delta1

I agree, tommarker. There seem to be a few people here lately with a trollish attitude toward everything. I don't think they are that many, but they are certainly a vocal minority! There are beter ways to deal with things you think are immature or stupid than to bash the poster. I have only done that once here (and gotten spanked for it too!)- but it was as a last resort when several of us got fed up with him. As for developing your own kata- I didn't see the post/thread in question, but I will say that developing your own forms/kata can be an excellant learning experience. It will force you to think, and work out bunkai. It should be submitted for review to your instructor and advanced students. Take any critique well and rework to fix any problems or deficiencies. Take the learning seriously , but never take yourself so seriously that you think your kata will be added to any carriculum. Odds are it won't be, unless you are a true master (in which case we would be asking you for advice!). By the way, the trolls probably attend McDojos'!

I was in a Kenpo organization, headed by a very well known and excellant Kenpoist (you'd probably recognize his name, so I won't mention it). Several of the senior people thought that the organization was taking too much and not giving enough back to the membership, so they split off and formed their own organization. It is incredable the difference it has made! We get a lot more high quality seminars, the cost is less, and our manuals and other organizational support have improved. As tommarker said, the split was accomplished with a minimum of conflict, and we DO NOT ever badmouth the other organization, or those who chose to stay with it. So, it can be a positive thing. But it took time and hard work to accomplish. I'd advise that your instructor take his time, research the needs of his school and his students, and find an organisation that can meet those needs at an afordable rate. If you have enough like minded seniors, you may be able to strike out on your own. And allways leave the door open to work for change in your present association. As for the students, they should remain low profile, but support your instructor the best you can. Try to gently squash rumors and dissention, but try not to get into fights or factions. If it goes that way any how, make it clear you support the instructors choices (assuming you do- if not, maybe you should look at changing). Good luck.

OK, if you guys are going to be nice about this (I'd hate to think no one could spot this )... The courts are part of the judicial branch, one of the three brances of government. This is redundant! But, I broke it out loke this in the (vain) hope that someone would call me on it and start a dialogue. Now, I'm reduced to talking to myself. The thing that makes this this institution unique is that it is our check on government! It was intended that in this one branch, the people would have the last say! It is one of the primary safeguards against tyrany! And if we don't understand our rights and responsibilities here, we are left at the mercy of judges and lawyers who routinely lie to us in order to take this power from us! If you ever sit on a jury, do not let anyone tell you how you must find!!! :Exit rant mode:

Agree with Jerry Love. The butt contains a lot of nerves, and the entire area is very vascular at different places. And both the brachial and subclavian arteries are in the vicinity of the shoulder. I suspect that Ted T was talking about trying to hit large muscle groups. But even if you manage to only hit a large muscle area, think of where that leaves you. You may not incapacitate him enough to stop the assault. He may not even feel it 'till later. You may save his life at the expense of your own! If the situation is seriouse enought o pull a knife, it is seriouse enough to use it seriousely!

By the way, did y'all know that Texas is the only state that could unilaterraly split itself into five seperate states? I am a little disapointed that no one has called me on one apparent discrepancy in my previouse rant, though. C'mon, guys, wake up! Gimme whut fer!

I think I'd have to disagree with that! The most effective martial arts are based on some philosophy/philosophies, even if it's just 'Hit him hardest with the mostest!" At the other extreme is Taiji, arguably one of the most effective collection of systems there is- and it is based entirely on Taoist Philosophy. Also, the most formidable fighter is generally the one who believes totally in what he's fighting for. Don't throw out philosophy just to make room for another can of butt-whoop!

Ahem! I understand...

Hey, DL! That was pretty good fer a Texan! (Actually, I'm American by birth, Texan by the grace of God as well, just transplanted. ) But I do have to disagree on the one part I quoted, though I'm not sure you intended it like it sounds (or like I took it). The Founders had a wealth of sources to draw from! 'Le se fare, le se passe' was one of the major philosophies in the western world at that time- and after our revolution it gained in popularity and momentum. English Common Law was a direct source and influence on our Constitution and form of government. The Founders were well educated and well read, and had volumes of references. And most of them were very religiouse, so consequently the Bible was one of the primary sources for the principles they brought to all things, including the Constitution. Even as an unabashed sinner, I have to acknowlege that there is no 'seperation of church and state', except in that the 'state' can make no laws governing the practice of religion. Religion, and Christianity in particular, have allways been a major part of our government. What we did that is unique in history is to guarantee the rights of the individual over the interests of the majority. Our constitution, in its' original form, limmited government- NOT people! Individual rights and freedoms were guaranteed, and government severely restrained in the reason and methods that they could take any ones freedom. Checks and ballances were set up. Not just in the three branches of government, but in the courts and the Electoral College. The Electoral College makes it difficult for the major population areas to control Presidential elections and thereby the country. The courts are a very interesting check on government. Not only do you have the right to be tried by a jury of your peers, but those peers can find you innocent simply because they don't like the law you violated, or they don't think it applies in your case. It is called 'Jury Nullification', and the idea is that while a jury cannot change a law, they can refuse to enforce it. If enough juries find 'not guilty' because the law is offensive, it is effectively nullified. Furthermore, before you can be tried for capitol offenses, or put in prison, you have to go before the Grand Jury and they decide if there is enough cause to send it to a Pettit Jury to determine guilt or innocense. And the Grand Jury is pretty much omnipotent. They can take testimony from anyone they desire, and no one can stop them. They can even clear the courtroom to take testimony, and this includes the judge! I'm sure that this is news to most people, because most of us are victims of the 'Public Fool System". And they certainly don't tell jurors about these things! Man! Would I love to sit on a Grand Jury!!! But, alas- they have ways of weeding people like me out. So I have to be content to spread the word to as many as will listen.

From your description, sounds to me like you are about to eat a knee! You would also give up your ballance, which , especially in close, is not a good thing to do. There is a takedown that works across his body, where your near hand goes behind his far ankle and your shoulder and then body pushes him back and over as you lift the ankle. But timeing, angles, and position are everything with this move. There are other moves, similar to what you describe. But the shoulder pushes into his abdomen and pelvic girdle to unballance him as you hook the ankle. Note that I'm not a grappler, so you will probably get some better insights from SevenStar, fat donkey, or some of the other grapplers. But that's my take on it. I'll be interested in what they have to say as well.

One of the great things about the IKCA system is that it can easily learned and used in conjunction with any of the other systems/styles I've come in contact with- from Taiji to Shotokan, FMA's to Kendo. Ask some of the Kempo guys here about the weapons in their system. For the Katana, there are Japanese, Korean, and I believe some Indonesian systems that practice the sword. For combat effective knife and long blade work, look into the Fillipino systems. Talk to GM LeRoux about it, as he has an FMA background. I had the privilage of attending one of his blade seminars, and he has some intersting moves! I forget what the Korean system is called, but it is essentially Kendo repackaged in Korean. Also, talk to Jerry Love here about Silat- I understand they have some awesome blade work. Nunchaku are not my thing, so I wouldn't know where to point you with that, except to the Japanese or Okinawan styles. Good luck!

The only way to get bunkai is B and C. Bunkai is not just application, as I understand it any way. It is a deep understanding. You have to work it out yourself in order to obtain it, but it helps if you have some training and guidance. And, my view of bunkai is it is something you allways seek, but never obtain. I did some research on this concept not too long ago, and this is what I came up with. So, now I can be a horses backside and make profound statements about it!

Personally, I never really cared what anyone else thought about me. But when I've had to deal with this kind of person in a job, or even a volunteer situation, the anger and frustration has had a tendency to really wear me down. Sounds like this is what is happening to you. If this person has a problem, and there is no way other than confrontation, then I suggest you have it. Set up a meeting and get some things settled. Far better to do it in your time and on your terms than to let it wear you down, then have her undermining you all the time- maybe even blindsiding you with a few underhand political moves. I'd suggest documenting what is going on, and allways try to have witnesses when you deal with her (unless you plan to 'take her out' ). Try to * your situation objectively as well. If she's popular with the rest of the board, you may have to minimize your losses and go elsewhere. Frankly, most of the dancers I've known were elitist snobs who had only disdain for the rest of us plebes, and no ammount of common sense could penetrate their arrogant view of the world at large. In short, you may not be able to win- just make sure you don't loose. Also, I don't care much for 'forgiveness', unless they truly and meaningfully admit they are wrong and apologise. But it is important not to let them dominate your thoughts and emotions, as it will continue to wear you down.

Have a partner hold the MT pads, and change position after each kick. Can be done for a predetermined sequence of kicks to work specific evolutions or targets, combos, types of kicks. Or can be done randomly to work targeting and spontaniety. You can also mix in hand, knee and elbow strikes. Note: the random holds also work the holders reactions, as he doesn't really know what you are going to throw, and sometimes the pad is not in optimum position for him to take the force of your blows. Dang pads hurt when they end up in your face, or the force wrences your arm!

Dijita, sounds good! Congrats to your teacher, and it's great that you got to work out with a real master. Awesome!

No. In fact, just the opposite. Taiji is an excellent example for my point. Every move in Taiji, including the most insignificant appearing transitions, has an infinite number of extremely effective combat applications. Furthermore, without the martial aspects, you get less than half the spiritual or health bennifits from it. I think it is the same with the external arts as well, to varrying degrees. Even the 'do' styles break their katas down to get an understanding of the applications and meanings (bunkai). I've worked some with reality/CQC systems, and I don't see them teaching that at all. Are you in the martial arts now, or just looking? How long were you in it before, and how long have you been away? The things you talk about here are common misconceptions about the martial arts. To be sure, there are a lot of charlatans out there teaching a lot of garbage. But there are many good systems and schools out there also. Best advice I can give you is to go to the 'Getting Started' section, post there with what your interests are- what you want out of the martial arts- and ask for advice. There is a good variety of systems, styles, and experience here. You will probably get so good advice there.

Shane, good analogy. But the large one is correct- there is more to combative/defensive martial arts than the fighting techniques, and you can't just assume these things are being taught any more than the things you listed. Mindset and awareness must be developed just like fighting skills. I'd also add that ALL of this ammounts to bumpkiss until you've trained it spontaneously under real force. Vito, philosophically, once engaged in seriouse combat, there is only the fight. Ranges and situations change so fast that 'out of range' becomes meaningless. You could even say that, from the moment one person makes up his mind to hurt another, there is no range- even if they are on different continents! But that's practical philosophy. In training and understanding, there are as many ranges as you want to break it down to. Out, long, medium, short, standup grappling, and ground all have different sets of weapons and tactics. Situational awareness is a large part of both fighting and self defense, and consequently the martial arts. I know one exceptional martial artist, and a veteran fighter, who got sucker punched leaving a bar. Had his jaw wired up for weeks, because he was caught unaware for a brief moment. I would not be so cavalier about the woman who has lost her baby, either. You've obviously never seen a woman defend her child before! Fat Donkey- don't let this go to your head, bud! Trust me, it's a real effort to agree with you!

Sounds like the mom may be a little overprotective about her daughter- and pretty danged ignorant as well. Is your friend embarrased by all this? If this is the case, then it is especially important for your sensei to talk to her, and explain that her behavior is not only disruptive and unbecoming, but may be emotionaly traumatizing to her daughter also.

Well as long as they didn't wash it! I didn't, but he might want to!

Congrats, Kicks!

So, when are you hosting the KF get together/party & bash?

Good points, DM. I should add that I'm asking for preferences and discussion, not absolutes. As DM pointed out, things change as your intention changes, and as your position or circumstances change. For example, I really like the loose, whiping back knuckle. But as my arthritus gets worse, I tend to protect the wrist and hand a lot more. Hence my tendency to a more guarded, 'alert' delivery.

I've seen and been taught several variations of four basic methods of delivering a back-knuckle. See poll for details. Just for discussion, how do you like to do your back-knuckle strikes? How does your system teach it? Reason for your method? Here's mine: "Other" My personal preference is wrist whips back, knuckles in the lead, arm and wrist relaxed and alert until contact. Strike hardens as it lands, at the same time as your stance and posture solidifies. Whether the strike returns or swings through, it immediately relaxes after contact/penetration of target. It is sort of a combination of the last three methods in the poll. My reasoning is that the wrist angled back gets the knuckles leading and protects the small bones of the hands (metacarpals and phalanges). The whip gives speed and power, but not as much as the relaxed whip. However, it does have the advantage of being easier on the wrist/safer if the strike is intercepted. It doesn't allow for internal energy flow, but can be delivered successfuly at more angles of incidence to the target than the straight, relaxed wrist strike. I don't do any strikes with a stiff arm/wrist, but some do and can make it work for them. If that is you, feel free to give us your reasons here. How about the rest of you?

"I tell ya, I get noe respect! I went to Washington DC. You'd think you could get respect in the nations capitol. I met the Surgeon General... he offered me a cigarette!" Another great one has gone.

Hey, you don't have to apologise to me for agreeing with me! The rest of the forum might expect an apology, though!

Knives and firearms, mostly. I like my weapons training practical, though the principles, concepts, and moves in traditional weapons cross over to practical weapons. But I figure I'll just go right to what I'm likely to face or use.