sensei8

While I'm quite sure that the practice of attending two totally different styles/dojos at the same time was and is probably taboo across the board, not only yesteryear, but even today. At first my Dai-Soke went through the roof, so to speak, and Mr. Suh wasn't excited about it at all at first, but, time allows many things and time heals wounds! I was very lucky to have trained in Shindokan and TKD at the same time during my high-school days, I was given a thumbs up from both schools, however, what ever school I was at for that moment, I was forbidden in forgetting where I was at that moment; practice one style and only one style whenever I was at either a Shindokan dojo or at a TKD dojang. The only time I was allowed to mix the two styles together, no matter which school I was with, was during free-style sparring. This allowed both styles a chance to see what the other style might or might not have to offer. I will say this, both schools had equal respect for the others styles across the board. Taste the other style and see that it is good. Good luck and keep us informed.

More specifically I'm referring to only the right HAND at 00:16 of this link... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBKAZ3WxX78&feature=related

Alex, I enjoyed the video quite a lot. Thank you for sharing it.

Expertise, through knowledge and experience, doesn't happen easily. It takes many years of living and working within the martial arts, or any tradition for that fact, to absorb the sets of skills and values on which expertise is built. It takes exposure to the best minds in the martial arts, to observe and reflect on their practices, and to absorb the subtle unconscious behavior patterns and attitudes that characterize an expert in any discipline, including the martial arts. Knowledge and experience within a practitioner won't always be equal. Knowledge in Tuite can be greater/lessor than that of the experience in Kyusho-jitsu due to the fact that a practitioner might've devoted much more 'time' in everything that is Tuite and not so much 'time' in Kyusho-jitsu. For those sport-minded practitioners, one could have knowledge and experience in open-hand kata, but very little knowledge and experience in weapons kata. Both, in this example, are knowledgeable and experienced in one but not vice versa.

I disagree with this statement. How do you have knowlege if you lack experience. Knowlege without experience is more of an idea or theory, rather than something practical like knowlege. I think knowlege is what happens when you combine information with experience. To answer your question, above in bold type, it's easy to have knowledge without experience. How? A white belt of 3 months training/learning has knowledge of kihon, but doesn't have the experience to effectively apply it in any given situation that a black belt has. In that, a shodan has applicable knowledge and/or experience of kihon, but doesn't have the same knowledge and/or experience as a Hachidan has; both, knowledge and experience, are still separate within its totality.

Sing it with me... Time is on my side...yes it is...whoa whoa time is on my side. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE... As a beginner, it'll take a lot of time, and thus, training to nearly eliminate any telegraphing. At first you'll be an open book for all to see, especially to those intermediate/advance kyu levels, and even more to those dan levels.!! Even after that and all the way to Judan...PRACTICE over and over until it's rarely detected. That means, spar over and over until the wheels fall off and then some more. Good luck and let us know how the trainings coming through.

“Training should be like death; not being afraid of both, yet welcoming both.”~Dai-Soke Yoshinobu Takahashi For the most part, Dai-Soke would constantly quote this little gem after we'd utter complaining words outwardly. Your thoughts, please, and thank you.

For those karateka that are KF members, I'd like to propose a question: Iyho, what is the application of the opening movements to your immediate right? More particular, I'm asking more about the HANDS. I'm more than aware that the interpretations will fall across a plethora of opportunities, but I'm willing to chance that, especially when we're speaking about Bunkai. Thank you in advance for your responses

Shindokan teaches that the "time on target" should be an minimal as possible. By that, the longer my 'weapon' remains/stays on any given target, then the more susceptible my 'weapon' is going to be trapped/grasped by my opponent. Not an ideal situation. In Shindokan, the "time on target" , punching in this case, is ideal for us because if one stays just to long on any of my given possible targets, that given extra one extra millisecond by my opponent is all that I need to trap/grasp/etc as I initiate Tuite. Punch the target, but don't stay there to smell the flowers; get in and then get right out!! This is a very basic explanation, but hopefully it'll give you some clear understanding.

A very nice and indepth article. Thank you ps1 for sharing it with us.

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.