sensei8

I STILL don't know about this!! I STILL don't like to compare MA rank with University level degree's because the study model, imho, aren't the same!! Some of the posts here have made valid points on both sides of the conversation, however, application isn't the same thing as in knowledge, unless, through said University, effective applied knowledge is taught AND learnt. But, in todays modern world, anything is possible and they don't have to be in concert with my thought and/or opinion. So, why not?

Welcome to KF!! Are you three in the same class or separate?

Congrats, and well deserved!!

Yes, we use the Nafuda kake. In my dojo, we manage it every 3 months; it's the OCD in me. In our Hombu, it's managed annually after our annual testing cycle in June/July!!

Solid post!! Especially the bold type above.

Angles, to those of us in Shindokan, mean to not address said opponent straight head-on!! Your footwork is a critical key to angles. For example... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_sabaki AND/OR... http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=tai+sabaki&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=98B0C9A69A2AFA884C6F98B0C9A69A2AFA884C6F AND/OR... http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Tai+sabaki&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=A56D8B8A6EC52FF9389AAE29BBBC00A08FDAEB6C&selectedIndex=3

My first serious injury...pulled groin muscle as a JBB!! Haven't done that since.

Solid post!! Thank you for it!!

I'm not downing the ATA [American Tae Kwon Do Association based in Little Rock, AR], not my intent. I've noticed that the ATA has quite a lot of entire immediate families training up to BB!!

Would you say that it's politically correct to do so?

That awkward point when all of your rank progressions are political? I hate that as well. Huh? I don't quite understand the question. I have found that with a lot of organizations, there becomes a point where ranking up is a political gesture, or an honorary one. This is due to a lot of reasons, but my Sensei ran into it and hated it. He was promoted to rokudan because the ones who ran the organization felt that he was due for a promotion. He certainly had the skill but he wasn't happy about it. Ok, I understand the question, thank you! Yes, your points are well founded and solid across the board. Fumio Demura Sensei was put in that situation by his own Sensei, and the mindset by his Sensei was that if Demura Sensei was to remain Godan, many of his own students would "pass" him, rank wise. Therefore, Demura Sensei submitted to his Sensei's mindset. My own Hombu kind of shoved my Kudan promotion down my throat, even though it took them many, many years before I submitted. But when I did finally submit, I forced them to test me for it instead of just handing down to me. It was a test that our Dai-Soke would've approved of! I was content as Hachidan, and I'm still not very comfortable with being a Kudan, especially the political overtones implied my our Hombu. Then, there's those high ranks that AREN'T content with being a Rokudan or a Nanadan or a Hachidan, so they find their own governing body and promote themselves through the newly formed board. Ranks fueled by politics can be viewed unfavorable!!

Hopefully, it'll work out. Seems a slow way to submit, but I'm willing!!

Please, let us know how it went! Have fun!!

That's cool!!

Congrats on your promotion!! Feels good, huh?!

In short, I use to hate sparring because I hate being hit. I complained about it often to my Sensei, and he told me.... "Learn how to deflect [block] or don't be there. Crying about it isn't effective!". As the years passed, I decided that he was right. Now, I love to spar with anyone from any style from any rank...I GET A TURN!! Heheheheheeheheheheheheheheehee...

I love your answer, solid!! Again, though, he had a pair of nunchaku's across his neck. But, I can still see that not meaning much eventually against a mob. Again, solid answer, one I hadn't thought about!!

In my tourney days, more than 20 years ago, I loved the tag team events, it was a RUSH for me. Why? I get a turn!!

I'm the only one who's ever trained in the MA within my immediate family, and this is also true with my other relatives; I'm the only one!! It's been a lonely journey on the floor!!

Prices, usually dictate to a student if they're willing to spend extra money on private lessons. Even then, prices aside, some prefer private lessons, while others prefer group lessons; a personal preference of students. Private lessons gives the undivided attention of one instructor to only 1 student, while semi-private lessons to 2-3 students, while still being private, they're not group lessons. No matter the size of the dangling carrot before them, they'll still want to do group lessons. Not all mistakes are caught by the instructor, no matter who they are. The instructors attentive stare is spread out in all directions. Students love to "hide" in that anonymity. You're "sells pitch" will have to quite inviting to a student. I'd emphasize that they get "YOU" to themselves alone on the floor, where you can generate much more personal time towards them because you're attentive stare will not be divided, as it would be in a group setting. I'd not try to sell them on the myth that private lessons get one promoted faster. Not true!! Promotions are based on how well one does at any given testing cycle!! My private lesson ratio is 35/65%, with the lower number being private/semi-private lessons. Good luck, and let us know how everything's going for you in this area!!

Sounds like you're doing fine overall!! Your learning curve is right on target, imho. Yeah, leaning disrupts ones posture. Not a good thing! Leaning invites someone like me to get behind you faster, and to upset your balance, with leads into you being thrown somehow and someway. Switching stances often keep your opponent guessing. More importantly, switching is needed for transitions, any transitions. Transitions need an understanding in footwork and the like. Not switching while on any tournament circuit will get around, and when this happens, everyone knows you don't switch stances, and they'll develop a way to benefit themselves from that little info. As already mentioned, use the angles against him/her. Get inside and jam the tar out of him and reactive angles, for me, work the best. Reactive angles to us means that as I deflect, I'm counter-attacking simultaneously BUT just a split second AFTER I've deflected; a domino effect, so to speak. Allow your taller opponent to commit to the attack and then, with proper footwork, get inside your opponent by angling directional to target. But for that to work, imho, my opponent MUST totally commit to their attack so that their momentum carries them into MY space, yet them, out of their space. Proper breathing!! Don't hold your breath UNTIL it's proper to do so!! When students hold their breath while sparring, they're winded, and because your sensei isn't, that's why he's not winded at all. The more you spar, the more you'll understand the do's and don'ts that your sensei is trying to teach you!!

Read it before, still, it's a very nice read; solid!! Thank you for sharing it.

Cool!! Congrats on receiving your purple belt!!

We start at 6th Kyu!!

Well said, and I wholeheartedly concur here!!