sensei8

Welcome to KF!! Solid post!! To the bold type above... Kyu ranks, for us, are full ranks, no matter the age. However, the JBB was and is designed for those under the age of 18 years of age; at the forefront of this mindset is "Maturity". This is how our Soke made it to be so; with no ambiguity!! Who's to say who's mature or not? In our style, our Soke was the one that set it up, and it was his authority that said yea or nay!!

Nice Oyo!!

Point fighters equalizer...Reverse Punch!!

That's great ... congrats on your black belt I wholeheartedly concur!!

Envy...Jealousy...Competition...are these normal with top students? Imho, if so, they're not top students!! Are these mindsets due by their own design?

Do you think someone can change this mindset or not ?! so if you were raised in the way that Pressure is your enemy, can one day it be your ally Sure! But, one must WANT to change said mindset in a proactive manner! Sure, pressure is one's ally already, but is that positive pressure or negative pressure? If negative, then do what's necessary to make it positive. For example, testing cycles can generate a lot of negative pressure, i.e., worrying if they'll fail or not, to such a point that the negative pressure affects performing anxiety. That's why I'm always saying..."Allow the testing cycle to take care of itself", and that means, what happens will happen, don't worry about the test itself; just perform/execute to the best of your ability. You mess up during a test, big deal! A passing grade isn't based on a few mistakes; they happen! Pressure on a testing cycle IS that necessary ally, and in that, don't listen to the naysayers, block them out, and rock and roll!! You control the mindsets so that your mindsets don't control you!!

That's the beauty of differing methodologies and the like; I want to go toe to toe with the guy; staying on his inside/outside close-up and personal while still moving. That's our forte; in your face!!

Martial artists, imho, don't have to fit into any typical stereotype at all. There was a time when women wanted to have that "Barbie" shape, and if they didn't, then they felt overweight/ugly/etc; peer pressure will doom one if one allows it to. Be challenged! Don't try to look like the status quo as a MAist, it's not necessary to be what others want one to be; it's an individuals choice. Imho!!

Reaction time is definitely a huge issue for me. Hopefully it will improve. It will! It just takes time an practice! Before you know it you will have blocked or dodged a strike without even thinking about it.However, or in addition, if you're not sparring often, then it'll take forever and a day before something catches on in your muscle memory. Otherwise, you'll be stuck in a loop; not ever advancing!

To the bold type above... Effective for ones sake!! Being a proponent of the MA because it's fun or healthy or "I did it", imho, is a waste of valuable time that could've been used for something else, other than the MA. Doing something fun or healthy is not time well spent? Not according to what you posted... Possibly, I'm misreading it.

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

While we don't use the terminology of Progressive Grading, we do use 'this' type of testing in our testing cycles, but, they're mostly for higher rank levels. Testing cycles that would last 3 days and the like to complete all of the necessary requirements of said testing cycle. One doesn't really know just how much one has to retain until ones on the floor for a testing cycle; it's mind-numbing!!

Very nice article, thank you for sharing it. Pressure for some is a welcomed ally, while with others, pressure is more of an enemy than a friend. Peer pressure can literally kill anything and everything that exist, and without reservation. How we handle it depends on how we were raised, and how we've interpreted other outside forces; our current mindset. Pressure can be a positive, but in the wrong hands, pressure of any type isn't. Our emotional content at times can't handle said pressure for long durations, and in that, pressure makes and breaks. This too, is a sensitive and delicate line to tread, and at times, even worse to cross. Pressure to test, pressure to train, pressure to compete, pressure to follow the dojo rules, pressure to be on time, pressure to speak up, pressure to bow, pressure to kiai, pressure to spar, pressure to address seniors properly, pressure to greet the floor with appreciation, pressure to do this, and pressure to do that; the never ending list to endure. Pressure! There's enough to drive a practitioner absolutely crazy! Don't succumb to negative pressure, and when it presents itself, stop it or walk away from it. Accept it or deny it; the choice is that of the individual. Imho!!

It's ok to cheer and the like from a distance, but I've also seen it allowed that said supporters can come into said roped off area to loudly complain over calls decided my the center referee. Then, said complainer is allowed to remain just outside the roped area to continue their verbal assaults. Arbitrators must stave off these type of spectator actions, and one way to get the point understood is too present a NO TOLERENCE penalty. Anywhere from point deductions to disqualifications to banning said offender and competitor. Consistency! That's the key, imho.

I agree. They could both use improvement.Yes!! One day I'll like 'it' and then on other days, I'll dislike 'it'. A venue is only as good as said practitioners.

Welcome to KF!! Other than what you've provided, I don't know anything about him. No big deal because we live in a really big world, so one can't know every MAist. Visit the dojo many times, and then go with your gut! The only thing, imho, that one can tell about any school of the MA on a website is that they have a website. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

To the bold type above... Why do YOU think that that is?? I think it's mainly because lower grades are still not able to fully control their kicking techniques, targets and force and to minimise the risk of injuries. for me it's also because I am not flexible enough to perform a kick that reach my opponent's head even if he is as tall as me still long way with stretching and training to be able to do it I am still a white belt with only 2 months training experience. What do you think the reason is ?!!! Control, and the lack thereof!!

What Jigaro came up with was a solid interpretation under the guidelines as set forth. But, what's happened ever since the creation has slowly turned into a tragedy, imho!!

Can I ask you why it's not a high risk ones ?!! because I think it's a high risk one as IMO (as a beginner) you can't expect where the kick is going to hit in most of his kicks ! But, HE knows where the kicks are targeted to.

Yes that's right but most probably sparring in the dojos are not with the full force like tournaments so the risk of head injuries is less. In my dojo for example lower grades are not allowed to do head kicks at all while sparring. To the bold type above... Why do YOU think that that is??

Midori!! Calm, cool, calculated, patience, and decisive...when they count!! Thanks for sharing. Nice topic!!

I've my own ways to teach students who've exhibited same said problematic mannerisms. However, what kensei is advising is very solid, and not as barbaric as mine. Patience is an instructors ally...always!!

Solid post!!

However, said MA should be effective before it becomes different, imho. Otherwise, it's just different the wrong way. Ahh, but the question is... Effective for what?some people take martial arts purely for fun, or health, or to say "I DID IT"! I totally agree, but what makes I effective? An example if I may, First I take haidong gumdo, Korean sword (not sure if you saw the video I posted in Korean section, but you should check it out if not) it is useless without a sword, making it not effective at all to me BECAUSE it's extremely unlikely I'll ever pull out a sword for any reason! I already practice a martial art for self defense, focus, and many other benefits, BUT, sword adds an element of more focus, beauty, and strength training that builds strength in a different way then karate thus making it effective for what I want to get out go it! Therefore, the effectiveness is in the eye of the practitioner IMHO To the bold type above... Effective for ones sake!! Being a proponent of the MA because it's fun or healthy or "I did it", imho, is a waste of valuable time that could've been used for something else, other than the MA.

I say YES, and why not!?! After all, this takes place at every Open Tournament on the face of the Earth. Exchanging with other styles should be something that a MAist would want to do because our attackers are not from cookie cut-outs, and in that, they're approaches aren't similar either. Exchanging doesn't mean recruiting, imho!! Two separate things that shouldn't share the floor!! There's a good time for that, AFTER, said exchanging is done, if desired.