sensei8

Please, SIGN ME UP!!

While the link below... http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/settlement-new-york-states-largest-karate-school-chain-ends-deceptive-practices ...is old news, 2000, I believe that current and future MA schools should pay attention as to what can happen if one's not careful at all times. These practices have no business in your business because students will suffer the most when these type of practices aren't reported to the necessary agencies. Are deceptive practices within the MA still happening today? I believe that they still are. Well, only salmon swim up stream!!

Curiosity will draw me to watch it, as it did for the first one...flying MAists make me laugh at the imagination of it all. Thank you for sharing it!!

There's no reason for any two martial arts to NEED to agree on anything. The US Navy and the US Army both have Captains. In the Navy, it's a very high ranking officer that can command a vessel. In the Army, it's still a low level officer that can only command small units (company and below). Despite their differences, they both seem to operate just fine. It would be nice though, if they did, so that disagreements weren't so disjointed, as they are now in the MA world. Different world and different viewpoints; these separate the world of the MA and the world of the US Military. Imho!!

Ever been to a MA tournament? Well, those that you're speaking about are there in droves. So, YES, I've seen 12 year old and younger black belts with my own eyes, and I've groaned...out loud. They're everywhere...nowadays, one doesn't have to look that hard to find them IN PERSON!! Visit your local MA schools, all of them, and you'll find them for yourself, and again, IN PERSON!! Well, to each their own.

Marketing is very important, especially if you're NOT in a highly visible and high traffic area; where ALL have no choice to see you. This locations are not cheap, but they don't need, imho, a great amount of marketing to attract new students. In these areas, new students darn near fall into your school. If you're somewhere apposed, then, your marketing game better be all that and a bag of chips!!

Well, if it's not against the law where you live, then I say, plaster the area's of your choice without reservation with your leaflets...GO FOR IT!!

Solid post!! I've had the broad pleasure of having trained in as well as visited Okinawa just under 2 dozen of times. Our Soke and Dai-Soke were our guides, as one would expect since they both were born and raised in, what's now known as, Nanjo, Okinawa. We went as a group, and all were encouraged to join, thus, all ranks were invited and not just Yudansha's. I echo everything that you've posted, Spartacus Maximus, wholeheartedly. We went mainly during the summer, but we've also shared a few winters; either weren't pleasant while on the floor. Much of training wasn't always geared around Shindokan, and mainly, we were vacationing there for the week or two that we were there. Culture shock, to say that least, for first time visitors, takes some getting use to no matter how much you prepare for the journey because what's normal in the USA, isn't the same in Okinawa, or anywhere else for that fact, and that's to be expected. Soke's house/dojo, in Okinawa, lacked the normal amenities that we in the USA take advantage of. Blistering summers and bitter winters...outside of expected training conditions and the like, I'm not a fan of sweating and freezing, but give me a break...at least once...sheech!! Food was to die for, and I mean that. I love to eat and I was at home with the local cuisine. Possibly I feel in love with Okinawa food because I've been at either of Soke and Dai-Soke's homes in the USA a trillion of times. It was, and still is, a treasured memory to have visited and trained in the homeland of Shindokan, Nanjo, Okinawa, one that I'll never soon forget. Both Soke and Dai-Soke returned to their beloved Okinawa; it is where their final resting place is.

I suppose that this argument will ever die as long as either side is unable to change their viewpoints on this subject. Impressing change won't be that easy as long as ones ensconced in their beliefs. However, for the betterment of the MA, and for the betterment of all MAist, an acceptable middle ground should be reached beyond an amicable agreement. But, I believe that that's just a dream of this foolish old man. That being said, I just can't see a change, in this matter, because, for example [i'll take the hits on this one], in our annual meeting this past July, as this very subject had been discussed... "We've, the Shindokan Hombu (SKKA), formally decided to remain viscerally opposed against eliminating our JBB program for awarding any Dan grade to any student who's not reached their 18th birthday. Albeit, to continue in unequivocal support that were, and still are, the beliefs and reasons as set forthwith by Soke Fuyuhiko Saitou per our By-Laws and/or supportive internal documentations." Oftentimes, I find myself in a quandrum of indecisiveness over this subject because I DO see the arguments from those who are diametrically opposed to our Hombu, and I also oftentimes grieve in my spirit as though I'm stifling the MA betterment of a MAist, even though that MAist hasn't, as of yet, reached their 18th birthday. A birthdate shouldn't be, in this regards, a form of punishment. I'm torn between loyalty and civility, in this regards.

Don't misunderstand me, but at times, the trees do get in the way of seeing the forest. Speak with your Sensei about your concerns and the like because your Sensei is the final word in Shorin-ryu. After that...Shu Ha Ri!!

By delivering leaflets to peoples letterbox, are you saying that you'll put them INSIDE of a individuals mailbox at their home or apartment or business or whatever? If so, in the USA, it's against the law!! In the USA, you can't even attach anything to a mailbox; its flag or its support or anywhere on a mailbox. But, I'd stay away from the mailbox. Mail them? Sure, if that's something that you can afford.

I’d like to welcome you to KF; glad that you’re here!! In very general terms as to why most Karate styles chamber their hand in the mannerism that they do…imho, there is absolutely no intrinsic value at all for any practitioner of Karate, or any other style of the MA to hold your fist chambered to your hip and/or side. Put your chambered hand wherever you feel more comfortable. Yes, the truly only thing that I would be concerned with is that your Hikite is helping you to keep your elbow against your side throughout the technique, and not flapping all around like a wounded bird. However, in Kata, the chambered hand IS at ones hip at the completion, and at its ready position before the next technique in said Kata. What looks like a punch, might not be a punch at all in any given Kata. That’s a point you’ve made well in your OP. Hikite is important, but only to a point, but, imho, not tremendously necessary to deliver any effective technique. Imho, the most important goal of any technique is the proper execution of hips. The hips must drive the technique at all times. Everyone in Karate does punching drills each and every day, and when you do, that’s Hikite...one punch at a time, over and over…first the left…then the right…and so on and so forth. One has to know when Hikite should or shouldn’t be used during an attack.

I can appreciate that!! If a style of the MA doesn't believe in sparring/kumite, a style that does believe in sparring/kumite, then I suppose that the title of this thread is quite appropriate. Having never sparred/kumite, imho, translates into not knowing how to respond/react to any type of attack; that's just not conducive in knowing how to defend oneself in a fight. Blinking and ducking lead to being knocked out!! Experience will always defeat inexperience, however, the craziest things can happen in a fight. Things of misfortune will eventually catch up, and when that happens, hopefully the outcome won't be a dire one.

Looking at the title of this thread..."If I can kick your rear, I'm a better martial artist." Well, if I survive, then I'd say that you won...THIS TIME!! No one is suppose to win, sport or real, each and every time; the odds are against that. Sure, teams can go undefeated in a sport venue, but that's because it took a group to achieve. In an individual sport, the odds favor that that practitioner will lose...eventually! Not always does sport venue victories translate into street victories. Why? Sports venue victories have rules and street venue victories don't; hence, it's anyone's game. One mistake, no matter the venue, can cost you dearly. The world of parameters is so vast, that it seems to me that those parameters live inside of a bubble of "what if?", and "if" is an infinity of possibilities for either one. Sport venues allow you to think, and street venues allow you to respond/react. However, these two maxims translate as the difference between victory and defeat...Mizu No Kokoro [Mind like the water] AND Tsuki No Kokoro [Mind like the moon]. If either of these maxims are askew within you, then my friend, you're going to be in a lot of hot water with your attack on the street AND with your opponent on the competition floor. Just because you beat me today on either venue, imho, this doesn't mean that you're a better MAist and/or person and/or fighter and/or whatever than me. No!! It just means you were able to capitalize on my mistake(s) to your advantage...this time, next time might favor me, should we meet up again. Either way, I'd rather lose at every sport venue on the planet, than to lose at a street venue just one time. That one lose in a street venue could be my life!! A white belt can score on a black belt...big deal...worse things have been known to have happened. A martial artist can score on another martial artist...big deal...none is better than the other...stuff happens all of the time. I score on Greg, our Kancho,...he scores on me...so on and so forth...happens with us all of the time, and even though I've got 6 months seniority on Greg, it doesn't mean that I'm better MAist than him...things shouldn't happen, but things do happen. The end only counts when you finally shed your mortal coil!! Before that, it's anyone's game!! So, I disagree with the above quoted sentiment. What's more important? The victory on the competition floor or the victory in the street/fight? BOTH!! The first venue can translate successfully into the second venue, and vise versa...in which I believe that any outcome is up to the individual through and through. Abilities dictate to either venue, and as an afterthought, train hard, and hopefully nothing fatal ever happens!!

Excellent marketing ideas here, especially the cinema ads!! Define, if you don't mind, "letterbox drop", please, thanks!!

Thanks for the insight. I agree that an instructor's ability to teach, regardless of ring experience, can not be overlooked. I, too, wholeheartedly agree!!

Solid post!! You and your parents are part of that 70% that DON'T use the phone book, and I accept that, and I accept the fact that I'm very far behind the times.

You are correct. And that is fine. For you and her. Kids aren't in this to be fighters, defend themselves, cultural interest or any of the other reasons that we normally think of. That said, if they've been with it for years and have worked hard and reached a standardized level of competence why not recognize them? As long as there is an understanding of what the "junior" in the black belt title means (to the kids, parents, and adults) then no harm no foul. Solid post!!

No, I'm not assuming anything especially since I'm not here Sensei; I've no idea if she's learning Bunkai and the like beyond the kata she's executing here. Dan as an adult reference, that I do agree. I'm of that opinion STILL!! I only refer her to being a martial artist because she's performing an art as an artist...the kata isn't being performed by itself...she's executing it, and executing it quite well. "A person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarily subject to aesthetic criteria." And... Martial Artist... "Any of the traditional forms of Oriental self-defense or combat that utilize physical skill and coordination without weapons..." Of course, our definitions of these words above would be more deeper than what a dictionary could ever provide. When I was a JBB, from the ages of 13 to 18, what was I?? I pray that I was too a MAist back then, and my Dai-Soke would tell you that I was too!! If this girl was in Shindokan, and at the age of 7 years old, she'd only be an Ikkyu, and then, if appropriate, she'd be a JBB at 13, and wouldn't be considered for the testing cycle of Shodan until she turned 18 years old. And she'd not be referred to as a "Master" either, not even close!!

Thanks, sensei8! We're planning to. One of the first things I did after taking over the jiu jitsu program a few weeks ago was kick off this little project as an internal marketing thing. It's actually generated some pretty good response outside our group as well. Some JKD associates of mine have been really complimentary towards it as a supplement to their grappling training. Have you gave any thought at all about showing the technique in normal speed before the tutorial? Possibly, it could be shown while the credits are rolling in the background, for example. I'd love to see the app in full/reg/normal speed in each of your video's.

From the surface, they're not something that I'd ever be interested in any shape, way, and/or form, from what I've seen through their website and the like.

Patrick, LOL...Yes, I, too, would love to lumped in with the kids. No discerning intent was meant to all. Oh...I see...well, the 30% is a small number, and I'm glad I'm part of it. I can't remember the last time I looked up a phone number on the internet. And thanks, I'll need all of the luck I can get with the Hombu in this regards. Oh well!!

Market in ways that are not expected by your competitors: other MA schools. Don't do what every other school in that area is doing, jump out of the box. To do that, you're going to have to investigate stealth-like tactics or just ask your competitors straight out what methods of marketing are they using. Once your investigation is complete, do what they don't expect. Leaflets do work, however, it's a hit and miss. Btw, ALL, imho, marketing methods are a hit and miss. But when you find what works the best for you, capitalize on it with a fever that will drive your bottom line like its never been driven before. Some area's frown deeply on you papering their communities with ream after ream of paper, and they will not hesitate in telling you. I've been there...bought the t-shirt! Depending on where you place them, you might see one or another thing happen. They will come to your school or they won't. If the numbers are so dismal that you want to bury your head in sand, then the bet is that the faster you but a leaflet somewhere, it came off even faster. To all new students that darken your door, ask them how they learned about your school. Start a chart to track your marketing method. Then after you've collected the info you're satisfied with, run with the top two to three. But don't stop there, take the top two or three and expand them in a way that's not expected. But always being a consummate professional. Leaflets can turn-off consumers because they either don't want the darn thing to begin with or they don't want you to litter their car/building/etc with your junk, and it's junk to those who don't want it to begin with, or they don't want to associate with someone who'd result to marketing their school through a leaflet. Same thing with newspaper adverts or advert boards/posters...hit and miss. They're more expensive than leaflets, imho, yet, they can cover a much wider customer base faster than leaflets. My preference is leaflets due to costs, and in that, I've been quite successful with them; I can blanket an targeted area heavily because the more I have out, the higher my return ratio will increase. My goal after a blanket campaign is 2%. Seems low? Not when I'm handing out thousands at one time. Expecting 10% seems to me, at times, unreasonable because 10% of 2000 leaflets is 200 possible leads. That effort might turn a dream into a nightmare. In all marketing things, a reasonable investment must provide a reasonable return. Thinking outside the box doesn't mean to make of yourself and your school unreasonable demands and expectations. If you first don't succeed, try, try, AND try again until you find what works the best for you and your school as well as your student body...new included. Get them to shadow your door...that's the goal of all marketing methods/ideas. Look at the top Fortune 500 companies. Most, if not all, had to go back to the blackboard more than once, and their trash cans are full of ideas and their offices are littered with ideas...ideas that didn't work the first, second, or fifty times. Persistency pays out a dividend that can't be laugh at. Try what your competitors haven't or won't because they're too scared too!! Good luck, and market as though your life depended on it.

Sorry, and you've been warned...here it comes... Proof is on the floor!! There, I said it!! No matter if the floor is in a MA school or somewhere outside of a MA school; wherever it might be!! If you can't, then get out of the way of someone who can. Imho!!

Thanks Brian for sharing your new MA experience. Sounds to me that you had a profitable training session, even though you felt uneasy in some areas, and that's to be expected when we're taking out of our comfort zone. I hate to relate to this, but I've always felt that this statement reflects appropriately to all MAists, and it goes like this... "Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own." ~ Bruce Lee That's what I've done forever and a day whenever I've had the opportunity to cross train in a MA that's not Shindokan. That which I can add to Shindokan, thus to myself, that is what I'll adapt to, while that which is useless, imho, that will I reject wholeheartedly. Your roundhouse kick is extraordinary, in that, it's one to be reckoned with, therefore, it must be respected. Do what you feel you must do to improve your MA betterment, but if I had your roundhouse kick, shoot, I'd never adapt another, I would just want it to be faster than grease lighting. What tries to destroy us, yet we survive it, that makes us more stronger. From what I read in your OP, you handled the training with duty and honor and you were quire affable in your receptiveness of what that style/system had to offer. And that's it...you were offered something that might or might not help you increase your MA betterment, and like you said, you love to train and you were given a chance to adapt to it or reject it. When in Rome. Alas, it can be unsettling when one is asked to do or not to do something that you've been doing one way for so long, the strange is something that isn't your preference and/or your make-up. But, we do what is expected of us if we're a visitor to their school. If what he had me do or not do weren't in line with my desired preferences and I no longer want to be subjected to that, then I would thank him and not return at all. Hopefully, I did learn something of use, whether it was about myself and/or about my MA betterment. I'm like you, I love to train and I don't want to spend an abnormal amount of time stretching and what have you. Let's get to the meat and potatoes of it!!