The Greatest Disciple

I don't disclose that information online. Sorry.

A appreciate that last part. Thank you for your detailed response. I talked it over with all of my instructors, and the belt rank cannot change ever. I was told by my Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu instructor, that once I receive a master rank in that system, I can do what kata in what order I want. As long as it doesn't vary greatly, I can change that, but belting must be determined by the Grandmaster of the United States, which is currently Frank Hargrove. He likes it the way it is. In Judo, I am not a high enough rank to change anything, and in Kempo-Goju, "Change" is taboo. I would only be able to add a couple of basic techniques and change nothing else. I get it, they want their style the way it is. So, none of them give me the freedom I need to change what I want, and what will be effective for my students. Breaking down my ranking system, I will have it like this: 10th Kyu- Yellow Belt 09th Kyu- Yellow + Stripe 08th Kyu- Orange Belt 07th Kyu- Orange + Stripe 06th Kyu- Blue Belt 05th Kyu- Blue + Stripe 04th Kyu- Green Belt 03rd Kyu- Green + Stripe 02nd Kyu- Brown Belt 01st Kyu- Brown + Stripe and so on and so forth. The earlier belts will have the very simple Goju Taikyoku kata, which take very little time. This will give me time to teach a lot of breakfalls, joint locks, throws, and obvious karate striking basics. Then when the intermediate belts come along, I can start teaching Judo and Shorin Ryu types of kata. On the more advanced levels (from brown through black) I will teach what I feel are the most important advanced kata from each of my systems. 2nd and 3rd dan will be the ridiculous tournament-winning kata that take true skill to master. 4th will be where I encourage students to go to other schools by requiring a kata from a different art. I have it all planned out, and I have the funds to set it in motion. If anyone doubts me, I can show them how I fight and how sharp my kata are. I know my stuff.

Frank Hargrove. The iron butterfly.

The thing is, I want to do ranks to give students a goal and sense of progress. If I did it without rank or did it like your phases, it would be more or less MMA. I have fought in the cage, and I still prefer stand-up karate My system is all mapped out from the kata to each individual technique. It will be very cerebral in that every class has a portion where theory will be discussed. This is no different than I teach now, but I hate that I have to teach kata that don't make a lot of sense. I have 13 kata in mind that are applicable to any situation. They are a collaboration from all my styles. Unlike a lot of karate, I will have multiple throws, joint locks, and even pressure point techniques. My students will be able to fight in multiple arena with success. I will still observe traditional customs from my other styles like bowing, Japanese terminology, and certain award ceremonies. I have made up some very nice certificates and my belt system will be 5 colored belts with one stripe on each equalling my 10 kyu ranks. Those will be six months on each making it about a 5-6 year black belt. I am doing this because I hate all three of my current rank systems and the kata don't nessesarily sync up with the belts. I think that about covers it. Let me know if I missed anything on the reason for my style.

So, I want to create my own style, my credentials and discussion about my style are not the subject. What I want is some feedback on my choice not to declare myself a 10th Dan. I will wear my black belt, which I have never put rank on, while in class. I will disclose my experience and achievements in all of my styles, and I will go without rank. Is this wrong? Or should I find someone to promote me? I don't feel that the creator of a style needs a rank, but other people do. This has been bugging me for months now. Please no trolling.

Pinan series. If I were to develop my own style, the five pinan kata would be the only kyu belt kata.

I started martial arts to control my anger. In my opinion, there are generally three reasons for learning martial arts. #1 Anger management. (My reason) #2 Self defense. (Best reason) #3 Your parents are making you. (Worst reason) I can't stand when they try to take things away that are only dangerous when people don't know what they are doing. People get hurt. Because of stupidity of either their own or someone else's.

What's the difference between your Tuesday and Saturday class considering one is 1 hour and the other is 2 hours? For the most part, Saturday is learning new techniques and Tuesday is reinforcing what we learned Saturday.

OP: You seem to be sensitive with strong emotional responses to situations that don't necessarily require them. There is nothing wrong with that, however, being able to control your emotions is a large part of martial arts. Keeping it cool in a bad situation is paramount, no matter what kind of crap you get shoved on you. As far as quitting, if you walk out of my dojo you don't come back. I have no time for that kind of behavior. I find it disrespectful and rude. ALWAYS talk to your sensei before walking out. You made yourself the bad guy. Who is he going to believe? His trusted black belt or a kyu belt?

Mon- 1.5 hrs Goju-Kempo Tue- 1 hr Kobayashi Shorin Ryu Wed- 1.5 hrs Goju-Kempo Sat- 2hrs Kobayashi Shorin Ryu

True, boxing gloves give you improper reach while in a real fight. They also prevent calluses from forming on your knuckles so that you may withstand impacts better. On the other hand, I have fought a couple of boxers, and a front kick to the abdomen messes up their day. A straight punch has about half the force that a front kick does (generally). If a person does not train a limb, it will be weak in comparison. More on topic, I would agree that your Tang Soo Do training would benefit from a grappling art. Okinawan karate would be more of the same, front kick, side kick, back kick, jab, cross, back fist. Learn some throws and gain new skills.

I thought this was going to be a ringworm thread for sure. Anyway, I used to have the same issue. Sport Karate kind of robbed my power because I was in the habit of pulling my punches. It took me a solid year to be able to turn it on and off naturally. I now fight full contact and for points. I have no trouble going back and fourth. It takes time to learn, but you have to consciously think about it or your self-defense training will be useless.

His reason is terrible and vague. He said its harmful to growing bodies. Idk what his deal is, but it is very frustrating. Every tournament has more kids than adults.

He is so unbelievably against anyone growing actually sparring. It is infuriating and he thinks he knows everything. Of course he is older and has been studying martial arts longer. Naturally he thinks I know nothing and he knows everything.

My brother and I have a dispute. I think light sparring is a healthy and natural way to build young bodies. My brother is totally against sparring in any way. We have this argument all the time, and I was wondering if anyone wanted to shed some light.[/url]