Wado Heretic

It is not necessarily a case of stronger or weaker; but what s more readily observed by the people in charge of scoring. A kizami tsuki (I have never encountered this term before so have just done some very quick research) probably "looks" more decisive as it has more forward motion, where as a uraken can just look like a flick of the wrist in point competition. Plus it is more easily confused with a defensive movement, even to the trained eye, at competition speed. In full contact both are comparable, and the uraken can be an excellent technique for surprising and putting your opponent on the back foot, and I have seen a spinning uraken knock people down and out. I actually favour the back fist over a jab in full contact, because most people are familiar with the classic punches of boxing, so it can be a surprising maneuver to some. However, the quality and look of a technique matters in point competition, and in that sense the kizami tsuki looks more decisive, due to the greater forward momentum and the fixture, kime, of the technique. I cannot recall ever using it to win a match in my point sparring days; if I ever used a technique like it, it was only as a set up to a Gyaku tsuki. I also never used a uraken in point sparring though. I would always favour a more decisive looking technique, such as a gyaku tsuki, head kick, or sweep, so if it was not one of those it was a faint. I would always advise going for a scoring technique, that if it was not pulled, would be effective in full contact. Leaves no hard feelings that way.

The part I find suspect is the career opportunity page listing of manager/lead instructor. I always find it a dubious practice to hire in people to instruct for you; however, it is a growing trend in the franchise based segments of the martial arts. A trend I dislike, but cannot argue against the financial sense of it. My gut instinct is that because it is a franchise; dojang to dojang will differ in quality. There does appear to be a cross-training program built in, and structured programs for adults and children. Sensible activities for any business based martial arts centers. Broadens one's potential student base, and in the MMA conscious world of today's consumers unarguably necessary to get people through the door. The one locally may be a McDojo, or it might be half-decent; but as a franchise that is the gamble. I have encountered a half-decent Go Kan Ryu club, despite the general derision of that style. It was classic three K karate, but there are more styles than GKR alone shilling that.

There are a couple of examples of what I generally call "stretching the logic" when it comes to devising applications, and what can actually be derived from kata. However, it is a well devised video, and does demonstrate in a broad sense the fundamental truth of martial arts. The human body has not radically changed in design since the birth of martial arts; what has worked in the past has a place in the present, and the future.

Bunkai is analysis; what is more important is to grasp the principles of the kata rather than potential applications. 126barnes sums up rather well the issue; it can be hard to understand the kata without physical opposition. In all things, context provides meaning; kata performed for the sake of kata lacks this context. You do not need to be taught bunkai; you will learn the process of bunkai over time as you already thinking about it. What you need to do is study the kata principles, study the nature of physical violence, and in turn introduce what violence you can into your training. From their your applications will evolve.

Not really; I do get tired of sometimes having to correct the difference between karate as I practice it, and what children get to practice as karate. They are not entirely dividable, however, I would never ask children to do the kind of training I put myself or my adult students through. In that sense, that is why I enjoy karate; it can be all things to everyone. I do not think of there being "real" or "false" karate, rather just good and bad. The good and the bad come from being sincere about what you are doing, and holding yourself to the appropriate standards for what you are doing. People say nonsense about a lot of things; I worry more about when that nonsense is in danger of hurting people, rather than wondering if it might bruise my ego. In the west where MMA and Boxing dominate the highest levels in terms of exposure to the public; people wearing pajamas and seemingly doing choreographed dance does seem somewhat childish. However, only once one no longer cares about being childish has one achieved adulthood. Just do what you love, and carry on. People say what they say; listen but spend the time you have on the things said which matter.

That is very true; it is a company and has to do what is best for business. I was just holding out hope they would put the sport before the money this time and surprise me. I think under any circumstance Rousey would want the chance to beat Holm; Holm being guaranteed to still be the title holder by the time it happens is just a cherry on top affair.

As I said before, and maintain, I really have no interest in an immediate rematch. Plus, I feel such a decision disadvantages both fighters, and gives all the benefit to the company. Rousey might just be set up for another fall, which right now could kill her prospects due to the height she already fell from. Holm does not get a good run with the championship prior to such a match, and basically gets left on the back burner doing nothing with the championship. It also blocks out all others in the division from having a shot. It basically makes the division irrelevant until the rematch. The UFC and Zuffa will make a killing on the rematch; but it does nothing for any one else in the picture.

When it comes to high level competitors I have found that often there is a distinction; a high level Kumite Player will be better than a Kata Competitor at Kumite and vice versa. Also; when I have talked to International Kumite Players they often have not practiced kata since reaching International level. There comes a point in the competitive world where one must specialise apparently. The only exception that comes to mind is Junior Lefevre. I do not see myself as particularly good at any of the three, and I find on a day where I am not finding my groove with regards to kihon or kata then my kumite suffers as well. I would be inclined to say my kata performance is my strongest as that is what I rehearse the most; it only sticks out because it is what I manage to practice the most. Plus; I do enjoy Bunkai, as a broad concept of analysis not creating applications for applications sake, so kata is what keeps me interested. When it comes to kumite; I have met people with the hand speed to trip me up in point or no-contact sparring. However, those people are also the people who do not want to fight me in an actual fight because of my proficiency in neck-cranks and leg-locks so I never really get a feel for whether my kumite is any good. I have met people who can beat me in conventional kumite but when it comes to free-fighting I have skills they have no answer for so it is a tricky aspect for me to judge.

I would also advise Shin Gi Tai by the same author. It covers several exercises not covered in The art of Hojo Undo, and helps put a lot of what you will find in the aforementioned book in context. I would stick to basic exercises while one is a beginner; and focus on developing good levels of strength in the core, and general body-strength. Once you have that, then the specific, and tool driven exercises can be of significant help. I would suggest a makiwara and tetsu geta as the places to start though the beauty of hojo undo is really learning what you need to do to improve your karate. No blanket method present in hojo undo.

Diet is the place to start; cut out junk carbs such as cheese, bread, and the like. You need carbs but try to get them through rice, and leaner sources. You will also need to increase you protein intake, gradually though, otherwise you will just gain weight without the corresponding muscle. If you are tall, you will need to work the legs; I suggest squats and lunges as your go to exercises. Maybe incorporate dead-lifts as time goes by. Weighted kicking is also useful, especially for karate. Try short sets (8-12 reps) and go by the light-heavy-light rule; this kind of anaerobic exercise is best for gaining strength without too much weight gain. I know you are after weight, but you want to keep your leg weight to a minimum if you can help it; more weight to lift, the slower your feet. Upper body; it is hard to beat the classic push-up and it's many variants. I would suggest short sets again but with maximum effort. Practicing your basic techniques under weight can also be of great immediate use; but always start with light weights, go slowly and in time with your breathing, and if you feel any pain stop. Again; start light, then go heavy for the middle set, then light again. For the core; never neglect the core. The Hindu push up is an excellent full body exercise that works for the core. However; leg lifts, the Russian twist (a variety of sit-ups), and of course planking are perhaps the initial starting place. Now; when adding a strength routine you might notice weight loss before you notice any gains. It is something that takes time; and you will notice your most immediate strength gains in the first six or so weeks, after which it might become trickier. There are a few guys here who know a lot more about this subject than I so hopefully they will pitch in soon, but hope what I have provided is of some use.

I concur with Spartacus Maximus; the instructor, and in turn the school/dojo/club, itself is the most important factor. Which has a type of class environment which works for you, has an instructor you get on with, and has reasonable rates and so forth so that your ability to train is best accommodated. Beside that though; both are very athletic systems with strong emphasis on flexibility and basic technique. Tang Soo Do emphasises kicks more than Shotokan, however, Shotokan has perhaps the most diverse kicking beside kyokushin within Japanese Karate. The forms/kata are very similar as many of the individuals involved in Tang Soo Do coming into being were students of Funakoshi Gichin prior to the end of the Second World War; although the Tang Soo Do forms are closer to the original Shorin/Shuri forms, beside a greater emphasis on dynamic kicking, and some differences in body mechanics due to the influence of Korean and Chinese martial arts. Plus, Tang Soo Do often uses Tae Kwon Do forms as well, if the school in question is attached to a Tae Kwon Do Association. In terms of formal kumite/partner-work they are again very similar; although Tang Soo Do may incorporate and borrow techniques from Hapkido, the partner work often consists of fixed routines called one steps or three steps, or semi-free sparring wherein students exchange attacks while alternating between the role of defender. The greatest difference is in terms of formal sparring formats; if attached to a Tae Kwon Do association a Tang Soo Do school will most likely utilise olympic style Tae Kwon Do sparring. However, most independent schools will use sparring rules very similar to the Sun Dome Kumite rules followed in Shotokan and other Japanese styles. All in all, they both have very similar things to offer. However, if you are most interested in competition I would advise Tang Soo Do as a blanket suggestion. However, Shotokan is very wide-spread and very uniform; you can be certain that if you walk into one Shotokan club, if you walk into another it will be the same style. Tang Soo Do cannot offer that same sort of uniformity. If I were to pick; I would pick Shotokan, but simply because I have trained with Shotokan people before and have an estimate of what it is about. Plus, my grasp of Japanese is much better than my Korean; every time I have tried to pick up some Korean I find I butcher it when trying to speak it.

I think Ken Shamrock is perhaps a more unusual case instead the average. He did begin as an Professional Wrestler of the American ilk, before being picked up for the original incarnation of the UWF and becoming a Shoot-style wrestler. Trained by Fujiwara; he had an excellent tuition in Muay Thai, Judo, and Catch Wrestling: the magic ingredients of shoot-style. After Fujiwara Gumi sank he went into Pancrase where he got his start in Shoot-fighting; before graduating to free-fighting and what would become known as MMA. When Shamrock was in his MMA prime; his shoot-wrestling training made him a master of all in comparison to any one barring the Gracies. However, as Bas Rutten's less than dominant UFC performances (compared to Pancrase) would later demonstrate, and Ken Shamrock's first loss to Royce hinted at; the lack of striking on the ground lead to a lack of positional awareness and an over-emphasis on going for the finish. A tactic which would earn Shamrock some of his worst losses. Shamrock then wore his body down with the ridiculous schedule of the late 90s WWE, but mostly by the time he returned in the new millenium his model of free-fighting had been superseded by the Brazilian Jujutsu wise collection of athletes (rather than toughman fighters) with a whole new, and rule heavy, game. The time away, and cage-rust, I suspect did Ken Shamrock in more than anything he experienced in the WWE. That would be the danger for Rousey right now; spending too much time away, just as dangerous as too little time away with such an injury. I would see Rousey as more a potential Dan Severn (who worked WWE while still fighting MMA because of the contract he secured), or perhaps Bobby Lashley. Though, to be fair Dan Severn got that contract during the time that the WWE did flirt with shoot-fighting; the brawl for all, buying in a lot of Japanese shoot-style wrestlers such as Vader and Dr Death. Also, it was the Network which wanted to see Lashley in Bellator more than TNA wanting it. I could see Rousey securing such a contract, especially considering how they bent over backwards to get Samoa Joe recently. You know; I don't like either MMA or pro-wrestling, I am just gifted with a peculiarly eccentric group of associates, and a memory for odd trivia. I do think Rousey should stick with MMA, she has a lot of potential left, and I cannot see her leaving the sport on a down-spot. However, considering her opportunities I could see her taking the smart choice and getting paid just as well for not getting punched and kicked, and thrown about, as she is for exactly that. Now I want to see Holm versus Tate. I think Tate deserves the shot; she was supposed to get Tate vs Rousey 3, and got side tracked for Holm. She is the only person I think Holm really needs to beat in the current division. She is the number one contender, and a bonafied mixed martial artist; unlike Holm and Rousey who have brought their elite skills in other combat sports to bear in the cage. Rousey beat Tate by avoiding Tate's ground game; a concession the former champ made with no one else. To be fair their re-match was largely one sided, but I think Tate had the misfortune of Rousey just having her number. Can Holm do the same?

A fair comment, and I cannot argue with it. I think a lot of the criticism has been justified in terms of how Rousey has held herself through out her fight career. What I dislike is the more vitriolic stuff; things said by people who have never stepped near a cage, never mind a gym or dojo, who seem to be taking some strange personal relish from the moment. That is what I take issue with, and it is not just in Rousey's case, it is in many cases. However, sadly that is a part of the entertainment aspect; people enjoy seeing a fall. I never have, but it is just a difference in people. I would like to see Rousey try and win a rematch; I think she has far too much potential to stop now. However, I would not blame her for going into Hollywood full time, or even making a move over to WWE on some part-time contract. She has the name, and the natural athleticism, I think she could argue what a contract should involve even with the legendarily hard-headed McMahon. Right now; I am more interested in seeing Holm fight someone else. Give Holm a chance to establish some dominance over the division; wait until the time is right to say the only person left to fight is Rousey again. I think Rousey will need another fight or two after recovery to throw off any cage-rust, and to test and expand on the lessons her match with Holm showed up. An immediate rematch does neither fighter any favours, except perhaps putting a lot of money in their pockets.

Rousey is the master of the fast finish; Holm was a 12-round Boxing Champion. In a round set up I do not think Rousey will want to go the distance as she could just give it to Holm by virtue of a judges' decision. I do not think Rousey can catch up with Holm in the striking department; unless she waits out the rematch for a couple of years, and lets time and age take away some of Holm's sting. What Rousey needs to practice in the mean time, is avoiding the mistake of lining her self-up with Holm's left; she needs to learn to cut the angles and stalk Holm. Rousey did not use the cage well, or have any awareness of where Holm's feet were and it showed. I feel the match was competitive, and that Holm was in danger a couple of times, but Rousey was making unforced mistakes in terms of her basic technique. It was boxing incompetency; she did not know what she did not know, and so did not correct how she was entering Holm's guard. How Rousey was knocked out was also an unforced error in how she tried to turn on the spot to face Holm; she should have have created distance before turning. Rousey is not a bad boxer; she is in fact very good. However, the differences in skill are like those between a great amateur boxer, and a good professional boxer. I do not think anything but time and practice can mitigate the difference in skill. A new strategy will not help Rousey; she needs to cover the weakness in her extant game; which is lack of cage control, and perhaps psychology. She did not know how to face down an opponent who was unafraid of her clinch. If Rousey overcomes those weaknesses in her game, she can defeat Holm. An immediate rematch; I have to give it to Holm, though perhaps with a judges' decision instead of a finish. If Rousey learns those lessons, waits a couple of years; faces another opponent or two before taking on Holm so as to work off any cage-rust, I give it to Rousey via submission. In her mid thirties already, age and time is against Holm for a professional fighter. In terms of technical skill she is at an elite level, and time will not take those skills away; what it might take away is speed and power. The combination of Holm's greater hand-speed, punching-power, and superior skills are what allowed her to keep Rousey from clinching. Take away that edge in speed and power through age, it might be a different story. However; who knows. Tate might finally get a fair showing of her actual skills, or some of the others in the otherwise shallow division with Rousey away. If Rousey spends too much time away; she might be walking back into a whole different division. I am not an MMA fan, and I do not like what seems like a kicking Rousey while she's down habit in the media right now, but one advantage is that the division might actually get some of the spot light rather than just one fighter.

Sounds like hydration is the issue then; try to get some more water in your system before and between training sessions, and try not to have any caffeine within a space of 2 hours before training. I find a piece of fruit, or some vegetables with high water content to have after training can help as well. Also, good luck; it's never nice to have this happen, and I hope it's not put you off trying again.

Is it just the head, or are you experiencing any pain in the neck or the front of your shoulders? If you are experiencing upper body pain you could be breaking the fall improperly, and thus shocking the brain. However, that sounds unlikely if you were being helped to fall. It could be dehydration; grappling can be surprisingly wearing, even if you already have martial arts experience and are otherwise quite fit. Plus, if you have added it on top of another work out it could be a case of over training. To reiterate things already said; perhaps see a doctor, and stay hydrated. Otherwise, all I can advise is try and take things at your own pace, until you are used to this extra training.

I quite liked it; I do not practice the Nakaima family kobudo kata but it looks as though it has some interesting stuff in it. Must say, when I have encountered that double strike before; I have utilised my lead hand to control their weapon, and the other to strike at an opening, have never seen it as a double strike like that before. Definitely something I had not considered before. My only critique, if it can even have such a grandiose name, would be I cannot say I would try to take a bo strike to the head by blocking it head on with a cross block; I would definitely slip the move. However, one has to concede with it being an application of a kata, you can only work with what the kata gives you before you become disingenuous. Thank you for sharing it.

I do not think body hardening as an art has been lost; but it has definitely changed. A better medical understanding of how the body works; and the propagation of full-contact combat sports has increased the amount of information that exists on what is useful for body conditioning. I would say that "hardening" now mostly consists of ensuring one has a strong core, and getting over the psychological blocks one can experience when hit with force; those are the two huge hurdles most people fall over. I engage in Hojo Undo daily, except on Sundays (important to have a rest day), and the majority of my focus I find is on cardiovascular and strength building. I do use impact tools, but because of the weather in the UK I only really do it through the summer; a cold climate does not favour the use of impact tools when it comes to recovery. I did most of my body hardening as it were in my late teens, early 20s; since I hit 24 I do not find much use for it. The callouses that come with it are not going to fade any time soon, and I find so long as I maintain my strength levels I have retained the benefits of the impact training.

Good luck; though the vote of confidence off both your own sensei, and his, should mean you will not need it.

The best known version is from Wing Chun; thanks primarily to Bruce Lee, and his earlier works in fact placing emphasis on it. However, several schools do use it in the south; with Choy Li Fut, Hung Gar, and some Mantis schools having their own varieties. As mentioned by Wastelander, there is the kakiya/kakete-biki, though it is not well known as it has barely been seen outside Okinawa. I would never have known about it had I not actually seen an antique one in Okinawa, though must concede I never saw any Okinawans using one so I suspect it has fallen out of fashion. I have also seen a bo/kon makiwara though it looked far more like a wooden dummy than a makiwara; so the influence is there I just suspect it gained it's own flavour in Okinawa. Like Kake-kumite; a practice which bears a resemblance to tuishou/chi sao, if you look hard enough you will find the surviving Chinese influences, but might discover that the product you are seeing now works along a different logic. My own design follows the Jeet Kun Do variety pretty closely in terms of how many "limbs" it has but I have made some modifications to make it more "alive" as it were. Each of the limbs is on a pivot, and spring loaded to keep it in place; so when I hit it, I can move it out of place, but I have to maintain pressure or it'll spring back. If I feel no pressure from it, then I know I have not blocked properly as I have not moved it out of place. Currently working on a rail based system so when I hit the dummy it can move back and forth, and side to side. When one is trying to enter someones defence, they never stand there and let you in after all. Currently working on a few designs, but rather not share too much more, as I want to copyright them first. Once I have working designs, I plan to share them for free, but would like the intellectual property rights at least, and the proof of them being mine.

I would have to disagree that Rousey has no stand up game. Judo teaches grip fighting which for Rousey has translated into a very strong striking game at punching reach. Her main issue is that, as pointed out in the article, she has never learnt to cut the angles like a boxer or kick-boxer, and goes straight forward to get into her strong range. Also, she has the Judo attacking habit of leading with a dominant hand; which in the striking game has lead to her having a noticeable habit of leaving her left side vulnerable, plus she has never really learnt to strike except as an opening for her favoured range. Furthermore, she has never learnt to use the cage; an integral skill for a top level MMA player and Holm coming from a boxing back-ground, which uses a ring has more readily adapted her existing barrier awareness. Plus, Rousey has beaten decent stand up fighters prior to this point; though as far as I know Holm is the first former champion from another combat sport she has fought. I do not think Rousey has fought paper tigers up until now, but Holm was definitely an elite striker before finding her way into the UFC. This, I suspect was what clinched the deal. Rousey was an Olympian and she is still a phenomenal MMA player even with this defeat. She dealt with Olympic disappointment, and came back to be an elite player in MMA; she can do it again. Against others I have not been bothered by Rousey’s smack talk as it were. Most of her opponents have talked it back, and that is the general trend in MMA. It is a reason I am not an MMA fan, as it has become a professional sport and taken on the nature of professional sports. However, against Holm I have found it rather distasteful, as Holm come across as very humble and has largely credited her training team and has not at all downplayed Rousey’s ability. This difference in attitude is also a factor in why I feel Holm defeated Rousey. Holm was a professional boxer, and has faced defeat before; and she is also in her 30s. She has treated this fight as just another day in the office and it has shown in her demeanour in the fight. She was not afraid of Rousey, and did not let any emotional baggage colour her approach. Rousey has, via the smack talk, and not getting the expected reaction let this different psychology affect her. Holm had won the battle of psychologies going into the fight. I think a Cyborg-Rousey fight could still happen, but I fear that such a fight would have and could go the way the Holm-Rousey fight went. Cyborg is a much more dominant in finishing than Holm. Cyborg is in a heavier weight-class, but it does not bode well for Rousey in a match up between the two, were the Rousey we saw in the cage against Holm the same Rousey to get in the cage with Cyborg.

I have used one since my late teens; my Shorei Kenpo Instructor (and founder of his version of Shorei Kenpo), had a back-ground in Southern Quan Fa and incorporated it into his system of Kenpo. He used mostly adapted Wing Chun drills. I have never stopped using a wooden dummy, but since then I have made modifications based both on Bruce Lee's ideas, and my experiences with Okinawan Hojo Undo devices. The Mook Jong you can find will not be much use without modification for most karate-ka, simply because of differences in innate strategy. However, it can be useful for working on one's ambidexterity, and limb control techniques.

A good break-down, and I honestly cannot add anything to it. I thought Holm had the tools to beat Rousey, as Weidman had the tools to beat Silva, but I cannot say I expected her to do so. Must concede, I am not a big MMA fan so I missed the fight itself, but have been pestered enough by my students and old sparring partners to give an opinion so have watched it. All I can say is that Holm beat Rousey to the punch (no pun intended) each time it mattered, and although I felt Rousey was competitive through out she just never grasped the opportunities she was given to end it on her terms. That though was due to Holm's abilities, and what errors Rousey did make were forced by Holm, even the opening for the last kick; though Rousey attempting to turn on the spot with out any dynamic foot-work to create distance was perhaps a mistake all of her own.

The story I have gathered from the disparate interviews with the participants of the first UFC is that the meeting to determine the rules was a fiasco. The only rule I know for sure was enforced was a non-weapon rule, under which Ken Shamrock was disallowed his foot wear. The Gracie's had wanted what is called in the lingo, as it were, "courtesy rules"; in other words no biting, or gouging, and the like. However, no rules were agreed upon because the meeting to discuss them fell apart. This was slightly different when organising the following UFC events, when rules were decided in advance before participants signed up, and the so called courtesy rules were enforced; barring a few things which would now be considered illegal. Modern rules I would argue are quite well balanced in a sense. The short rounds are advantageous to strikers and wrestlers, who favour and require an explosive approach to fighting, whereas it disadvantages grapplers and submission artists who might not find the opportunity to submit their opponent in a five minute window. If one looks at jujutsu or submission wrestling matches; it is not unusual for someone to "turtle" to gather energy or wait out their opponents offense, but in a sport with aggression or stand up rules this strategy is not possible, and could cost one the match if attempted. However, one also needs to acknowledge the limitations placed on a strikers arsenal; though most I feel are justified in terms of safety, but one should also not forget the rules against small joint manipulation which is the bread and butter of catch wrestling's signature locking techniques. Most of those rules, although limiting and perhaps weighing certain match ups to the advantage of one fighter over the other, are justified by the safety concerns which have evolved over the two decades of MMA's existence. I would also say that I frankly do not see the inability to use dirty fighting as a limitation; if a fighters response is to kick someone in the groin to win they really are not any more skilled than a street fighter or violent criminal. I am not a fan of MMA, and it has it's brutal streak, but at least it is a competition of skill. Allowing some of the tactics barred would just bring it down.

I have encountered a couple of different approaches: 1. In Kempo the general rule was up to the grade below the one you held, or up to your equivalent grade. 2. With Kazoku Kai, all Dan gradings (in the UK as far as I recall) were centralised and held at the Hombu or after one of the Association's big Bi-annual courses. Kyu grades were all at the discretion of the club instructor. 3. Currently I am in a nuanced system. At Shodan I could grade up to fourth Kyu, and at Nidan I can grade up to first Kyu. Sandan can issue a Shodan, and Yondan can issue a Nidan, and Godan can issue up to Sandan. However, Yondan and above is currently centralised in Okinawa at the Hombu. Every grading I have been involved in, or have participated in was by a panel; except my Nidan grading, however, my instructor had essentially gone independent aside from an affiliation with the Kodokan by that point. Also, a private long distance student I have graded to fourth kyu. I think all approaches have their own benefits; it all comes down to a degree of freedom an association wants to provide. In terms of a multiple style association; I think the kenpo approach is best as it gives the greatest freedom to the individual clubs. Where as a single system association might better use centralised grading to maintain standards reflective of the intended character of the style. International associations though, I think, would make best use of the model I am currently under. Allows enough independence on national levels, but insures your senior instructors reflect the standards you want and expect.