sensei8

I'm one who hasn't lost value in TKD. I've observed, trained, and learned from some the greatest, imho, TKD practitioners. GM Young Ik Suh was the most amazing TKD instructor/practitioner that I've ever seen, and I was also taught by him as well. Most styles of the MA uses some value when one would be observing a TKD tournament. However, I sure wouldn't want to drop my guard around a TKD practitioner. Not from what I've seen first hand. Brain has one of the most powerful and gracious high roundhouse kicks that I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty...Brian's TKD. Excellent hip actions; Brian known exactly when to activate the hips, no sooner and no later; right on time, everytime!! I've nothing but respect for any and every TKD practitioner.

Constructive sparring will not be the same in school A, as it is with school B, so on and so forth. I tell my students..."In order for your Kumite to be constructive, you must first learn something from it."

Some very nice and solid posts, and I want to thank you for your response to my question. Of the three, imho, Knowledge is paramount. Experience is tantamount. Rank is only needed in the context of a class/test/formality situation!

Solid post!!

Very good post!!

Solid post!!

My Dai-Soke always told us... "We train in the MA to not fight!"

Solid post Ev!!

You're going to hate my answer, but...the last time I HAD you use martial arts was just last night...I was conducting an advanced Tuite class with Godan's and above. Well, it's true, I had to use MA to teach. I've HAD to use my MA the last time I tested. Another time I HAD to use MA was this afternoon when I was working out. Sorry, I just couldn't resist...I tried...but I just couldn't. Hopefully, you'll forgive me.

In your own words, could you please define how Rank, Knowledge, and Experience differs? Or... Are they all the same? Let the discussion begin, and thank you.

I understand that KF has some members that are LEO's (Law Enforcement Officer). In that, I've a few question(s)... 1) In the academy, how is the Self-Defense taught to LEO candidates? 2) Is the Uke ALWAYS a "willing" attacker in order for the LEO candidates to learn the movements? 3) After a LEO candidate learns any said set of self-defense techniques, does the Uke then begin to resist him/her with every fiber in their being? Thank you and I look forward to any and all comments.

In your honest opinion, when does "muscle memory" begin to solidify in a student? I'm of the opinion that it begins to solidify in a student when that student is no longer struggling with any given technique(s). Should a time table be placed on any given technique(s) related to muscle memory? Tuning up a technique(s) in the search for 'perfection', does this mean that the muscles have amnesia? I look forward to your thoughts/comments!!

Imho, the only rank that's of the same general standard is the white belt. After that, the differences are as wide as the sky is. I don't allow anyone to wear their current rank if they're not Shindokan, UNLESS, they're just visiting and they've cleared it with me first. I've extra white belts of differing sizes for them to wear if they want to join my dojo to learn Shindokan.

That's a great topic and a great question Danielle. My answer...no...I don't do anything like your OP denotes with my students because I always thought that the by-product of MA training would be enough. But I see, that it's not. I mean, adult classes are 2 1/2 hrs long and I'm making sure that everyone of my students are challenged across the board. My Dai-Soke worked us so long and so hard, I thought that that by-product was enough. After reading your post and your links, I'm going to address it in our Hombu's weekly conference phone call this Friday. Thanks Danielle!! Time to turn a new leaf.

Great topic...SOLID!! Great responses and if I've anything to add it would be this. Shindokan teaches Tuite and the like, and in that, I am going to be honest here...attack me and I might release. For me, if you're still fighting, even a little, I might not release for the fear that you'll turn the tables around on me and then I'm in a world of misery. I'd say that it's been drilled in me enough over the countless many years while learning/training Tuite/Grappling/etc to let go when ones had enough. I'd not deliberately keep the hold tight but it won't be loose enough for my attacker to wiggle out. I was asked once if I'd break an arm/finger/wrist/elbow/other bones, and my answer is this...YES I would without any thought to it, but my life better be on the line and the like. Resist, I'll just tighten more to keep my attackers attention. To break a bone...the answer for me must be..."always". Why teach if we're not willing to do what it is that we're so well versed in? It would appear to me that I'd be nothing more than a hypocritical instructor/MAist.

Solid advice here!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!

Imagine the Colts not winning one game the entire season...it might just happen. OUCH!!

Congrats!! Feels good, huh? Now go train!!

I mean no disrespect, but you are the age of LP, GS and my parents. How would your answer have differed 20 years ago? I know my view is different than it was 10 years ago. I'm seeing things your way more and more. I lost a nephew a couple years ago, and some of my friends, so the holidays are hard. 20 years ago...same answer...the end is not good!!

Don't worry about any test; they'll take care of themselves. Also, don't assume a position that neither you and/or your wife possess. Student=your wife. Observer=you. Instructor=neither of you. You and your wife trust the instructor to teach, so, you both should trust the instructor and the like to pass/fail "their" student(s) as they feel fit. Nobody likes to "fail" any test, but, your wife received a partial rank, while others might've not received any promotion. Let the tests take care of them and worry about only one thing...TRAIN...TRAIN....TRAIN!! My Dai-Soke always said this to me concerning rank promotions, if I asked... "Maybe!"...That's it, anything else would've been insulting to him and to our Soke Saitou. It's all good.

Double ditto!! No Exceptions!!

Agility is in everything we do. Without it, one couldn't have learned how to walk without agility. My only true answer is this: PRACTICE until you're sick of it and then PRACTICE some more.

How I deal with mortality is by not talking about it or worrying about it because the end, imho, well, it's just not good. Year after year, there's more and more empty chairs around the dinner table than the year before.

Did you watch the link? The guy with the 3 section staff hit the other guy, was rushed in on, pulled gaurd and submitted the other guy with an armbar. Mixed martial arts at it's finest. Yes, I did watch it, but I was speaking an opinion on who I thought would fair better than the other.