sensei8

No Child Left Behind isn't a program for any martial art. Therefore, every student needs to understand that they might fail a test from time to time, and in that, that student will be left behind in their current kyu/dan, and hopefully, they'll pass their next testing cycle....but no guarantee's!!

Yes. Ernie fought Anthony Elkaim the WKA ISKA Champion...knocked out the champion in the 3rd round...this fight was shown on ESPN.

Possible using the word "literal" was incorrect on my part. So... When I say LITERAL within this thread/topic, I'm speaking about... A block is just that...it's a block A strike is just that...it's a strike A punch is just that...it's a punch ETC...ETC...ETC... Nothing hidden/secret in it's application.

This isn't uncommon, as I understand it. I've seen both, and I think either is acceptable. Most TKD styles start at 9th gup/kyu. Many also start at 10th kyu...Shindokan does.

I could be wrong...but...I don't see too many mom's allowing their teens to do MMA.

Your thinking of Chris Jericho, who is the man of 1,004 holds. I was waiting to see if you'd catch that. Although not a Wresltler, Kenny Rogers "knows when to hold 'em..."ROFLMBBO!!

I agree with your comment above, Bob, and wanted to bring attention to the section I highlighted in bold. Remember what it was that made that "feeling" of impending danger pop up, and make sure you can figure out a way to articulate it. This is where most people fail, I think. They get tangled in the adrenaline of the moment, and then when its over, don't think about how they will explain what happened, why they did what they did, and what lead them to believe that if they didn't act first, that they were going to be in danger. A few examples to illustrate: 1. "He called my momma a blankety-blank, so I busted his face!" This, is likely going to get you put in jail. Not a good way to justify striking someone. 2. "It was really loud in the bar, and I saw a friend of mine, so I hollered at him to get his attention. This other gentleman thought I was yelling at him, so he came over to me and started yelling at me. I apologized to him, and told him I was trying to get my friend's attention, but he wouldn't listen to me, and said 'you'd better hope your friend gets here soon.' I was backed against the wall, and he swithced his drink from his right hand to his left. I couldn't get away, so I took action and struck him first, because I was afraid he was going to hit me while I was cornered. After he fell down, I got away from him and then let the bouncers know what happened." Obviously, this is a much better articulation of why you fealt the need to strike someone in self-defense before the other person struck you. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean you won't end up with some kind of reprimand, but, it does paint you in a much better light, and shows indicators of why you took the initiative. After that, finding witnesses that can propogate your side of the events becomes beneficial, as well. But, my point is that if you get that "feeling," take some time to address the why's after the fact. A very very solid post Brian!!

It's good to know I'm not alone with this.

Could you extrapolate?

Oxymoron's of the MA...don't ya' just love them!!

I'm guilty!! I know I am too, Bob. Its so easy to continue to ramble on about something one is so passionate about. You hit the nail right on its head Brian when you said...PASSION...I can't deny it and I won't try to avoid it.

Really? Strange. I think this is the problem with many people's mentalities. Self defense should be do prevent someone from hurting you. This does not, by necessity, mean that you will have to hurt them.This is the way it was explained to me: "Don't fight! If you must fight, you have to be willing to knock down the opponent, and while he is lying at the edge of consciousness, break his face, arms, and legs to put the fear of God into him. Without this kind of fear, he may be an angry enemy for life. You will always have to watch your back as he may take revenge for his humiliation. If you can't do this, don't fight. Better to give the appearance of a coward, then to look over your shoulder forever." As for bullies, if you know your stuff, you will walk "the walk", and they will avoid you. I disagree. While they are barely conscious, you call the police, press charges and put the fear of the judicial system in them.Yeah...the sound of a judges gavel can be very fearful.

Yes, Bob. Including eating breakfast....its the Martial Breakfast!!!! ROFL...and YES!!

Ah, ok. You're welcome!

I'm guilty!!

I'll continue to teach these so-called "Illegal" techniques because in the street, the only trophy worth anything is LIFE/SURVIVAL.

Oooo....I think we all here can relate to this happening to us from time to time...I know I can.

I'm a martial artist...so...I guess everything I do is a martial art?!?

Meditation...sorry.

A little reminder, sometimes is in order. But not to such an extent that the student would question whether it is wise to return to class or not. Control tends to become a factor from time to time, especially in some intermediate level students that get excited about the abilities they have developed, and may not realize they are a bit out of control. I strongly concur with both Lee M and Brian!! Abuse should never be tolerated from ANYBODY!!

Yeah, I think you are right about that, Bob. Once that adrenaline rush hits, many don't know how to deal with it, and they get that tunnel vision, and focus on one task, which becomes fighting or fleeing.Absolutely...and I believe every MAists has gone through this before training through it...I know I did...boy oh boy did I.

For the most of the time...[Nothing's set in stone] *Mokuso *Address any vital information *Warm-ups *Reviews *Curriculum/syllabus training per kyu/dan [Major majority of class is conducted here] *Cool-down *Mokuso At the Hombu...it's WHATEVER the Chief Instructor/Kancho and/or I/Kaicho wants to do when he's/I'm on the floor. Either way, no student is ever left unchallenged!!

Many MAists don't know/understand that they're suppose to and/or can get out of the way before it's way to late. Deer in the headlight problem!!

Have you ever seen a Kata where each and every movement within said Kata is literal?

How do I get out? In any way that I can!! The key for me, is that panic/fear are a real emotion, to such a point, that those emotions can freeze a person to do nothing at the onslaught, then it might be to late to do anything effective. Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro are principles that can help to eliminate the panic/fear emotion. It's not an easy concept to master because we humans are afraid of the unknown. Drills of Mizu and Tsuki are allowing a person to cope with panic/fear. Eliminating the cooperative Uke is vital in training the MA. I'm no stranger to grabbing one of my students by surprising them, then telling that student to GET OUT anyway they can, and meanwhile, I'm doing all that I can to resist their counters. When I see that they can't get out....I let go. Now comes the time to teach!! In the previous paragraph, my students have been taught a plethora of ways to escape from a plethora of chokes. Thereafter, a student and myself could just be standing around talking about one thing or another, and then I'll attack, a choke in this situation, now my student at first will show that panic/fear because it was "unexpected". But after having Mizu and Tsuki drilled into them over and over and over, there reactions are more positive and away from surrendering themselves to their attacker. Success doesn't always come to those who do nothing. Therefore, DO SOMETHING!! Taking the timid out of my students must be one of my main goals as their instructor. Being passive might have its merits, but being timid has no merits, imho. My students must WANT to hit, claw, bite, scratch and/or anything, no matter how traumatic that "vision" might be to that student. I didn't originate the following saying..."Kill or be killed", but it says enough and I want my students to realize that they better do something before it's to late for them. However, I don't want my students to become overly complacent with anything that I teach them because that overly complacency works in reverse....keep an even keel.