sensei8

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!!

Well, I'm still of the old school that doesn't block, we deflect said attack.

Solid posts from Kusotare and DWx, I thank you for them!! Not many times have I seen and/or felt the roundhouse with the ball of the foot, as like Shotokan, for example, and I believe that's because not many practitioners believe in its orientation, and in that, they prefer to contact with the top of ones foot more often than not. A Shindokan roundhouse is delivered with the top of ones foot, and not the ball of the foot because there are solid reasons as to why the ball is used by other styles of the MA, but in Shindokan, we've, well, our Soke, had determined that the toes were more susceptible to injury and that, the top of our foot provided more contact surface.

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.

Roundhouses!?! When executing your styles taught roundhouse, what is you foots orientation of your kicking foot as it contacts said target? The area of contact might, I said might, be dictated by the necessary part of ones kicking foot for one reason or another. It could be inherent to the styles methodology and/or ideology. It could be a personal decision at very said moment. It could be to avoid and/or to go around said defenses. It could be one that's forced upon said practitioner by his/her attacker, and the way his/her attacker is forcing him/her to fight. It could be this or it could be that. Whosoever proponents the orientation of ones kicking foot as it seeks out the desired target, imho, makes little difference to me; meaningless. What, to me, matters is that your roundhouse kick, as this topic, at its core, is addressing, is what? EFFECTIVE!! As always, GO THROUGH THE TARGET!! Orientation must first protect ones foot from any possible injury, so changing said foots orientation just for the sake of being different is mute if injury possibilities are greater. Foot orientation that's incorrect can also injure ones knee by contact as well. Effectiveness shouldn't hurt!! Respect body mechanics before trying to change how said kick is delivered. Orientation!! Understand it for all that it is and what it isn't!! Please, your thoughts!!

How does an instructor of the MA conduct classes without one of the most important elements...available SPACE?? Well...they simply don't! Student need it as well as their instructors. Yes, outside is an option, but imho, it's an infavorable one for many reasons. Weather being one of the biggest reasons not to teach outside. Imho, three things are needed to conduct a frutiful lesson: 1) Space~ Must have a place to teach! 2) Training Equipment~Have to contact/hit something! 3) Advertisement~ Even it's just word of mouth! The last two can come later, but not too much later, but, space is tantamount, imho!! Not all available space is appropriate, and not all spaces are willing. Can't teach in an old car repair facility because the hoists will be in the way. Can't teach at the local dance school because they don't want karate there because it's a direct competitor for revenue. Not all churches want the MA being taught in there church because many churches think that the MA promotes violence and the like. Front window space isn't cheap, and in my town alone, three schools have closed because of rent prices. For example, one on Main Street wanted $1200 per month for just over 1000 square feet. Can YOUR school/dojo/dojang effectively compete against the YMCA prices? Not many, and I mean not many. Why? The YMCA for the most part, only charges $30-$35 per month. In that, our local ATA charges $120 or more per month, and when you weigh the difference, one might see why the YMCA has more students per square foot. What's one to do??

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

Good luck...have fun!!