delta1

Look elsewhere. Get involved in other things where girls hang out. And concentrate on your education now, even if you are a little lonely. Once you get married and have a family, it is tough to finish your degree.

sAtelitte, your English is fine. Sounds like you got lucky. I'm not surprised the girls didn't step in, and you are lucky they didn't. If they aren't martial artists, they probably wouldn't be that much help, and usually will make things worse. First, because of their gender, the tough guys won't have the caution and will want to act tougher. Second, a lot of girls tend to push things a little more because their experience has been with guys that are reluctant to hit them. They aren't used to the types that have no respect for anyone, nor qualms about roughing them up. I used to drink at the Double Clutch in Spokane. The city finally closed it down, but it was easily the roughest bar in the region in its' day. I once took a date there who was easily the most naieve girl in the region. Came back from the pit to find two of the biggest, ugliest guys in the place (if not the town) sitting at our table with her. I was pretty sure I was about to die! I was also sure that she was in a lot more trouble than she realized. I was trying to convince these two that she was with me, and they should consider looking elswhere. They were trying to convince me that I was the one that should go, and were being more successful at this than they realized. Then she started trying to intervene and placate everyone. I seriously considered taking her out before they took me! (Not really, but I was less than happy with her at this point.) Anyway, they eventually decided it wasn't worth the trouble (or they felt sorry for me, not sure which). I came to the same conclusion, and quit dating her- after rapidly slipping her out of there. Point is, this was my fault when you get down to it. I never should have taken her there! (need a dunce hat smiley here)

From the original post, and the title bar for this section: "Combative Martial Arts It's not just about fun and fitness, you are also learning to fight. Learn how to be better aware of your surroundings, combat skills, and how to handle life and death situations. Includes JKD!" Not all martial artists, schools, or even systems, do these things. Some go so far as to say that you should never fight. Others concentrate only on sport or self improvement. That's fine, and they are no less valid than the combative arts simply because of a different focus or philosophy. But a lot of these do have some practical skills training (with the exception of the 'never-nevers'). I was just interested in others views and philosophies when I started this post.

So, is that why you are jumping up and down and smiling? Just kiddin' ya. Congrats. And, you're not late with th' news. I'd wait too before I posted something like that, in case she didn't stick around. Course, in my case, if I waited I'd probably never have got to post. I was allways more into doing really stupid things than building relationships.

Was the information correct that Torrasamado is Shotokan and Judo? Any other influences? What is its' focus- self improvement, self defense, or other? You said "was most certainly a recognized style ." Does this mean the system is closing with the passing of the founder? (Hopefully not, as it would be a shame to see someones hard work come to nothing.) Are there any changes in the works for the style? I too am sad to hear about the passing of your father. There are so many of the older martial artists, those who were here before it was popular, who have recently passed on. It's like watching an era end. But, as each one ends, a new one begins, and that is an exciting thing to watch!

Organizations provide support for the school in many ways. Business advice, setting standards and policing schools to keep those standards up, continuing training for instructors, to name a few. They also generally help with seminars and additional training for students. Some are better than others at this, and some are just in it for more money.

busling, thanks.I thought that would be better than bragging about my martial prowess like a keyboard commando. The hardest thing some of those guys do is hit the keyboard when they get excited by their own tale. And, honestly, I've never been the baddest thing out there. Maybe it's a 'guy thing', but your 'mates' can get you in a lot of trouble. Especially in the military or some groups, you don't walk out on your buds when they are in trouble- even if they started it. You can allways throw them in the river or something later. In this case, prevention starts with picking your friends well. Then there are the times when you are just the victim of circumstances. When I was in the service, I spent a tour with Hq, 5th Marines. The E-Club was in a Quonset across the street from our barracks (which was a good thing until it got closed). 2/5 was in cadre (deactivated status), 3/5 was full of a lot of old salts- most of them had done at least 1 tour in the Nam. 1/5 was being brought out of cadre, and so was being filled with a lot of 'Boots' (new people, fresh out of basic). Some unscrupupouse Jar-heads in my unit thought it was good entertainment to throw a beer bottle in through a window and yell "3/5 sucks!", or something similar. Then we'd sit on the porch and watch the show (and no, I never started the fight, or encouraged it). But a lot of people in there were definately victims of circumstances- mostly the 1/5 guys. I have been in the middle of riots and situations similar to the above. Your best 'defense' there is preparedness, observation, and being alert. I've gotten out of situations simply because I looked around when entering a strange building and noted the layout. I looked for unlikely routes of escape, and when trouble started I immediately took 'evasive action' (ran like a dog). That is a true statement! Probably the best in this thread so far!

Horizontal, butt grounded- a totally relaxed posture. My kiai in this stance is like "Grraaaakkkk!!!", then I do a Bruce Lee type of "ft-ft-ft!". Seriously, I agree with most of you that stances should be in constant transition, with footwork.

Man who throw around 'wise' sayings get laughed at a lot! Seriously, some good points. I'll add one more; those solid, straight rear stsnces are very useful in a fight. But, like everything else, you have to understand when and why to use it, and when not. One excellent example of when to use this type stance is when dealing with an opponents forward momentum. Some fit, larger guys can build up a lot of momentum in just a couple of steps. And there may be environmental or other reasons you can't step out of the way. Try and deal with this without that rear leg solidly anchored and straight, you are likely to get steamrollered. Something like a stop hit or a double punch with a solidly anchored rear leg is effective. And, like has been said, the stance is transitional. It is a momentary maneuver that takes control of the situation and sets up your opportunity to launch your own attack. It is true that there are other ways to handle this type of attack, but this is a good thing to have in your arsenal, and your stance had better be instinctively good if you are going to use it.

TDA, sorry to hear about your school. If you want, PM me and we can talk about other options. I agree with your statements. No two schools are exactly the same in any system. And kids classes are allways less intense than the adult classes- or at least they should be. This is one good reason that a good school will not award a Blk Blt to a child. They simply have not trained to a level of intensity that gives full understanding ( aka getting hit hard enough to convince you NOT to do THAT again ).

Yes, he did. But he knew!

Thanks, SS. But, I have totry and keep things in perspective. I just remember what Mr. Parker said, "Stripes show, don't mean you know!" Think maybe this is what he had in mind?

Again, that's your AK comeing out. Our forms mosty expand on your 'dictionary of motion' and understanding of basics and principles. At higher levels, they also teach borrowing and technique flow. The heart of our system is in the techniques, which in AK are like 'mini katas'. Some other systems teach techniques as one or two basic moves, and their kata is where it is put together and applied. Either way, you have to not only learn the moves, but then tear them apart and restructure them until you have a deep, intimate understanding of thei principles, concepts, and applications and variants. Grey. I'm not on the belt ststem in AK. I work out here, and travel for private instruction. I'm a member of the AKTS, which is what I study now. I've also done some AKKS and Tracy's. I've learned some of the techniques a half dozen ways in base form! And I recently started IKCA Chinese Kenpo, which is still Parker based, but they do some basics differently. All their techniques are different too. I've worked a lot with other stylists, and studied a couple of other systems. But Kenpo is my base. There are a few of us here, as well as a few of our Kempo cousins.

Oh! OK! Now I gotcha! I think I've told this here before, but what the heck... I once met a friend from another style (actually, he teaches 4 different styles, and has studied a couple more), who is also from Ellinsburg (quite a ways away), in the martial arts section of Hastings in Moses Lake (just a little closer). We had about a two hour workout right there, mostly light stuff, demoing techniques and moves and getting each others take on them. It was not too busy, so the staff was grateful for the distraction- either that, or they were a little intimidated by our show of comradery and respect. One good thing came out of it, though (civically speaking). The martial art section was right next to the pornography section, and for those two or so hours, there weren't any kiddies trying to sneak over there and peek! On my last trip to California, I saw someone wearing an IKCA T-shirt. I introduced myself, and told him I also studied their system. Turned out he was an instructor who taught the system in his school, and used it to graft other styles onto. He invited me to work out with him and some of his students. Guy knew his stuff! I learned a lot, as they did grappling, a reality CQC system, sticks and some TKD for kicking. Oh, yeah, we shook hands instead of bowing when we met. But I'd say there was definately a lot of comradery and respect there. ALl in all, I've had very few problems with other martial artists. But I've almost allways found a comraderie and respect when I meet up with a martial artist, whether I've met him/her before or not.

I'll add my best wishes for you all! Red, Jerry Love, and any others in this storms path- I hope you, your loved ones, and your property come through this in good shape.

I know what you mean! The bad news is, it doesn't get any better. I'm a long ways from being a kid, but now they think I'm a dirty old man!

First, condition your stance and footwork. Get the target in motion! That way, even if you are hit, it isn't as bad as getting caught flat footed. Along that same line, learn to yield instead of resisting some strikes. 'Rolling with the punches,' only deeper. Physical fitness is a good thing, and there are a lot of drills to condition you with/for impact. Medicine balls, kia drills (where someone hits you repeatedly with increasing force), and just good old contact sparing.

I'm by Bill Wallace like I am by Ed Parker and Bruce Lee- the best of their era say they were good, and that's good enough for me. What I've seen of them on film (never saw any of them in person) has only confirmed what I've heard. Bill Wallace was good (as are the other two).

You know, most of the schools I've seen, in a lot of different systems, require their higher ranking colored belts to get experience teaching to prepare for being a Blk Blt. Not necessarily taking over the whole class, but teaching or leading certain portions or groups, and working with students who might be having a hard time. That is part of the idea for a Jr BB rank. The kid may be too young to take on that responsibility. When he can, he gets the chance prior to getting his full BB. Promoting kids when too young to handle the authority and defference that goes with the rank encourages bad attitudes. 16 is the absolute youngest I think a person should get a full BB, and then only for someone that is recognized to have the maturity and understanding for the position. I'd really prefer them waiting untill 18-21. Or just do away with colored belts and get your Blk awarded when the senior instructor or master thinks you are ready, physically, mentally, emotionally, and in your skills and understanding.

Thanks, guys! A good group here. Respectful, a lot of knowlege and a good mix of styles, and easy to talk with and bounce ideas around, and get different views on some good topics. I'm sort of opinionated (you probably havn't noticed ), but it is good to get others opinions also. And, as I've said before, a lot of the credit for the quality of this site goes to Patrick and his staff. I enjoy talking with you all!

Well, that was a shocker! Many thanks to Patrick and the staff. Oh, and to that other guy- White something or other.

I've resolved quite a few conflicts by just keeping a level head and not backing down. I don't usually respond to their threats, insults, or accusations, unless they start to personalize things (one of the signs they are building rapidly to attack). Almost allways, if you are confident, but listen to their grievance and/or let them blow off steam, they will almost talk themselves down. This has almost allways worked for me, whether at work, in a position of authority, intervening for others, or handling people accosting me. Examples: I was at one time in charge of maintenance crews in several large buildings. In the parking garage of one, I came on a man verbaly threatening a woman, who had (he said) cut her off. I steped in, confronted him, and told her to get in her car and leave. She started to explain her case to me, but I firmly told her to leave. I didn't interrupt his tirade, but made it very clear that he wasn't going to get to her except through me. He railed about how he was late for a meeting, she'd cut him off and made him later, and what he thought about rude people like her. I resisted telling him how rude he was, and how stupid (as he's getting later all the time, and his actions prevented her from getting out of his way sooner). But, there came a point where he figured these things out for himself- I could see it in his face. He calmed dopwn and left. Had he started to personalize things- blaming me for his problems- I might have steped in and warned him. But I could see his pressure droping and let him talk himself down. In Detroit (on business) I was aproached by a member of a pretty shady group outside a fast food place. I didn't think I could get in my vehicle before he got there, so I emptied my hands and calmnly faced him. The group watched, and some of them split off and started to circle, as the one guy conducted the classic 'interview'. He asked if I had any money and watched for my reaction. I said yes, but that I needed what I had for my trip. He looked at me for a minute, then walked off. I'd shown him I was ready, and did not lie and say I was broke. And I didn't offer anything to get out of the spot. Neither did I provoke him. They apparently decided I wasn't worth the risk, and all got back together and returned to a dark part of the lot while I left (hopefully looking calmer than I felt). Awareness, preparedness, some knowlege of how these encounters worked, and at least an appearance of calm willingness to face them helped me out. I later went through this with someone who was very experienced with these things, and he told me it was the"classic interview", the phase where they size you up to see if you are a "mark". Anpther time I was working on an exterior maintenance job downtown Spokane. It was late, and there were only a few people out and about. I witnessed an apparently wacked out man shouting at a decent looking woman (pretty obviouse they were not connected). He then crossed the street toward her, shouting obcenities. I got between them before he got there and told her to keep going and I'd try to handle him. She walked on quickly, and I stoped him. This time I was a little worried, and if he'd have made any moves I thought was even a little threatening, I'd have tried to hurt him quickly and badly. Unstable people like this are extremely unpredictable. But he blew off about how bad he was, said he'd killed a deputy just yesterday (which I knew had not happened), and crazy stuff like that. He eventually moved on, alternately muttering to himself and shouting back at me. Lessons, don't fight with a crazy person unlesss you have to. And get others out of the way so you don't have to worry about them. The lady did come back and thank me. My two chicken coworkers didn't say anything, but I know they were aware of what was happening, just didn't have the cojones to look around the corner. The times I've actually gotten into a fight, I was often drunk or really angry and didn't use my head. I didn't start it, but I sure didn't try to avoid it either. And you can't allways avoid fighting, but often you can. These kinds of experiences are why I'm such a fan of reality, scenario based training where you learn to read the signs of imminent assault, and deescalation skills, as well as awareness. I've used these skills in EMS, with unballanced people and head injuries. I've used them in security work and in everyday life. They work. And I don't look at prevention as backing down or chickening out. It's just another type, or phase in the fight. If you can win it here, you're still the winner. 'Course, it helps you self confidence when trying to pull this off if you've done a little hard contact sparing and know you can handle yourself.

Well, I really don't have a set pattern for any of this. Depends. Sometimes, if I'm in a hurry and/or looking for replies to a particular post, I'll go to that thread and log in from there if there's a reply. Other times, I want to talk regardless and sign in immediately. Then there are the times I just want to check and will only sign in if I find a topic or post that intrigues me. Again, it depends. Sometimes I may be looking for something in particular. If just checkin in, I usually start at the top and work down. And sometimes, like now, I'm just goofing off and will just bounce around, answering dang near anything! MonkyGirl and Patrick; Auto? View Posts? Guess you can learn something, even from "pointless questions". I'll have to try that. Edit: Kewl!

DM, just another opinion on how to aproach it. Your suggestions have merrit, and would be a good place to start. My point is that as martial artists, we should take our training a little farther in this area- especially those of us practicing for self defense. batt, I've heard that about yelling 'fire!' to get attention. It is usually advised in rape prevention courses, because most people in larger cities would rather not get involved in helping stop a rape. Might be ok if you are attacked in a secluded area, but in the open where they can see what is going on, you might be seen as an idiot. Or, they may think he's pounding you for being a prankster.

batt, aef, why so surprised? That's the AK training, comin' thru! Besides, we're all too busy arguing amongst ourselves about how Ed Parker really taught it to argue with other stylists.