joesteph

What larger organization was your school affiliated with, Chris, that your belts are recognized by? I ran a quick check through a search engine and came up with the American Kenpo Karate Association at: http://akka.org/ Is this the organization your school had been associated with? You can always contact the "higher ups" and find out what your options are.

Sorry, fallenyuyu, I realize you want to ask others, but your posting causes me to want to ask you about the straight punch and that sparring match you referred to. Have you discovered that your opponents do not keep an adequately high guard, leaving their faces open for the shot? If you "destroyed" an opponent with only the straight punch, it sounds like he's always facing off against kickers but not punchers, and might not know how to protect his face, which you capitalized on. Do you always or almost always use a vertical fist or a horizontal one? Is this straight punch from the jabbing hand, or from the cross one? Do you lead with your stronger arm/hand? Where do you hold your hands when you're sparring, so that it's from that position that you fire off the salvos?

Leg stretches Self-defense techniques Ki Cho Hyungs (Il, E, Sam Bu) Pyung Ahn Cho Dan Chil Sung E Ro Hyung

I sent the link to our school nurse and Guidance at my high school. There are privacy issues in teaching, but these two, the nurse and Guidance, can approach anyone it might apply to. It's a great idea in appealing to the young.

Very true. And one might be "respectfully relaxed" with one's instructor, even if admitting something had gone awry. I remember working with a partner on certain self-defense techniques, but we did something wrong and fell behind. When our instructor came over to check on us, in a "loud whisper" I said to him, "Don't let her know we messed up and had to start all over," to which he, in a similar "loud whisper," replied, "Okay, I won't say anything." It was a gentle humor way of letting her know what had happened, and that we were back on track. She never said anything, likely content to let us fix things ourselves, which was our job to do anyway. You can only do this if you have a positive climate in the training hall.

Interesting about a car accident "memory" that is likely false, Rateh . . . A video was shown to a group of people of a staged car accident; I imagine it wasn't a serious one, but those who watched were on their guard for something to happen, and this fender-bender did. Immediately afterwards, people were given a "witness" check-off list of some length about it. One of the questions buried in the list was simply, "Did you see a broken headlight?" Twenty percent checked off that they had. However, half the group had the same list with a difference in that one question. It was, "Did you see the broken headlight?" Eighty percent checked off that they had. Of course, as you might have guessed, there was no broken headlight in the car accident. The mere mention of "a" broken headlight likely caused a false memory; the more definite article "the" was strong enough to elicit a noticeable false memory response difference. I can imagine people making out these lists, reviewing the accident in their mind's eye, seeing either "a" or "the" broken headlight that never was.

Class with my sons. Worked with them on "sparring" and defense against wrist grabs. During time chief instructor took them aside, got some pointers on blocking from the Jo Kyo Nim (assistant instructor).

A more enlightened approach, in my mind. Much more along the lines that I would call appropriate, whether applying to child or adult.

This has been a problem for me, the learning of Korean terms for what I consider to be easily-translated English equivalents. A simple example would be "Ahneso Pahkuro Mahk Kee, Tuel Oh Kong Kyuk." It just means "middle block, reverse punch." It can really be confusing, that I'm translating, not thinking in the Korean language, when other, more complex, moves are called for. This is the problem I have when we do Ki Cho (basic) exercises, that the moves are called out in Korean, and I'm spending time trying to figure out what is being called out. In another art, there may be special reasons why the non-English term is used, but in a striking art, like Soo Bahk Do or Tae Kwon Do, I don't follow the need. When I studied TKD years ago, all terms were in English, including as they were written in the book "Korean Karate" by Grandmaster Son. Knife hand, high block, roundhouse kick, etc.; it was all clear. I have no objection to knowing the non-English terms, but I've simply made too many errors, then had to redo, repeatedly, not because I didn't know the moves, but because the translation was being processed in my head. Language, not MA ability, impedes me. It would certainly be more efficient through clarity to have the commands called out in English. The true question to me is whether or not the moves can be done well, especially flowing one into the other, and so be effective, first in training, and then--if need be--in real life.

Leg stretches Ki Cho Hyungs (Il, E, Sam Bu) Pyung Ahn Cho Dan Chil Sung E Ro Hyung

A lot of research had been done in the past by Dr. Elizabeth Loftus on "false memories." This is when a crystal clear "memory" is in your mind, but the event either never happened, or didn't happen that way. Here's a recent example for me: I've seen the 1951 "The Day the Earth Stood Still" several times in the past, though not for some years, now, and the boy "Bobby" gives "Klaatu" a tour of Washington, DC. One scene has them at the Lincoln Memorial. I remember that Klaatu remarked that this was the kind of man that he wanted to speak with, and that Bobby replied, "That's Abraham Lincoln." The effect it had on me was that the boy was, essentially, pointing out that there was only one Abraham Lincoln, and boy could we use another one. But when I saw the movie twice again, recently, as the 2008 version is out now, no such statement was made by Bobby. Yet it's been so "real" in my mind over all these years, that it seemed as though it were "missing" from the original. Have you ever discovered that something that you swear you remember, and remember well, almost vividly, was off the mark? Perhaps far off the mark? If you did, what do you think is the cause of a "false memory"? In my case, I think it was the impact of the movie scene that embellished it in my mind.

It's really great when your kids take up the art, Shotokan-kez. They're the cutest little warriors in their uniforms, see the martial art as a fun time, and know they're sharing something special with their Dad (or it might be their Mom!). And kids go crazy for stickers, don't they? Go Ethan!

Why wouldn't you award a point, Beast, even if it's the safer round kick? People like me just can't kick high enough to be above the waist, due not only to flexibility but height (I'm 5'6"). When I spar in class, the side and back kicks I throw are always at thigh level; the roundhouses are sometimes at thigh level, other times (if at an angle) just reach the ribs. It's just the front kick that I can use to reach the lower abdomen of my opponent. By such rules, I'm a lousy kicker who can't score a point, even if they're non-contact (greater safety for my opponent), and even if my opponent isn't good at blocking/protecting against shots to his thighs. In a real-life situation (which I understand a tournament isn't), I'm chopping my opponent-tree right down. I've been reminded (after class) that leg checks and MT-style roundhouses are not in the style, but I think that my instructor isn't pressing about them as I'm not entering tournaments. There are all kinds of rules I've heard of, such as Beast's reference to groin shots permitted but simple leg checks being illegal; one that I've heard of is that punches to the face aren't permitted, but kicks to the head are.

I understand that the PAL - Police Athletic League - was where many young males once went after school and learned boxing. Things have changed over time, but the reference to boxing by Night Owl makes me think of the PAL.

When WWII ended, the Japanese constitution forbade a regular military; it's since been changed, but Japan remains more interested in its economy than war. This doesn't mean that the Japanese military isn't properly trained and equipped; it simply isn't large. A school requirement (likely high school) for males in Japan is the study of JuJitsu. A soldier in the Japanese armed forces will be trained in what's required for combat, but he must still be particularly formidable hand-to-hand, with all that JJ background.

Poking around, the photos of the whale and diver, the leopard, and the erupting volcano were my favorites.

It's a good thing I'm not into tournaments, since my kicks are right to the thighs. I was informed in the past that my kicks were "illegal" as they weren't above the waist; I've been informed now that I've returned to martial arts that my kicks aren't "illegal," but earn no points unless above the waist. Yet head and jump kicks earn extra points. It's funny that this question was raised, in that I was in a discussion (I'm trying to remember which forum) in which it was advised to me that a good kicker is one whose kicks are effective, that they don't have to be high to be "good" kicks. I think that, so long as no one's aiming for knees, a tournament should honor leg (thigh) kicks.

Congratulations! It looks like you're successful at two complementary arts.

Isn't there a common problem with lower belts (Oops! That includes me!), that they so mechanically, automatically, go through the self-defense technique that they don't realize it should be altered midstream? By this I mean, suppose that in a real-life situation, defender (D) blocks the shoving arm of attacker (A), and then, according to the drilled moves, fires off a punch to A's face, then his midsection, and finally shoots out a roundhouse to A's ribcage. But while it is accurate that the block worked, as did the shot to the face, A moved back a step, meaning the midsection punch either fell short or only grazed, and the roundhouse--as A continued back another step--missed entirely. In other words, D had it down right in the dojo/dojang, working with a stationary partner, but did not "chase after" A for that midsection punch to land, or that roundhouse to make contact. I realize that higher belts likely have the technique down and might be practicing such randomness, but lower belts would likely need more experience, even though, to all appearances, the self-defense technique is known.

Leg raises BOB: - jab, cross, uppercut, hook punches - other hand strikes - finger, elbow, and forearm strikes

Tori, I understand that Shihan is watching, and that pushups are sometimes given to children in different dojos/dojangs, but my question concerns the adults. Are you saying that the adults are given corporal punishment, specifically pushups, as well? When you say adults, are these adults age eighteen or nineteen? Also in their twenties? Their thirties? Older?

Interesting video on the dominant Silverback being challenged by a younger male. Video comes on after the ad: Gorilla vs. Gorilla.

Good point, Stone Crusher. I'm sure forum members are familiar with this "credo," but it bears repeating: Build rather than destroy; Avoid rather than check; Check rather than hurt; Hurt rather than maim; Maim rather than kill; For all life is precious; Nor can any be replaced. It's posted at http://www.harmoniousfist.com/the24elements.html

I would follow the lead of my own instructor last year, so that the answer would be "Yes," Michi. One of her students was constantly in trouble in school (eighth grade, so age fourteen), and all for wayward things that reflected a lack of social skills and the wrong friends, not for something on the level of bringing a weapon to school, etc. His mother spoke with my instructor; the mother was not present during the entire class when her son was on the dojang floor, but would be there for the last (say ten) minutes. This allowed my instructor to confer with his mother fairly regularly. My instructor worked at keeping him focused, whether it be re-doing the entire hyung from start to finish until he took it more seriously, or enforcing that he must bow and use "Yes, Ma'am" and not nod his head and say "Yeah." Personally, I do not care for corporal punishment, but this youngster would arrive late, receive ten pushups, try to get away with nine, and then have to redo the ten. He began to arrive on time. He was given chores (which makes me think there was a tuition break, but I've never asked) such as cleaning mats with soap and water, cleaning the wooden dojang floor with broom and mop, and sorting the targets at the end of class. He discovered that it was best to do these chores right the first time. Whenever possible, my instructor gave him one-on-one time, and arranged for a young dan member to work with him as well. He got friendly with other karate students his own age, kids who simply didn't get into trouble. The grade school "troublemaker" began to arrive early enough to volunteer to help with the children's classes. His mother reported a marked improvement in deportment in grade school. When it came time for testing, he not only passed, but did something extra with his karate friends--a short demo, so-to-speak. He was with us for the first half of the summer, then lived with relatives (Florida) for the second half. He's in his first year of high school now, and though he no longer takes karate (I think he became interested in a high school sport, but I'm not sure), he did touch base with my instructor. The last I knew, he made new friends in high school and was passing all his courses. I'm a high school teacher myself, Michi, in my thirty-fourth year of teaching social studies. I'm very fortunate to be teaching in a college-prep school, but "challenging" students do come along, and it's just par for the course that I work with the parents. My instructor working with this student's mother, concentrating on his deportment, is no surprise to me. Every teacher takes the place of the parent when children are entrusted to our care, and it often means more than the stated curriculum.

I feel that parents who enroll their children in a martial arts school and take the time to be present, or have a relative present, are already working towards healthy discipline, and see a martial arts school not only as a place of self-defense and sport, but also as a forum where values are taught. Just tonight, Michi, I ran into one of my (high school class) students, who was in the parents' section while her eight-year-old brother was in the children's class. There was some time before that class would end and the adult class would begin, and during that time she spoke of how well she felt he was behaving. She was proud, as he sat or stood properly, paid attention to the instructor, etc., and I know her (and her sisters), and can say that their family values healthy self-discipline. I wouldn't say that you're teaching discipline for the family, Michi, but that you're working with the family in terms of the self-discipline that the children entrusted to you are to internalize. It also affords you the right to speak with parents that they must work with you if there is an issue to address. The teacher is not a baby-sitter but both a role-model and the person responsible in the "classroom," even if class is held in an MA training hall. Perhaps this is how/why programs, like Chuck Norris's involvement in karate for at-risk kids, experience success.