sensei8

Sorry, but, you're not going to like what I'm about to say because it's probably not what you're wanting to hear. It's very difficult to rate any school of the martial arts by viewing their website. Yes, I did look at the link, but, the website was very basic in information as well as in it's look. Therefore, and this is with any school of the martial arts; VISIT THE SCHOOL SEVERAL TIMES! Then, make an informed decision. Good luck and let us know.

Joe, I hear what you're saying and I respect it/you as well! I too have a special needs child, he's 15 years old and he's speech delayed and by that I mean that he's speech isn't understood. Right now we have an AT Device called the Palmtop and this helps him to be understood. His special needs is a long story and maybe some day I'll share it, but, for now I do understand what it is that you're saying. I'm compassionate with the plight to a point, but, I've seen the taking of a belt from special needs children in the past and they weren't pretty, nor were they effective. Therefore, I won't EVER take away a belt from any of my students because it's theirs and it's not mine. THE BELT'S THEIRS! Everything else involved with the martial arts is OURS to control. So, Joe, I agree with you...we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

This topic, Martial Arts and the Law, will be debated by laymen forever. Even though laws concerning the martial arts vary from state to state, the advise of experts in the field of Law and/or Law Enforcement and the like mustn't be ignored for obvious reasons. I, myself, am NOT an expert in Law and/or Law Enforcement and the like, therefore, while I'm aware of many laws concerning the martial arts, this by no means should be taken as I'm an expert in Law and/or Law Enforcement. Therefore, here are some links that might or might not answer some question(s) still on debate here at KF and/or anywhere else for that matter of fact... **This first link is authored by Ivan Mendez, is a police detective in the state of New Jersey with 11 years of law enforcement experience. He also holds a 4th degree Black belt in American Karate with 21 years of martial arts experience. http://www.martialartcentral.com/M.a.c/Articles/11.htm **This next one is David Kaufman who combines doctorates in law and economics with 40 years experience in the martial arts. Mr. Kaufman, in addition to being an Adjunct Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law, is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Mu Duk Kwon Tang Soo Do, holds 5th Degree Black Belts in Kendo and Iaido, and is a Kodokan-trained Judoka. He operated his own Dojo for 10 years. http://www.karatelaw.com/ **This next one is an essay written by Geoffrey Sasso, Shodan Cultural Essay, 3/3/04, Titled: A Martial Artist's Role in the Legal System. http://www.loyola.edu/maru/Martial%20Art%20Law.html **These last two are on the funny side, depending how one views them, but, they shouldn't be ignored all together, imho. >>This first one is about Martial Arts Laws that are still on the books. This is titled: Martial Art Laws: The Strange and Unusual http://www.loyola.edu/maru/laws.html >>This second one is entitled: Murphy's martial arts laws http://www.murphys-laws.com/murphy/murphy-martial-arts.html However we martial artists might or might not view our art when it comes to our relationship with the Law and/or Law Enforcement, one must repect that the USA has laws, as well as those that have been sworn to enforce the laws of our land, therefore, one has a choice. Obey the Law and/or those who are sworn to enforce it, or, find oneself in jail and/or court. In that, we martial artists aren't the Law, just proponents of the Law and/or Law Enforcement, and in that, we must make ourselves absolutely aware of and knowledgeable of the Laws of the United States of America, including your city, local, state, and/or federal Laws within your city, town, region, and/or state and the like. Leave no stone unturned! It's our choice, but, boy oh boy, I don't want to think I know, I want to know, without any shadow of any doubt, that I know for absolutely sure. Don't you?

Not for profit! EXCELLENT! Do the kids pay anything? If so, then this money is more than likely being used for the conducting of and the continuation of your program because materials and the like aren't cheap. Again, I still bow to you and I respect you!

I agree. It's their belt, NOBODY else's, including their Hombu/Sensei. They've earned it no matter what the infraction/violation. Basically, I believe that if I took someones belt from them, I'd be in trouble for stealing. And if I ordered them to give me their belt, then I'd be in trouble for coercion. I can suspend, expel, or ban, but, I can't possess their belt in any shape, way, and/or form. Bottom line, it's not mine, so hands-off!

Nice little work out that you've got...way to train! Personally, I've lately been doing alot of Kata's while at home and alot of swimming. That's 26 Kata's done one after another with focus, speed, and power. I'm still seeking for that one perfect Kata, but, I've not found it yet. This makes for one little workout!

What? Nothing for us over 50 people? Well...I never!

Irregardless if it's little kids or high schoolers, MMA shouldn't be taught as we see it in the UFC and the like with all of the trauma. MMA properly taught in the high school is nothing more than schoolastic wrestling with extra ingredients, imho. Yes, there's more to MMA than schoolastic wrestling because of the mixed martial arts that might be taught: judo, bjj, and the like. If these high schoolers are allowed to "get-it-on" like they do in the UFC, for example, then I draw the line there and I say...NO WAY!!!! Save that for adulthood! Besides, I don't think that any school district administrators are going to allow that, and hopefully I'm not wrong in my assumption there.

Dallas is now 3-2 with a win over the Chief, sorry Brian, but it went to OT and it was a nail biter from start to finish for me. I would've thought, dumb of me, that the Cowboys would've had no problem with the Chiefs, who only won 2 games last year, but, they did. I was expecting there for a time or two that the Chiefs were going to win the game outright, but the Cowboys prevailed. Only if OT would allow the OT quarter to expire through the clock and not through the first to score because if OT had expired through the clock, then the Chiefs might've won instead of the Cowboys. Of course, Romo threw another interception...AGAIN! Maybe Romo's trying to set a record for having the most interception this year. I don't know, but it's frustrating especially when Romo throws the pig. Cowboys have the Falcons next week and I'm sure that this will be another close game, but, hopefully the 'Boys will get the 'W'! Go............Dallas!!!!!!!!!!

Nope! I've not seen it! The movie I'm waiting for is 2010, which comes out in November.

Yes! The Yankee's swept the Twins. Now the Yankee's will face the Angels. I believe that this championship series for the American League will be a fight. Angels aren't to ever be taken lightly and the worse thing that the Yankee's could do, and they won't, would be to underestimate the Angels. Mo did his job and did it well! In my opinion, Mo's about the best reliever in the game! GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe, I will, but, before I do please let me just say this. When the title of this thread says "Kids MMA", I immediately envisioned little kids, not high schoolers. So, that's why I said what I said! Yes, I assumed, my bad!

When is it time to retire from active MMA competition? Maybe when ones loss record is about to catch up to ones win record? Maybe when the loss record is about to pass the win record? Maybe when the loss record has skyrocketed way pass the win record? Maybe when the only record is in the loss column? OR... Maybe when the drive's no longer there? Maybe when the fires been snuffed out? Maybe when the light within is growing dim? Maybe when the will is gone? Maybe when the abilities are no longer realized by the fighter...finally? Either way, it isn't pretty to witness. What's even worse is when the fighter doesn't even recognize that the end of their MMA career is near or has passed already. Recognizing isn't a trait that's desired in any person when that recognition means to admit to oneself that it's time to retire; hang up the gloves, so to speak. Denial becomes an enemy and this enemy isn't that easy to defeat. When one has their dreams and desires dashed and their hopes become nothing more than a distant memory, one has nothing to look forward to anymore. Anyone who's ever retired from anything that they truly loved for whatever the reason knows exactly what it feels like. And for those who haven't, well, they only have speculations, but, they've no idea. Many retire before they're star even shown. Championships never realized, but, never gave up on. Therefore, they fight! Therefore, they endure! Therefore, they continue. Still, retirement is a signal to the world that this is over and their existence is mere and nominal. But, it's not! Remember I said that denial becomes an enemy. This enemy disguises itself cleverly. Doubting oneself, hating oneself, unworthyness, and the list goes on and on. Yesterdays are just that, but, believing in the many tomorrow's to still come, this brings the enemy to its knee. Dusting off themselves and fighting day by day in a regular everday can be and at times it is boring, but, it's still a pursuit for that championship that's within, and this can't be denied! When is when? I bow to all who've been in any octogan because that alone takes courage and courage is a mark of excellence and courage is ever part of the martial arts. Is sooner before it's later? Because the ugly of it isn't pretty to witness for all. This topic isn't to single out or to point out any MMA fighter. No, it's to just ask... When is when?

Kids in the MMA?!? This has BAD written all over it. Besides, who want their kids face/head looking like Randy Couture? Sheech! Kids in the MMA is BAD...IMHO!

Go for it! Tournaments can be educational, beneficial, and FUN! Tournaments provide new friends who share in the martial arts. Tournaments let us see what it's like on the other side of the fence, not just in our backyard, but, across the world. Go for it! Take a sip, just a small sip, and you'll soon find that Tournaments/Competition can be good. There are bad tournaments, but, that's for another topic. I just want to encourage you to go for it!

Check these out... http://www.angelfire.com/ms3/memphisshotokan/ http://www.shotokanmemphis.com/ Good luck!

Please let me add a comment if I may. In the OP video, there are many references that this person is of Shindokan Karate. This person is NOT or has NOT, past and/or present, ever been associated in any shape, way, and/or form with Shindokan Karate-Do as founded by Soke Fuyuhiko Saitou Sensei, which is currently under the leadership of Dai-Soke Yoshinobu Takahashi Sensei!!!!

Here are some more videos about this person and/or those affiliated with this person, although these videos aren't as disturbing as the OP video, but, well...you decide for yourself...

This is one of the most disturbing videos I've ever seen... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1dCc1Ae3nY

I commend cathal 100% and I wish cathal the very best and much success! I'm just so facinated that the school was so willing, when it's been my experience that school's are very closed-minded about being so willing to help outside programs. "Not on school property!" is what's heard the most from principals/administrations. Therefore, it's not what one says, but, it's the way it's said. I go in with a clad-iron program and presentation, then, cathal, for example, walks in with a clad-iron program and presentation, but, the school/administration picks her over me. It's not what I said, but, it's the way I said it. Maybe, I wasn't clear enough and cathal was. Again, it's not what I said, but, it's the way I said it. Maybe, I gave them everything that they were looking for, but, I was short/rude/down-my-nose to them and cathal wasn't! Cathal...I bow to you and I sincerely wish you the very best!

ABSOLUTELY and SOLID! One of my sensei's biggest maxims for his instructors was to NOT fraternize with ANY student. Reason for this was to keep the association of sensei/student professional. Also, things are presumed/assumed by the student when fraternizing occurs. In this, the student thinks that they're at liberty to get away with some/many things in the dojo and the like because of the so-called friendship. Signals are misunderstood by all and in that, fraternizing is taboo! A big no no! This is why my Dai-Soke/Sensei's circle of trusted students is so small. It's sad! Why? Because many Shindokan students only know about him from afar. But, if they knew him as some of us do in a more personal way, then, they'd see him more differently.

This has been said before but I feel that it bears repeating. As crazy as it makes me, I don't see much of a problem with little kids/pre-teens wearing a full gi outside of class. Yes, I make it understood to each and everyone of my students, but, little kids/pre-teens are so darn proud of themselves and this includes the gi/belt. So, they wear it outside and to and from the dojo...I'm ok with it. I too was once a little kid/pre-teen, I started in the martial arts when I was 7 years old, and even I wore the gi EVERYWHERE my mom/dad would let me...I WAS SO PROUD OF MYSELF! Yes, my sensei didn't tolerate the wearing of the gi outside of the dojo no matter the age, but, even he surrendered to little kids/pre-teens because even the hardest heart will melt under the gaze of a puppy-eyed look. What's one to do?

Congrats armanox!!!!!!

Interesting way to describe a snap/thrust! I like it!

The unbalancing of an opponent can be mental and/or physical! Physical is more vital than the mental, but, both are important depending on the situation and the situations aren't constant. Physical unbalancing requires a sharp distancing ability, both creating and closing. I can initiate the action(s) OR the opponent can; both are the same. Huh? I can use the actions of the opponent, and, when that occurs, both actions are in motion, but, the opponent isn't in an advantage. Footwork is important! Proper footwork can dictate angles and proper footwork can expose flawed angles in the opponent. Mizu no kokoro and Tsuki no kokoro are the elements of mental unbalancing an opponent. One either has it or one doesn't! If the opponents confused, angry, upset, scared, unfocused, distracted, etc. Then the waters are no longer calm and if the reflections of the moon are cloudy, then, the opponent is at a great disadvantage if I'm in full Mizu no kokoro and Tsuki no kokoro. This is as simplistic as I can explain kuzushi. WNM, might be able to shed more light on it.