sensei8

I wasn't even close on the two predictions: Score and the winner!! The commercials this year weren't as good as they've been in the past. Great halftime show, imho.

Game was decided in the first possession for a safety. Seahawks can cause the turnovers and capitalize on each one. Incredible defense, and all I can say is...WOW WHAT AN UNEXPECTED BLOWOUT!! Congrats to the Seahawks!! GO SEAHAWKS!!

For me, KF is that necessary outlet that allows me to get away from the Shindokan circle. Depending on how busy my schedule is, I try to pop in here as often as time restraints will allow. As a KF Sempai, I'm required to put in so many hours per week, and that can be done during the course of a week and/or on a weekend. However I achieve said requirement will vary and be dependent on what I spoke about in the paragraph above. If I wasn't, and I've not always been a KF Sempai, I'd still be a pebble in everyone's shoe because KF is one of the best, if not the best, forum of its type anywhere. The amazing KF members is that driving force that makes me want to visit KF over and over again, and its been that way as long as I've been here.

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

You're welcome; it was my pleasure.

I wasn't worried about it at all--my Sensei and I have discussed this sort of thing before, and he has the same guideline are your organization regarding black gi and black/white combinations. Since I'm an Ikkyu, it isn't a problem. Our organization requires a white gi with Shorinkan patch on the chest, or a brown gi with Kokusai Rengokai patch on the chest, and optional dojo patch on the left sleeve for formal organization functions. They don't really care what you wear in your own dojo. Cool, thanks!!

I'm guessing... 24-21; Broncos win!! Either way, I'm expecting a great game because we've got the best defense against the best offense; sure to get the blood pressure up or down; depending on outcomes. LOVE THE COMMERCIALS...always a kick, or a touchdown, or a field goal, or an interception, or a hail mary, or a QB sack, or a punt, or a ...!!

Can either of you tell us about Instagram? I've not heard about it until this thread. Thank you!!

Very nice and very brave. If I had done that, all kind of terrible things would've happened to me from many avenues. Where you afraid that your sensei and/or the governing body would've gone on a tangent? Or, had you already received approval from your sensei and/or governing body? I and/or our governing body wouldn't have been upset at all because you're at the rank that it would've been cool. Have you done this below Sankyu, I and/or our governing body would've reminded you that the black gi and/or combinations of black/white are reserved for Sankyu and above. I really like it Noah, very NICE!!

LOL!! That makes it easy to understand, and to see, why some books are extremely high. Many MA books that were published many moons ago are fetching hundreds of dollars, for whatever the reason(s) may or may not be. I don't know if the high prices are justified because said book(s) are no longer published, but when I see an old Oyama or Nishiyama book costing hundreds of dollars, when new, they'd cost hardly anything new. It's what the market will bear, I suppose.

The description is deceiving as it doesn't teach you it's more like you are watching a training video.... IMO it might be good for an experienced guy to pick up bits and pieces to improve his technique but not for a beginner. Not sure but that's my perception. I understand. That's the beauty of perception; it's real to THAT person, and that's important across the board. Hopefully, you'll find what you're looking for!!

Good to see that there's an index as to finding them whenever one wants to; thank you, Patrick.

It's hard for me to speak about either DVD's from your provided links because I'd have to see them myself. The first DVD content description seems to cover beginners as well. The second DVD doesn't have any content description, so, I can't speak towards that. I've no DVD's to suggest to you, sorry! Keep plugging away in your training!!

Black Belt Club's vary around the world, this is to be for sure! Usually students 7 years to adult are chosen by said school of the MA. It's custom in it's designed specifically for the "serious student, age 7 to adult, who has the talent, desire and ability to train at a higher level." For example, students that are part of the Black Belt Club receive Specialized Weapons Training. In that, they're trained in a "comprehensive weapons program" that will include all weapons within said style of the MA. In that, this weapons training will be held one time a week OUTSIDE OF REGULAR CLASSES. Yes, they'll usually get a Black Belt Club Uniform. Yes, you'll get a special patch that lets all know you're in that club. Some schools' Black Belt Club members can wear their new uniform to regular classes as well as to said testing cycles. For the most part, you'll also get seminars, special seminars scheduled throughout the year. How many? That varies! Some three a year, some more. Then, they're are the special pricing packages aimed at the Black Belt Club members. Some schools give percentages off of regular prices for many things that will be necessary to continue in training. Like weapons, sparring gear, to name a few. Some Black Belt Club members offer a one time up front fee. This can include SAVINGS off annual membership, yearly tuition, discounted tuitions. They'll vary from school to school and governing body to governing body. As part of the Black Belt Club, students are given a chance to audition for the schools Demonstration Team. This team performs wherever the school decides. The above, is just an example. Trust me, they're close, but yet, they are far away from the content that's offered from school to school and the like. I'm not speaking in ill towards those who offer said clubs, nor am I speaking in ill towards those students who partake of them. I just want to shed some small light as to what can or can't be found in said Black Belt Club's across the MA world.

Of course it's a marketing tool. Nothing wrong with it. When I first started back in the day, we didn't have a Black Belt Club, nor did anyone else, to my knowledge within the San Fernando Valley in Southern California. What I did see across the Valley, and other parts of California was when dojo's would offer 3 months, 6 months, and one year long programs for a discounted price. These were popular, and my mom bought into it right from the start because she saved money. And for a single mom, it fit perfect into her budget. I did get a free gi; that was cool for me. The No-Tuition aspect, imho, is based on paying, up-front, a one time monstrous fee. This one time fee is a discount, yes. It takes what it would cost a student in tuition up to Shodan, based on monthly tuition. Then, apply a reduced discount for the Black Belt Club. For example, if it normally takes 3 years to Shodan, and at $150 per month, that would roughly be $5400, not counting testing fees and the like. So, they dangle the carrot: $3000; a saving of $2400. It's tempting to many budget minded students/parents. Now, if the Black Belt Club states that the No Tuition is for life, well, you can be assured that there will be other fees for a many other things. The sky's the limit on what these fees will be, but they'll be there somehow and someway. Here's the kicker; many schools of the MA make it a rule to join the Black Belt Club before one reaches black belt. In that, many schools of the MA state that said student must join the black belt club at least 6 months before they reach Shodan. No exceptions!! Don't join the black belt club, well, you'll never be a Shodan. Albeit, the pressure will feel like the worlds on your shoulder to join said club, and the longer you hold out, the greater will be the pressure. Remember, a dojo/dojang/school of the MA is a BUSINESS!! The business must be cared for if the doors are to remain opened.

Is there a copy of what this curriculum looks like floating around? Perhaps it would give some ideas for classes."Lessons With The Master" by Paul Walker Try that! There's a SKIF layout at the end of the book.

Found this... Apparently there's an ongoing IBJJF scandal, various BJJ and MMA fighters stepped forward to confirm the allegations presented in the BJJEE article titled "IBJJF Under Attack". Any of you familiar with this?

Not all like or are not happy with anything tradition, especially in the MA.

The SKIF uses the Rotating Curriculum especially in Universities. Something to chew on!

Nice. Seems to me, he was speaking towards intercepting said attack. Albeit, what JKD in about. Thanks for it, Brian!!

ANGLES!! Overall, great stuff from those videos especially for that genre. Our Tuite, needs those angles, and in that, we must expose/manipulate those angles. Great stuff! Thanks for them all, Brian!!

Try to look up that Pro TKD, Bob. I think you will like and appreciate what you see. Its essentially Olympic TKD without the chest protectors and pads, like IcemanSK mentioned. Really was good stuff; lots of contact, not so much of the tip-tap look. It was a full-contact venue that allowed the counter-kicking and jump-spinning kicking to be showcased, along with the power they really put forth.Cool...thanks...I'll look it up!!

They have banana trees inside of their school?? Cool!

We may have discussed this, Bob, but I have forgotten if we did... What form do you teach at white belt? And is there a set amount of time you wait, to let them learn the moves of the form, before you start teaching bunkai? Great question. Taikyoku Shodan Pinan Shodan Normally, I will wait about 1 month before I introduce white belts to the Bunkai of either. In that first month, I'll fine tune them in their stances, turns, posture, hips, transitions, rhythm, proper execution, breathing, and kiai.

I wholeheartedly concur with both Brian and ps1...solid points, solid posts!!