sensei8

Blocking VS Deflecting!! No matter the label, one label is true, while the other is misleading, imho. Which one are YOU executing at the appropriate moment? Are you blocking said attack? Are you deflecting said attack? Imho, you're doing one or the other; not both!! Let's look at the definition of each one. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states... BLOCKING: a) the action or process of obstructing movement, progress, or activity, in particular. b) to impede movement by opponent. Let's look at the definition of the underlined word above: obstructing... OBSTRUCTING: a) to interrupt, hinder, or oppose the passage, progress, course, etc., of. b) to stop. DEFLECTING: a) to bend or turn aside; turn from a true course or straight line; swerve. b) direct. What have you gotten from these definitions? When said attacker attacks you with a measure to do you some serious harm, what do you suppose would be the most tactical and advantageous course for you? To block or to deflect?!?! Are you actually stopping said attack in its track? I mean, is the fist that's targeting your head right now going to be stopped, per the aforementioned definitions concerning "BLOCKING"? Sure, they're nothing more than apples are to oranges, when one speaks about either of them; blocking or deflecting. Just as long as either is effective in its means!! Are you going to STOP a 60 mph kick dead in its tracks? To block, or to stop an attack as it would be so when a car hits the wall head-on at 60 mph. BAM...STOP... Well, we're probably going to need something with more stopping power than one of our arms or whatever other available body part(s). Try to stop, and I mean STOP said attack, I'm harshly increasing the chance of severely injuring myself because of the blunt trauma incurred by my own actions. To stop an attack is going to have to absorb, thus take on said attack directly and bluntly so that said attack stops any and all forward motion and/or progress. Try to stop said attack, better have some type of a shield to absorb all given energy. If not, then ones going to suffer one way or another!! But while you're executing said "blocking" drills with your training partner, just HOW are YOU "STOPPING", for example, a reverse punch to your face?? Think about it for a quick second. Aha...yeah...me too!! My rising forearm block, Age-Uke, is NOT contacting my training partners fist directly, but instead, my FOREARM is!! Now, what's happening? Did your Age-Uke STOP the attack, dead in its tracks, or did your Age-Uke DEFLECT the attack in an upward direction, therefore, directing the attacking fist in a new path, all via your forearm contacting your training partners forearm's underside?? A DEFLECTION has just occurred!! Nothing was stopped!! Yes, the attempted attack was thwarted and the momentum was halted but that was a mutual compliance by your training partner and yourself. Imho, no matter the type of technique is used to attack my with, I'll DEFLECT it because I CAN'T STOP IT; I can only redirect it's true course away from me. Even if a "block" gives the appearance that said attack was stopped, it was in all actuality, just deflected!! Blocking VS deflecting? Imho, deflecting wins hands down!! Hopefully, this might shed some meaningful light for those beginners in the MA, no matter the style. One day one will have to answer the best way to address said attack effectively. Knowing how is more than half the battle. Are you BLOCKING, or are you DEFLECTING?? Your thoughts, train hard, and train well!!

Time ..... I feel I need to train to have patience before training in Karate In TIME, all things will work together for those who exercise...patience!! Hajime = Begin Yame = Stop Rei = Bow What to say at the end of sparring?...well...just BOW, and be done with it!! The bow says a lot on its own.

As in anything, time has to be given time!! In time, you'll recognize the terminologies as though you've been listening to them for your whole life. In that, in time you'll be speaking said terminologies more fluidly. Both will take what? TIME!! My Dai-Soke was born and raised in Okinawa! His English wasn't easily understood. To say that his English was broken was being kind, for me, his English wasn't broken, it was shattered. A long jibber is how I defined it, and if it wasn't for him showing us what he was trying to say, I don't know where I'd be. Over the many years, his English did improve, and so much so, that his conversations became no more a task of "Huh?", but an eloquent flow instead, mixed with his beautiful accent. Although, at times, he'd revert. Challenge his calmness, well, his native language was best for those times because no one, other than Soke, as well as his own family, really knew what he was saying. But I'm sure the air was turning blue, if you get my meaning!! In time, I became more fluent in the terminologies, speaking and understanding, and that's only because TIME was on my side. I could converse with him in his language, but me speaking his native language was worse than his shattered English; I suppose we tolerated one another when it came to that. I concentrated on training and learning Shindokan, and not on terminologies and the like; Shindokan first, terminologies and the like later. In time, they both meshed together beautifully. Hang in there, you'll be fine in this area too, in time!!

This post is a belated announcement, in such. GM Young Ik Suh passed away October 2013. My belated prayers and sympathy go out to his family, friends, and students; he will be greatly missed. http://burbankmartialarts.net/?p=825 Through the above link, one, if interested, could learn much more about him in the many words written about him in one article after another. Better to be told by those who knew him far better than I did. GM Young Ik Suh was my TKD instructor while I was attending the Burbank High School, Burbank, California, this was in 1974-1975. His skills in TKD were the most profound for me to witness, and those memories still burn bright in my mind as though I was witnessing them for the first time today. His humor was infectious, yet at times, purposeful. His teaching skills emanated from on high; direct, to say the least. His TKD skills were extraordinary. I still can see his head rubbing the ceiling tiles with each and every flying side kick. And his piercing kiai; still sends shivers down my spine. It was a short year that I was under his guidance, but an unforgettable year it was. His teachings added greatly to my MA betterment, and in that, his teachings accentuated Shindokan, then, and still does today!! I bow to him; my teacher, and my friend. Without him I would've not known the awesome power that is TKD!! We kept in touch for many, many years, but in time, we parted the familiarity that we shared, and I'm still wondering where the Kung-Fu part of his life emerged because I only knew him as a TKD GM!! Be at peace, my friend!!

Excellent points!! There's no way that I'd ever challenge a parents authority over their children in any shape, way, and/or form. In that, I'd never pretend to assume a position or authority that I don't possess!! I don't want parents to leave their kid(s) with me, and that's because I'm not a babysitter!! I know that's not the point you're making. In that, we've an air conditioned elevated viewing room where they can WATCH their kid(s) in comfort. In addition, the Hombu also has closed circuit TV's for parents to monitor their kid(s). One of the reasons to ask parents to watch from the viewing room is because a lot of students have performance anxieties, and it increases even more when parent(s) are in the same room as the testing cycle. Now, if a parent(s) insist, I've no problem because of the reasons that you've pointed out. We've got a big viewing area right inside the testing area because when there's no testing cycle in progress, that area is the main dojo floor where regular classes are held. If a kid wants there parent with them during testing, the parent(s) are more than welcome!! I'd never refuse that from any child. I'll give a parent one warning if they start to disturb the testing cycle, after that one warning, I'll insist that the parent(s) watch from aforementioned viewing room, and if the parent(s) won't, well, I'll stop the testing cycle for said student and insist that they return at a more appropriate time to finish said testing cycle. We've two BB's that wait just outside the entrance of the testing area for the sole purpose of answering parent(s) normal questions concerning the testing cycle. Those BB's are also there to stop parents from storming in during a testing cycle. If a parent(s) have an issue, one of the BB's will come inside of the testing area, and inform a Senior Dan, and said Senior Dan will come out to speak with parent(s), and if the parent(s) want their kid(s), then the Senior Dan will notify me, and I'll stop the testing cycle immediately and without any questions. While the students are mine once on the floor, the students are their parent(s) totally and completely. I'd never interfere in that!! I'd not like it myself, and I've 4 kids myself, although there all grown ups now, but I can truly appreciate and understand from that side of the fence. No instructor and no school of the MA should come between a parent and anyone in the student body!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!!

Proudest moment? Too many to pick!!

Congrats...well done, and well deserved!!

Ditto!!

You're more than welcome! Glad it helped you!! Glad everyone here loved the video!!

Just started in Kyokushin a little over a month ago... I don't think you need to be fit to train but the training will definitely make you fit if you aren't already. what Hammer said! Yes, what Hammer said!!

You're human, and in that, the MA is hard, no matter whom we are!! No matter the time spent on the floor, there will be times when you're all thumbs and three left feet. EVERYONE, at one time or another, have felt exactly what you're feeling right now!! I've not meet a MAist that hasn't felt what you're feeling right now, and if there's a MAist that hasn't, well, I've not meet him/her yet. I've been doing this for 50 years this October, and I still have moments/feelings just like you're feeling right now, and I'm a Kudan. I feel this way even more so since our Dai-Soke passed away in 2010. I believe that what you're feeling is normal. Why? We can be our worse critic and we don't forgive ourselves that easily, as others do, including ones instructor. Work through what you're feeling, and in time you'll be right as rain. If not, take a break away from the floor as long as you need so that you can have Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro, and these maxims are critical to MAists, no matter the situation and no matter the rank. You'll be fine, but only when you are ready!! For the items you've listed below, one of the crucial things is TIME! Time on the floor!! Let me address them separately... 1- loose or non-solid/firm stances. 2- when doing rotation/turning in kata it ends with my 2 feet on the same line instead of being spaced with nearly shoulder distance. 3- fine adjustments needed for the basic blocks (I feel like BB guys in my class are doing it in different ways and each one wants me to do it his way) KATA! Work your kata's! Concentrate on your stances. Making sure that your stances aren't too narrow or too wide or too short or too long. Have someone while you're in said stance, try to knock you over in any direction. Do walking drills where you go from one side of the room to the other in one particular stance, and then do same thing while switching from one stance to another, going forward and backward. Swimming pool drills in the shallow end up to your waist, and go from one side to the other is said stance. Have someone tie your belt around your waist, stand behind you while holding either end of your belt, and while you're advancing forward, have that person resist you, but not so much as you can't move forward at all, as you try to walk forward from in one particular stance. This is for a start. You're ending the turn to soon. Each turn, 90, 180, and 270, take more time to complete, and in that, if you're sitting your leading foot down too soon, then you're ending both feet on the same embusen line. So, for example, from a right forward-leg stance, put your hands on your hips. This gets the hands out of the equation. You already know where your leading/turning/landing foot is suppose to be at the conclusion of said turn, so, don't put that foot down until it's there. Back to your hands on your hips, lift your turning foot as you've been taught, just enough to turn, let the momentum of your turn carry you to that final point. Then do it again until you've done a complete circle. Then switch your lead foot! Do it again! Eventually, it will become automatic in TIME!! Don't rush the turn!! Don't hesitate the turn. Turning is like learning how to crawl, then to walk when you were a baby. In time, you mastered both! Same thing here, in TIME, you'll master all your turns! Give them time!! You're feeling it just right; the BB's ARE doing the blocks differently than you because they've been on the floor much longer than you have. In time, you're blocks will change for the good. Make the blocks/deflections YOURS, even though you're taught one way, you must make every technique YOURS while keeping the core of said block/deflection pure!! Listen to your CI!! Respect the other BB's, but the CI is the one and only one you should be listening to on the floor. The BB's wanting you to do it THIER way is meaning well, but it's in conflict with your CI and with your MA betterment. Fine line? NO!! Listen to your CI!! Listen to not how they block/deflect, but listen to the intrinsic elements of said block/deflection to the effectiveness at its core!! I hope this helps. I'm just a question away to help you. Good luck, hang in there, and train hard!!

How limited was his mobility during any practice and drill? I'd be afraid to do anything until full clear by the doctor because with my dumb luck, I'd end up doing something to ruin what the doctor fixed. He had full mobility by this point. His doctor cleared him for different phases and types of training. So he was able to drill for several months before he was ever able to roll (randori). That's smart of him to adhere to his doctors instructions; patience paid off for him, imho.

I agree with this. ... I think that the perception is that MMA means UFC now and while that isn't wrong, it's just one side of the coin.I wholeheartedly disagree... ps1, You disagreeing with Zaine and/or myself? yes I'm not a MMA practitioner, therefore, the name MMA means just that to ME; Mixed Martial Arts. It's a name, like any other style of the MA has as its label. I don't put MMA and UFC in the same light, never have and I never will. Why? Because they're NOT the same. MMA is the name of a style, and UFC is just a name of a business; two separate things in MY eyes.

Willie Nelson, Country legend, one day before his 81st birthday, was promoted to 5th Dan in Gongkwon Yusul, a Korean style; this is NOT an honorary BB. Willie's been involved in the MA ever since 1960. Congrats Willie!!

I believe that this video link would appeal to, and be enjoyed by all MAists, not just Karateka's, and not just Goju-ryu Karateka's...

How limited was his mobility during any practice and drill? I'd be afraid to do anything until full clear by the doctor because with my dumb luck, I'd end up doing something to ruin what the doctor fixed.

I agree with this. ... I think that the perception is that MMA means UFC now and while that isn't wrong, it's just one side of the coin.I wholeheartedly disagree... ps1, You disagreeing with Zaine and/or myself? As a TMA, I never shunned MMA as barbaric! No! I love the UFC format, past and present. To test ones mettle in that type of venue, well, it's appealing to the senses, well, it appeals to me.

Congrats!!

As opposed to not generating power in ones punches by any other means away from hip rotation. The arm alone is just that, alone.

When I was 7 years old, I use to get bullied, and have my lunch money taken from me everyday at school. Well, long story short, when my mom found out, she enrolled me in one of the local dojo's. Besides, my mom figured that it was cheaper to enroll me in karate classes before I hate her out of house and home. Fate brought me to Shindokan Saitou-ryu!!

Solid post!! I'm the same way, and so is our Hombu. What you speak about is almost word by word what our Hombu and I have been doing forever and a day. Students ALREADY have an instructor, and while some parents mean well, parents AREN'T the instructor. Testing cycles are for students and not for the parents!! Parents tend to voice their unwanted opinions whenever I've failed said student. "WHY?" None of your business; that's between student and instructor. Want to talk to me about it, then make an appointment so that we can discuss said concerns behind closed doors. However, my mind won't be changed, and I will control the conversation, and I will point out area's that the parents can help them with, but only if the parent will not undermine what it is that I'm teaching them; and that is Shindokan!! Our Hombu has a room that parents and the like can watch said testing cycle on closed circuit television, as well as an elevated viewing room, and that room has a very thick piece of glass in order to muffle any conversations emanating from that room. Parents want to watch, that's fine, but some parents can't help themselves, they try, but you can see it on their face before they speak. So, go to the other room until we're done. We'll let the parents be in the room for the salutations and the closing comments, other than that, watch from a safe and comfortable distance. During normal classes, we welcome them, until their conversations warrants them to leave!! Even if the parents a MAist, they're not an authority on Shindokan. Thanks, but no thanks!! Your instructor's settling the nerves of said student was excellent across the board!!

I believe that the pros and cons are not with the style or the methodology or ideology, but more with the practitioner, imho.

If he's the one you want to learn the MA from, then do what's necessary to learn from him. If he's not consistently on the floor to teach you, practice what he's taught you until he's more able to be on the floor. Is that frustrating? Sure, but it's minor to be taught by him!! Sure, you both should meet in the middle, but then again, you should meet him all the way. Now, if he finally walks away due to personal issue's, then seeking out another instructor might be a last resort. Good luck, train hard, hang in there, and if there's an ear to hear, we're hear for you.