took home 4 Grand Championships and one 1st Place trophy(s). During all of those years I competed, I never once did what the OP speaks towards; I didn't need to. If I lost, I lost, and if I won, I won!!

I'd love to!! However, I've never done Fantasy Football before, and I'd feel that I'd suck the life out of the joy for others because I've no previous experience. Sorry!!

Nice tutorial, as always, thank you, stonecrusher69!! Please define what you mean by "natural responses"??!! What's natural in the MA??!!

Thank youm CDraper, for your post; very solid!! As a student, do you feel that your MA plate is way too full, and does that add to the stress levels of trying to reach and meet expectations all of the time?? Do you feel that you never satisfy your instructor??

I once, and I want to stress once, was berated by Soke AND Dai-Soke AT THE SAME TIME, and that was quite unnerving to say the least, for wearing a Blue gi to the Hombu. THIS very same gi... http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii31/sensei8_2008/089.jpg Needless to say, I didn't make that mistake again!!

Anyone?? This topic deals with the stresses that are put upon a student by US MA Instructors, and often times, by the governing body!! Sure, as students we're taught not to complain, but to just suck-it-up and deal with it. I've read articles in the past about students committing suicide because the stress was more than they could deal with. The expectations were more than that student could bare with anymore. Perception is reality to that student, and we instructor need be more sensitive of that. Pushing/driving a student to become better is vital and important if a MA student is to become better.... But I ask again... TO WHAT END??!!??

As far as cut goes, nothing specific, just as long as the fit isn't long or touch the ground at all. I've never been a fan of extreme short cuts; to me they seem to appear as though they're wearing their little brothers gi. I understand the short cuts, just not my preference. Students can purchase a gi from whomever they want just as long as the gi meets our minimum requirements. Shindokan patch is required free of charge to the student. Kanji is specific with "Shindokan", yet that's found on the patch already. "Karate" is allowed, but only on the left extremely lower label.

Do we instructors put too much stress on our students?! We want them to succeed in the MA, but at what costs? Their health? Their family life? Themselves? Their sanity? What costs are we instructors willing to allow in order to become better MAists, while forgetting that while MA is a want, and not a need. The worse word a student utters is "AND"!! "So, I'm training in Kata" AND "I'm training in Kihon" AND "I'm training to Kumite" AND "I'm training in Kobudo" AND "I'm training in Grappling" AND "I'm going to a Bunkai seminar" AND "I'm attending our Hombu's Summer Camp" AND "I've an upcoming Testing Cycle" AND "I've signed up at the local MA tournament" AND "I've got to practice for this weekends Diamond Nationals" AND "I assist in teaching with my Sensei 3-4 times a week, then I have to attend my class too, and when I get home, I've got to practice what I learnt tonight for a few hours" AND...AND...AND...AND...AND... Seems to me that we push them. We'll not only offer the core, but we'll offer other alternative classes and seminars, and open-floors, and...and...and...and... Wow, maybe us instructors are the gear the drives the stress engine within our students. When do they have a life outside of the MA?!?!? Even if our students only did In-House activities and the like, they'd still be stressed because we add on thing after another thing, so much so that their MA plate, as a student, is overflowing AND overwhelming!! We drive them towards the next testing cycle! Everything in the dojo revolves around the next upcoming testing cycles. More seminars, more and more expectations than one can handle. WHY? For the upcoming testing cycle. Yet, that testing cycle is masked so that it's not thought of in that way; MA betterment is critical, yet it takes time. Time isn't conducive to the learning that's required to be successful as a MAist. Stress lives within us all, and how we handle it, is everything. As a MA Sensei, I must, and will be accountable to my students class load within the dojo...within the Hombu!! Like Dojo stress isn't enough, your Hombu's add more stress! How so? *You won't be tested for 6th Dan unless you've more students enrolled in your dojo. AND *You must attend Hombu Instructor Course AND *You must attend Hombu Advanced Instructor Course one each quarter, and ending at the Annual Hombu Tournament, in which you MUST be a judge when you're not engaged one way or another AND *You will...you must...you are...you're not... Students staying up late, with very little sleep because they're under so much pressure to pass the testing cycle, in the hopes to earn favor with their Sensei/Instructor. Worrying that they'll fail miserably!! Practicing over and over and over each listed item on their upcoming testing cycle until they pass out from pure exhaustion. I could go on and on, but I believe that you get my point! Sure, students are willing to go that extra mile, and endure whatever is necessary to succeed, whatever that students goal is. The student has explained to their instructor what they're wanting from the MA, and from the instructor, and the instructors job is TO TEACH!! No use piling one thing after another with no end in sight...and for what? Rank? Trophy? Students should NEVER be felt to feel that they're role in the dojo/dojang/gym/etc. isn't about their servitude to the Hombu and/or to the Instructor. I believe, no matter the style of the MA, the underlying goal of each MA student is to LEARN how to effectively defend themselves, should they have to!! Sure, they may want rank and status and health and everything else that can be acquired through training/learning the MA!! Yet, in all of that, and once the dust settles, the student, has hopefully learned how to effectively defend themselves!! Why should students have to go through one hoop after another hoop, with us holding the fire right under each hoop; students of the MA AREN'T circles animals whose only value is to perform one trick after another. Thoughts?!?!

The mental mindset decides that which is comfortable, and comfortable is being safe. Shindokan is 85% hands, hence I suppose that we're strikers, but were strikers who can grapple too. I completely understand distancing and all, but for the love of me I just don't understand why strikers feel safe when they're distancing themselves. Can't be effective, and can't hit any target while keeping distance from the attacker...GET CLOSE and work!! Fear affects the mindset because it wants to be comfortable. I'm not saying that one should just mindlessly wander in in an haphazard fashion, but one can't swim unless they're willing to wade into some water. Both the striker and the grappler are quite calculative. yet, almost to a fault when distancing in concerned. There's a time to know and there's a time to show; but uncertainty and over confidence can go hand in hand. Being safe can hinder productivity while trying to be proactive.

It can, at times, be difficult to discern techniques at the while belt, but the even more difficult thing is when students with MA knowledge don't want to empty their cups and accept what's new; these type of students want to... A) Prove to the Sensei that they already have some MA knowledge! AND B) That they keep wanting to do it the way they were taught before! Both aren't conducive with empting ones cup! The student that wants you to teach him, strikes me that he'd do both A & B above; his muscle memory is going to fight you. I mean, he continued telling you his MA resume, and this type of student will inadvertently result in A & B. There will be a time when his prior MA knowledge will become an ally, but that time is for another time much more later; when it's appropriate, and approved by the Sensei.

I don't envy the position that you're in; related to one another, well, that's a no-win scenario. If you're considering in leaving the club, it's never an easy choice at all. I believe your reasons are founded across the board. Can't learn where conflicts resides, and will continue to reign. Sounds to me that both your Sensei and the guest Sensei are more profound with sports karate, and winning at all costs, no matter how it plays out, and in that, traditional karate, or the downright Karate in itself is placed on the back burner, and shall remain there for quite some time. That's there decision, and while I might not approve of their overall mindset, I must, and will respect their decision from afar. I tell my students to NOT whine about the point calling because what is called has been called and we're not going to disrespect anyone for the sake of a point and/or the glory of a trophy. We are the brand of Shindokan, therefore, we'll accept and respect any and all calls, no matter what we may or may not feel. We'll not disgrace Soke and/or Dai-Soke by performing less than honorable tactics on and off the floor, and for NO REASON(S) WHATSOEVER!! It's just not worth it!! Missed/incorrect calls are PART of the beauty of competition, and truth to be known, whenever I was a judge, center or not, I ignored tactics like the ones your Sensei/Guest Sensei support, and I'd not award a point(s) because it's dangerous to turn ones back, and it's a disgrace, imho, to make an over-the-top gesture(s) for any reason(s). Shugyo...roughly that means...suck it up, and ACCEPT the call with honor!!