sensei8

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!!

This is really cool. Your Sensei will smile from ear to ear!!

My wife, Linda, quit after earning her yellow belt; I was her instructor. I wasn't sad or glad or mad or anything. I treated her like I would treat any student that wants to quit...I DON'T CARE IF YOU STAY OR LEAVE; IT"S YOUR CHOICE!! I told her..."If you think because we're married that I owe you something on the floor, you're sadly mistaken; no favors!! Get off my floor, and get off it now!" That was some 20 years ago, and we're still madly in love with each other, and we're still together...still married!! I've never trained in a hobby before. In a MA?...yes, that I have been doing for some time.

Solid gift!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! It was my pleasure to share the video!!

Many MA schools have video tutorials....many here at KF do as well...but...I don't even have that. I've not written a book, either. I've no website...I've not written a book...I've no video tutorials...seems as though I've failed at reaching many opportunities, therefore, I've failed!!

Very glad to hear that you're healing well!! Nothing and nobody can ever replace ones MA family. Being together for so long, one really starts to depend on them both on and off the floor!! Your MA family sounds like a MA family that I'd love to be part of; there's that comfort that surrounds you from the time you walk in and far after you've gone home.

How many here personally know of a school of the MA that is successful, but, that school doesn't have a website??

I appreciate everyone's advise and input on this! Nothing's escaped me, please believe me...thank you, all!!

Those who sweep, imho, are going to get open themselves in a way that will cost them if the sweep is slow and/or disjointed. However, I believe that close range sweeps will fair far much better. Those TRYING to catch a kick are nearly impossible because a fast moving kick is attached...to a leg. A slow clumsy kick would fair far much better...OR...a kick that hangs in the air because it's not sharp and crisp and clean in and out of the meant target. We'll not see these often because it's not that the technique is low, but the confidence to pull them off is low.

I've never encountered what you've been experiencing in 50 years I've been on many different floor types. Train to grip the floor with your feet and keep your feet underneath you and not so wide and/or long. Shoes? Well, if it'll help and if it'll be allowed, and while training your core!!

YES!! Solid post!!

To me, all of the mathematics are akin to not seeing the forest because of all of the darn trees. Sure, study how to punch effectively across the board, but, don't be overwhelmed with the 'why' and 'because' of the punch, in that, the summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'!! Once you understand how to effectively punch, and you're making solid penetrative contact to and through the target, you'll find something else in your training that will cause you to ask...WHY?...and "BECAUSE!"...this is the beauty of Shu Ha Ri, isn't it?!! It's important to study how things work and why they work and how to improve it...that's discovery. Take the darn thing apart and put it back together over and over until a more economic way to effectively apply a punch can replace the old method with the new method until that method is replaced...then so be it. Sometimes the math of the whole darn thing gives me a splitting headache!! I can either baffle them with brilliance while on the floor or I can shower them with a truck full of dung or I can physically teach them how to execute a dynamically effective punch...I'll choose the last of the three. "Oh, it's way over your head!" No, not the hands-on of it all, but, yes, the mathematics of it does leave me in the dust at times. Why? Because that's not how I was taught. No! I was taught on the floor in a hands-on methodology by someone who would say..."YES...That's it...do it again!!"...OR..."NO...that's not it...try it again".

First of all, Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Try this... https://www.kyokushinkai.org.uk Look at their "Locations" tab; they've 4 schools!! They might be able to connect you to a Ashihara or Enshin dojo within London.

My dojo did the same, Naihanchi Shodan. Our Hombu, with Greg, our Kancho leading them, did Naihanchi Nidan. Those dojo's within the Shindokan network did Naihanchi Sandan. And yes...we had fun. However, none of us registered, and for that, I feel that I let the event coordinators down; our apologies to the solemnness of this event. I am to blame on not following this through!! I deeply and sincerely apologize to those who administered the Karate no Hi (Karate Day) celebration, it's a wonderful and meaningful event. Sometimes I'm too busy, but not too busy to make excuses!!

Thank you, hammer, for your many kind words. My contributions here are only existent because of the many wonderful and knowledgeable KF members here. For me, without you and members like you, I'd be doing more reading than contributing to the many vast topics we've shared ever since I've been here. Thank you!!

Thank you, ps1, for your kind words. Making the history was meaningful, however, without Dai-Soke to share in it, the journey, while complete with him in my MA life, the emptiness I feel at times is filled with many members here at KF...thank you, ps1.