sensei8

Video wouldn't load for me the three different times that I tried to watch it.

I liked it...solid points!! The one thing that does happen more than not in any sport involving kids is that the sport, and the fun of it, is quickly replaced by the emphasis on winning. That to me is sad! Still, thanks for sharing it with us, Brian!!

Yeah...that's cool!! Nice achievement!!

Solid post!!

Sounds like it's time to visit your chiropractor!!

You're welcome, Brian!!

Yes, but it's so misunderstood, imho, because practitoners are thinking along the lines of blocking because said waza might be called, for example, Rising Forearm BLOCK, and then, they think they're suppose to block, instead of its true intent...deflect!! Once the mind wraps around BLOCK, they're having to be reprogrammed to treat it as a DEFLECTION.

I concur!!

I concur!!

I concur!!

I concur!!

To the bold type above... It's interesting that you say that. Why? Because its been my impression that the governing body DOES dictate how said technqiue is delivered. Although, those of authority have been known to "change" the method, even if just ever so slightly. Now, what the practitioner does, is up to said practitioner. Imho.

What Danielle speaks here is solid. That's why I teach beyond my core style to my students. I teach them the Shindokan way, but in addition, I'll teach them said same technique from other styles that I've cross trained in via exchangements and such. One way is very limiting to any MAist, and to any style, imho. My learning style for quite along time was restrictive because I was learning only one style, then I started to learn TKD, and then, I started to learn from whichever style of the MA that I felt would increase my MA betterment. What I didn't like, I discarded. To this day, I'm still searching many other styles of the MA that will improve my MA betterment. That's great that you do that Bob Certainly gives your students a rounded experience. I also meant that even in say teaching a Shindokan side kick, it is good if instructors can teach this in different ways. So demonstrate the kick for the visual learners, talk about and discuss the kick for the linguistic learners, have students practice over and over again for kinesthetic and intrapersonal learners, group or partner work for the interpersonal learners etc. You are only teaching one kick and method but by incorporating all these into your teaching of the side kick, I think you eventually hit home with all styles of learning and each student has an opportunity to get that moment when it clicks. To the bold type above...Absolutely...I concur!! In that, I'm aware, and I want my students to be aware as well, that one can only throw said side kick just so many effective ways.

In Gen. Choi's Encyclopedia, he talks about a round kick with the ball of the foot being used from the opponent's "flank." I think this is due to the way the ball of the foot is exposed when the toes are pulled back. By flank, I think he means being at an angle to the attacker, so that the ball of the foot contacts, and the toes do not. Just a thought. It's a thought, but not our Soke's thought, and I'm still liking Soke's thought on this. Not all students can bend their toes back enough due to some physical limitation, and sometimes its the student not getting the fear of smacking said toes out of their mindset.

Still, from what you've posted, I think that you'll be fine when the final grade is reached. Yeah, you stuggled on some of the breaks, but big deal, no one ever gets a 100% on any testing cycle. So, relax, be cool, train hard and rock and roll!! And yes, I said ouch myself when I saw you hit his finger, but that too happens all of the time. We don't want it to, but it does. Here's a early CONGRATS!! I believe you'll pass!! 4th Dan...feels great, huh!?!?!

It would be nice if it worked like this all the time, but it doesn't always. Sometimes, the parents will come and ask, as is their right, when things concern their children. If a parent would have questions for me, I wouldn't have a problem with answering them. After all, if their children are in the class, then the parent really is the consumer. So, its important that they be informed if and when they ask. I won't allow them to sway my decision, but I wouldn't have an issue with explaining my decisions with them. I agree...Asking is one thing, but questioning my final decision isn't!! If I'm trusted to teach them, then I should be trusted to grade them as well!! Private counsels are to help them, both parents as well as students, and I will help them so that they know what has to be worked/improved on, but new parents and the like seem to think that they can judge my judgement and this isn't going to happen; not in my dojo/Hombu!!

Congrats and well done for the charity!!

Thanks all...and the jury is still out on which one to buy.

This is advice I wish I had when starting the nunchaku! could have saved MANY bruised hands/knuckles! LOL

If a student fails...and it happens a lot. I don't explain anything to the parent/friend/whomever, I only speak with the student. Watch, but stay out of the testing cycle all together!!

I wholeheartedly concur here!! AWESOME!!

Congrats...and well deserved!! Very proud of you!!

Call the police!! I'd say something to get the bullies attention away from his/her victim. If I'm attacked by the bully, well, that would be the bullies first mistake. Something must be done, imho. Whether it's verbal intervention or if it's getting between said victim and bully. But, do something until the police arrive. What I've seen is that too many people are afraid to "get involved" and I don't call it getting involved when protecting someone from a bully. Bullies have a place, and it's called...JAIL, if warranted. Would I beat up the bully? NO!! But, I'd do something!!

I wholeheartedly concur!!

Yeah, just because your instructor is Japanese/Asian/etc surely doesn't mean that they'll be better than those who are Western. When I say that not all black belts can teach, I'm including ALL types, no matter where they were born!!