Nidan Melbourne

I was rather nervous before my first grading. At my first club; I trained at one of the satellite dojos (Kew, Victoria) and all our gradings were held at our Hombu Dojo in Ashburton Victoria (20 minute drive/12 km apart). So on the day of the grading; I rocked up and heard one of the instructors (one I didn't know) said to everyone who was grading "Make sure you pull your card out". So I thought "Ok, that's easy enough and not realising that they were more meaning just the Ashburton Students to do it" So When I couldn't find my card, I burst into tears and wanted to cry. Which fortunately one of my instructors (Danielle, a wonderful instructor who I had for 3-4 years) saw me and comforted me and told me what was happening. Despite the confusion around pre-grading; once I got on the mats to bow in and got the grading underway everything ran smoothly. Not sure about other clubs; but the ones I work with (or stemmed from my old club) our students wait till the following week to find out results. So Grading Sunday, majority of students find out on Monday afternoon.

I saw a screenshot of a post on Facebook and it got me thinking about Kumite, and how much some people struggle to adapt to how different some people fight especially when they are preparing for their Shodan. In my mind; this is sometimes something that I have noticed some clubs don't really teach or have people consider. For instance, I fight somewhat like a MMA Fighter; biding my time and making opportunities. Along with being a pain in the butt by fighting "Dirty" which a lot of people hate. But by "Dirty" I mean: low kicks, making the person look at my hands and then kick them again. Also annoyingly having a lot of "sticky hands" when I fight.

The bowing I've only had a handful of times over the years. It is definitely embarrassing. The last time it happened; I was working as a School Crossing Supervisor and happened to be at a school that a number of my students attend. They saw me and were bowing. What was awkward I was having a check-up assessment done by my manager at the time. When the kids left and my shift was nearly done, they came up to me and asked about had happened and why. So I had to explain to her that they were my karate students, and they didn't realise that the only time they have to do that is at the dojo.

Hahaha same here with the guessing. of the last 4 tournaments I watched in person; I'm sitting at about 75% correct and that's without cheating and looking at the board that sits in front of the Judges Table.

I attend tournaments where they use the WKF Rules Set - so Red/Blue Flag System. To me a good kata; you see the following: Correct Start/Finish Procedure Loud YET Confident Announcement of Kata (Not Screaming that it becomes unintelligible) I.e. Announcing say Unsu; Loudly and Clearly that all in the area knows that you said Unsu (Not "I'M SCREAMING AT YOU FIFIDJIFDOGSUODGUHGOSIDFF") Performing the Correct Kata Can't go butchering it Strength and Softness when appropriate Maybe that's why I love doing Suparinpei at tournaments? Now I have never done Weapons (Other than Balintawak Arnis) at my dojo let alone at a Tournament. If I was to judge a weapons form; Drop it - you're done/form finished Lose Control - Lose points Proper Start/Finish Demonstrate proper carrying Ie Katana in its Sheath on the correct side and practitioner wearing a Hakama

Is it a fairly uniform policy for classes for all Kyu Grades? or does it scale upwards as they progress through the Kyu Grades? Our students have a similar thing; where they have to have a minimum of 30 class credits to be eligible. Yet students often do in excess of 40-50 before attending their next grading. Yet our 1st Kyu's may have well over 100 class credits attributed to them.

Now fortunately, when I help at such camps where there are gradings; I make sure they get the approval for students to grade from their instructors. The last camp I was at; I was part of the Goju Crew that were permitted to grade. albeit I was responsible for those grading up to Shodan-Ho.

Out of curiousity, what does your country list (outside of Gun Laws) as a Prohibited Weapon? I attached what my state of Victoria has in its Prohibited List. Which lists a lot of Martial Arts Weapons, Knives/Blades and a few other items. So legally own these, we have to apply for a special permit and list how we will store this and what purpose for us acquiring them are. So Sai for instance; we would indicate that we are using them for Kobudo purposes. My intentions are when/if I can run a full time location with Karate AND Kobudo, I would have a secure location storing them and only permitted people to access them for class. Prohibited-Weapons-Guide_APR-2015.pdf

So I am currently a 2nd Dan at the club I train + teach at; we don't award the title of Sensei to any person until they are a 3rd Dan and an active instructor. So by my club standards, I am a Sempai until I get my promotion. However, do I correct people when they address me as Sensei? Nope, why? because to me they are addressing me as such out of respect and politeness. Especially from those who have cross trained; they tend to do it more often as I am more often than not the most senior person there. Unless I am physically training myself and there are generally 2 or 3 people more senior than myself there teaching or training. Students who see me outside of class, tend to have difficulty separating me from the dojo and as an instructor. Unless I am friends with the person then they have no issue with addressing me as just Liam.

Lol As much as i agree with that; there should be a Rule 3. If Sensei is wrong; they will correct their mistake and provide the correct information when it comes to teaching their art.

Since this has popped back up since I last contributed to it; Kyu Grades have a lot more flexibility at my club than we do for our Dan Grades. As our requirements for all Kyu Grades require the following: 5 'Tags' Students tested at minimum every 6 lessons; but dependent on their attitude and behaviour on the day Can't just know the skills tested, but need to be proficient. 30 Training Hours (Minimum) By the time gradings come around; most students will have close to 40-50 hours per rank. If they miss a grading; they will attend the next one I expect of students to have some understanding/knowledge of the history of Karate and Goju For me at my own club; you need to be invited to grade Dan Grades; have a time in grade minimum as a Nidan; I have a 3 Year Training Requirement Requirements (in addition to that gap) also require me to consistently train throughout the 3 years Understanding and Knowledge of History of Karate (as a whole) and Goju-Kai Build an understanding of other Styles or Martial Arts and to demonstrate such knowledge For Example: Learn some Judo Techniques; regardless of technical difficulty or even say Kobud That is starkly different to say someone preparing to grade to Shodan (1st Dan) from Shodan-Ho (Provisional 1st Dan) where they mainly have to worry about their curriculum and the time in grade (18 months).

I had a feeling you'd post and make points that would allow me to clarify further. So the promotions would be for your style; so if for instance here in Australia there was say a 6th or 7th Dan in Shindokan and they would be there. They would have asked to "oversee" the promotion of those students. Who else outside of yourself would you allow to oversee gradings? If for whatever reason you were unable to be in attendance at the Testing Cycle. Also what is policy for future testings where you are no longer in a position to supervise and make it a valid testing cycle? For instance; my Shihan (he formally started using it a couple of month ago, after realising we had 6 other Instructors using the "Sensei" Title at our small club) allows us Dan Graded students to grade outside of him with (but not limited to) - Yamaguchi Goshi Saiko Shihan - Tino Ceberano Hanshi (IGK) - John Ross Sensei (IGK Victoria) - John Lamberos Renshi (IGK Victoria) - Karate Victoria - Karate Australia Both Karate Australia and Karate Victoria run Dan Gradings, but costs a fair bit to organise senior graded persons (3 or 4 instructors; usually 6th Dan or above) to come and oversea your promotion. We might not be formally affiliated with the IGK; but my Shihan has a positive relationship with the instructors (especially Tino Ceberano Hanshi) to allow us to be graded and recognised by them.

If this is still around in 23 years, that would be pretty damn cool to see and the type of updates that may occur. Also @Patrick the team you have behind you that keeps this site up and running is pretty damn cool. Like the others and myself play a small part in helping you here, but no where as much as the others.

Out of curiousity; for those whose students are permitted to attending training camps ran by other clubs. What is your policy on allowing other instructors (if your not there) on promoting your students if they participate in a grading that is run at the camp? So for context; one of the major clubs that is run here in Melbourne had run a camp every year up until COVID struck. So typically every year, they ran a grading on the Saturday afternoon/evening for the Dan Grades (and for those wanting to be promoted to Black Belt). Obviously you had to put your hand up to be considered for promotion, and be eligible. Now that camp had instructors from the 4 major styles, and instructors from other styles there too. So good chances that you would have an instructor or two who understood your style. What are your opinions on the idea; Camps and Student Promotions? and how would you feel as the Chief Instructor if your students attended and subsequently promoted without your knowledge?

Yeah that makes sense, i know a few people who are on blood thinners and they do have to be careful.

from what i've seen, its to indicate people like myself or Wastelander who are members of Staff. I know Patrick only has one, but no 2nd belt cause he is our almighty forum god and we don't know how that could be done belt-wise haha

Beerus holding a Beer? haha jokes i know that would be inappropriate. but is kinda funny

How much experience do you have with Bokken and Katana? Typically I recommend when Solo Training, is to be strict on the basics that you already know. Also Film your self regularly and compare yourself over a period to see how different you are performing kata and your kihon.

I wouldn't worry about having a case for mine, as the one I purchased a while back lives in 1 of 3 places; 1. Staff Office @ my Hombu Dojo 2. Car (when I have a car that I own) 3. Home The only items I keep in a bag, are if I have multiple of an item or they may be "Prohibited" Items I keep them in something for easy transport. If I have to disclose them for inspection (i.e. if police request) I can pull them out without issue.

I don't know anything about Sai, but they are definitely a beautiful pair that you own.

I am a "Grabber" too for sparring, as not many people expect that especially from other karate practitioners. When you said "I generally avoid sparring" any particular reason for that? I'm curious.

Despite not being a Shotokan Practitioner, I have heard that they go into Zenkutusu Dachi for Kihon Drills is to help developing the strength for the deep long stances they have and to work on distance when attacking whilst keeping a stable base. But to me as a primarily Goju Practitioner, it is odd to do it as the clubs I've visited start in Heiko Dachi or Moto Dachi (albeit sometimes in other stances). Currently my favourite thing to do is sitting based defences, both pre-emptive and reactive to attackers.

I did always wonder why I saw various types of gloves when I saw your dojo under Poage Sensei. Now that makes sense as to why.

I know i commented on this a while back, but upon reflection I realise I forgot to add some content as I remember some things that my sensei (now Shihan) mentioned a few times whilst I was training. When the masters were about, they taught students based on what they thought would fit them suitably. Even if they were taught predominately the same kata, some minor variations may have been taught to suit the physical and/or psychological aspects of each individual student. So for Seisan, as relevant to this post; I learnt what I know as the "Dojo" Version which is what I am supposed to demonstrate at Gradings or any events where I am demonstrating a kata. But on the same hand, I have a "Tournament" Version which has some small differences to it along with a "Liam" Version which I made some minor adaptations to suit me and my physical needs when required. The "Liam" Version of katas, typically revolve an adjustment around stance height or changing it to a similar stance. So Seisan, if my joints are in no condition to go low then I sit higher in my stance. If I have to go in "Crane" Stance and I can't physically do it, I modify it to Neko Ashi Dachi ("Cat Foot Stance"). So when I teach, I mainly do the following: - Dojo Version (Required) - Tournament Version ("Shitei" Kata) - Student Variation - This is only done when I am working 1 on 1 and adapting it to their needs. But they need to understand and demonstrate the "Base" (our Dojo Version) and how the variation they learn still works or impacts how the application may work. However, 90% of the time, when I work with advanced students I get them to do the kata the way we ask then for them do it based of how they FEEL like it works naturally and effectively for them.

Hollowpox by Rebecca Townsend