sensei8

YES!! Solid post, thank you for it!!

Yes, Bob, I do recall. Some of our one-steps cover these kinds of movements, and we try to focus on this kind of movement in DT so that we can get to a more advantageous position to detain someone. In grappling, we have to be very careful about when we make space, so that it doesn't get taken advantage of.Very good discussion, and a nice article! To the bold type above... Valid point because that type of space management, is not properly cared for, will create unintended openings to be capitalized by a keen opponent. It's a different animal concerning Close Range Space Management is concerned.

What keeps you up at night?? For me, I'm always worried about the future of Shindokan; with all that is Shindokan!! We've gone through some unsettled history; past and present, which might affect our future. I believe that the SKKA is solid and its infrastructure is intact...now...under my watch. But, I'm not going to lie, history has a tendency of repeating itself no matter what's in place to secure its existence for many years to still come. I'm confident that our By-Laws and the like, as well as our Legal Team, have put in place many levels of protection to thwart off any type of indiscretion. However, whatever has been created for the good, can be destroyed for the bad. People are involved; people are fallible, and seeing that the current hierarchy won't live forever, our successors could re-write history by amending any and all official decrements and the like for whatever their reason(s) might or might not be. Time will tell!! While I've confidence now, and in the future for Shindokan's well-being, a part of me is leery and feels unsettled; it's the unknown that seems to trouble keep me awake at times.

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. Soke Fuyuhiko Saitou Sensei founded Shindokan Saitou-ryu in 1950. Then Soke founded the Shindokan Hombu, early in 1957. Shortly thereafter, during that same year, he founded the Shindokan Karate-do and Kobudo Association (SKKA). Also in 1957, Soke appointed Yoshinobu Takahashi Sensei as SKKA's first Kaicho (President). As one might expect and understand, the various media access that we all currently share, and what we all take for granted nowadays, wasn't even available to Soke back then. The Infancy of Many Possibilities! Back in the 1950s and 1960s, print media, telephones and television, as limited as they were, did serve a purpose. Their purpose was to inform and entertain the masses. To avail oneself to that media was, and still is, a costly endeavor - one that not everyone, especially small businesses, could/can afford. This includes martial arts schools, interested in attracting potential students. Print ads, like phone books, newspapers and magazines, charged per inches. Today's print costs vary. Television network commercials charged per air time. An ad during the Super Bowl can cost up to $4 Million dollars for a 30 second spot. I've not seen a martial arts school advertise during any Super Bowl, nor do I imagine that I will ever will. Billboards charged per the size of the billboard. Billboard rentals have been around since 1867, and by the 1960s, they've been making a dent into landscapes all over the globe. Still, a costly way to attract new students! Then, there were other low risk possibilities, like bus stop bench backs, bus interior signage, local business maps, school book cover distribution, banner ads, yard signage, your school's name on the back of student's gi, etc. These can all take a big chunk out of a small business' advertisement budget, if one even exists. Inflation surely can't be sneezed at, because the business cost of something back in the 1960s isn't close to what it is now. For example, a Corvette back in the 1960s went for about $4,500, and now, a Corvette is about $60,000. The dreaded expectance of any advertisement is that inflation will always challenge any business, small and large. If you took $100 from 1960 and converted it to the equivalent amount in 2014, you would have $805.21! Nothing against the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s; after all, I'm a product of the long ago era; the baby boomer generation. But let's be honest, the technologies in my youthful days pale against what's available for today's martial arts school. The Advent of the Internet! Then, there's the internet. Wait - there wasn't any internet back when Soke opened the Hombu. Or, at least, not like we know it. The internet has turned out to be a hallmark gem of advertising. With just one broad stroke of a key from one's computer keyboard, you can reach far and into countless homes and businesses faster than any other form of advertisement known! Nowadays, a lot of martial arts schools have websites. But, just because your school has one, that doesn't mean you're school is teaching effective martial arts. Of course, it also doesn't mean that you're school is not. That's not to be known via one's website - you have to visit the school of choice to reach that conclusion. That said, I can't argue that the internet isn't an influential way for those who might inquire. A website is not a requirement for any school, nor should it be. Nor will having a website guarantee that your school will be successful. I can only imagine that there are more schools that operate a website than those that don't. Small, medium or large schools can have all of the website exposure they can afford, but for those of us who choose not to enter this world, for whatever reason, we're lampooned for not being found on the wide world web. Either your teaching is strong or it's not. All of the advertisement in the world might bring students to the shadow of your school's door. Odds seem to favor that. However, all of the advertisements in the world just won't keep the student from leaving for good. As Kaicho, I've tried, and I'm still trying to usher our Hombu out of the Stone Age, but each of us within Hombu hierarchy has a different vision as to what our website should be. What should the context be? What font should be used? What background color should it have? What tabs should be included in the navigation? What this or what that? Until we're 100% in agreement, the website will not move beyond the idea/creation stage. It's sad! It appears that we, as a group, couldn't agree on something as easy as what's needed in making something as simple as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. If so, I would've starved to death by now - figuratively and literally!! Still, and beyond all of that, I don't care if we/I have a website and/or any type of advertisement ever because it's not that important to us/me! These things are just decorations - bells and whistles - but by themselves, they're incomplete. Conclusion Soke believed in two undeniable ways to advertise: word-of-mouth and demonstrations. "If our karate-do is strong enough," he then believed that any type of advertisement "just wasn't that terribly necessary or important enough" when it came to obtaining students - past, present and/or future! However one finally decides to advertise, and the ways to advertise are quite unlimited, isn't important; that decision is up to the individual school. What's important for Shindokan is that our karate-do is strong! It's for certain: the Shindokan Hombu drastically lacks media exposure. But because of Soke's vision, leadership and beliefs, we haven't suffered for not having the type of media exposure that so many feel are needed and required. Soke's means of reaching the masses was all he knew and his cash flow was dismal, and because of these factors, he chooses to go low-key with his advertisement. All he's ever done through his entire martial arts career, as far as advertisement was concerned, was through word-of-mouth and demonstrations. It had been a proven means - he trusted the methods he had created. They served him quite well - forever! I suppose it can be true to say, "sometimes one can't teach an old dog new tricks!" This is true whenever I think about Soke! I believe that one should decide if the school's media exposure is a private one or a professional one. Once that's been established, then how one manages either will make a world of difference, both for the good or for the bad. After all, all business decisions, whether they're bad or good, will affect the overall wellness for the school and its student body. In my humble opinion, anyway. I could be wrong!

Solid post...solid points!! Fight or flight, at times, isn't always something to consider before an attack occurs because knowing just what the other's thinking is impossible. Being aggressive, is a choice, and the choice is up to said person because of perceptions. Perception is real to said person at that very moment.

First off, I'd like to welcome you to KF; glad that you're here!! Second off, solid post!! Thirdly, your Sensei, imho, is quite right on his feeling concerning this issue, more importantly for the beginning student than for the intermediate and above student. Possibly, it's important for the beginning student to keep their focus targeted under one instructor and in one style of the MA. Why? Learning anything, and the MA is included, is difficult for the advanced student, but even more so for the beginning student. Everything is so brand new, albeit, so alien across the board to grasp an understanding as to what in the world is happening on the floor. However, the decision, imho, is that of the student, and not the instructor. That's the beauty of the MA journey; it's for the individual, and this also means that any discovery is best left to the individual to reach by themselves after they've given everything a serious consideration.

It's the old saying... A black belt in one style/dojo is a green belt in another!! Standards, imho, are valid only within the style/school/governing body. There's such a wide variety, pin-pointing to an overall standard is impossible. Why? Because styles, schools, and governing bodies, at times, can't agree on the most basic of things let alone the complexity of rank standards. Everyone wants to the the Chief and no one wants to be the Indian...to use a well known saying.

I've heard it said before by many that grapplers can't jam techniques while on the ground, and to that I continue to say....grapplers are jamming techniques all day long, and you showed it by jamming the triangle effectively, as it should be. In Shindokan, our guard pass is quite similar at each of the phases that you demonstrated in your video. Btw, EXCELLENT video, as always. I do wish, at times that you'd show the application normal speed, either at the beginning or the end of your videos, even though your video is for learning the nuances of said application/technique. You're an excellent instructor, through and through. Btw, I think I've asked this of you before, but, what camera do you use? Thanks for sharing, Alex!!

Also, Brian, when you and I trained together, do you remember that I had you train with drill #4?? We used the pad from a Wavemaster to facilitate the drill. You caught onto it quite fast, which didn't surprise me because your "Aha" light came on quickly, and stayed on. I was impressed!!

I noticed this as I finished reading your drills, and I agree with you completely. When I train with in DT sessions, I always teach not to go backwards. Too much bad can happen. Very good article, Bob, I enjoyed reading it. I like the details on the use of space. In DT club, we tell the students that there are two things we do with space; we make it, or we take it away. I see the same with your words here. Excellent stuff, Bob! Thanks, Brian!! And yes, we have to be the one to manage the space and not our opponent. If we allow the opponent to manage any given space, then we're fighting their game, and not ours.

Yes, I see what you're saying. I speak about spears/tackles that are waist or lower. Football tackles, up high, we treat them not as a spear/tackle, but more as a "rush/blitz". Still, transitioning off-line, as we are trained to do so in Shindokan, is how we address anyone who's 'bumrushing'...strikes and the like are our preferred tactics PROVIDING the element are favored while transitioning off-line as a counter. Any kicks we might consider are aimed waist down to upset the base. Again, I've great confidence in tactics taught in Shindokan and of myself, but nothing is guaranteed because any strange thing can happen.

Solid post, especially the bold type above!!

An after thought... Just how many instructors are going to report their CI and/or the school to their states labor board? I don't think many, and actually, I don't think any will at all. Why? I believe that their needs and their wants to remain as a student of that CI will not allow that to happen. I believe that they should report them to their states labor board because what's against the law is exactly that...it's against the law and needs to be addressed in the courts. Imagine what the landscape of how a school selects its instructors will look like should instructors bring suits to their CI/School...I can imagine it would look very different.

I did say, all of my instructors ARE PAID, and they're paid with a payroll check, like any other employee would be. I pay them to teach, and they pay me to teach them; after all, they're also my students. And I don't swap or barter because I just don't; either is a separate thing on separate ledgers. Yes, I don't pay my assistants, and that's because... ...because they're not TEACHING!! They're assisting, mainly me, after all, I'm the CI, or their assisting one of my instructors. I'm on the floor 90% of the time, unless I'm at the Hombu!!

While the spear/tackle can be effective, it's, like every MA technique known on the planet, not a guarantee each and every time. Parameters are way to askew in the tackle/spear to say that it's effective each and every attempt. Having said that, I'm a firm believer in the sprawl as a counter to the tackle/spear. I've seen, and I've controlled the volume released in any given spear/tackle. But, if the sprawl isn't properly managed, it's just another MA technique that's subjected to failure; the sprawl's ineffective and the proponent of the sprawl will be simply just ran over by a well planted tackle/spear. I'm a proponent of striking, and that's Shindokan, after all, we're 85% hands. I believe in transitional movements through and through. Going off-line, at the very last moment, striking targets without any prejudice and ambiguity, nor any reservation! I've written an KF article titled, "Close Range Space Management" that speaks toward transitioning from one space to another. In that transitioning, one must allow opponent to become totally committed to their attack before transitioning to another space; and if I'm not there, then neither is the tackle/spear. Timing and focus, while using ones hands to deflect opponents motion; takes nerves of steel to NOT move until the very last second, to draw opponent in. Nonetheless, counter strikes against the tackle/spear can leave one very open and vulnerable if one isn't right on target. Also, if one's caught totally surprised, then enjoy the ride to the ground, and regroup there, if possible. Fakes and feints are just that, and if the fake and feint helps them close the distance so that you can be tackled, then I say, transition off-line, if it's still a possibility. Like I said, nothing in the MA is guaranteed, and even the most experienced can be caught off guard and driven to the ground by anyone. I believe wholeheartedly in transitioning off-line and sprawling as a counter to the tackle/spear. I've done it, and this is what Shindokan teaches...transitioning to gain the upper-hand.

To the bold type above... Absolutely!! Everything depends on Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro, and to lack these, then emotions take over, and that's not good.

Nice topic, thank you for starting it!! I voted: Yes! INTERNSHIP!! Any internship may or may not be paid, and for the most, they're temporary. This is the loophole that many MA instructors have seem to have grasped quite well. Past, present, and future!! Instructors pay their "internships" by exchanging services, aka, lessons for classes they attend as a student of the CI. No employment is ever guaranteed to an "internship", unlike a trainee would be. Attaching the label of "internship" upon said instructors, is that loophole that's legal. For the most, these type of "internships" within a MA school would be a work experience internship because they're doing everything that the CI does whenever they open their own school, if they choose to. No instructor should EVER be held to a servitude of any capacity to any CI!! It's a voluntary relationship between both and all parties. A CI can try to dictate times that an instructor MUST be at the school, but that's not possible because of outside responsibilities, like school and other employment obligations. Remember the word: servitude!! It goes a long way, and NO CI owns anybody in and out of the school. No matter what label capacity is affixed upon said individual. Funny, how many of us have taught as "part of upper Kyu and lower Dan requirements for testing cycle requirements" for absolutely free. Again, the loophole is internship, and while it seems wrong and illegal, it's not challenged in any courts that I've ever read about! I taught for "free" under the supervision of Soke and Dai-Soke for many years, but never gave it much thought for one reason or another. To assist is not the same as teaching. To teach is to impart information, and to assist, is to help said information of the teacher to be understood. The assistant is under the CI, and in that, the CI dictates what their assistants are to help with and how. My instructors are paid, AND they're my students as well!! I've NO internships of any shape, way, and/or form because I want to keep the ratio of instructors to students low; too many chiefs and no Indians, so to speak. For me, I just don't need nor do I desire, a lot of instructors. BB's, yes, I've my share of BB's, but not all BB's can teach/assist, and they never should!! My JBB's aren't instructors, they assist from time to time, but not as often as one might think because parents dictate the comings and goings of any and all JBB's under my authority as the CI. However, that's limited because I'm not the parent or guardian, I'm just the CI, and nothing more!!

Seems to be a very effective tactic in MMA/UFC and the like. Why do you think that this is true??

Very solid post!!

ok

Sorry...but I didn't see that fight!!

Why weren't they prepared with needed materials for the promotion? No excuse, imho!!

Makawara training HAS to be worked up to; can't just start there! The denser the heavy bag, the better. Mess up on technique, these training tools will let give you feedback immediately. Posture, and the like must be proper. Otherwise, any training tool isn't going to help in any shape, way, and/or form.

Compliant techniques is what I'd use. They're not going to produce dramatic injuries to those who a compliant technique is being applied to. One of the easiest, imho, is called the "Bump". You walk up to said individual from behind and bump them with your body. At that moment, their arms will open. It is then that your arms go up and over their arms, wrapping them up with your palms up and high against their shoulders while your keeping them tight to your body. Then, step backward with your dominate leg, drop to that knee, and then turn towards the ground. You're on top. None of you are hurt. That means, don't slam them to the ground. Keep a lot of your body on top of them, but not so much that you're suffocating them, do it fast and through, but not abusive!! Said person's not going anywhere until you let them up. Hopefully, I've provided something of use. If not, I've missed the question(s) all together.

Imho... Be much more aggressive than any opponent/attacker!! Anyone can win the lottery, but not anyone can win a fight. Be aggressive at all times!!