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My concern is directed towards the CI, as well as the governing body! Do they REALLY support continued training OR do they support the idea of Shodan being the immediate and far gone conclusion?? If students are speaking about Shodan as an end and not part of a continued journey, and the CI/governing body is aware, and teaches nothing in contrary of the supposed notion...then it's quite possible that the problem is lost already! From day one and until the end of time, the CI/governing body should teach that Shodan is far beyond the end of the continued beginning! Everyday and every rank is the beginning of new discoveries day after day! For those CI's/governing bodies that teach the falseness of Shodan should be ashamed of themselves!! Students will leave from time to time, this is the reality of any MA school, but to believe your last day in the dojo is Shodan is the fault of the CI/governing body!! We must not teach negative opinions that drive students away! More importantly, if rank is taught to be the end all of the MA, then students have been short sided from day one! Teaching students that rank is paramount in their MA training hurts students in the long run! Rank exists, that can't be ignored nor should it be denied, the importence of rank should be minimized from day one, therefore, rank should be put in its proper context, Train, not for rank...not for Shodan, but for the sake of improving one MA betterment!!

Great posts....great topic!

In my tournament days, 20 years ago, I went with either Unsu or Wankan! If I was at a compulsory tournament I would do whatever was on the list per round! Those were the days!

Another great tutorial, Alex!! I find quite a lot of comfort with the X-guard because there are opportunities abound to transition into and out of, depending on what my opponent decides to follow. At first, I had a problem with being this close to my opponent because I perceived that I was feeling vulnerable, yet, I felt this way when I was first learning any close range tactics; it can be unnerving. Time takes care of that! To help counter that feeling of complete inadequacies, we help our students face the feelings of utter dismay by having them face it head on; getting dirty, so to speak, because students must experience it in order to learn to accept the X-guard and other things in the grappling world!!

Ditto!!

10% increases across the board for both the Hombu and my dojo. As Kaicho, my first concerns are concentrated in the MA betterment of the ENTIRE student body!!

IMHO.... This bears to be repeated....it's not the style that's at fault, but it's the practitioner who's at fault!! Shindokan isn't just stand-up karate! Our brand of Tuite and Tegumi has methods that can fend off a charging grappler, but again, things happen that don't and won't favor me! Yet, I don't panic!! I'm not a nice and fair fighter!!

Solid post!!

Thanks for the heads up; I'll have to check it out!!

Solid post!!

First off, I want to thank you for your much needed post! I want to also wish you and your son a successful testing cycle; relax and allow the testing cycle take care of itself. If the two of you have trained hard all of these many years, than you two have nothing to worry about. It's both an honor as well as an exciting event that your son and you will continue to share, not only for the moment, but for a lifetime; your journey isn't ending but it's only continuing!! My feelings about child BB's obtaining rank is well known; I'm dead against it! That's my problem!! Therefore, I only want to support your son's testing cycle and to not rain on anyone's parade because of my very narrow opinion on the subject!! Good luck to the two of you in your upcoming testing cycle, and continued happiness in both of yours journeys!!

After all, aren't adaptations just the latter part of Shu Ha Ri??

A noted intent! Not in a passing intent, either!!

Ditto....I missed you....glad you're back!!

God forbid should any Sensei get older!! Put them out to pasture!! Change is inevitable; age isn't an exception!! I creek when I didn't before! I snap, crack, and pop when I didn't before!! Forgive me for not being the young man that I use to be! I may not move as eloquent as I use to, but, my techniques are solid, and my mind's sharp as ever, and my knowledge is undeniable! Yeah, there's snow on the roof but the fire still rages on within!!

Great topic! Thank you for it! Great OP! Many great points the far! I believe that it's important in increasing one MA betterment by training outside with fellow dojo mates whenever possible. Any type of training outside of the dojo should be encouraged by the CI. One bit of advice...the key word is "training", and that means just that!! Exchange ideas and the like but don't teach; that's your CI's job!! While intents are innocent, one needs to be careful to not teach something that is incorrect, therefore, damaging the good muscle memory.

I am in very good company! Me too!!

Congrats; well deserved!!

I can only suppose that something must of occurred in the past for the JKA to make this rule. And it seems that the JKA isn't apologizing for their stand on this issue.

I've only one thing to say...whatever the Hombu decides, that's what the expectations will be across the board. Have a concern, contact the Hombu!!

The dreaded sine wave! Does TKD sparring utilize the sine wave?? If not, then why do sine wave in forms?! Still, I love your OP, Brian!! Thanks for sharing!!

I hate sounding like a broken record, and please forgive me if I do, but... Great tutorial, from start to end!! Your students are quite lucky to have you on the mat...your through...step by step...without ambiguity in your teaching style...yeah...I like it quite a lot, Alex!! I'd love to roll with you anytime!!

Great tutorial, Alex: as always. Transitions were smooth through and through!! I can't wait to see your DVD series...when you make one...which I hope will be sometime during 2015. I believe that you should make one!! Thanks for sharing, Alex!!

2015 Goals?? 10% increases across the board!! Any other goal will have to wait...for now!!

As always, it's an honor to have been nominated, as well as having the distinct honor to have won at all. I was in great company in the categories that I was fortunate enough to be in. Thank you from the bottom of my heart; means the world!! Being tied with Brian as having earned 13 KF Awards is pretty cool. Thank you ALL!! Until next year...GO KF!!