sensei8

Ditto!!

Great discussion...great Q&A session with Nik and Alex...top notch!! Thank you, both!! This is what I've been speaking about ever since I've been here at KF...Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro...Mind like water and mind like the moon...RELAX. Not only in your physical stature but in your mind as well. If the mind is overwhelmed, then you begin to try to meet that force with force and that's the path to avoid. Relax...then work!! Capitalize on their overcoming mistakes thinking that there brute force is all that they need...and they do need more than that, imho!! Brute force on its own is akin to combating with oneself all day long; tiring overall, and that tiny little moment, is when you begin to overcome.

I agree with this. Thanks for the video, once again. I think this one is way above my pay grade! But I do like how you talk through to the spider guard and the transitions. There seems to be so much there, but I imagine with time it isn't quite so overwhelming. I thought I saw where the scissors sweep would get worked in there. Bob, don't you have the autonomy to introduce grappling into your classes whenever you see fit? After all, you are the senior rank of the style at this point. Don't you have some input into these things, at least when it comes to the classes you teach? To the bold type above... Sure, I've the autonomy to introduce grappling into my classes whenever I see fit. And I do it all of the time! However, that's within my own dojo!! Outside of my own dojo, and I don't expect anyone outside of the Shindokan circle to understand and appreciate this, I am the senior rank of Shindokan, but, I'm one person, one practitioner, and one instructor. Any changes to the syllabus/curriculum have to be voted on, and it requires a 100% vote of approval, and not a majority of votes, for this to happen. Being senior rank doesn't mean that I can pass whatever policy and rule and regulation I want to just because I want to; no matter the supportive argument that I might have! My input is just that, an input, an advice, a thought, and a suggestion, but it's not a rule!! Again, Rule #1 is TEACH!! Rule #2; see Rule #1!! I don't need approval for what occurs in my dojo, however, I do need approval to teach something that's going to be formally tested upon before, in this case, 6th Kyu!! Look, Dai-Soke taught all of his JBB things "above our ranks" because he was the Chief Instructor/Kaicho, without Soke's approval. Why? The Hombu was Soke's, and not Dai-Soke's, but, Soke allowed because he was the CI!! Therefore, while we were being taught Shodan...then Nidan...then Sandan things from the syllabus/curriculum, we were never tested until we achieved those tenures. What I do in my own dojo is MY business, however, students aren't tested officially until they've reached 6th Kyu!! This has nothing to do with loyalty to Soke/Dai-Soke, this has something to do with honoring our sworn duties and responsibilities, to the oaths that we've taken. Our student body deserves that!! I don't believe in hidden techniques and I don't believe in waiting for policies to teach...no...I TEACH, and be darned to any policy and regulation that stifles the betterment of my students.

A very definitive topic through and through! And as always, your explanations are right across the spectrum of the topic at hand. The Q&A of these videos are what all MAist need, and not just the mat work, with, both are critical elements in developing their MA betterment. Gi...no gi...those elements have to be appreciated and understood, because while one might not like to train in a gi, one better understand it's possibilities because they might encounter an assailant who's well trained in the gi, and therefore, use it to their advantages and to your disadvantages. Nice Q&A, as always. I look forward to many more. LEO's are handcuffed by rules and regulations for obvious reasons, but... Are there ever any scenario's that allow LEO's to react outside of the rules and regulations concerning MA training and abilities?? On a side note, I notice, while watching that Alex isn't very still while sitting...I suppose that he'd rather be rolling than speaking, but he does both quite well. It's the lion within him that can't wait to pounce upon his prey!! Btw, it's a good thing that I'm noting!!

Let us not forget that the MA isn't at fault! By that I mean, the gun isn't at fault when it's used in unmoral and unethical acts; the gun doesn't kill, the wielder of said gun kills. Same thing: the MA doesn't commit unmoral and unethical acts; the MA doesn't decide; the practitioner decides. That moral compass must be held tightly in the hand of the instructor; first sign of abuse and the like, the instructor must act accordingly and immediately without ambiguity and/or reservation. Otherwise, continued abuse then becomes the fault of the instructor for allowing it to continue. Imho!!

For curriculum 6kyu and 5kyu do basic 1 step. Step back once, block, and reverse punch. At 4kyu, students are expected to use more advanced blocking techniques and more than 1 strike in the counter attack. During advance class we normally do more self defense based 1 step for all levels, but not all students stay for that class sadly. Mostly adults who are serious about training. It's sad to see some students skate by with just the bare minimum, but if they stick with it they'll eventually have to learn. Truer words have never been more spoken; SOLID!!

I do enjoy seeing these drills. I see similarities between this drill and some of the ones seen over in the Wing Chun posts, too. We did a flow drill together, didn't we, Bob? I don't recall what it was called, though. It was kind of like a sticking hands type of drill, I think.Interestingly, you can do this same drill as a sticking hands drill, but I am not very good at it I appreciate you being humble; however, from what I've seen, and from what I saw in this threads video link, you've more than a basic understanding of said drill(s) within your grasp, pun intended. In sticky hand drills, I'll give you this little tidbit that might help you, if you're willing to try and work through your doubts/fears. Here it is... Don't be overly concerned with each and every "attack" by your training partner. When you do, you become disjointed quickly and end up at the losing end of the flow. Be aware, relax, and MEET each attack ONE AT A TIME. Don't react to what's "About" to happen because 'it' hasn't happened yet, it will, but not yet. When you free-style, if your style practices free-style, it's the same thing...be concerned with the "attack" that is at hand, and only that UNTIL, the next "attack" reveals itself to you. Bottom line...don't get ahead of yourself!! Get the rhythm, and there is a rhythm to any flow drill, and address one "attack" at a time, and not before!! You'll be fine!!

I do enjoy seeing these drills. I see similarities between this drill and some of the ones seen over in the Wing Chun posts, too. We did a flow drill together, didn't we, Bob? I don't recall what it was called, though. It was kind of like a sticking hands type of drill, I think.Yes, we did, Brian!! What you and I did was just a basic trapping and sticky hand drills known as Tegumi Renzoku-geiko, aka, hand grappling flow drills, in which, you and I also did a few Yakusoku Kumite as well; they both flow, pun intended, together in training, yet, not exclusive to the floor: they transition to the street via muscle memory.

I'd rather have my MA training suffer than having my family suffer!!

As we're all aware of, many schools don't outwardly advertise their prices in the fear that their competition will undercut them, thusly, money savings have the ability to draw in prospective students. I'm of the mindset...be directly upfront at all times. Sets up the trust between school and student; the building blocks for a long term relationship. No matter the savings and no matter the prices; if the quality of instruction isn't there for the serious minded student, that student type won't give it a second longer thought in leaving said school. Price structures will be debated as long as money is at the core of our society. I, too, am alarmed when I hear, see, or read that a school is charging $130 per month, but more alarming when I see the subpar quality of instructions being offered, and even more alarming when you see same said students' subpar MA skills learnt from same said school. But, hey, I'm just a voice in the wilderness. Prices don't always match to the quality of the instructions. Listen, not everyone can afford a rocket ship to the moon, but everyone can afford a pair of shoes to walk to the dojo of their choice. Pressure tactics will turn me off faster than the subpar quality of instructions. Why? I'd be there in the first place in order to learn the MA, I've already decided that. However, just as soon as I'm pressured to join, my interest is quickly deflated!! I don't NEED the MA, I WANT the MA; there's a difference between the two, and it's often misunderstood.

Flow drills, like Wastelander's video demonstrates, are found in quite a lot of Okinawan styles. Therefore, a critical part of any Okinawan styles' curriculum/syllabus. Our brand of Tuite greatly depends on flow drills because these drills help us reveal the many intrinsic possibilities that can be discovered.

I've quoted prices in any advertising campaign that I've ever done, for as long as I can remember!! Our Hombu's done the same!! As a matter of fact, our Hombu once had an A-Frame just outside the main entrance forever and a day noting price structures. It had in bold large print at the very bottom..."Free Trail Lesson" emblazoned at the very bottom for all to see. That A-Frame is in the hand of San Dai-Soke when he closed our first Hombu...man...I miss the darn thing...Soke made the A-Frame...which he personally updated from time to time!! To move that A-Frame, it would take two; it wasn't a modest size!!

Ditto!!

Try this... http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/02/3-awesome-apps-for-teachers-to-create.html Hopefully, this will serve your needs, or at least get the ball rolling. Good luck!!

Some great advice, already. I concur with those who stated Dentist custom made mouthpiece's are the way to go. Costly...yeah...but teeth aren't a dime a dozen...they're more like a mortgage payment...or two!! Now, what do you do when you've a student that refuses to wear one because the mouthpiece causes him/her to choke? Start trimming it down until they can tolerate it? No! Trimming isn't the answer because if you start trimming down, even a sporting good store one, you might as well not even wear that darn thing at all.

Another top notch tutorial, Alex. Yes, this was a Q&A session, and not a physical tutorial. Loved it, through and through. Found myself shaking my head up and down quite a lot when you were speaking!! Excellent!! Even before I opened this thread, and even before I played the video link, and from reading the thread's title, I quickly said... SLOW HIM/HER DOWN!! Fighting...defending...at their game isn't going to have a pleasant ending for you. But, like you pointed out quickly, isolating him/her is akin to applying your cars brake in a controlled manner, versus using hard braking method, because while both will stop and/or slow down your car, one will do it in a slow manner, while the other might put you through the windshield. In the latter, things will happen way to fast to properly react. While on the other hand, a slow braking will allow the driver to think responsibly as options, lanes of opportunities, reveal themselves to that type of driver. Slow him/her down, but do it in a slow and controlled manner, and not in a hard braking and uncontrolled manner. Things, on the mat, happen way to fast, and whenever one's dealing with an aggressive and athletic opponent who's transitions and the like a akin to trying to control the wind; it's just not going to happen. However, slowing down the wind, well, that's more doable than one might imagine. Grab a leg...grab a arm...grab a sleeve...grab the gi/shorts...grab the core...grab something and slow her/him down. It's akin to sticking an object into the speeding bike's spokes; they will slow or they will stop. Either is preferred over allowing them to continue in their athletically generated aggressiveness. As in chess, and this is more for the advanced grapplers, sacrifices are made to control the center of the chess board. However, these sacrifices are calculated sacrifices and not made from ones whimsical intents. Sacrifices, for the moment, something for this athletic generated aggressive opponent, something for him/her to grasp, but not any body part! That, too, will slow him/her down. It's a risk! But, a well planned out sacrifice wins that chess encounter, thusly, offers the potentiality of winning through the checkmate!! That's all that we're initially trying to do...slow that type of opponent down so that you can begin to force your opponent to fight your fight, therefore, their fight isn't an issue no more. SLOW HER/HIM DOWN!!

I wholeheartedly concur that the BJJ practitioners greatest strengths is live training from day 1. Many other styles of the MA, imho, need to adopt the BJJ teaching models of training live from day 1 when grappling is concerned. Whereas, in Shindokan, grappling isn't introduced until 6th Kyu/Green belt. This I've argued compassionately with both Soke and Dai-Soke as to the drawbacks of waiting so long. Their reasons are understandable, "First have a basic understanding of familiarity with body mechanics as they are taught and discovered through Bunkai/Oyo from the students first day", but, as they've pointed out to me, "Isn't late, better than never?", but that still hasn't sat well with me, their reasoning's cause me to accept that in our syllabus. However, I encourage my students to "experiment" now, but only under my watchful eye. Open floor training days are where all levels can learn and train whereas the syllabus might not allow it; even though instructors aren't hamstrung by bureaucratic red-tape...teach first, coddle the hierarchy temperance later...much later. Rule 1, TEACH...Rule 2, see Rule 1!!

It appears our opinion on the subject differs, and I'm okay with that!! Her embodiment of the martial arts as a martial artist doesn't depend on, nor does it define her through our opinions. If SHE supposes that she's a martial artist, then through her own perception, she is a martial artist; one who practices a form of the martial arts. Who are we to define her, and therefore deny her? Especially when we're judging her from afar; as though we have that exclusive right to do so. I can't speak about your analogy in Paris, France, because I wasn't there, but I do believe that, while this wasn't a good thing, it was hopefully an isolated result. If possible, let us forget the proposed ideology of a martial artist is one who can effectively defend themselves, but, if at all possible, can we all agree that a martial artist is one WHO PRACTICES A FORM OF THE MARTIAL ARTS? Forgetting the effectiveness of the individual, but the intent, which, is about training said martial art to become an effective means.

Seems to me that this girl will not receive many kind words of encouragement and/or support here. Which is fine because I did ask for opinions! Her intents aren't being considered here, but only the fact that she's a child black belt. Again, I'm no fan of a child black belt, not now, not later!! Nonetheless, she is a legitimate black belt in the JKA. Imho, she's a martial artist! A martial artist is someone that studies a form of the martial arts, and the last time I checked, JKA/Shotokan fits that mold. Had the video been of an adult, she would've received a totally different response. Had this girl been a part of the Kyu rank levels, she would've received a totally different response. Watching her, my first impressions were: She's a child!! She's wearing a black belt!! She's a child black belt!! Aaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhhh!! That was my first impression, which was heightened by my opinion of child black belts! I didn't give her any credit, not at first glance! Not at the second glance, either!! It took me many, many, many glances before I started to watch her as a student of the martial arts, and not as a child black belt, therefore, as a martial artist. I've never read, nor have I ever heard that to be a martial artist you must be a certain age!! Being a martial artist isn't only for those practitioners that are adults. When I was a JBB from the age of 13 years old, I was ALREADY a martial artist because I've ALREADY been a practitioner of a martial art; Shindokan!! In my opinion, I see her as a practitioner of the martial arts. I look beyond her obi so that I can see her as a martial artist!!

I'll third what Alex [tallgeese] posted. And I second what ps1 stated about trusting your techniques and not to be afraid when it fails...DON'T PANIC...work it out!! I'm a big guy, and in that, I'm very aggressive, but that doesn't mean that a smaller guy can't tame me. However, I won't be tamed for long because I am constantly countering one way or another. Sure, everything has its limits and everything won't always succeed, but it's having the instinct to work through and out of new found problems brought on by ones opponent. *Put me on my back...good! I'm at home there. *Control distance...good! Get into closed guard and then to the open...good! But, remember, I'm on top of you and I will do everything I can to crush you and minimize your movements. I'm not just going to be idle. I'm not going to move just to move because if I do, then I open myself up to harm. You move...then I move to limit or control or counter or stop your attempts; just as you are with me. We're live!! *Pay attention to the positional ladder...good! Get away from the side mount and mount...good! But, again, we're alive, and I'm not going to just let you, I will resist you. As you will with me. Me being the bigger guy means that it benefits me if I stay on top of you as long as I can or as long as I choose. Then, and you can post how ineffective it is in your opinion, I'm going to manipulate and utilize Kyusho-jitsu as often as I can. To make you miserable, as often as I can. For everyone of your attempts, I've an arsenal of off-buttons waiting for you. I'm aware, as well as you're aware, man, we're both aware...not everything works, but.... Study your opponent Study yourself Make a plan Carry it out Good luck, train hard, and let us know how things are going.

Well, it bears to be repeated, again...awesome tutorial, Alex; top notch. Great breakdown of the sequential components; nice tight and compact through and through. What I'm about to say is something that I'd be amiss if I didn't...better have options available when each sequence is countered. If not, bad things begin to happen. For example, while opponent is standing, and you try to place your foot against your opponents outside, farthest away, foot, your opponent slightly moves that foot out of range. Transitional counters attempted by your opponent are NOT the end of the world. Don't panic...work it out without giving the farm away!!

It's a good thing that Shindokan doesn't teach high kicks because my right knee hasn't been the same since I was a JBB; I accidently put a Kama deeply into it!! Ever since, my right leg kicks, high ones that is, have been a struggle. Probably good thing that my left leg's fine. As I get older, my right leg, from my knee to my toes is always numb. I hobble until I get the walking motion in gear; then, I'm fine. Those first couple steps are a struggle.

What are the opinions of companies that offer free website creations and the like?

This is a very solid post; one I can never forget!! Your points are right and effective in hitting the heart of the matter!! Thank you, cheesefrysamurai. I suppose that I felt, as well, that the vantage of having a website was to reach the world, i.e. the masses. But, I wasn't ever interested in reaching nationwide, regional, or global. I just want to reach those locally, especially those within the immediate area surrounding my dojo. Narrow minded of me? Oh, yeah!!

1 loss...6 straight wins...followed by 2 losses. Pattern is starting to scare me and it's looking quite familiar. Mommy!! Go COWBOYS!!