sensei8

That was my exact thought as well.

I've never skipped a rank, however, I went from Nidan to Sandan in one year. Reason, I'd been a JBB for just over 5 years, and during that time, my Dai-Soke trained me to Sandan level. So, when I turned 18, I tested for my Shodan, then a year later I tested for my Nidan and because I was more than ready my Sandan, per my Dai-Soke, I tested for my Sandan one year after my Nidan instead of waiting the tenure of 2 years minimum. After that, tenure had to be achieved per our Soke.

This is just me, but, don't you have access to some patch of grass?

Ditto!!

OK...I've seen it all now. While they don't have many locations...they do exist. Dojo's inside of a Wal-Mart Supercenter. This company even offers franchises. I saw this ad in the latest MASuccess magazine.

McDojo's aren't the only ones who teach ineffective MA...they're all over.

JustLuke, I'm thankful for your very kind words...I've not the words right now to properly convey to you what your words mean to me, other than...THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!! I bow to you in respect!!

Congrats and well deserved!!

Children shouldn't train with a makiwara pad for reasons already stated. I don't allow my adults student to train in the makiwara until 6th Kyu [Green]. Reason is that I want my student to have a more solid understanding and foundation with their Kihon. Incorrect techniques can do profound injuries when training with the makiwara. Also, training in the makiwara should only be done under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor.

"I love it" and "I'll never give up"....these two sentences alone will carry you through the trials and tribulations of training in the MA. I bow to you!!

Yeah...I'd wear a cup no matter the rules..."No Groin Strikes Permitted"...great on paper, but no piece of paper is going to save my groin.

I completely agree with this. For arguement sake, if a Chief Instructor, an 8th Dan say, in a particular style thinks that someone shoud start at a specific level, what qualifies, say, a junior Kyu to challenge that decision. No rank, especially a junior Kyu, is qualified to challenge that type of decision once it's made by the Chief Instructor. Again, no student should assume a position that they don't rightfully possess.

For fun and grins...Could the concept of Hell's Kitchen with Gordan Ramsey work with a similar like theme, and then call it....Hell's Dojo?? Let our imagination run free...but please be nice.

You'll hear many differing opinions concerning this. The authority, imho, to grant this practice rests entirely with the Chief Instructor of any said school of the MA and/or with any said MA governing body. I don't condone and/or encourage this practice personally and/or privately. It is what it is for each to decide within themselves, imho. If a dojo mate has this bestowed upon them, accept it and don't dwell on it because the granted authority has that right, and a student should never question and/or assume a position that they don't rightfully possess.

Solid post!!

Every part of ones body is a different technique, as that is how we detail it.

I like that...I just might get some to try...thanks!! No problem! Make sure you get the compression fit Heat Gear. Ok....thank you!!

I didn't mean to be vague, I meant to be compact in my comment. Are you implying that my students aren't learning anything from me because of the vagueness of my post? Shindokan embodies compactness. When a student learns any new technique(s) it's presented to them in such a way that there's nothing vague about it in any shape, way, and/or form...both past, present, and future.

Minimal movements are small movements. You say that if the movement is too subtle, it is hard to communicate the important parts. I disagree wholeheartedly because it's not what is being taught, it's how 'it' is being taught to the students so that they can grasp and understand even the most subtle of technique(s). Sure, being big at first is ok for the student, but that's where it needs to end, and then whittle it down to that compactness.

Any effective means to an end. Yes and/or yes and/or yes.

Thanks Clay!! That splash back you speak about...if there's no backup on scene, how can you detain the suspect if that stuff gets in your eyes? Is that type of possibility ever taught in academy? Hopefully, the suspect becomes more overcome than the LEO's.

I once had a student who couldn't wear a mouth-guard; it caused him to gag. His solution...no tournaments. In my tournament days I wore hands/feet/mouth-guard once they were invented. I never wore any headgear or a chest protector or shin/forearm guards even after they were invented.

Sorry Clay, I know you're hoping to hear from the LEO's on this subject. I just had a question(s)... Do the LEO's get that stuff in their eyes when deploying it on any suspect from the slightest wind? Is the effects just as bad to the LEO's eyes as what any suspect(s) get directly in their eyes? Does that stuff restrict LEO's windpipe? Thanks, and sorry for my interruptions.

I like that...I just might get some to try...thanks!!

How does an instructor versed only in verbal knowledge effectively teach an application, especially if that type has never "experienced" an application themselves??