jaypo

We do this drill frequently where we perform a kata, then line up 4 students around 1 student. The 4 then attack as per the kata, and the "victim" is supposed to apply the techniques from the kata. However, if it is a kyu level "victim", he/she is expected to apply basic kata techniques. If he goes purely on instinct, he isn't fussed as long as the tecnhique works. If it is a dan level "victim", he/she is encouraged to "put himself/herself" into the technique I.E.- add a takedown, break, finishing technique to the kata technique. They are not discouraged if the techniques are realistic and effective. I was in the middle last week, and I have a habit of resorting to instinct! I was attacked and told to apply Naifanchi counters adding leg techniques. However, I am about 6'00 and 192lbs. Everyone else was far shorter and smaller. For me to get in the effective range with Naifanchi tecnhiques, it was easier for me, as the larger, stronger person, to counter and sweep/takedown the attackers rather than kick. The point is that a good instructor will create drills/applications that will at least get the students familiar with what takes place on the street. I say that you can never be prepared 100% for an ambush, but you can at least be familiar with some scenarios from these drills.

I actually think the mental part is far more difficult to master than learning the physical tecnhnique. I, personally, have a tendency to "adrenaline dump" pretty quickly (think of UFC fighters that gas quickly- they hit an adrenaline dump, and their motor skills go to mush!). However, over the years, I've been able to mentally prepare for it by visuallizing certain situations over and over again. It doesn't stop it from happening. It just makes me able to "soften" the effects. For example, I was in church one day, and a drifter came in. At one point, me, and everybody else thought a very bad situation was about to unfold because of the things he did and the way he was acting. I had my daughter and 2 of her friends with me. I immediately had a huge adrenaline rush, but after that, my instincts took over, and I had come up with a contingency plan to get the girls to safety and to eliminate the problem! Thankfully, nothing bad happened, but in case it did, I was prepared mentally. However, there was about a 10 second period where I was (probably) physically unable to do anything until my adrenaline stopped overtaking my motor skills!

JCVD was my hero in my younger years until I found out about all of his demons. Chuck's body of work as well as his dedication to his faith and art makes him a better person, IMHO. But I still love JCVD's technique! Hand to hand, I'd lean towards Chuck. Extensive Karate background and a black belt in BJJ!

I was very skeptical before I began training with my current sensei because I couldn't find very much info on him when I did my research. (I'm pretty picky about that!). But I started training with him because after attending a class, his skill and knowledge level was impressive, and I was familiar with his core style. I came to understand that he broke away from the associations because he wanted the ability to diversify his training, and he ran into a lot of "political mess" as he called it. So he trains a system based on 3 Okinawan MA's and Shotokan. He also incorporates techniques from Japanese Ju Jitsu, Aikido, Muay Thai, and Tai Chi (he lived in Okinawa while in the service for years and trained a lot). He always talked about the "old sensei" he trained under and told stories about him (but never mentioned his name- which was one reason why I was skeptical at first). I finally found his name, and when I did research on him, I found out that it was Master Okazaki, and that he trained personally under Gichin!! So it was a pleasant surprise that my sensei has a direct link to the founder of Shotokan! He moved from Philadelphia to my home town because of work, but he had difficulty building up a student base because MMA started to get big around that time, and there are 2 very good BJJ/MMA schools right nearby. Everybody wants to "trane UFC" around here, and not many people respect the traditional MAs. But I prefer what I get out of traditional MA's.

I would have no problem welcoming back a student, unless there were adversarial issues that caused the split in the first place. I took a 22 year leave of absence, but it was due to life changes. I began a job that would not allow me to train at my old dojo. Then went to college. Then moved away. Then had kids. Bills. Etc. Finally, I was able to start again, but with another sensei because of convenience and cost. I never lost the desire. Just the opportunity. If a student quit because he just didn't like MA but decided to come back after a change of heart, I'd consider that pretty honorable. Basically, I think it depends on the circumstances of the split and the reason of the return.

Me, personally, if my classmates were excelling and I were failing, that would be enough. But in this case, it sounds similar to some that I have seen that were only training because their parents wanted them to learn Karate. That never ends well. I've seen so many students come and go over the years. I would mention my concern to the parents, explain what I've observed, and ask for suggestions. Everyone has different ways to learn. One of my students has to draw every movement in a kata to learn it. I prefer to learn the movements' applications, because that is how I retain things better. 2 different ways to learn the same thing. He may not be compatible with learning the way it's being taught. I would also emphasize the fact that his peers are excelling because of their hard work, and if he's not keeping up, he needs to step it up. If nothing works, well, something about a horse and water comes to mind!

One thing I can't believe hasn't been mentioned is confidence. I always ask my new women self defense students if they would be able to jam their finger in someone's eye sockets until their finger touches the attacker's brain. Most of them reply, "Yuck! No!" Then I tell them that taking a self defense class probably isn't for them. Because if you're not willing to do something like that if it's your only way to escape, then you lack the confidence in yourself and are pretty much defeated before the attack starts. I suggest to them to play different scenarios over and over in their minds. Mentally visuallize being attacked and being in a situation that you HAVE to do something for self preservation. Because I can teach anybody the right way to do a flicker jab to someone's eye or to side kick someone's knee 90 degrees the wrong way. But it's a little more difficult to teach someone the willingness to do those techniques to another human being.

tselec- I had issues with 2 system katas that I was having trouble with leading up to my Shodan test last year. I began as a Shotokan white belt in 1989, quit training in 91, and started back in 2012. The Shotokan katas were like riding a bike. But my new style also incorporates Shorin Ryu katas along with multiple association specific katas. The Shorin Ryu ones were easy to pick up because they were very similar to Shotokans. But the association specific ones were more difficult because they incorporate a lot more moves and a lot more "unique" moves and angles than the normal katas. So I practiced for months every day until my muscle memory forced me to know them front and back. And I drilled the applications from the katas as often as I could (that works better for me than rote memorization). As far as breaking, well, the only break I failed on was a spinning backfist with 2 knuckles. But I pulled back. I've broken boards with elbows, all kicks, punches, and knifehand strikes. My most recent was breaking 2 boards at a time with an elbow strike. Splintered it! Don't worry about the breaking. I guarantee that if you do the technique right and aim for a spot 2 inches behind the board, you will go thru it like a knife thru warm butter. But if you don't have confidence in your katas, work on them until they feel natural. Make sure you know what the moves are used for. For my Shodan test, while I was performing Naifanchi Shodan (Tekki Shodan), my sensei stood to my side with a board. On the first movement to the left (gedan barai and short punch to the left), I had to break a board with the short punch across my chest. And in the heat of the test, I didn't even feel the board because my technique was right!

Congrats! I had a 22 year gap between my purple belt and my Shodan test. But I hung in there, and when the opportunity presented itself, I capitalized. And it sounds like you did the same! Congrats!!

....then UFC type organizations would be a lot older. Because he would have helped to popularize MMA well before it actually did become popular.

Thanks for the well wishes, guys! I appreciate it! So the story. I was told I'd be grading about 3 weeks before the test, and he gave me the breakdown of what I'd be doing. So 2 days before the test, he tells me that I'd be testing Saturday with 1 group, and a smaller group would be testing the day before because his dishi was testing with that group and he needed my help with that test. So we got there at 5:00 and the test lasted almost 4 hours. I did the entire test and kumite at the end. I was exhausted, and I tweaked my surgically repaired knee. Saturday arrives. I'm exhausted from the "pre test", and my knee hurts (it's still full of fluid even today!) But I got in the zone, and I decided that I was either gonna pass or my body was going to expire!! We did about 2 hours of ippon kumite and bunkai. Then came Katas. I went thru 5 heian's, 5 pinans, 5 of my sensei's forms, 3 naihanchis, and Bassai and Passai Dai. In naihanchi sandan, I did an incorrect move, so I asked to start over. I did it perfectly after. I also did an incorrect block in one of his own forms, so I asked to start over and did it perfectly also. Then sparring. First, I had to spar 4 on one. It ended when I eliminated everybody. It took longer than it should have, but I did it. Then I had to spar with each student. Although the 1 guy that I guage myself against did better against me than I wanted him to, I dispatched everyone else pretty handily. Grading time. I was last. My Sensei said that he hasn't given any 10's in years, and he almost always talks for about 15 minutes for each student, but he said "I have no comments, suggestions, or complaints. Just keep everything tight!" And presented me with the rank of Shodan. Somebody asked me "So now, you can beat anybody up, huh?" My response was that I didn't know anything more than the day before when I was a brown belt. But what I had just accomplished was that all the hard work that I had put in for the few cumulative years of training that I took on finally came together on a near perfect test. I proved to myself that I had the mental fortitude, the physical strength, and the desire to accomplish that goal. And I'm a better man for it! Thanks again for all of the compliments. It's an honor to finally hold the rank of Shodan!

I had more doubt on my brown belt test than my black belt test! I tested and passed this past Saturday, and I can tell you, I was not worried one bit. I knew everything, and i was in perfect condition. Until Friday night at the pre test. I tweaked my knee, and I suddenly had doubts about my test the next day. But I iced it and aced the test! You'll do fine. Your instructor knows that, or else he wouldn't let you test. He wants you to pass. So just go in confident. If he sees that you have the knowledge, then believe it!!

Guys, I haven't posted in a while because I've been training for my Shodan exam. Well, as of Saturday, I am a Shorin Ryu Shodan!! It was the hardest (total of) 7.5 hours of my life, but every second was worth it. I'll post the story tomorrow.

I think Maggie keeps getting hotter and hotter each episode! I think this season is going to be intense. Moreso than last season, and that's saying a lot! It's fun to watch, because I find myself putting me in Rick's shoes. There are things I'd do a little differently, but overall, he and I would probably be pretty similar! PS- I'm a big fan of Michonne. I would probably use my katana with my Taurus as a backup! I don't, however, understand the 2 zombies chained up and dragged behind her, unless that's just like some kind of trophy. Does the comic explain that at all?

What did you guys think? I liked it a lot. However, I'm kinda sad at the direction Rick's relationship is going in. He spent the entire 1st season living just to find his family. Now, he barely talks to Lori, and when he does, they both seem fed up with each other.

Since most MA's were designed as empty hand defense techniques in times of war, every one has its "deadly" tecnhiques. Hell, I trained Shotokan for 2 years, and a simple reverse punch to the throat can be deadly. I think the question is a matter of philosophy- I would think something like Krav Maga (sp) would be one of the more deadly forms because of the reason it's taught. However, pretty much every style teaches lethal tecnhiques. Even Tai Chi has movements embedded within it with the purpose of stopping a person's heartbeat!

I consider myself to be in "decent" shape. But one thing I like about MA training is that it will take the best conditioned people and make them feel out of shape at times! When we spend an hour drilling combos and then sparring, my legs and lungs feel like they want to explode. But you push through it. That's what forges your mental toughness. There are people that quit and sit on the side. But the people that are truly in it for the right reasons find ways to push thru the "pain". I may not be able to run a marathon. But I feel confident that I can go a bunch of rounds with any sparring partner. 3 weeks ago, 2 of our senior belts tested for their Shodans. The first 1.5 hrs was spent on katas and drills. The next 1.5 hours was spent on sparring. By the time the first half hour was over, our legs all were like jello. THEN we had to spar with everyone!! Fortunately, I was in the better shape. (And I took full advantage of that fact!!) But both of the people testing, who were both physically and mentally exhausted, found something within themselves that made them keep going. That's what separates true martial artists from "people that take karate". My friend, I am certain that if you enroll and you work as hard as YOU can, you will find yourself in better shape physically and mentally than you've ever been!

We're doing Superheroes. I'll be Captain America, my wife is Batgirl (I may just ask her to keep that costume on for about a week!), my son is Iron Man, and my daughter is Robin (the female version!) My buddy who is about as big as the Hulk, will be, you guessed it. The big green machine!

To answer the question, though, thru my gym, I can train for free if I just take 2 classes per week. However, I train at least 3, sometimes as many as 5 times. So I pay $22.00. I know the accounting, and all fees go back to the club for gear. Sensei doesn't take any money himself. He just loves to teach his system!

A customer of mine has her kids enrolled at a BJJ academy here. She pays $125.00 per child per month! To me, that's ridiculous. However, I've known the instructor since junior high, and he is the only black belt BJJ instructor in the area. But $125.00 a month? My wife and I make 6 figures a year, and we still couldn't afford that!

After a 22 year layoff, it didn't take long to remember the movements. But it's amazing how much I've lost athletically after a knee surgery, broken bones, and declining flexibility and coordination!

I've read that the best punch scientifically is in the middle! Hand slightly tilted. Supposedly, this allows the proper alignment of the bones in the arm and hand to produce the most focus and power.

In my Shotokan training, we used to use "hips on" because it helps to recoil to be able to reverse punch easier. My current Sensei prefers "hips off". But he also loves blocking from the reverse side which trains us to use our hips more anyhow (Think of the reverse inner chest block in Heian Nidan). Last night, we spent almost the entire class going thru all blocks on the reverse side. My obliques are killing me!!

The square side block in Nidan can actually be interpreted as 2 strikes. Or a simultaneous block and strike (we actually did this last week in class) as well as the opening sequence in Yondan. As for the X block in Sandan, these can either be 2 blocks, double strikes, or an arm break. Imagine an inner chest block, then hooking under the arm with your right arm and hyperextending the elbow joint with the "x block". Then finishing him off by crossing the blocks and double striking him (x block) in the face and solar plexus. (When I perform the kata, I actually use the x blocks as double strikes- I extend my arms a little more forward like I'm executing a stomach punch/backfist and a returning backfist/backhand, if that makes any sense) In the cage, you can see variations of this in the clinch- especially the square blocks. And in reality, I've used those techniques in street. In the only fight I've gotten into in the last 23 years, the only karate I've had to use was those blocks. And I've never been hit (in that time frame!) Lately, my Sensei has been drilling into us techniques for fighting in close range. He's showing us variations of katas using short distance tecnhiques. We went thru Naihanchi Nidan last night, and then broke it down move by move in close combat situations. While I don't see too many people in the Octagon in a horse stance doing cross blocks and ball punches, I do see some of the basics from many karate katas being used, even if they aren't in the same context we're used to seeing them in.

The school I train in is Sen Sha Do Karate Do with Sensei Greg Shands. He is a 2nd dan in Shorin Ryu and a 2nd dan in Shotokan. He lived in Okinawa for years while in the military, and he trained while there. We also train techniques from Jiu Jutsu, Kenpo, and Tai Chi.