sensei8

These kicks can be executed from those said stances; I've done them and I still do them as you've posted. Once in a stance, it doesn't mean that you're stuck in that stance for the duration of said kick because shifting and the like will occur so that said kick can be executed from said stance, and in that, the time it takes to shift and the like is quite minimal across the board. So, keep training and practicing, soon they'll become second nature for you.

Yes, he's having a great season thus far, and again, you two experiencing this together is awesome. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Do you have any video that you can share with us?

Having doubt is natural, but imho, I believe that that initial doubt is replaced after one's experienced their first test by fire. Fortunate or not fortunate is up to one to discern within themselves, and in that, I've experienced test by fire situations from time to time during my life. We're taught and drilled endlessly, but until we're within the fires test, we doubt its effectiveness until we see that 'it' does work. I no longer doubt because there is NO opponent, and if there is no opponent, then there is no fear, and if there is no fear, doubt cannot exist.

That's very important, and I'm glad that you do like him. I've never met him before, by that I mean, what I do know about him is through what others have told me and what I've read, and what I like the most is that he teaches a special needs program. These program types are far and few, but very important. My 18 year old son is a special needs adult, and what Mr. Hollinsworth is doing with special needs students is extraordinary admirable.

Yes, it's ITF. "Patterns" is what the instructor called them. I've only had two classes, but I've already nailed the Four-Directional Punch Again, all the arguments I presented were gathered from articles about McDojos. I read A LOT of them, and most of them indicated one or more of those factors as a 'sure sign' of a McDojo. BTW, if it matters, my area is quite affluent. Not my village specifically, but the towns around it are mostly populated by upper-middle-class and well-off types. Actually, DWx, if you're in the UK maybe you've heard of my school. It's called Premier Taekwondo, and they're based around the Alton-Bordon-Chawton area of Hampshire. My instructor is a Scottish guy named Mr Hollinsworth (no idea what Dan he is). Mr. Hollinsworth is 5th Dan!!

Yes...a very solid post!!

I concur wholeheartedly!!

Imho, only a qualified instructor, that's well versed in said weapon, should teach any MA weapon; just too many things can, and will, go wrong when an unskilled practitioner teaches said weapon.

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!! You've thus far, been given some pretty solid advice, imho. Pain is not a respecter of size; hit in the right places and the right way, tree's are downed for far much lesser reasons.

Solid post!!

Size of class isn't always dependent on the price structure, and in that, the size of the class could be predominant with the size of the available room/space. Size of class might be indicative of the particular level of said available students, for whatever the reason(s). Size of class: the parameters as to the 'why' might be quite simple, however, the 'why' might not be quite simple. The instructor to the students ratio might not be an accurate concern because many very large classes are managed extremely well by one instructor. Time to ask questions of the school/owner/instructor.

First of all, I'd like to welcome you to KarateForums. Secondly...Solid post!!

I wouldn't willingly take many, if any, shots to the solar plexus because it's a vital area which means a blow there would most likely be a fatal one. Kiai properly can and will absorb quite a lot. Using a medicine ball to condition for blows to the body, for me, is at the very top of the list, if not right by itself at the top. Oh yeah...spar and spar and spar...take the shots!! Allowing a partner to strike you with various punches and kicks is also a great way to also get used to getting hit with the actual blows used in combat. Remember that this type of body conditioning takes time because the desirable results won't come over night. While the conditioning is providing one to absorb many shots, I also believe that proper deflection of unassuming shots will also prove to be beneficial. One of my other favorite body conditioning against body blows requires one to have a partner just as twisted as yourself; I have Greg, and he's just as twisted as one can get...well...I suppose I am too. We love to just let each other take turns kicking and punching and striking one another in a kind of..."Ok, it's my turn...Oh...that's all you got?!", and we'll do this until one says 'uncle'...hehehehee...we're both pig-headed and neither of us like to give in.

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Well...that explains a lot...thank you pittbullJudoka!! Hopefully the black years are way behind us.

You're not a 1st Kyu dealing with that anymore. You're a Father dealing with a person who didn't exhibit enough control to not pop a girl in her eye with not enough common sense to take of his watch before training.Solid post!!

It is said that price reflects demand. However, imho, I think you're paying enough to support college and/or a nice car. The pricing structure that you've described rubs me wrong in all kind of ways. I don't even come close in tuition to what you've described, and I'm of the opinion that that price is beyond ridiculous to say the least. Why? Imho, after all, it's just the MA, and the MA is a want and not a need.

Imho, it's time for the Godan to be banned from the dojo!!

Where in the world was the referee during all of this? Sheech...and good grief!! Popped capsules are one thing, but...WOW!!

The Godan assumed a position that he didn't possess...NOT ON MY FLOOR!! Respect begets respect but just as soon as dojo etiquette was violated by the Godan, that's when the Yondan should've ended class...had the Sandan run class until the Yondan's return...then the Yondan should have asked the Godan into the office in order to either explain things to him, and/or ask him to leave immediately, and his actions would be brought to the Hachidan. When this Godan began to berate students OR when teaching leads to injuring students, that's when it's time for the Godan to GO!! Godan refuses to stop/leave/etc, that's when the Yondan makes a call to the Hachidan, and if the Hachidan can't be reached, then a call to the police might be warranted. Wastelander, MasterPain, and kensei: all solid posts across the board!! Hopefully, you've already spoken to the Hachidan about the night in question so that he can make sure that this type of breach of etiquette never happens again. If so, what did the Hachidan have to say about it?

Every rank should be cultivated within each student, not just the Dan ranks, therefore, the responsibility to ensure that every rank is properly cultivated must rest upon said instructor. I don't give a pin-heads concern about how long a student of mine has been in said rank. Why? My standards are very high, no matter rank, because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree; hence, my Dai-Soke's standards are also my own, as they were for him regarding Soke, and in that, my students know from day one that I will not barter rank, therefore, rank will come to them once they've earned it, and no sooner. Exactly which sentence are you referring to? Possibly you can highlight the sentence you're referring to with bold letters, so that way, I'm not elaborating the wrong sentence.

Solid post!! Sometimes, habits are hard to break, but not impossible.

Very interesting...very interesting...hhhmmmm!!

That's the 10 Million Dollar question, isn't it!?!. After you've done your research and you've visited your share of schools, I hope that the one you do finally decide on will fit you like a glove and that you'll have a blast training. You've received some pretty good answer thus far.

Agreed, its about standards. Also I'm not the owner of a PhD, what's TLDR, I work for a multinational company dealing with FTSE 100, companies and I've not heard this jargon, LOL, I must be getting old. Hahaha I took it to mean... Too long; didn't read. I could be wrong, but that's what I proposed it to mean.