sensei8

We were taught that the grasping of your opponents gi pants was akin to being in a dark room...searching for the light switch. Therefore, keeping that connection is that light switch. Lose the light switch, and you're back in the dark searching.

How'd you discover there were missing parts??

You're welcome, Patrick!!

Definitely! I know that some of our newest members joined because of a very good first impression with regards to atmosphere. They wanted to have fun while doing sports, credentials didn't seem to matter at all. And we instructors only have that one chance at first impressions...good one or a bad one!!

When you said "choke", my ears perked up..."CHOKE"...YES!! Excellent tutorial, Alex; as always, thank you for sharing! Two things that I saw quickly that I wouldn't allow you to continue: 1) Just when you began to roll to acquire the guard, I'm not going to stay there while you roll. Like in chess, when you feel a shift is about to happen, you move from that square to not allow the attack/capture to occur. You roll...I move, and if I'm not asleep, I'm going to stand up while you're rolling. Then we'll have to reacquire each other once again. 2) You were able to get your legs wrapped around her waist because she stayed still; static, in this case, worked against her. If I allowed the roll, that's because I wanted to press you while you were rolling, and I've got 300 pounds coming down on you quickly...not fun for you at that point, as I wrap up one of your legs, and if I miss the leg, other options will still be there. Or at least, I'll scramble back to my feet before your legs start to twine around my waist. Chess 101...don't be there!! While ones gi looks so cool and all, it sure can be used against someone quickly. Being choked with your own clothes is unsettling to say the least. In Shindokan, we've several advanced Tuite techniques that we can apply, depending on how the gi top is grasped, and at what stage the grasp is at at what part of the lapel is grasped to stop or slow down the choke, and I'm only needing a brief moment. Aren't you concerned with your opponents gi being used against you? I'm not, and I suspect that you're not either. However, I don't want to forget its possibilities. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!! I accept turning away as a viable option to escape side mount, however, it's a calculated risk that's worth risking because if my opponent stays static, I've wrapped my legs around and now checkmate can be seen soon. I don't spend much time dealing with the risks because my opponents not going to allow me to stall to ponder; act decisively quickly or lose!! Chess 101...your opponents moving his pieces TOO and studying TOO and looking ahead 5 moves TOO!!

Another fantastic tutorial, Alex; top notch!! Both, imho, are effective sweeps, and both offer direct transitions into follow-ups. Of the two, I prefer your sweep over Clint's because yours was more simplistic, and more free of intrusions that can occur. While Clint's was more complex in having to move to and fro from point to point, and Clint could've been wrapped up at any given time. Whereas yours Alex, let many opportunities for Clint to prevent your sweep. In that, your sweep could be executed in a controlled slow manner, if need be. Albeit, Clint's sweep had to be executed more quicker to avoid you from disturbing his frame and supports. Neither of these sweeps are ineffective!! This is again, akin for me, to compare these sweeps as the mid-game of a chess battle. One sweep will slowly topple you, while the other sweep will quickly have you wondering where did that come from. I do understand why this is done, but could you explain to those who might not understand, why do BJJ practitioners grasp onto the knee portion of the opponents gi pants when either Clint or yourself was standing/bending over the other??

That's a good point. Many laypersons choose a school and see if it'll fit their own personal social ethos or not, then, decide from that. Too many students, they shy away from that. Too few, they make assumptions. No, at times choosing a school of the MA is akin to what Goldie Locks did when she visited the three Bears house.

Yes...RIP Sr. Grandmaster Edward B. Sell; a life filled with accomplishments. We, at the Shindokan Hombu knew him, but only from afar. Our prayers go out to his wife, Sr. Grandmaster Brenda Sell, his family and friends, and to his US Chung Do Kwan family.

Solid post!!

I wholeheartedly concur!! Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

Yeah, that's pretty cool. Thanks for sharing that, Patrick. I'd visit it, for sure.

My youngest daughter and her husband tried to get me interested in Magic, but the parameters was more than my pea-brain could grasp, even though I won the one and only game, with my youngest daughters help. This one can do this but can't do that, especially if it's on a Tuesday providing that you have this one card, but it can be defeated still because she had a card that brought back the Star Ship Enterprise from some place that's under a spell, and depending on what the die/dice had and 3 minus 2 plus 7. Sheesh...mommy!!

Not all black belts can teach; nor should they try!! In that, they've no business grading one either, directly or indirectly!! No...no...no...no...no... Imho.

Yes...Yes!! More than I care to remember. And not from just my dojo's!! No. I've done this as well at our Hombu, many, many times. To your bolded questions above...I hold no candle to our Dai-Soke; he had ZERO TOLERANCE. I'd say he probably taught just as many as he's shown where the door was!! I called him a mean cuss to his face...and lived!! He just had an evil smirk on his face!!

While I've mentioned before, in the USA, according to USA Laws, anyone can open a school of the MA. Consumers, for the most part, I pray, aren't that uneducated in areas of this, and most certainly, concerning what they're looking for. I believe the layperson might not intentionally seek out a 5th Dan and above, but if the layperson has done some type of a Google Search, then quickly decide that a 5th Dan is much higher than a 3rd Dan, and thereby, being more drawn towards that school. Who wants to learn from a teacher with a Bachelors when a teacher with a PhD is available. [i'm not comparing Ranks to college degrees, if ones wondering] Credibility, for a new student that a layperson, will decide from what he/she knows from hours of self-research and surfing the web. Credibility is more sought after by other MA, and not the layperson!! Adorn the walls until they're dripping off and oozing down the wall, but platitudes are poor representation of credibility in a school's CI. No, proof is ON THE FLOOR!! Yes, double and triple and quadruple check potential instructors until one's satisfied in what they're seeking...then TRAIN HARD!!

Plus a good stress reliever! Yes, indeed!!

To the bold type above... Solid idea!!

From what you're saying, it seems to me that different interpretations of Chibana are at hand, which is ok because students are suppose to surpass their instructors. I can understand and sympathize for what you're feeling. I ask again, was there a significant time spent away from the floor?? If so, and other things took precedence away from training, then it's possible that rust set in, if only for a moment. And when you were re-evaluated, that rust shown through. Having said that, those same SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE are STILL WITHIN YOU!! They just need to be polished up to your current instructors expectations. You'll be fine!! If no time away from the dojo exists, then it's possible that your current instructors standards are far much higher than your former instructor. The polishing still needs to be done at your current instructors expectations. You'll still be fine!! Yes, it's a sad thing that you're experiencing, but what I know about your from your dynamic post here at KF, you'll work through this frustration and return to level that both you and your current instructor desire!! I can never replace or duplicate what our Dai-Soke provided, and I'd never try because I'm not him. Yet, I've been polished by Dai-Soke to mimic his teachings and the like, but with a twist...my own experiences have been added to EVERYTHING that he taught me!! Even Greg's expectations might be higher than mine, and we're of the same lineage, and from the same governing body!! These things happen...let it go...train hard...even Harder...and the HARDEST than you ever have.

The mirror can be quite truthful, even when not asked!! How much time has passed between you being re-evaluated?? If you trust your teachers judgment, then what's troubling you?? It's a tough pill to swallow when one once was a Sandan, then after some time away, is re-evaluated to Ikkyu. That would require me to do some serious soul searching to see that it's me, and not my teacher, that's at fault. Accountability would start with me, and end with me!! Different standards, teacher to teacher, might play a part in this. Not many governing bodies interfere with grading decisions; left at the discretion of the teacher. What was is no more; things change, as so do we. Have you spoke your concerns with your current teacher?? If not, then do so, but with a modicum of respect.

No argue, from me!! These possibilities are just around the corner. It's how they are meet, when they occur, speaks a lot about many things. If this is a mistake of my zealous youth or not, that court is still out, but, my first marriage, after 14 years, ended when my wife made me choose her or my MA journey...I hope she's doing fine, wherever she is!! My current marriage, 23 years, gets stronger day by day.

There are no sacrifices when one is doing what one has dedicated their entire life to!! Imho!!

Great topic, thank you for starting it, OneAndOnly. This is a sensitive topic for me, both personally and professionally, because I've no video's or pics of Saitou Sensei and/or Takahashi Sensei to share with anyone. Someone, who will remain nameless HAS THEM ALL and isn't forthcoming in returning them to our Hombu. Sorry!! A lesson learned the hard way!! Treasure you have them to share!!

Happy Birthday KF!! You're 14 years old...WOW...the future looks brighter day by day and year by year. Patrick, you and your staff knows just how much KF means to me, and for that, I'm eternally grateful for everything. KF allows me an escape away from the trappings of the Shindokan circle; a welcomed breath of fresh air!! Patrick, you've created something here to be very proud of. And through all of the trails and tribulations that one encounters while managing a community forum, and when all of the dust finally settles, KF is at the top...the rest, are only a pale comparison to what KF has to offer its members. Thank you ALL; past and present!! To Patrick, KF Sensei's, KF Sempai's, and to KF's members....THANK YOU for all that you continue to do to make this community strong, and the best of the best!! HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY TO KF!!

They compliment each other; very nice, Brian!!

Moments like this, are priceless!! Speaks to just how much they love and value you, even though you're a taskmaster!! Thank you for sharing it!! Feels good, huh?!