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A CONTROLLED run away train!! Nice, thanks for sharing it. Close range goose pimples...got them all over!!

The receiving is, imho, the core of Okinawa Karate-do!! This is Shindokan!!

Alex, Thank you so much for this post. Many unanswered question I've had, have been answered in this post. Knowing the steps that you've taken, the trials and the errors, have opened my eyes considerable. Remember, I'm as dumb as a stick whenever it comes to anything remote like this: computers, video recording, editing, and the like...totally alien to me. For example...What's a flip camera?? However, with your post, I can NOW see some light at the end of the tunnel. Now, that I'm in Houston, I've got to find someone willing to partner with me so that I can begin to video tape Shindokan Saitou-ryu!! Thank you again, Alex!! Meant everything to me!!

You're more than welcome, cathal!! Everything spoke right to my heart; the seemingly abruptness of the Sensei's can be alarming to many Westerners and the those not use to the way it is in a Okinawa dojo. Again, I'd never have it any other way!!

The kick that you're describing can be challenging for a lot of student. Balance must be maintained at all times with the kick, for obvious reasons. Are you... *Lifting the heel of the supporting leg off the ground?? *Not lifting the leg or bending the knees adequately?? *Leaning the body too far in the opposite direction from the kick?? *Kicking diagonally in front of the body, instead of directly to the side towards the target?? *Are you pointing the toes of the kicking foot upwards, and away from the target?? In Shindokan, we emphasize a four-count to all kicks: Up Out Back Down This four-count must be executed one at a time, albeit, each of the counts must be completed before the next count can begin. If not, the kicks sloppy, rushed, and ineffective. We also emphasize that the supporting foot should be turned away from the kick; otherwise, balance and transmission of power are sacrificed. Drill it slow, keeping everything in check as you've been taught, then slowly increase speed and power, but never ever sacrifice balance and the like for speed and power. As you do increase speed and power keep sure that everything is happening as it should. Don't shortcut everything that must happen because you're only shortcutting yourself in the long run. Good luck...train hard!!

All of the time that I ran a school, I only had to contend with one school, and not two or more. Yes, I'm the current Kaicho [President] of the Shindokan Hombu (SKKA), but, in my mind, that's not the same thing. What I do at the Hombu is strictly Administrative/Executive!! I've looked into it in quite depth over the many past years, but never took the plunge to actually do it. It doesn't worry me to think about what's involved in it, but I'd be afraid that one would suffer if I didn't share my floor time with each school and not just the first school. So... Does anyone here at KF have experience with running two or more schools concurrently?? I was wondering what some of the challenges instructors have faced running multiple schools at the same time??

I want a video camera so bad...I can taste it!! Word of mouth and fliers still works, but it's so archaic that it's alarming to the senses. I admire Alex for many, many things, and what he's doing with his camera is spellbinding. Alpha is new, but already getting favorable nods in the MA world.

I suppose that's that..."Part of the beauty of BJJ!" Counters to counter to counters and so on and so forth; the game of chess is at hand...always, to be sure!! We talk occasionally about beginning student options, I only ask because their frustration level is well noted in all forms of the MA. So, in this tutorial, what counters would you train a beginning student to shed off the "fear factor" seen often, albeit, their frustrations are mounting up??

Accidents do happen, as many here have said. Especially during MA training, and with every single possible action by the CI/School/Governing Body to prevent/lessen said incidents to occur. Sure, you could've faced some legal actions, but, imho, I don't believe your actions were deliberate or of malice intent. While you two are comfortable with each other, and controlled techniques are a must in training, accidents happen. She might of came up higher at the last second and/or simultaneously as your hammer fist was approaching her head. The main thing, imho, is that she'll be fine, and back on the floor before she knows it. Doctor's are being cautious, of course, because concussions are not taken lightly. Adults and teens engage in Kumite quite often, but, precautions are very important due to many possibilities and always under the strict guidance of the CI. Even then, nothing is guaranteed that an accident won't happen again. Having said all of that, when she comes back, don't lighten up on her because that's not conducive with learning. Albeit, safety is foremost to all things!! Don't beat up yourself, that won't change what's already happened. Learn from it, both of you, and continue to train together!! Btw, I engage in Kumite with ALL of my students, no matter the age, and no matter the level of experience!

Good luck in your search! Wish I could help, but, I live in the USA!! Sorry! Hopefully someone here can shed better light on your search!

I have to disagree with this Bob. Sure it is more difficult for some students to pick up on the language aspect but you're not asking them to learn a whole language with grammatical rules and tenses. At most it is maybe a list of 100 words to identify what they're doing and IMHO that's not unfair. You yourself travelled to train in Okinawa, whilst you did not have a grasp on conversational Japanese / Okinawan, surely it must have been of benefit to at least understand what was meant by mawashi geri or by chudan zuki. Would you fail a student if they couldn't pronounce any Korean techniques? If so, why? If not, why? It's one thing to understand what command and/or technique is being uttered than having to pronounce it!! Two different worlds, imho. None are the same, imho. So, when I went to Okinawa with Soke and Dai-Soke, yes, I understood what the command and/or technique was having already been exposed to it at the Hombu. I was fluent in the COMMANDS and the TECHNIQUES but not in the conversation language; that was under construction. Key here, imho, is "I" was. And I am, but to require a student of mine, directly and/or indirectly, to be fluent in Okinawa/Japanese commands and techniques, imho, is unfair. Not all can, therefore, I don't require!! I didn't say pronunciation had to be spot on. I doubt very much most Western instructors truly pronounce it right. 99% of the world can't even pronounce "Tae Kwon Do" properly. But as you have already stated, the understanding of what is meant by the term has to be there. I assist on our grading panel and usually am given control over the theory part of the exam so for our students I directly get to decide if they pass or fail on terminology. And I have failed students on their theory if they have no clue when it comes to the Korean (my instructor then takes this into account when deciding pass / fail overall). I'm not asking much, even if they don't get the pronunciation right they should at least demonstrate they know the difference between makgi and jirugi, tulgi and chagi, and attempt to communicate this. There are levels of course and I take into account age and education level. For an adult I would ask "What is the 1st move in Do San in Korean?" and expect the full answer, with a child or less able adult I might ask them to show me the move then describe the components i.e. stance, section, type of block. Easier still I might ask those that have real difficulty to show me the move and ask "Is this kaunde or nopunde? an-palmok makgi or sonkal makgi?" and so on. So I don't think it's unfair to make students attempt to at least learn part of the language. It sets them up for opportunities to train with other people who might not speak the same language (but know the relevant terminology) or for the student to travel as you did to the homeland of the style and broaden their experience. Solid post!! I agree that it's not... "...unfair to make students attempt to at least learn part of the language." No harm and no foul! Within the Shindokan circle, however, we don't intentionally or unintentionally make testing students speak the Japanese/Okinawa terms/techs and the like during a testing cycle. Those on the testing panel will instruct the testing student as to what they're to do. Yes, we on the testing panel will use the proper terms/techs and the like, and if the testing student has no idea what we're asking, then we'll instruct them in English. Yes, the longer one's been in Shindokan, the more the student should UNDERSTAND what's being asked of them. I, personally, don't give one bent pin care if my students can or can't say terms/techs and the like because I'm not there to teach them Japanese/Okinawa. Sure, for historical/traditional purposes it's important, and some might argue that you're not teaching traditional anything if you're not speaking the terms/techs and the like in Japanese/Okinawa. But, it's not a testing cycle requirement within the Shindokan circle!!

Oh, OK...cool! Thanks for the info, Patrick!!

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

Another solid tutorial, Alex; as always. Btw, I did like that your training partner took the time at 1:38 to tighten your belt; very considerate! What can your opponent do to counter you?

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

Faster? In what way? Martial Art wise?

The good thing is that each aspect of social media is not that difficult once you get a basic introduction. They fit together like a puzzle for some people at first but they actually work well together to enhance your message and content. The fact that there is an online presence precisely where it can be is a good sign that a company/group is doing well. Not everyone uses all aspects of social media but if you simply provide a simple anchoring presence in them I think its going to show off a greater impact. Just like with Alpha BJJ. This has been a great topic thank you to those who've contributed. Solid post!! I just can't, for some reason(s) get out of first gear, or if I ever will!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Thank you for sharing the link; very interesting!!

I have to disagree with this Bob. Sure it is more difficult for some students to pick up on the language aspect but you're not asking them to learn a whole language with grammatical rules and tenses. At most it is maybe a list of 100 words to identify what they're doing and IMHO that's not unfair. You yourself travelled to train in Okinawa, whilst you did not have a grasp on conversational Japanese / Okinawan, surely it must have been of benefit to at least understand what was meant by mawashi geri or by chudan zuki. Would you fail a student if they couldn't pronounce any Korean techniques? If so, why? If not, why? It's one thing to understand what command and/or technique is being uttered than having to pronounce it!! Two different worlds, imho. None are the same, imho. So, when I went to Okinawa with Soke and Dai-Soke, yes, I understood what the command and/or technique was having already been exposed to it at the Hombu. I was fluent in the COMMANDS and the TECHNIQUES but not in the conversation language; that was under construction. Key here, imho, is "I" was. And I am, but to require a student of mine, directly and/or indirectly, to be fluent in Okinawa/Japanese commands and techniques, imho, is unfair. Not all can, therefore, I don't require!!

So much like our close range techniques in Shindokan. You receive the attack while at the same time, or just thereafter, counter-strike!! Knowing how to receive the attack is important while NOT BACKING UP!! Okinawa MA don't, for the most part, and Shindokan doesn't, ever back up. Slip/slide/transition into, and not away from the attack. RECEIVE the attack!! Another great tutorial; as always!! Thank you for sharing!!

Very nice...simple...to the point!! What you're showing is certainly a "jump start" into training with the WCD!! Excellent tutorial; as always!! Thank you for sharing!!

Just saw the picture of the sword...NICE!! I'm sure that you'll give it a great place to display such a stunning sword. Is it sharp, already? If not, will you get it sharpened, if able to? Enjoy the sword, Brian; you surely deserve it!!

Solid post!! I wholeheartedly concur with what Alex does to increase his brand. In that, I know that I/Shindokan Hombu is WAY BEHIND in utilizing every possible media to bring Shindokan to the forefront! I'M WRONG, therefore, I feel that I'm stuck in first gear, and have been that way for such a long, long time when it comes to this!!

What's the difference from Japanese Karate and Okinawa Karate? Perhaps this video might begin to answer so many questions. In this video's short story about Okinawa Karate, a many things become more clearer, yet, still cloudy. One has to experience Okinawa Karate before one can begin to appreciate what it has to offer. I owe my entire life to Okinawa Karate!! This might not be something one can respect, therefore, understand. But, for me, I've experienced more than my share of what Okinawa Karate has to offer, yet, I've barely scratched the surface on knowledge. This is why, no matter what, I continue to train, and as I grow older, I train even harder. Hopefully, afterwards, one might cast a knowing smile of what every Okinawa Karate student thrives after...the journey ends just over the other hill!! Until then, my journey continues, thankful to Okinawa Karate, and for me, Shindokan Saitou-ryu!! The floor is a merciless taskmaster; I'd have it no other way!! Enjoy this link... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB6GoNykzEw

Word of mouth and fliers! No website and the like!!