shortstick

That is how it should be!

Ya, it really helps with the flow of your class. you cant always do everything you planned, but you wont look like you are just making things up as you go. lets parents and students see you are prepared.

that seems pretty high. I have failed(We call it a "No change" ) about 15 students over about a 6 year period, none of them quit beacause of that. Most of those were brain farts....I had seen them do the criteria over and over, but on test day.....well it happens.... Some did stop later in training, as many do. If I am doing my job, then the student is well prepared for the test......his failure in most cases, would be mine....as I am the one who prepared him and told him he should test

I think to offer a conditioning class is great. I think its important to have a good balance of that in every class. I think it is best to not require anything above and beyound what the rank calls for. BUt on the same note, I want to provide the intense training for those who want it. I had a 50 year old man start training, he had a blown out knee, a bad back.....6 years later he got his black belt. He was in much better shape all around then when he started, but he could not do 150 pushups, or run 4 miles. but he trained as hard as his body would allow.

Those are all great......If you are not already doing it, make sure you keep a note book with all your class planners in them- I have a section with just games. When I get a new one, I add it to the list with a short discription. I found after several years of teaching you start to forget some of the old ones. You can take a look now and then to re-visit some of the games or drills you may have forgotten. Have fun, and your students will too!

I liked it, but the 1st one I think is still the best.

I am starting to sound like a freak about the Matrix- I dont have posters or anything......having said that- Treebranch is right, that is another layer to the movie. I enjoyed the 1st Matrix more than the 2nd. Hey Treebranch, "Lima Lama" is not a style you come across very often-was your instructor by chance a man named Sam Koylou? (Not sure of that last name spelling)

Drunken monkey, I see your point.....but how do you know what the intent of the writers of the matrix story was?

I saw kill Bill today, I have seen most of his movies, and I did not think this one was that great. It had some moments though. As far as deeper meaning.....I dont think he is that kind of director. On the other hand, The Matrix has many layers to it. The main one being how do you know what is real, and can you prove it. This has been a subject in philoshpy classes for ages.

ya, its a great tool. Really helps you see the good and bad things you do.

Well not to bash on the younger crowd......but I was an instructor at a school for about 7 years. During that time there were several times when some of the younger(early 20's) asst. instructors got involved with students. They dated for a time and then when intrest faded it became weird to be in classes tought by that instructor....later they stopped their training. Another instance there were complaints of favoritism when an instructor was on a testing board for a student whom he was dating. Of course he judged them all the same, but it raised jelousy issues with some other females that found this same instructor attractive....it always seemed to cause a mess when anyone got involved with a student. But on the other side, I know couples that got married that hooked up in the dojo. From my point of view since I was managing the school and had to deal with the complaints, it was better to have the no dating rule. But if your in love.....well then.....

I enjoy Jet Li. His movies seem to always have some new twist to the fight scenes. Plus the guy is in good shape, and trains hard. Shortstick

Na, bad idea. If you really love your training. Its really more the instructors part to not date students. As another person said, it can ruin a school. Good luck

nice article. I agree with most of what you say. I have heard the point of view that when Jesus said to turn the other cheek it was meant in defiance. Like go on hit me again. At any rate, it was a good article. Shortstick

Hi guys, i've been gone a bit. moved to a new part of the state and been busy getting all my ducks in a row. So just saying hello again, and happy to be back. Shortstick

Another thread caused me to go back and think of all the major injurys I have gotten over some 25 years of Martial arts training. Not the normal bumps but the ones that really count! Not too bad for me really Most recent(1 month ago) a torn ACL in my right knee-foot stuck as my leg was swept broken ribbs 2X walked into side kick-next caught an uppercut Broken nose- spin hook kick fractured fibula-my Jujitsu partner landed on it from a throw broken thumb-got stuck in partners gi on a throw that is about it. i did not count all the jammed fingers, bloody noses, fat lipps, and stone bruises on the heels! lets hear 'em

I have not thought about stopping my training. As I have aged though I have thought about, how will I do this stuff when i am 60? I can see myself doing Eskrima still for sure. And I want to continue in Kempo. But the training does take a toll. I have recently torn the ACL in my right knee. 20 years ago I tore the left ACL. At the moment I could not kick to save my life. Hoping to get the right repaired soon. My current injuries makes me think all the time about defending myself off of such an unstable platform(my legs) I have almost no lateral stability unless I wear a brace. I hope to get surgery in late June. But i am not thinking of stopping, just how to adapt an overcome!

good topic. i was at the same TKD school for 13 years, saw many people leave. At Black belt some of the reasons were.... Reached the goal, been there done that.....next... tap dance... Several wanted to leave at red or brown, but wanted to finish what they started.....in thier view. In the early years of the school, it was TKD only. There was no weapons, no cross training in grappling styles(not popular way back when) and some of the black belts felt their growth had stopped.....more the fault of the head instructor than the art itself. I saw several also leave driven away buy conflict with the head instructor. Of course it is important for them to be informed about what they will miss training wise, but I think its better to let them go, than keep them hanging on if they dont want to be there. They can end up being a negative force in the school. To force them to hang around waiting for a cert. will not keep them there for the long hall.

a pre-soak with shout can work too. That is if you wash it right after you get home from the work out. And ya, bleach will age your gi fast so try not to use that too often. After wearing white for so long in TKD I was happy to switch back to Kempo, and black gi's!!

Vlad, did those magazines arrive yet?

Good question, there can be several answers. #1 It could be the instructor is trying to show you there is much good stuff to learn. #2 maybe he just wants to show off, does he do that all the time? #3Was it a mixed class of ranks? Other people in the class may have taken in more than you. #4 Your instructor may be helping you learn to focus. As time goes on in you training, you will be able to focus your mind better on the task at hand. Many of us think we are paying attention, when we really are not. I have had instructors in the past that did all thease things, one time or another. Some clearly did not want to teach us anything, but just wanted to show what they knew....that was frustrating! At any rate, you should not feel weird about asking to see the tech again, or getting help after the class. You are there to learn, and they should help you.

Hey guys, un the US. there is no law that requires you to warn your target that you are a karte dude, or dudet...as far as the shooting of the guy in a kung fu stance... the officer would have to go through a shooting review to go over the fine details of the case. From there, it would be determined if it was a justified shooting. Without all the facts, it is hard to comment further....but could it happen?...you bet.

I saw the show as well. I tend to agree with monkeygirl. I noticed though they were blindfolded "So they wont know when the attack is going to happen" The attack was not launched until the target person did a strong breathing tech. I found myself wondering if they must do that to take a strong shot? I will check out the internal forum to try and learn more......meet me back here with your findings

Welcome Dave, hope you enjoy!