DarthPenguin
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Posts posted by DarthPenguin
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On 12/11/2025 at 1:06 PM, Furinkazan said:
There was a public post on facebook that asked the question on whether or not martial arts should be part of the curriculum in public schools. I'm very anti-groupthink, but I don't dissent for it's own sake. I'm a free thinker.
Just about everyone in the comments agreed that it should be. The consensus is that "everyone should know how to defend themselves."
I thought that this was a horrible reason. Why? Because if two opposing people have the same advantage, then neither of them do. That puts everything back at square one, and the advantage goes right back to the bully. Basically,
if a > b, then a(x) > b(x)
the scenario you want is a < b(x), or at minimum, a = b(x)
But you ruin that if you require everyone to train in martial arts.
Of course, the responses I get are things like "that's not how it works," etc. Basically, disagreements with my reasoning, but with no attempt at an opposing argument.
What are your takes on this?
There are a few other points here that I think may be relevant:
- often kids aren't really aware of the consequences of violence and the harm it could cause to others so there is a chance that them all training would make the kids aware of the potential for harm and make them show more reserve (though the opposite may also be true and it makes people realise how much damage they could do!)
- Opening it up to all kids doesn't mean that all the kids have to retain the right to be trained. If kids demonstrate that they fail to meet certain acceptance criteria for the training (eg bullying people etc.) then they could be stopped from attending the lesson/s
- Not everyone will progress / learn at an equal rate. So even if the bully is being trained too then there is no guarantee they will improve at the same rate as the others (though again the opposite is also true).
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Teaching at school would remove the choice of styles from the parents to an extent. Eg for myself my son started Judo at 4. He really wanted to (and loves it) plus i personally think it is the best "foundational style" for a kid due to teaching the kids how to fall safely etc. plus the really well structured pathway for teaching from very young ages all the way to adulthood. He later added some Shotokan and he has told me he wants to try Kyokushin too and learn some mma (he is 9 currently so i told him he needs to be a little older first. Would i have liked it if the school just decided that he had to learn Muay Thai at age X? Probably not, it is a fantastic style but i would prefer him to try it when he is in his teens at least (and through his own choice).
- Also how would the school choose the style? Could see this causing plenty of issues too!
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On 12/12/2025 at 3:44 AM, bushido_man96 said:
If Martial Arts become part of a school curriculum, then it takes the instructor's discretion away on a lot of things. For one, someone that probably doesn't know a thing about Martial Arts training is going to become an arbiter of what is or isn't taught, to what extent, etc, and things could likely get watered down. Then there is the issue of how to approach gradings. Insurance and liability become even bigger issues of concern. The instructor has less ability to control who he/she is teaching; it becomes available to all, especially if it's required. I like to think all kids can benefit from Martial Arts training, but there will be some that will take in the training for the wrong reasons. The idea appears appealing at first glance, but I think there are a lot of things that can go wrong.
there is sometimes a way round this - years ago a friend of mine was brought in by a school (happened to be a private one) to teach two of their pupils martial arts during PE lessons. He was their instructor in their regular club and they were allowed to choose whatever thing they wished to do in PE providing it was a sport they could demonstrate a genuine interest in etc. He taught them during the day a couple of times a week and was given discretion over what he taught etc and his assessment. Gradings were still the usual route.
I am aware this is very much the exception though - would be extremely hard to tailor it to a school situation generally
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On 12/12/2025 at 3:52 AM, bushido_man96 said:
Is it "playoff Mahomes" that beats him, or is it "playoff Allen" that loses...????
Only time will answer that question, I guess. This could be the year we find out. Allen doesn't have a great defense to rely on, and I'm not sure even he can carry that team through to the AFC title.
Very true - this season might decide it! Shame about Mahomes injury too - hopefully he comes back at 100%. He is easily one of the best QBs i have ever seen tbh and will be deep in the GOAT conversation when he eventually retires i think.
For Allen, the key difference for me this season is Cook has been great. When the Bills had the better defences they always lacked a running game from anyone but Allen which hurt then in the playoffs etc i think. Now there is much better balance
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Is an interesting idea but it does depend on the purpose of the testing. I could see how it might work well for more skilled practitioners who are attempting to demonstrate 'mastery' of some skills. If there were some constraints set such as : need to perform a combination of a minimum of X strikes of which Y need to be kicks etc. and have a few similar constraints then it might be an interesting idea. Could run alongside the usual testing of perform this kata etc.
Sorta reminds me of a style i did in the past where for grading you were also required to perform a prior grades pattern/kata but with free direction, which meant you had to change the directions and could adjust the techniques a little (eg make a kick a jumping variant or more complex one - so could replace a roundhouse with a 360 roundhouse but still had to move into the next technique smoothly). Was good for really bedding down the patterns in your muscle memory i thought
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As a Bills fan i must admit i would like to see the Chiefs eliminated! Remove any chance of "playoff Mahomes" causing an issue!
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3 hours ago, Furinkazan said:
To my knowledge, most Shotokan organizations cap automatic transferability at yondan and will then review and evaluate the transferee for promotion to grades above that after transfer.
Yeah thats true - i hadn't factored in senior grades!
3 hours ago, Furinkazan said:On the flip side, I can't see this happening in Shotokan unless you were transferring to or from an independent school. ISKF is the largest organization in the US, and I really can't see them making you start over - or making you to take a demotion at all, especially considering that you're of Enoeda sensei's lineage. I think that some of the smaller independant schools may require all black belts to teach, and having a new black belt just waltz in like that might "upset the order."
Yeah i think it is a personal choice. Originally i had graded under Kawazoe Sensei but i had left karate 25+ years ago (though have trained in other styles in the interim). I thought it was appropriate to return as a white belt since in my view it would take multiple years to regain skills to an appropriate level to match belt, so why not get regraded instead over that time period then would be no doubt i was at whatever my current belt level was skill wise: am now grading under Sensei F Brennan so am pretty sure that one will hold up in most places too - back to 1st kyu now and hoping to sit Shodan under him early next year
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9 hours ago, KarateKen said:
The Colts are going to work out.... wait for it.... keep waiting.... little longer.... Phillip Rivers!!
Yes, after Daniel Jones had a season ending injury on Sunday, the Colts have decided to bring in the retired, 44-year-old Rivers for a workout. Rivers last played in the 2020 season, that was also for the Colts, and he could be their starting QB on Sunday when they host the Seahawks. After an 8-2 start the Colts have lost three in a row and their chances of winning the division now have dropped down to only 7%. Could the former Colts QB who has not played in almost five years be their saving grace?? 
Just when you think you have seen it all, the crazy side of the NFL strikes again!!
This one shocked me when i saw it - do they genuinely think that a 4yrs retired Rivers is better than anyone else available? Apparently his familiarity in the system as he worked in that offence for years is part of the reason behind it
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Is an interesting one, as i can see both of your points. My view is that if you are in the same style, from a valid school then you keep your belt e.g. i am under the kugb in the UK, if i moved to JKA, JSKA, JKS etc. i would expect to be exactly the same rank as they are all Shotokan. Every person i know who has done this has kept their belt - the potentially giving up rank in the same style seems to be a USA thing (i say this as someone who did actually give up their rank in Shotokan and start again from white belt as i had been away from it for an extremely long time!).
With rank in another style with transferable skills then you are still a white belt in the new style, though i found it bad form not to tell people you had previous training (it is usually pretty obvious to everyone anyway). I have trained in a few styles over the years and when i was in that situation i usually just told someone i am Rank X in this style which has crossover of Y and then i learnt the syllabus as a white belt but usually did any kumite/sparring with the more experienced people. Competition was fair game as tbh nowadays a lot of people have cross training anyway!
For BJJ at my school Judo BB start at white too and they usually take a year or so to grade to Blue (obviously varies depending on the individual). Everyone knows who they are and people just roll with them mroe normally than they would with a fresh white belt. Conversely when i started to add in judo i told them i train BJJ (albeit i am not the best!) and it means that for Newaza i typically go with the Brown / Black belts and for Tachiwaza i stay with grade or the higher ranks are gentle. If i was to enter competition i would enter at my judo rank. I had a judo friend who was a bit put out as at the time he was a Judo Brown and only needed 10pts or so for Shodan and when he entered a BJJ comp he had to enter at White - i also remember a Judo 6th Dan several years ago who was made to enter at Blue!
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6 hours ago, bushido_man96 said:
@DarthPenguin, the other problem is evaluating what a rookie QB might or might not be. If you let someone like Dak go, who's shown that he can compete in the league, to take a chance on a QB that has never played in the league before, it's a pretty big risk. Especially when a coach might not get 2 years to prove he can put a winning team on the field.
The issue with tanking is I think the NFL has some rules in place to prohibit that. Besides, look at a team like the Jets that has spent a number of years at the bottom of the league, and had a number of early first round QBs drafted, all for naught. I also think that Cowboys have enough draft capital that they wouldn't necessarily have to tank in order to move up and get a QB if there was one they liked.
All true, would be a massive risk. If Dak was on mid tier money then fair enough they could likely balance it out (that in essence is the whole point of a salary cap after all). But (i think) he gets top tier money and i don't think he is on that level personally so i think they are overpaying for him. In my head the top tier is Mahomes, Allen, Jackson and Burrow and he shouldn't be on what they are on. While i know the QB is always highly paid due to the job he just isn't that level and i think he has been in the league long enough to know how good he is. He actually reminds me a little of Romo in that way: a good QB but not quite great enough to win a SB without a lot of help, and Dak takes enough money that it is hard to get a strong enough supporting cast around him to provide that help
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3 hours ago, bushido_man96 said:
Ok, then, what's the solution? I hear lots of people say these kinds of things, but what's the solution? Only one team a year wins the Super Bowl. Do you let a guy like Dak go and take a chance on a rookie? Or go get another veteran that also hasn't won a Super Bowl? Only 2 QBs have won a Super Bowl in the last 5 years. Go get one of those guys? Nope, they're already signed. So now you look at the next tier. Josh Allen? He's won as many as Dak has, but can the Cowboys get him? Doubt it, he's signed for the long-term, too. Joe Burrow? Signed up to be in Cincy. Matthew Stafford? Looks like he could play til he's 40...with the Rams. Lamar Jackson? Not available.
You see what I mean? Easy to say, hard to do. Those resources are limited. So, I ask again, should Dallas cut Dak and try to find the next best thing?
All valid points, though in my mind it is similar to the Bucs letting Dungy go and picking up Gruden to get them over the hump for the superbowl. Or the Packers transitioning from Favre to Rodgers (Favre was still a quality QB), the 49ers from Montana (who was still good at the Chiefs) to Steve Young etc.
Having a decent but not great QB in Dak means the Cowboys can draft a decent QB (not the np.1 pick obviously) with a tonne of upside and coach them in their system for a year or two and then give them the keys. Ideally like Jordan Love at the Packers. Or if they get crazy lucky they get someone like Purdy (or Brady back in the day) who is drafted low, doesn't cost much, but is good enough to play and then lets them spend money on the other parts of the team.
Could also make the argument that sometimes (in North American sports - it doesn't really apply to European sports without salary caps) a rebuild is what is needed to improve the team. Consistently finishing with a decent record and mid to late round draft pics means the foundations don't really improve. A rebuild where they tank for a year or two and draft some top talent has been proven to work in Basebell (and the NBA to an extent). It is a risk but it gives the potential of a top tier talent, plus the Cowboys are such a big name and Jones is usually a willing spender to worst case they can always get in a decent free agent or two if worried!
I do agree that jettisoning Dak is a big risk but i personally think it is the only way the Cowboys will win the SB in the near future (this is going to come back to haunt me i know!)
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9 hours ago, bushido_man96 said:
The problem is, there are only so many "tip tier" QBs out there, and they're all signed. Dak is good enough to lead a franchise for 10+ years, which he is doing. If you can get a QB like that, then you have to and you have to run with him. I think the ownership is more of the problem than the QB. Worse QBs than Dak have won championships.
All true but usually when it is one of the teams winning with a worse QB (eg some of the Ravens teams, the Gruden Bucs) the gameplan relies on something else such as a dominant running game and/or defence. For the Cowboys they seem to place a lot on his shoulders and he, in my view, isn't good enough to deal with the required level of play to win a championship in that structure. I do agree that if he had been on the 49ers superbowl team etc. then yeah he might have won!
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Will just make reaching the milestones all the more valuable!
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7 hours ago, sensei8 said:
I love my Cowboys. However, I’m starting to lose faith in them across the board. Yeah, Cowboys beat the Eagles but I don’t want to hang that win on any hope.
As long as Dak is still a Cowboys and as long as Jones is still the GM, my faith in them reaching the SB again in my life time is dwindling.
GO…ah never mind!!
Yeah i think that Dak is a large part of the problem tbh. I have always thought he is massively overrated. Was interesting that one of the studio guys came out and said that on the UK NFL coverage the other day (he was a former Giant DL) and the other posts really had a go at him for it, talking about how great Dak is. I've never seen it tbh. He is decent but not a top tier QB
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On 11/15/2025 at 3:43 AM, Patrick said:
If you are getting the odd one that comes to light occasionally, it's probably not all that different. But it's only going to get worse globally. I also don't know if you have gambling the same way we have... like you can gamble on literally every single action. You can place hundreds (thousands?) of bets on a single game if you so desire.
Actually it is the same here - can bet on almost anything: time for first yellow card, player who gets it, number of throw ins, time for throw in's etc. etc.
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Strength endurance session
Did this using ABF press protocal using 2 x 16kg KB. For this is did total of 60 reps of OH press in 2/3/5/10 style. Minimal rest
Assisted pull ups
-58kg x 11
-58kg x 11
-58kg x 11
Cable neck extension
5kg x 20
5kg x 20
5kg x 20
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Monday 17th November
Karate Session
Standard session. Just worked on grading required kihon and through all of the kata from Heian Shodan to Bassai Dai (in grading i need to do Bassai Dai plus one Heian of examiners choice). Also a few rounds of kumite
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Friday 14th November
Lifting Session
Back squat
20kg x 5
40kg x 3
60kg x 2
79kg x 5
79kg x 5
79kg x 5
79kg x 5
Barbell Bench Press
20kg x 5
40kg x 3
60kg x 2
71kg x 5
71kg x 5
71kg x 5
71kg x 5
Sumo Deadlift
79kg x 5
Assisted pull ups
-58kg x 10
-58kg x 10
-58kg x 10
Cable front raise (weight is per hand and did same for both hands)
7kg x 8
7kg x 8
7kg x 8
this made it clear that proportionately my shoulders are much weaker than the rest so i need to work on them!!
Cable Face Pull
11.5kg x 12
11.5kg x 12
11.5kg x 12
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Tuesday 11 November
Simple conditioning session
did a gentle 7.8kb in 21min on the indoor cycle followed by 2 sets of 15kg cable pullovers as i wanted to see what they were like to do
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Monday 10th November
Lifting Session
Back squat
20kg x 5
40kg x 3
60kg x 2
79kg x 5
79kg x 5
79kg x 5
79kg x 5
Barbell Bench Press
20kg x 5
40kg x 3
60kg x 2
71kg x 5
71kg x 5
71kg x 5
71kg x 5
Assisted pull ups
-43kg x 5
-58kg x 10
-58kg x 10
-58kg x 10
Got some more bands and decided i should start adding these in. Plan is to do higher hep sets and when i get to 15 per set reduce the banding down gradually until eventually none is needed
Triceps overhead single arm cable extension (weight is per hand and did same for left and right)
7kg x 15
7kg x 15
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Saturday 8th November
BJJ Session
We were working de la riva into seated guard. Working simple tripod sweep and also worked a worm guard style one. Also did several rounds of rolling which went ok (apart from getting effortlessly smashed by one of the black belts!)
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Friday 7th November
Lifting Session
Back squat
20kg x 5
40kg x 3
60kg x 2
80kg x 1
90kg x 3
90kg x 3
90kg x 3
90kg x 3
Barbell Bench Press
20kg x 5
40kg x 3
60kg x 2
83kg x 3
83kg x 3
83kg x 3
83kg x 3
Close grip bench
40kg x 10
40kg x 10
40kg x 10
cable chest fly (weight is per hand)
15kg x 12
15kg x 12
15kg x 12
Triceps overhead single arm cable extension (weight is per hand and did same for left and right)
7kg x 10
7kg x 10
One Hand Cable Row (standing) - with "gi grip"
27kg x 3 reps (per hand)
27kg x 3 reps (per hand)
27kg x 3 reps (per hand)
Weighted bridge (used 2 x 14kg kb)
28kg x 5
28kg x 5
28kg x 5
Captain of Crush grippers
identical work done for left and right hands. Same reps and strength for each.
Trainer (60lb) x 50
Trainer (60lb) x 50
Trainer (60lb) x 50
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On 11/17/2025 at 4:28 PM, bushido_man96 said:
11/15/2025
BJJ: 10:00 - 11:00 am. Open mat. Worked from mount position, with bottom player focusing on framing at the hips and trying not to let the arms get up above the top player's waist (which exposes them to isolation and submission and generally other sundry options). Bottom player was also to focus on getting an elbow planted into the ground inside the top player's knee, along with getting slightly onto that side. Top player was trying to isolate an arm. I had a wrist pinned but gave it up because I felt like I couldn't do anything with it; I let go and tried to scoop under the arm. I can't do that! Coach pointed me to a solution: I should have "walked up" to a higher mount position. While working this situational drill my arms got tired and really gassed out. We also switched it up where top player worked on a back step to avoid half-guard and get to side control. If we got caught in the half-guard, we worked on fighting out of that.
I was working with another short, stocky guy like myself and found myself quite off balance in the mount position, which made things even harder to deal with. I couldn't get both knees to sit on the ground to straddle, so I always felt like I was teetering or tottering.
We had a guest coach from a few hours west of us come in that coaches at the other schools that we are now under the umbrella of. He was really great at helping me out, and since we are affiliated, we'll probably have some more visits from him.
you guys still training nogi? You might find that gi suits you more - i prefer it since you can take grips etc and slow things down a little: less reliant on athleticism than nogi (i find anyway).
One suggestion would be to work out one or two moves you would like to implement when in mount (or any position) and try to focus on getting them step by step. Can also see if there is a top level instructor with youtube instructionals etc that is similar build / size to yourself that you think you could copy. Then work on small wins. Using your example above: if you find you are good at pinning a wrist consistently then excellent, work on things from there. Maybe you could then move it up to an Americana etc. So next step is to get it in right place; get second arm in etc. So even if you don't get it on someone you leave training saying "i got my grips, got it in position and they freed their arm", better than last week when couldn't get the grips etc. Also gives you something specific to work on: you can say to your coach "i get them into this position but they escape, what am i doing wrong to leave them the space?" etc.
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On 11/11/2025 at 10:05 PM, Patrick said:
The deluge of gambling ads across sporting events is a plague. I really dislike it, and while there are always going to be avenues to gamble, the accessibility of it is only begging for scandals. Having a toddler who watches sports, I am already getting ready for the eventual conversations about what it is, why he shouldn't do it, etc.
What is strange to me is there is a lot of gambling advertising / sponsorship etc. around football / soccer here in the UK, but typically there are not that many scandals around it. You get the odd one come to light occasionally, the player gets banned / jailed and thats it. I wonder what it is that causes these things to be worse in the US. Is puzzling tbh
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13 hours ago, Patrick said:
We're planning to try to get tickets to the 2028 Olympics here in Los Angeles. It is, of course, kind of silly to buy tickets in January 2026 for something happening in July 2028, but it feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity. Kind of scared to see what those prices look like, though.
Good luck! I didn't try for tickets for the London 2012 games (which is a fair distance but doable) and i had friends who went and said it was great. If you can manage it it would definitely be something to do i think, a once in a lifetime experience. Especially if your mini people will be old enough to take in the experience
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Martial Arts in Public Schools?
in General Martial Arts Discussion
Posted
Yeah that is true, there is no reason to assume that one or the other would improve at a faster rate. Though i would say that what i put into parentheses is also equally applicable towards training at any martial arts club.
All true but i think this also applies equally to any martial arts club. Nothing stopping the child playing the long game and training at a regular club. Long term martial arts training doesn't make someone a decent person by default - first example that pops into my head is Rousimar Palhares (there are other issues with him too i know) who basically liked to injure people and did it a lot with leg locks.
This likely varies from country to country. I am in Scotland and there is no wrestling taught as part of school here (or indeed in most of the UK). Typically PE here is football/soccer; rugby; basketball; gymnastics; badminton. If anyone wanted to learn a martial art of any kind (including wrestling) it is done outside school.
At risk of shifting the focus of the discussion, learning the rules of the sport does not in my view make it useless for self defence. I remember our judo coach showing us all Uranage with the comment "if anyone ever starts on you in a bar and you can't avoid it then uranage them through a table - will put them down". I have always inherently disagreed with the assumption that the untrained/"self defence trained" fighter will use all kind of dirty tricks etc. but the trained individual magically loses the ability to do so. I remember watching an excellent video with the well known BJJ instructor Draculino demonstrating a triangle choke with the person being choked permitted to bite etc. The bite didnt work - he also pointed out that if they can bite him he could put his thumbs through both of their eyes as their head is trapped!
While the focus of the sport in judo is definitely competition and sport, hitting the ground hard hurts a lot. For self defence, in my view, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to down your opponent and get away. Slamming someone to the ground hard, when most assailants will not have great Ukemi (and tbh on concrete even if you do it will still hurt a tonne) will in most instances give you the time to get away safely.