ninjanurse

Back kick and kicking with the back leg are two different things and both have a place in sparring. Back kick is definitely more of a challenge and taking the risk of turning your back is often worth it when setting your opponent up or using it as a finishing technique when you have baited them in. Occasionally I get found out and nailed but not often.

I share these sentiments.

Here I think that it depends upon the student...and the tasks given him/her to teach. I have come across some that have an uncanny knack for teaching long before reaching Black Belt and I make sure I encourage their talent and facilitate their growth as a martial arts instructor as soon as possible. I would never, however, put a kyu rank in charge of a class.

Welcome!

Welcome!

These are great tools for martial artists not just historical artifacts. All kata and drills help to pattern our minds and bodies to a specific motion that we can then build on, add to, etc. Numerous "patterns" lay the foundation for reaction to many different situations in sparring and self-defense. Modern drills are no different in their goals, just "new".

I agree that students should be exposed to teaching and I provide numerous opportunities for this throughout their training. Most students can be led down the path to a point...then it must be their passion for teaching that keeps them going.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Just as a Black Belt does not entitle you to respect, it does not make you a teacher. Respect is earned, teaching is learned. Interested students with potential should never be discouraged from teaching and should be encouraged as soon as they express interest. Careful guidance and preparation will help them become good instructors-reckless use of their abilities can turn them off forever.

HERE,HERE!!!!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Congratulations!!!!

When I do dodge ball the kids have to perform a task when they are out (usually it is their form or a kicking combination) and then they can return. If I get all the kids out before anyone returns they all owe me push ups or some other task. The kids love it and they get practice out of it too!

Good luck with the test. You'll be great!

Congratulations!

Another suggestion is that you do what distance runners do-add speed runs into your weekly routine. Basically you run a quick pace for 1/4 mile, then your normal pace for 1/4 mile, repeating until you have run 2 miles. Of course there are many variations of this but even the simplest will get you results. You can also do 20 minute interval runs every time you run which really helps. Basically you increase and/or decrease your pace each minute of the run as follows: 2 minutes at level 5 (a level is your perception of effort on a 1-10 scale) 1 minute level 6 1 minute level 7 1 minute level 8 1 minute level 9 1 minute level 6 1 minute level 7 1 minute level 8 1 minute level 9 1 minute level 6 1 minute level 7 1 minute level 8 1 minute level 9 1 minute level 6 1 minute level 7 1 minute level 8 1 minute level 9 1 minute level 10 1 minute level 5 You will find that each week you will be covering more ground than the previous week in the same 20 minutes thus increasing your overall pace and decreasing your time in the mile. The beauty of this is that it only takes 20 minutes per day...of course you can add longer easier paced runs throughout the week if you like. When I train for 5k's I do the 20 minute interval run and then finish with an easy long run once a week.

One can never know everything or understand all that there is. A dan grade represents years of experience and study, a certain knowledge base (and expectation of skill), and contributions made to the art.

Sometimes sensei knows best.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!