tallgeese

So true.

It can go that way, via pain compliance. However, I never assume that any small joint position will incapacitate an attacker enough to stop tryin to hit me in the head. Often, people get so set on delerering a "lock" that they give up all tactical awareness and then start gettting pummeled. Small joint positon works best for: 1) controling weapons, because that's the primary be-all and end-all threat. a knife makes getting hit in the head secondary. 2) destabilizing posture, which can be momentary and hit or miss at best and 3) destruction of an appendage that will now no longer be used to threaten you. I think those tools are important, including the finger bend yoo've described. However, at it's best, it's a limb destruction and you pop those little suckers right out of socket. This creates even greater pain compliance than merely stretching the joints around. It also, at least partaily, diables that limb. You'll have to decide at the time if the threat rises to that level of response. On another note- I personally prefer the method where you: 1) grip the incoming fingers as described 2) use a forearm strike, like a ridge hand, to the back of the wrist to pull the hand and wrinst to your chest 3) drop your elbows to your sides and grab your bicep with your free hand (wchich just did the strking) this creates a tight position that will isolate the finger 4) lever back and break, turning to force his incoming cross away from you. 5) follow up control or move on up the body, your choice. As always, be prepared to disengage if it become apparent that the movement is not going to work. It's just a slight variation joe, thought you might like to play with it a bit.

Creating space for disengagement can often be overlooked, espically if you train in an art that empahsises some form of joint control or even in-fighting from the trapping range. I had a tough time adding it to my game. I think that it's a must if you're gonna train with any weapon and plan to access it during a fight.

I'll second everyone else. Yes, you can. And if it's what you want to do, then yes you should. It may be tough to perform at a certain level at first, but this will imporove. Get started and stick with it. Good luck.

It's my understanding that just about everything can be taylored. It will be easier probibly if you have a nicer, heavy gi. And just about any shop that does this sort of service could help you out. Now a second question could be - will it be worth it? Just about everyone I know who spends alot of time training in a gi spends just about as much time pulling it back into place. This will probibly happen even if it fits you better. Also, gi's have a way of getting pretty nasty after a while and often getting torn up one way or another. It might not be worth the price. Now, if you have one you use specifically for teaching in or doing formal things in, then I could see it really being worth it.

A vetern cop once told me when I was a rookie to quit looking at people's eyes. He quickly followed with "their eyes aren't gonna hurt you, it's th ier hands that are gonna do that"

I'm of about the same feel for the numbers bushido man gave above. I'd add karate-type point sparring younger. I had a group going touch contact at about 8 ish once. That worked out ok. I personally used a continous round model for this and had them using more boxing style stikes and guard, but with touch contact only. I'd say high school is just about right for serious competitive training, I'd add that it's actually about the same time frame that you should start doing serious sd training as well. Eye rakes and such, you can really start working their mindset here, where as before I think that anything beyond escape and avoidacne is not really age appropriate.

Yeah, this is a bit over their head at this point. I'd agree with bushido man here. Pads, conditioning, ect. I'd even consent to sparring, but it's too much at this level for kids this young.

I don't think I've ever advocated that anyone give up training in any way that they wanted. However, I'm not entirely certain to what part of my post you're referring to in you last statement, michi. You should train however you want. My point of view has always been to most efficiently learn to fight. That's why I think some of mma's training protocols could be used by sd-ers to streamline training. Constant use of movement during drills, constant training against live bad guys, things like that. Realistically simulating the conditions that you're training for. The list goes on. Train however you like. And just like me, realize that there are other ways out there.

Sounds like you've got a good background for it already. Transition training and clinching might give you some fits, but it's shouldn't be a problem. I'd sayjust get going and enjoy the ride.

I don't think that MMA is the only option out there. In fact, it's not all that I do even now. There are tons of items that aren't addressed therein that sd focused ma'ists should think about. Weapons defense, small joint manipulation tools, targets that are often out of bounds in mma comps, all are good reasons to look outside that box for a complete fighter that is interested in sd combat. However, the application of training methods used in mma can and I think should be seriously addressed by ma'ers interested in training in sd.

To think you are automatically doing it might be a mistake. I've seen plenty of schools that were seriously lacking in any level of realism during training. Now, these individual might have been practicing what they were taught with all seriousness but without any grounding in the realities of conflict they were simply getting very good and movements with no real application. Just my two cents. I think that your chances are good that ma practice can help to instill this type of instinct, however, modern traditional mas may not transmit it as much as one would think. This, of course, depends on the school and teacher, as do most other things.

So I take it joe that this other school had something to offer. What did you find that interested you enough for privates?

crossfit- 4 rounds of: 1/4 mile run 50 squats back and bi's heavy ab workout as well, not just the usual warm up/cool down version

For the fan who has everything. I also want the tie fighter web cam, and I don't even use a web cam.

Ours is more of a rough syllabis than anything. A list of rank requirements including prinicples, drills, expectations, ect. There's a brief history of the system and some info on the instructors. The rules to the group vary per school. Some have more than others, some vary based on the type of class. There's a basic list in the handbook, the extent to which it's followed depends on the group.

As with everyone else, go take a look at each. See which will suit your needs and goals the best, espically at this stage. There's always time to cross train or take up a different art as you become more involved. As important as how your goals match what the art teaches is the personalitites at the gym. It's way eaiser to stay motivated when you actually enjoy spenind time with the other people you train with. It's a major factor to consider and one you'll certainly have to go in to check out. I'd also ask about family rates when you go in. Not all of a school programs are often covered on the website. Good luck.

Yeah, that's nice. It's good to see someone not overthink it.

There are plenty of ways to develop a combative mindset that don't involve eastern prinicples. Warrior arts have a pretty signifigant tradition in the west as well. Modern psycology has even develved into the areas of violence and combat mindset. Mindset is developed by training with a purpose and the quality of drills executed by trainers. It is also influnced by realistic simulations and an understanding of reality based training and the acceptance that violenc can and will happen to us in our daily lives. If you're into the whole eastern mindset that's fine, just realize that it's not the only mindset training available to those aspiring to warriorhood.

Not a kata guy myself.

Tennis elbow is just a generic term for what is really inflamation in certain tendons in the elbow. It gets called that due to it's prevalence in people who play tennis. Anyone can develop the condition regardless of their activity.

Well, it's November. It must be coming up soon. Let us know how it goes.

That's a very good point. No need to muddy the waters with others opinions. That's the point of the second opinion.

That might be the coolest thing to turn up in a long while. I wonder if this means that atlantis was really just a giant lego playset .

today- crossfit: 5 rounds of max reps of bench at body weight (175 ish for me) max reps of pull ups chest/tris 1 mile run