Alan Armstrong

Demotion of rank happens in the military why not in the dojo, perhaps if a black belt beats up a white belt, would be a good enough reason. Also the expression "Too many Chiefs and not enough Indian" has a valid point here. I personally don't promote or demote, as I'm not in favor of belt ranking systems. As I'm not affiliated with any military pretend or real organizations.

With higher rank, usually comes with it more money and responsibility, in a military perspective, however in the dojo higher ranks should pay less dues/money as their responsibilities increases by helping the CI. During battles, higher ranks were given out to replace those who were unable to continue in the battle due to attrition. Perhaps there is a balance of ranks needed in the dojo and promoting some faster than others makes up for those no longer there.

With higher rank, usually comes with it more money and responsibility, in a military perspective, however in the dojo higher ranks should pay less dues/money as their responsibilities increases by helping the CI. During battles, higher ranks were given out to replace those who were unable to continue in the battle due to attrition. Perhaps there is a balance of ranks needed in the dojo and promoting some faster than others makes up for those no longer there.

I've attended a MA school that shook hands and hugged after class, they never bowed in or out from class. Different stokes for different folks (boxers tap knuckles) as other styles bow and kiss their belts after class. A karate bow can be a sign of respect and also a self defense move as many styles and systems dissimulate this aspect very well.

The video was chosen for its borderline authenticity. Being a real or staged video isn't of much importance. As the highly skilled martial artist in the video looks too good to be real, when however martial artists having poor fighting skills (looking very bad) they become representatives of the style they are fighting in, therefore being accepted as real. I for one am becoming more often than not disappointed with videos depicting martial artists showing or explaining their style or systems techniques and skills against a willing (accomplice) opponent. As a boxer shows how to defeat a kung fu stylist blow for blow or how JKD is more advanced than Wing Chun always dramatizing the worst possible scenarios; or having bouts against unskilled opponents that might look more convincing. Videos can make people look like something they are not, very similar to photo retouching techniques, now called photo shop.

Another point of view, being effective in martial art skills development and being able to do testing realistically? As it is possible to be effective in a martial art niche without the realitys that surround it? People that are highly skilled in whatever profession they are in, can easily spot amateurs at work very quickly, is this true in martial arts? Professionals are always updating their skills with the latest techniques or enhancing and improving performance, knowledge and understanding in their field, is this true in martial arts? Is this possible for martial artists skills also to be upgraded to professional, instead of learning with reverse engineering practices that could be outdated and regressive in nature? Or perhaps the balance for martial art skills is in the blend of the old with the new?

With no time to think or negotiate, having to instantly, be able to handle the situation physically, using martial art skills effectively. Not easy to train for but is attainable. Here is a very short video, handling a situation using martial art skills, what is your opinion on his workmanship?

Handling skills physically takes different types of applications depending on context. Hands on skills is an essential element in knowing how to do many tasks satisfactory. From holding a baby to flying an airplane there are appropriate ways of physically handling all objects. Martial arts is no exception, to have the knowledge and skills, especially when handling an opponent. Practicing martial art skills "hands on" is essential, as realistically, wouldn't be considered viable without it. As martial artist can lean more towards striking or grappling used in conjunction with each other or used separately. How is your martial art handling skills and how can you gauge yourself compared with others?

Hi Alan, very interesting video, thanks. Definitely relevant and useful. Do you happen to be the Alan in the video? Happy to hear that the video was relevant to you and no I'm not the Alan assisting in the video; just a coincidence having the same name.

So you think your tough Do you have a problem You look likes you wanna fight

I believe my WC Sifu was self conscious of his bald spot and the baseball hat was a cover up for it. Perhaps it looked like a disrespectful act with the hat but my Tai Chi Sifu was not bothered about fashion statements good or bad, he was happy enough just to explain and teach his Wu Style Kung Fu to those who wanted to know how it works. Both sifus being very profound in their MA yet very different from each other personality wise, as the WC CI had difficulty smiling while the TC CI was always smiling while teaching.

To understand Wing Chun, a good place to start is by knowing that the names given to this system is in its movements which are not techniques. This aspect of movements is generally overlooked by other martial art systems and styles that are technique based. Another misconception is these Wing Chun movements are forward energy based directed always towards the opponent, even though they may appear to be moving away they should be similar to a guided missile, moving towards the target. Wing Chun movements are effective due to always keeping one weapon free to make contact, against the opponent, while other movements are trapping efficiently with one part against two ratio. As Wing Chun movements are none committed yet very fast but on target, when or if these movements are intercepted, follow up movements are very close behind to slip through openings. There is alot of cooperation within the Wing Chun system, as all of the limbs are free to move in a helping capacity as in setting up strikes, deflecting and striking where there is no dominate weapon, as all limbs are treated equally. As all joints in the Wing Chun system can be used independently or separately and simultaneously, exercises are based on strengthening and opening joints for increasing their range of motion, similar to a snake striking expanding and contracting, also for improving accuracy and speed in motion. Sensitivity while in contact in Wing Chun movements feeds information about the opponents energy intents, which can be quickly be used for different purposes depending on the circumstances and directions the energies are traveling in. Wing Chun movements are based on Yin/Yang principles where every action has an equal or opposite reaction, from this viewpoint all movements are available for combative purposes. Any questions?

Flanking is a very important strategy in winning battles against opposing armies, but how advantages is it for one on one or more combatants for martial artists? Here is an excellent example of flanking tactics on the battle field from the perspective of generals, that can help the individual with their own personal flanking skills. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I8pfNF6fPUc Being out flanked and out maneuvered is no joking matter, especially when on the loosing side. Are you doing enough with your flanking skills to win fights, by tipping the scales in your favor? If you are unsure stay where you are, the time to understand will be flanking your blind side and will be surrounding you very soon.

In Shotokan the belt starts off white, then dyed yellow in boiling water, then again dyed for orange, in boiling water, then green... brown..each time it is dyed a darker color, till black is achieved; the fabric will loose its stiffness with all the boiling and dying, easier to tie with time. As opposed to buying and wearing pre colored belts each time reaching a higher level, the stiffness could always be an issue and difficult to stay tied up. A way to loosen up the belt fabric and oneself is to use it as a stretching out aid before and after class.

I look at this as an opportunity to possibly learn something new or see a different side to things. Most will follow that statement with a reason why and explanation of their view point. Through this, it give everyone else a chance to not only see both sides and decide for themselves what they agree with but it also gets the poster's to think and respond. It challenges what we believe in and makes us think. Having said that, it doesn't mean that we have to take their advice or agree but it does make for a good conversation and an exchange of idea's. The main point of the forums is for all of us, most with different back grounds, to engage in conversation so that not only we can learn but also those that are reading can learn. I actually look forward to logical explanations that make me think about my stances. As a old Marine it's rare that my stance changes but it has happened several times since I joined this forum. That is a fantastic thing because it means that I have been able to learn something new that I would not learn tucked away nicely in my old school box. That and it's not personal or should it be viewed as an attack or that they are saying you are wrong. It's a difference of opinion. It's what makes the world go round. How boring would it be if we all agreed and there were never new idea's? If nothing else it enable you to rebut and prove to yourself that your view point is valid. Or not. Very good points MatsuShinshii.

What would you make of this. Bringing my Wing Chun sifu (wearing a baseball hat backwards, throughout the session) to have a class in Tai Chi where bowing and belt formalities are discarded. Wing Chun and Tai Chi are know to be more informal than most systems; wearing a baseball hat could be OTT for most CI's to bear.

A person can fight or cannot. I'm positive a lot of people who are seriously thinking about fighting would disagree but I'm not really concerned about them.

The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know. Napoleon Bonaparte

As Bruce Lee said "I don't look for opportunities I create them"

Hi shortyafter, picked out this video, hope this applies to you; it starts off sounding alot like high school but eventually it makes sense.

To the bold, I hear you, and I agree. I don't wish for the opportunity to have to actually use one of these defenses, nor do I ever want my fellow officers to be in that position. You are right about the petty crimes, and yes, it is usually better to just hand over the wallet (I rarely carry cash as it is, so its just my cards). But, I'm of the opinion that if you don't want to turn it over, and you make that decision to use your skills, then fine by me. I won't judge it. The consequences, however, might be severe. I guess what I'm saying is that regardless of how I would handle it, I'm ambivalent to how another might do it. Agreed, 100%. Again, agreed. In the long run, its the best bet, I think. I agree that there are these guys out there, and they can be dangerous to others. When martial artists are wishing to be attacked to show off their skills, well this is showing a low level of understanding and appreciation for what they have learned; their teachers in some places would be ashamed of students such as these.The balance is not there, physically matching intellectually or should it be just considered as immaturity?

The question why to train a certain way needs to be asked. Hobby type MA isn't going to work for those in the military. As military MA training is too harsh for hobbist. I believe there is a place for everything and everything has its place, just needs to be open and honest about this aspect. I'm personally not interested in teaching MMA for UFC or any MA sport point methods neither Tai Chi for seniors. All martial arts are connected one way or the other from being brutally savage to intellectually beautiful, there is a happy medium that doesn't include killing ourselves or becoming overly complexed with theories of how martial arts is connected to the cosmos. Looking beyond the fads... Martial arts at the moment, being in my senior years is turned towards preserving health and not abusing it for whatever reason. Had my fair share of head shots, the human body can only take so much abuse, till it can't take any more, as it will crack or swell or cease to function properly. Intelligent people want to stay clear thinking for their entire lifetime, having a pastime that can cause serious health issues is not rational. There is a reason why nature provided us all with a thick skull; to protect the thing inside it.

Be careful that they are not interpreting your visit as a challenge.I've dropped in on and attended classes, but just wearing loose fitting clothing, without the uniform. I've had some interesting reactions to my visits. I've been asked "Show me something" my reply "Then you will need to attack me" then they attack, and depending on their attack, is how I will show them something. (I do this in a good natured way; not showing any threatening behavior at all) One school was impressed enough to allow me to give a seminars. The evening before one seminar, I was just checking out the interior of the facility and ended up giving two senior CI's a one hour example on Chin Na (bad idea) as for the next day my energy level ended up being very very low.

Very true Spartacus. It is actually sad that stories about important martial art figures such as Ip Man and Bruce Lee are distorted to sell movie tickets. The movie industry really stretch out there artistic license to the max. Could also do with alot less suspended wire special effects in MA movies, that belong more appropriately in Superman movies.

In the kyokushin dojo I train at, we do light contact 99% of the time. Makes sense to train that way for a few reasons: Minimizes risk of injuries Allows one to experiment without the concern (fear?) of getting hurt Kicks to the head are OK and light head contact is also OK. Just enough to remind one to keep the hands up. Had a session outside the dojo a few months ago that included kumite with folks from various dojos. Despite being told to keep it light, some either forgot or couldn't do it properly. Unfortunately I'm still recovering from a bruised/broken rib as a result of a well executed but full contact hiza mawashi geri. When sparring out of the dojo and the rules and respect go out the widow; consider it as if walking out in to the real world.Self Defense rule 101: Protect yourself %100, %100 of the time, even more so when the word "friendly" is used to entice you in to a fight. You just have no idea what is going on in your opponent's head, perhaps he accidentally run over his favorite hunting dog, while in a rush to have a friendly bout with you!