ninjanurse

Welcome!

Welcome!

Rateh has fine advice here! You don't have to cover all the basics every class-pick one concept and apply it to a few basics each day.

I personally don't like the collar thing....looks unfinished.

Since you asked....yes it would be considered arrogant.

Congrats!

Welcome Barb...keep up posted on your progress!

Welcome to KF!

Update: We added 1 inch puzzle mats over the top of our gymnastics floor. Great surface to train on-wonderful to land on!!!

Welcome Nick! I am enjoying your posts so far-great to have you on board!!!

Congratulations Patrick and all the members that make KF great!

Thanks sensei-well said!

Congrats Danielle!!!!

Welcome!

Welcome-enjoy!

We call it a "push kick" -you basically use a stomping motion so the foot naturally hits the target with the bottom or heel of the foot (front snap kick or front thrust kick uses the ball of the foot as the striking surface in our style). The height of the knee lift is important in aiming the heel-as is turning the base foot ever so slightly outward to put the front hip behind the kick better.

Good info-thanks!

My pleasure Bob...I am honored that you are putting it to such good use!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Thanks-I'd be honored Sensei8...you may use it all you want!!!! It was written with kids/youth in mind MP-particularly middle school/jr. high but it can be easily adapted to the audience.

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. These thoughts on personal safety are based on the "5 Stages of Violent Crime." I have modified and outlined them to make it easy to use for a short presentation to a class or small group, or addition to a weekly safety "mat-chat." The "5 Stages of Violent Crime" is a system used by police, military and firearms instructors around the world as a training and teaching tool and includes the following stages. It is clear that it is far more important to avoid unsafe situations altogether and never put yourself in the position to satisfy even one of them. 1. Intent: This involves the will of the aggressor to commit violence. It can be preplanned or spontaneous based on the circumstances. While no one knows what is going on in a person's mind, there can be subtle visual and verbal cues that something is not right. 2. Interview: This is where the aggressor decides if you are a good target. He or she may strike up a conversation, enter your personal space or just observe how you conduct yourself, etc. 3. Positioning: Criminals will put themselves in positions that make it easy to attack you and at the same time avoid detection by others. They can utilize surprise, corner you physically before you realize it or get you to let your guard down by engaging in conversation. Either way, you are trapped before you know it and the intent is now clear. 4. Attack: While the amount of violence may vary, once the first three stages have been satisfied, the physical attack will occur. 5. Reaction: Once the initial crime has been committed, the criminal may react to what he or she has done by committing additional violence, for example, a simple robbery may turn into a rape. You are at risk for this until you are completely out of the criminal's sight and physical area. Personal Safety Outline Here are some questions to ask yourself, as well as some tips and pointers designed to help you and your students learn how to avoid these situations. Heighten Your Awareness Who is a threat? What are threats? Where are threats found? When are threats present? Why could you be threatened? How could you be threatened? Who are you with? What are you doing? Where are you doing it? When are you doing it? Why are you doing it? How are you doing it? What things could you use to protect yourself? Eliminate Intent Don't travel alone. Don't give personal information out to people you don't know. Don't talk to strangers or accept rides from people you don't know. File a "flight plan" - tell someone where you are going. If you are uncomfortable, leave immediately. Deflect bad situations by making excuses or lying. Dress appropriately. Eliminate Opportunity Don't walk alone or take short cuts. Don't walk at night. Choose well lighted, well traveled routes. Keep control over your possessions and drinks. Drugs and/or alcohol decrease your ability to make safe choices. Eliminate Position Scan the room before you enter. Walk against the traffic. Cross the street if someone approaches. Know your personal space. Keep people out of your "danger zone." Plan your escape routes. Now What? "STOP!" - yell, scream, make a commotion. Run to places where people are. Go for the eyes, not the groin. Use any means to get away - never give up! Stranger Danger Walk in groups. Never accept gifts or rides. Never take shortcuts. Don't open the door for strangers. Never tell someone you are home alone. If followed, seek out other people. Never leave school without permission. Yell, scream and say "NO!" if approached. Keep strangers out of your "danger zone." Internet Safety Never give out personal information. Tell someone right away if something makes you uncomfortable. Don't agree to meet someone you do not know or who you have not met with your parents. Don't email people your parents don't know or visit websites you are not allowed to see. Drugs Drugs sold on the street are made with chemicals that can cause brain damage or kill you. Do not take drugs from friends or people you don't know. Prescription drugs should only be taken as directed. Never take someone else's medication. Alcohol can be dangerous – if you drink too much you can die. Never mix alcohol with medication or drugs of any kind. Drugs and alcohol impair your judgment and put you in danger. With these thoughts in mind, your students should be more adequately prepared to protect themselves from becoming a victim of violent crime.

Gotta agree here!

Congratulations!!

We do the Black Stripe at our dojo to denote a Black Belt in another system-works nicely.