quinteros1963

12 and 26. I think 26 is way too many. But consider Shotokan is 2 styles consolidated into one. They are listed below. I currently practice 8 Goju and 8 Shotokan. 12 kata of Goju Ryu: gekisai dai ichi * Gekisai dai-ni * Saifa * Seiyunchin * Shisochin * Sanseru * Sepai* Kururunfa Sesan Suparunpei Sanchin * Tensho 26 Kata of Shotokan: Heian Shodan * Heian Nidan * Heian Sandan * Heian Yondan * Heian Godan * Tekki Shodan * Bassai Dai * Kanku Dai Enpi * Sochin Meikyo Ji'in Gojushiho Dai Jion Jitte Hangetsu Gankaku Tekki Nidan Tekki Sandan Chinte Bassai Sho Kanku Sho Nijushiho Unsu Wankan Gojushiho Sho (Taikyoku shodan and Dai a few others as well)

Congrats bro! Thats the kind of test I like!!!! You've earned it!!! Now thats what I'm talking about!!!

Thanks! Its always good to follow up>

Talk to your instructor, perhaps he can make some changes. If not don't feel bad about moving on, as you are on your own journey.

Trust your feelings and train someplace different. The more you use your subconcious the more in tune with it you will become. "Don't think feel" -Bruce Lee

I agree 100% and would add that its been (in some cases)watered down. It has to be when I regularly meet and observe nine and ten year old black belts (some are even second dan). Like anything else there is good and not so good. TKD is probably the most popular martial art in the US. Most people I know outside of MA refer to karate as TKD. Respect

I would say either a DVD set, books or gift certificate to his favorite MA store/website.

I think it was because he wanted to distinguish his style from others.

I have never witnessed anyone fail, but I have witnessed where a student was told he passed but, he could not test for 12 months.

Ok, since the Rua fight he has submitted Rampage and Machida all in the same year. The kid is exciting. Evans may be next and I don't think he has much of a chance with JBJ.

There is a prequel out as well. I have not watched it yet.

-Improve the club I facilitate at a local elementary school. -Win a state title @ black belt (former brown belt titlist). -Win a national title @ black belt (1-3 place). -Improve on my own kihon, kumite and kata -Fly home and grade with my original instructor for shodan -Improve my kicks, cardio and strength.

Fancy/flashy moves are usually less effective than straight forward basics. I would opt to keep it simple.

My vote is Naha-te and Shuri-te, but they came from somewhere as well. Goju, Shotokan, and Shuri ryu and others originated from Naha, Shuri and Tomari.

Did you find a place to train?

Bobbing and weaving is a form of slipping a punch. Its not just something you decide to do and do it well. Like any other technique it takes time to develop. Its not always viable, but useful depending on the situation (Even with kicks and knees). Don't think, feel......

The truth is that anyone can order a belt and certificate for that matter. Some may argue that because they are good fighters they are black belts, while others may claim a some sort of enlightenment or awareness to become one. Perhaps the kid beat someone who earned a blackbelt in 18 months or maybe it was a 10 year blackbelt. I say if the kid created his own style then good for him and his proven rank. Would it be recognized in any of the organizations represented here? I'm not yudansa so I have zero say in the orgs in which I belong, but skill in my eyes should be acknowledged. I say sign his certificate he is real.

Thanks to 7th dan Steven Seagal.

There is a difference between a push kick and a front snap kick. The way that Anderson and Lyoto throw the kick has much worse intentions than a probing push kick.

I think you can, but it helps much more to use it as a supplement/ to gain ideas.

quinteros, I know you said this was just your opinion, but I think your statement perfectly illustrates why it is so difficult to have this discussion. It also helps explain the reason for 3-4 year black belts vs 8-10 year black belts. I used to regularly observe a Shotokan class (due to knowing someone in the class), and was told that one student had attained bb in 3 years, "but he was training 3x/week". Usually it took 4 years at 2x/week. In my system, 8 years would be a very good result, and that's training 4-6x/week in the last year or two, and 3x/week is considered minimal. quote] Wow 6x/week! It sounds like you are training for a professional fight!Where I currently train it will take about 5 or more years until you can test for Shodan. My old school would take about 4. At which time you don't know the entire curriculum (26 kata and bunkai take much longer than even 10 years), but you are able to teach as an assistant (with lower ranks). But I digress, If you can stand with a black belt then IMO you are blackbelt level.

Well, at the risk of sounding reduntant, especially in TMA, a black belt isn't just about winning fights, it signifies a comprehensive understanding of the curriculum, and the ability to pass it along. In arts that are predominantly fighting, being able to win fights might be adequate to teach others how to fight, but when there are lots of kata, one step routines, bunkai, maybe kobudo, etc. involved, then you have to know those well enough to teach them. IMO. I think that being a blackbelt signifies an understaning of the basics, but not the entire curriculum. That comes at Sandan or higher. A blackbelt should be proficient at his art. This proficiency should translate in being able to defend oneself. Does this mean that you will never lose a fight or sparring match? Of course not. If you are able to teach on any subject matter, you should at some point in your life be able to apply it. Isn't that what kata and more importantly bunkai are all about? Any teachers I have had in MA and Academia have demonstrated a high level of understanding, which is why they are able to teach. If a teenager is able to better demonstrate his knowledge of combat than someone who has been trained and awarded a blackbelt then I say that teenager is blackbelt level. Just my opinion. Oss

These were my goals: Stay healthy enough to continue to train. I'm looking to add some ground fighting. Want to spar more, perhaps spend some time boxing. Help instruct at my dojo. Compete in 6 or more tournaments (hopefully win or place in them). Make 1st kyu. Improve defense, combinations,flexibility, power, speed and accuracy. This is what I accomplished: Sustained an injured shoulder that still bothers me as I type. No BJJ or ground fighting. Perhaps in 2012. I assist with teaching at my dojo I started a Karate (Character Education) Club at a local elementary club (I am the instructor). I placed number 1 in my region of the National Blackbelt League continous sparring middle weight division. Made 1st kyu.

I agree! Sensei 8 says "the Proof is on the floor!" Rank is relative.

Eat more chicken!!!