sensei8

Ok...I admit it...this was/is a dumb topic. Sorry! Jigoro Kano was the man in the picture. I thought it was funny because Suzuki's Dojo WASN'T a Judo Dojo. Ok....I'm going back to my corner now!!!!

Well...ok?!?!

A decent fight...I kind of enjoyed it. Machida took Evans to task!

There is no virtue to a proportional response...it is what it is. At times we only have what we have, therefore, my response will be whatever is necessary in order to deal with what was brought to me. My main goal is survival and if survival means to just run away...then I'm a track star...no...I'm Flash!

I'm for safety at all times. I'm aware of the sensitivity as far as striking the breast and it's medical implications. Having said that, I'm not for treating my female students different than my male students. I'm also not into giving my female students any sense of false-securities. Therefore, either learn to block or get hit. If they can't block...then it's time to buy a chest protector...or try bowling.

tallgeese, I see that we agree that we agree. Different methodologies, yet, same results. I love it!!!!!! Yes, I too, was speaking of/about footwork as routine movement because without footwork there's no stepping motion...Tai Sabaki (whole body movement) is related to Ashi Sabaki (footwork) and Te Sabaki (handwork).

Rateh, Very interesting process that you've layed out there; very succinctly. Still, I don't understand, nor will I ever, the true purpose of pre-testing. Either the student is ready or the student isn't...it's that plain and simple. If the student is ready, then the student will be invited to test. Yet, on the other hand, if the student isn't ready to be tested, then the student will not receive an invitation to test. The Sensei of that student will know without a shadow of a doubt if their students are ready or not. In life, our attacker doesn't give us a warning before attacking; he/she...just attacks. If this is what works for your organization; I don't fault it nor do I fault the instructors and/or the students because this is how your organization does their testing; I just don't understand or believe in pre-testing at any level. Still, congrats and good luck!

I've sparred/struck with success with all of the bokken's I've purchased at any of the links I've listed. Now, the first link is the linked I'd go to first because these bokken's have a very nice grip; similar to Katana grips. Price isn't all to bad, therefore, if it's not to your liking you won't be out a small fortune. Anyway, good luck finding a bokken that'll meet your expectations.

I too don't want to kill anybody! I just want to protect my family, friends, loved ones, and myself as effective as I can. Having said that, if I hit someone in the throat, and the attacker dies, then I will live with it, whether it's in prison or at home is up to a court of law. This, imho, is a sensitive topic because we all talk about effectiveness, but, the outcome of the effectiveness loans itself to the moral side of self-defense. I don't want to...but...I don't want to be killed myself by a determined attacker.

If one has to do PT as part of a Black Belt test, I think that this is...silly...overkill. Wouldn't the Sensei know by the Black Belt test if the candidate is physically fit or not? Besides, shouldn't the Black Belt test be on the three K's? Calisthenics starts with a 'C' not a 'K'! As admirable as this is...aren't these candidates blown-up by then, therefore, their test might suffer?!?! We do a normal warm up but that's it! After that...it's test time!

Congrats and good luck! I've never truly understood the purpose of pre-testing; sounds weird to me, but, what do I know....after all...I'm in Karate. Still....CONGRATS!!!!!

No...just bizarre...crazy...coo-coo...looney...off-their-rocker...

Bizarre grading requirements?!?! First of all...RUN! Run from any martial arts school that has as well as enforces any bizarre grading requirements. The martial arts wasn't founded on the bizarre, well, most weren't. Therefore, there should NEVER be any bizarre requirements to obtain rank. This is why the up-front interview session with the school is so important. Both, the sensei and the student, can see if either is above board or just looney-tune.

Here's some that I've tried in the past and I've been satisfied with their quality. http://www.ninjaonline.co.uk/gbu0-prodshow/WoodenRopedBokkenWithScabbard.html http://www.tigerstrike.com/oakbowisc.html http://www.karatekorner.com/index.cfm/action/productdetail/productID/11509.htm Hopefully these might help you. I too hate buying anything on-line because I can't touch it before I buy it, but, sometimes one must do what one must do.

While you might be correct concerning the effectiveness of a cross stepping motion, I tend to think that cross stepping motion is quite effective, especially in many Karate circles based on my previous post in this thread. Also, cross stepping aides some power to ones side kick by moving the body towards the target providing the sine wave can be controlled. Cross stepping can aide to close quarters by driving forward/side/back/angular/and the like. Uncomforable with the cross stepping? Afraid to trip over ones own foot? Then I say to those...stay away from it, don't fear it, but go with ones strengths. I like to use every aspect of stepping because the more the merry...and I want to be merry!

Roundhouse Kick Preferences: >>Lead leg with top of foot/shin Why? Shindokan is 85% hands and 15% feet, all of our kicks are from the stomach down. Therefore, I've found that my lead leg roundhouse for me is a great set-up as well as an interceptor to Tuite. Other roundhouse kicks are still used alot, but, lead leg is my preference.

I suppose though, in order to answer that question, you have to define the criteria that makes a good martial artist. Or more importantly what you as an individual define as important. WNM Another point I can't argue nor will I. Having said that, you've layed out what is your/the criteria, therefore, all that's missing is your answer. If this answer is to remain private, I respect your wishes. My answer to the question is...NO! After only 19 years in the Martial Arts as a mere Yondan, I wasn't no where close to what Bruce Lee had. In a lifetime, 19 years is infancy at best. Ditto, My answer is also No. But then that doesn't make either you or me any less a martial artist than Bruce Lee - if only for the want of trying to constantly improve WNM WNM, you're absolutely correct! I've never thought any less of myself because I'm solid across the board when the martial arts is concerned. I'm no Bruce Lee, and I'm content with that because I'm me, and in that, I'm complete in my own totality.

This topic is more for fun than for anything. Many, if not all of us, have seen The Fist Of Fury, later released in the USA as The Chinese Connection. In the first encounter where Chen (Bruce Lee) challenges the Japanese at Suzuki's Dojo, and dispatches of them quite handily and easily. Then the pot-bellied Sensei with the thick glasses comes up to meet Chen's challenge in front of the entire defeated class. There's a framed picture of a Master hanging up in the center, noting a place of great importance, right above and over Chen's shoulder, just before the pot-bellied Japanese and Chen begin to fight. Who's the Master in that picture? Remember that Suzuki's Dojo is of Japanese origin and of a Japanese Martial Arts! (By the actions presented by Suzuki's students in the movie...I'm willing to bet that it's a Karate Dojo) Yes, this might or might not take some investigating to answer my question, but, please give it a try and I await your answers.

I don't know, you tell me. Can he teach it TO THE LEVEL he's attained? NO! Why? If he's only attainded Shodan in Shotokan then, by the by-laws of the JKA, John Doe can only advance his Shotokan students up to the rank of Ikkyu. After Ikkyu, that student would have to find a Sandan to promote this student to Shodan, yet, John Doe is certifying to Shodan in Shotokan under the Toma Banner of Seido, yet, the certs SAY...SHOTOKAN SHODAN. Now that you bring this up, I see what you are saying. Typically, at the testings that I have been involved with, the judges sitting on the panel must be at least 2 dan ranks above the highest rank that is being tested for. So, at least two 3rd dans should be present to test/promote to 1st dan, and so on. I concur! This is normal precedence no matter the style, even though, there are some exceptions to the norm. Yet, aren't the Shotokan certs meaningless because they come from John Doe? And/or because the Shotokan certs come under the Seido Banner?

Shindokan (Okinawa-te and Shuri-te based) Okinawan Shindokan Karate-Do Association

Thanks, Kuma. Great video. Fast and clean. Nothing fancy, just rapid-fire straightforward karate. Watch his roundhouses...wait...there it is...opps....missed it again...someone help him up!

I suppose though, in order to answer that question, you have to define the criteria that makes a good martial artist. Or more importantly what you as an individual define as important. WNM Another point I can't argue nor will I. Having said that, you've layed out what is your/the criteria, therefore, all that's missing is your answer. If this answer is to remain private, I respect your wishes. My answer to the question is...NO! After only 19 years in the Martial Arts as a mere Yondan, I wasn't no where close to what Bruce Lee had. In a lifetime, 19 years is infancy at best.

I wish I had found KF much earlier than I did. Better late than never! Thank you Patrick, the KF moderators, and to every member who's contributed to KF being one of the most positive communities around. THANKS!!!!!

Simply...breathtaking!

Pretty cool Patrick! Thanks for sharing. While I was watching the newest Star Trek movie, I couldn't help but notice how technical superior across the board the Enterprise was in this particular movie, compared to the Enterprise of the original tv show. From the necelle's to the wide open bridge to the overall appreciation of the latest Enterprise.