sensei8

Sometimes a little help from my two little friends gets the attention of my attacker(s). I get by with a little help from my two little friends, and I'm not talking about a Beatles song. I'm referring to something that takes no more pressure than needed for opening an orange or a soda can. Know this, it involves getting in the very close proximity of my opponents head/neck area. This isn't as easy as it might sound, but, it's not impossible at all. You've got to get there, once you get there, latch it one quick and I mean quick. Are any of these two little friends easy to escape from? Yes/No, depending on whom the opponent is as well as what's been done to my opponent before one of my little friends begin to latch on. Ok, Ok!?!? What are these two little friends and where is the target areas? Hypoglossal Nerve: This area is hard to locate at first, but, once learnt, finding the area is easy. The hard part could be applying it because the attackers not going to just let you apply it. In this area there is a concentration of nerves. The target area is behind and up under the jawbone. Located directly under the lower jaw bone running from directly under the chin traveling towards the rear at end of the jaw bone near the ear-lobe. The Hypoglossal Nerve travels along with/near the Genio-Hyoideus muscle. Basically, one would be holding the lower jaw bone while pressing upward with the thumb just inside of the bottom of the low jaw bone. Very painful!!!!! One can apply this with one-hand and/or two-hands; useage of both hands is double trouble for the opponent. Either way, compliance is obtained. If you were to study a picture of the nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck; you'd see the Hypoglossal Nerve I'm referring to as to it's path of travel along the lower jaw bone. Check out this link to see a pic of these nerves...(Click on the picture on the left, the pic will appear clearly as well as allowing an image increase) http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dnerves%2520of%2520the%2520scalp%252C%2520face%252C%2520and%2520side%2520of%2520neck%26fr2%3Dtab-web%26fr%3Dyfp-t-501&w=649&h=1122&imgurl=www.sil.si.edu%2FPAID%2Ffullsize%2Fpicturingwords%2FSIL32-028-01.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sil.si.edu%2Fexhibitions%2FPicturingWords%2FPW_enlarge.cfm%3Fid_image%3D1335&size=330.4kB&name=SIL32-028-01.jpg&p=nerves+of+the+scalp%2C+face%2C+and+side+of+neck&oid=edbaa0183ed5b5c4&no=1&tt=2&sigr=12d422tjq&sigi=11sbah1cp&sigb=14g1dt58o Digastricus/Mylo-Hyoid Muscle: This is so simple; both to explain as well as to execute then the Hypoglossal Nerve is. The target area is located directly under the point of the chin; in front of the glands. Pinching the skin in this area between ones own thumb and fore-finger will cause severe discomfort/pain. This is a compliance technique; quite effective because both the muscles and the skin are being affected! Check out this link as to where the target zone is located approximate... (not the described point and the like that's being discussed on this link) http://pressurepointkarate.com/points/mikazuki.htm Either of these will be effective attention getters. Attackers won't want to stay around much longer. Well, I know what they feel like and I know that I wouln't stay around long either. Taste them and see that they are good!

Recognizing Movement! Is it a must? Or... Is it for some, while not for others? Just what are you looking at?" This is a legitimate question within the circles of sparring/Kumite. When one is set in their stance and their opponent is set in their stance; what's next? That's a loaded question because many things are just that...next! Who initiates the engagement? How's the engagement carried out? What is what and who is who? The possible parameters of what's next can be and are mind-boggling, if only at time, but, the summation of 'why' is still the summation of 'because' and in this, I believe that that can't be ignored, for the long or the short of it. Seeing that "next" is forthcoming, what one's looking at might help reach some interceptions, and I'm not referring to football; interceptions that must be addressed and/or attended to before the "next" movement might be dictated by one knowing what's about to happen just right before ones opponent does it. As in football, when the secondary can properly read the offense formation and intent; what's to take place next on the gridiron is as clear as the nose on ones own face. "What are you looking at?" Here's a small list of things that might be revealed as one's looking through their crystal ball: A) Eyes B) Nose C) Chin D) Face E) Shoulders F) Waist/Hips G) Knee/Foot Whatever your personal list might consists of; it's safe to assume that your list allows you to be more right than wrong. *Eyes: These are the windows to the soul. The eyes dart from to and fro where they want. But the eyes deceive the opponent. How? Where the opponent looks at, even if just for a split-second, is a key to where the opponents next move might be aimed toward. At times, nobody can control the eyes from looking where the brain commands, nor more than one can control where and when the wind will blow. Curse the eyes! For at times, the eyes reveal to the opponent the intent of his prey and this intent from both sides of the fence can't be ignored, at least, not for long. *Nose/Chin/Face: These are places that one can fix their stare on, including the eyes as well, so that the whole board can be seen; as one who plays chess, to be good at it, one must look at the entire board to bring to the forefront what's next, and what's next after that, looking many moves ahead. If a chess player ignores this simple stratagy, the battles already lost to ones opponent. What's next? Looking at any of these areas will allow one to see an opponents entire body. In that, the littlest of movement can be seen, thus, allowing one to be more prepared for the attack. No matter what the opponent tries to fake and/or sneak in with; it can be seen, therefore, intercepting it or avoiding it might be resolved by moving in any direction. *Shoulders: This area can't be disguised because where the shoulder moves, so does the arm/elbow/fist. It can take a straight path or a curved path if it so desires. Why? Because the shoulders allow the hidden to be seen. Celebrate the shoulders! A shoulder moves, then it would be best if one pays some attention to it because as sure as the calm is right before the storm; a fist/elbow is just after movement of the shoulders. *Waist/Hips: Basketball players are taught in Basketball 101 to look at their opponents waist. Why? For where the waist is heading, so is the body. Basketball players who adhere to this simple tactic prevent their opponent from getting around/behind them. Everyone who's played basketball before knows that one's at a disadvantage when one's chasing the opponent from behind; keep yourself between the opponent and the basket. In the Martial Arts, look at the waist and one will see a punch/strike/block/kick to follow the waist movement. Power is derived by ones kick, for example, following the waist into the intended target. Not vice-versa! *Knee/Foot: Looking at the knee or foot allows one to see what is the intended direction of travel. Posture can be independent but foot/knee cannot be independant from stance as well as intended directions. Yes, these can be changed at will, but still, there's other things besides the knee/foot to tattletale on an opponents intent. Shifting, no matter how slight, the foot/knee give itself away to possible intents. As in chess, implied intent is just the same thing as announcing movement, even if out of arrogance. Put 1 and 1 together, it should equal 2, but, the equation can be changed, if so, educate the opponent as to what is the correct answer. Nothing is etched in stone! Nothing is for sure! Nothing is absolute! Nothing is....well...you get the point. Everything is a two-way street; what works for/against for one is the same for the other. Who's better at recognizing movement before the other will determine the victor. Knowing what one can be looking at is half the battle. Knowing what to do once the signs reveal themselves is the other half of the battle. Recognize movement before it's too late. So when someone asks you..."Just what are you looking at?" You can respond..."You!"

3 strikes...you're out! 3 out in an inning is an end to an inning! Maybe... Check this out... http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Rare-four-out-play-helps-Dodgers-down-Diamondb?urn=mlb,155380

:::Singing:::(Hold your ears!) Forest for the trees...forest for the trees...forest for the trees... Come on...it's a easy song, sing it with me...forest for the trees...la la la la la la... Seriously, in a strict traditional tournament, I'll call it by its proper name whether it's a Tonfa (Japanese) or Tuifa (Okinawa). To offend tradition as well as judges isn't a smart move. Do it and you might see a 5.0, if ones lucky, instead of a 9.0 because of the forest for the trees. I teach my students the complete history of each Kobudo weapon within our syllabus. Complete means everything! Becoming very familiar with a weapon allows intimacy with said weapon; complete in its totality.

The way Joe Lewis does the pendulum might work for some, although it truly works for Joe Lewis, it might not work for others. Nothing ventured is nothing gained; it bears worth trying. Worse thing that will happen is that it won't work, at first, for you. Archives! Aren't they wonderful?!?!

This is true. I had class again Sat. and talked to the asst. Sensei. he has been doing a lot of bunkai applications in his classes, so he has had that on the mind. He was showing me another way to look at it, but realizes that I shouldn't be thinking too much about that yet, and should learn how the kata really is - with the block. In this, I concur again. The role of instructor at the beginning stages of Kata is to learn the techniques within the Kata properly. To learn the proper order of what goes where over why a certain thing is being done. As the student matures, then, when time is proper and correct; teach Bunkai and even then, teach Oyo Bunkai as the student matures in the Bunkai. Teach the Kata to beginning students as well as when learning a Kata for the first time, as 'it' might appear. Teach the kick as a kick! Teach the punch as a punch! Teach the block as a block! Teach the strike as a strike! Teach stance as a stance! Teach posture as posture! This is paramount to learning a Kata for its first time until the student matures in the Kata/Kihon. Naturally, an incompetent instructor leads to poor class results. In the long term, this may frustrate students for they're generally not able yet to identify and correct the errors they make.

I'd also opt with O Uchi Gari or Obi Otoshi or Ko Uchi Gari or Sukui Nage or Ushiro Goshi. Either of these I feel would be a good counter when the uke wants to sit down/drop center. I've also, which in some circles isn't cool, just let them go at the apex of their sit down/drop center; it's a hard sit down, but, effective. Besides I'm a Karateka, therefore, just dropping them on their backside works for me because I hate chasing the uke.

You're probably focusing too much on the action of your leg. That's a common mistake. Great point! I'm wondering also ps1, if their NOT driving forward to aide in the off-balance of the uke. This also could be a problem trying to execute Osoto Gari. What do you think?

Karate VS Judo! Thanks for sharing that funny and to the point video!

Guns N' Roses and Meatloaf are my favorite when training alone.

To me, everything mentioned in the OP was about Bunkai. Bunkai wasn't mentioned directly, but, it shouted Bunkai to me. You did say this, "If we are talking about the sequence at the start of the kata, they are blocks not punches." Sounds like Bunkai to me. Nonetheless, if I've erred, then I'm sorry. My bad! Again, it sure sounded like Bunkai to me. I thought for sure it was a Bunkai question. After all, he asked this, "...was wondering what other's interpretation of the double arm block is?" If I interpretated his question wrong, for that I apologize. Yeah, if Bunkai wasn't the intended question from the OP, then I boo-booed. Therefore, I concur with you. Still, Bunkai and Kata walk hand in hand. Can't have one without the other!

My bad! I didn't realize that! Sorry!

Please remember, this topic is of a hypothetical scenario. Therefore, for hypothetical sake, let's look at it from both sides of the fence. What are his Shotokan credentials? A) He's only trained in Shotokan through his own studies and exchanges of ideas and the like with other Shotokan Karateka's for many, many years. B) He's a Shodan in Shotokan and a Hachidan in Seidokan Karate. Does he actually know Shotokan? A) He's a Shodan in Shotokan, but, that's the only ranking in Shotokan through JKA. He's not a certified instructor mainly because he doesn't possess a Sandan or higher in Shotokan. B) He actually knows Shotokan, although no formal training/ranking in Shotokan, yet, he knows every Shotokan Kata, Kihon, Kumite, Kobudo, Bunkai/Oyo, methodologies/ideologies, and syllabus. After all, he's an 8th Dan in Seidokan. One can't reach that Dan ranking without being very well versed in other Japanese/Okinawan styles of the Martial Arts. ...or is Seidokan so close to Shotokan that they two can't be differentiated? No, I'd say that the two styles can be differentiated. One isn't the other nor could they be mistaken for the other. Both have Shuri and Tomari base, this is for sure. Their Kata's are different in name; Seidokan uses Pinan, while Shotokan uses Heian. Seidokan is deeply rooted in Shorin Ryu and the Royal Martial Art Motobu Ryu. For me, the only similarities of the two styles are the Shuri and Tomari background!

I presented this very question and hypothetical scenario to another forum not of KF. Therefore, I present it to the members of KF for the purpose of a friendly discussion. Could an instructor who's a black belt in a style that's not of Shotokan, for example, teach Shotokan? Let's look at a hypothetical scenario... Let's say that Sensei John Doe is a Hachidan in Seidokan Karate under Shihan Toma. Yet, Sensei John Doe teaches Shotokan, as well as many other Japanese/Okinawan styles of Karate, right beside primarily teaching Seidokan. Sensei John Doe is extremely well versed in Shotokan as well as the Shotokan syllabus is concerned. Including, knowing the methodologies/ideologies and the like of Shotokan. So much so that it's comfortable/creepy that Sensei John Doe is as familiar with Shotokan as much as he is with Seidokan Karate. Sensei John Doe knows Shotokan inside/outside; every Kata, Kihon, and Kumite as well as each and every Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai including, Kobudo of Shotokan. But, Sensei John Doe isn't a certified instructor of the JKA/SKIF and/or any other Shotokan approved organization. No! Sensei John Doe's certified/approved in Seidokan Karate under Shihan Toma. When Sensei John Doe certifies his students learning Shotokan; they're certified under the umbrella of Seidokan Karate's Shihan Toma. Still, Sensei John Doe teaches Shotokan from A to Z and back, not as part of Seido Karate, but as Shotokan. Any of his past/present/future students can learn JUST Shotokan if they desire! Sensei John Doe does explain that this is a Seidokan Karate Dojo and this is what we primarily teach, but, if a student wants to learn Shotokan only, then that's fine with Sensei John Doe. What do you think?

My first test! How nervious was I? Man, I've got to think wwwwwwwaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back...I was 7 years old. I was scared out of my pants, literally, I wet myself! There I am, standing in a puddle of my own urine/shaking. My Dai-Soke allowed me to go home and I retested the next day after my mom washed my Gi. I was so embarrassed but my Dai-Soke was so understanding and so compassionate. None of the other kids made fun of me when it happened and when I came back. Possibly my Dai-Soke had alot to do with that.

Why the big concern over belt/rank? It's nothing more than something to hold ones pants up. However, it's of importance, hence the creation of this topic. Knowledge is paramount! Nothing's more important than knowledge. Rank is nothing more than a figment of someones imagination. Rank has it's purpose, after that, it's nothing of consequence or concern! Funny I should say this, huh? Especially since I'm a Hachidan, but, if you knew me, this wouldn't be a surprise to you. You'd know that this is exactly what I feel about rank! The proof is on the floor! IMHO!!!!

Teaching kids is harder than teaching adults. Both require the ability to teach, not all black belts can teach, but it takes a very special instructor to teach kids, especially 4/5 year olds. This being said, Play with them and ease up on the strictness of the Dojo. If one can't, then one shouldn't be teaching kids that young. Century Martial Arts has a fantastic line of stuff for teaching kids like your Little Ninja's. Buy them, try them, and then have fun while you're teaching the Martial Arts. Otherwise, these kids will quit and/or they won't want to go anymore because you're too strict and you don't want to play. Shoot, I play all of the time; I become a kid myself and in this I find the kids receive more as a sponge than if I barked and the like. What kid do you know that wants to "play" with a meany? I don't and I wouldn't! It's NOT hard to teach while playing; you just have to have that ability about yourself. Your kids will be more receptive to your teaching than if you cram it down their throats. Besides, they'll love you and respect you more if you can come down to their level instead of towering over them. They're afraid already and they don't need any extra pressure on them...they're just kids. Flow with the punches!

The longer the better, but, I'm a freak in that. I imagine it's more if the student will be able to have that much time available in their schedule or not. I'd tend to think that they'd not have that much time in their schedule to do 4 hour blocks. Overall average might be 2 hours. 2 hours is easier to arrange into ones schedule than 4 hours. Either way, it's something that's not been ventured before and it might be worth trying...or...your students will die trying...or quit because you're trying to kill them. In closing, teaching 2 times a week for 2 hours each would be more doable, imho. Good luck and let us know what happens?

My style teaches to drive through without concern as to what the lead leg is doing; a jam, but, it's not a jam. I will meet this lead leg side kick, more than not, with a kick of my own, jump spinning back kick to either side, closed/open. I also love to side-step to the outside, deliver down block/reverse punch to the ribs/armpit. My Dai-Soke loves to, and I hate it when I'm on the receiving end, step forward to the open side as the kick is extending and deliver a zuki, any zuki, to the shin or thigh. His timing is freakish, but, when he hits you there I've only one thing to say...@%*&%##@@@@ and OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! In my tournament days, I loved to drop down under the lead leg side kick and shoot out a round/side to my opponents groin. Most I've noticed is that practitioners throw this lead leg side kick more as a set-up for what is to follow as well as a quick way to keep opponent at bay. Either way, just drive through it. It takes more fortitude than one might imagine.

Boring? Hhhmmmm! I took TKD for one year when I was in high school and I found the forms fun and exciting. Albeit, very different from the Kata's I've learnt in Karate. Now, I've been a karateka for over 4 decades, having said that, the only thing that I don't like about TKD forms is the lack and/or the complete void of Bunkai/applications. To me, TKD forms are lacking the main ingredient...applications. Why is this and why is that being performed in any given TKD form? Surely, TKD forms aren't just a bunch of movements lumped together between two bows.

I'm a Karateka and I wear on occasion...a pull over Gi top, depending on the demo I'm doing. I like the pull over and I wish Karate Gi's were pull overs. Wait...who said pull overs were for Korean practitioners anyway?

Did someone say Bunkai? Bunkai can be obvious or elusive depending on the technique(s) in question, the moves preceding and following it, and the individual practitioner. Funy thing I'm noticing here is that Wa-No-Michi tells TheHighlander..."If we are talking about the sequence at the start of the kata, they are blocks not punches." Many times I've heard practitioners tell other practitioners that the Bunkai their doing is wrong/incorrect! This is the furthest thing from the truth. Why? Because Bunkai is an interpretation belonging to THAT practitioner alone. Whether it's a shared believe between practitioners is another thing, imho. WNM, does state it right on the money when he says..."You can interpret them how you like." Hence, Bunkai is an interpretation. Different practitioners will learn or discover alternative applications, but the Bunkai, like the Kata, varies based on the style and the teacher. Therefore, TheHighlander's instructors are both right per the Bunkai. But, the bobbing up and down while executing these sequences of the assistant instructor is something to avoid because excessive Sine Wave is the door to trouble, imho. Yes, this part of Pinan/Heian Sandan can be interpretated as blocks and blocks alone. But, why stop there? Kuma makes a point when he says..."Why couldn't they be interpreted as strikes though?...that in many cases the preparatory movements of the block can be considered the actual block itself, and the "block" is actually a strike." How true and very well said! This sequence does leave one to wonder and question about the many possibilites in Bunkai. Yet, when one applies Oyo Bunkai, many things come to bear. For example, WNM is solid as to the first of that sequence..."Soto-uke and barai-uke done in unison." But, the first of the unison doesn't HAVE TO BE a repeat of Soto-Uke and Barai-Uke because this can cause the mind to wonder if I've left my attacker still able to retaliate. Yet, after the first Soto-Uke and Barai-Uke, why can't the end of that sequence be a simultaneous Barai-Uke and Uraken Oroshi Ganmen-Uchi while stepping forward? I don't know, that's why it's Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai; it's an interpretation at best. Why? The summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'! Interpretation at work. To question is the first step to discovery. Why? The summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'! Interpretation at work. To not question is the first step to err in judgement. What's right? What's wrong? What's correct? What's incorrect? What's effective? What's ineffective? Only the practitioner knows of this through Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai. It's not for me to say with certainity! I've my opinions, yet, the floor reveals all. Whatever one might say that fits in that sequence in Heian/Pinan Sandan is up to each practitioner. But to say one's wrong in their Bunkai is not up to me...or anyone else for that matter. That being said...imho...everyone here is correct in their interpretation of Bunkai! As an instructor, I place the first stone(s) down onto my students path of discovery, then the student places the remaining stones within their path as they see fit! We all still friends?!?

I don't care whatever the reason might've been because it was wrong! Bottom line and I'd take him to task on this very issue...so would many, many others. Don't ever strike a student in anger/disapproval/anything!!!!!!! Instructor's are suppose to set positive examples for their students...but striking/kicking/whatever because a student dropped their belt! Give me a break! It's one thing for an instructor to be deeply encroached in their own beliefs as well as their traditions, I don't fault that, what I fault is the solution because his student dropped their obi. Verbally discipline, at the best, but, physical discipline is never warranted/tolerated/acceptable. If it is...tell me where it's at so that I can warn everyone that this is a Dojo/school to avoid at all costs. I've been doing this for over 44 years and I've dropped my belt from time to time. Why? BECAUSE I'M NOT PERFECT, in any shape, way, and/or form. I'm the furthest thing from being perfect...and...so is everyone else on the planet earth. Therefore, I guarantee that this sensei has dropped his obi a few times himself whether in plain view and/or in private. My obi means everything to me, IN ITS PROPER PLACE, and nowhere else at any time/day. IT'S JUST A BELT!

What I've seen over the past 4 decades is that MANY practitioners of any Martial Arts, beginners even up to high black belts, still PUSH with the front kick, whether it's snap/thrust, instead of KICKING. Why? Lack of maturity in the effective applications of any said technique by the practitioner! Push/flick makes no sense to me whatsoever, either kick or don't kick at all if all one does is just push. It's called the front snap/thrust KICK, not the front snap/thrust PUSH. Well mister smarty pants, me, how do I go about doing 'it' as a kick instead of as a push? LISTEN TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR! SPAR UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF AND THEN SOME! DRILL/BAG WORKUP/DOWN DRILLS UNTIL THE OTHER WHEELS FALL OFF AND THEN SOME! When one is pushing, then stop! Go back to basics and "master" the basics of the front snap/thrust kick first. Wwwwhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

TUIFA or TONFA? Which term is correct? Hhhmmmm, doesn't that depend on what your sensei/instructor has taught you? OR...doesn't that depend on what your Hombu/Headquarters has taught you? OR...doesn't that depend on your styles syllabus? Are you a historian? OR...Are you a traditionalist? My point, one can't see the forest because of the trees mentality. This must be exorcised from every part of every Martial Arts/Arists, imho. In that, I'm an Okinawan stylist who's encroached in the art of Kobudo. Therefore, I use BOTH! Tuifa or Tonfa means nothing to me beyond teaching EVERY aspect of each weapon from its history to its effectiveness. Knowledge is paramount over Twomato versus Tomatoe, how one says it is fine for a conversation, but, beyond that, who gives a bent pins needle if my useage of BOTH is correct/incorrect. They're BOTH the same weapon when one strips away the labels.