The Pred

Awesome!

Are they kids or adults? Also will throwing be going on?

The Kancho of the SKKA is not the CI of the system, but only the Vice-President of the SKKA. Kancho's plate is way to full to deal with being the CI. Especially when I'm more out of house than in house. No, if I lived locally to the Hombu, nowadays, I'd not be the CI of the SKKA because, as it stands, my plate would be way to full for me to equally give both of these positions the respect and attention they both deserve. Well, the Term Limits, for now, have been tabled until a time yet to still be make in the future. This is due to the tragedy of July 2016!! This is both for respect to them, as well as their families!! Our current CI, is the Interim CI, as we've not elected a new CI, as of yet. If Iwao accepts my stipulations, he'll be elected as the CI. It is my understanding that all of the Higher Hierarchy will vote for him to be the CI of the SKKA. If Iwao refuses my stipulations, then we'll search for, and then vote for a CI of the SKKA. Our Interim CI is more than qualified to be the SKKA's CI, and feels worthy, however, our Interim CI is very busy being Vice-President of a fortune 500 company. As of now, he's being allowed to be our Interim CI on a full time basis, and we've until the end of February to find, and secure, a permanent CI. So, he feels both honored and worthy, however, had he felt unworthy to hold the CI post, we'd not stop him from abdicating, as no one is ever forced to hold any elected position of any degree. Thanks for the clarification best of luck in your search.

Thanks everyone !

So I know you've mentioned that the buck stops with you since you're the Kaicho.Now I know the Kancho is the CI of the system. If you lived nearby or some other person did, would the Kaicho be the CI? Also did anything come about of term limits for the Kaicho position? So does the person who got elected to CI feel they aren't worthy, hence he or she willing to give it up?

Welcome aboard !

Seemed like a nice Martial arts community.

I realized I have never introduced myself. So with that said, I have been studying the martial arts for 26, soon to be 27 years. I enjoy interacting and reading everyone's different opinions on the martial arts.

Well first I think as people noted before you need to understand your demographic. Second ownership vs rent can be a big difference. Second if you are paying for staff how much is one putting out in payroll?

Great job !

Seems intense, So I looked through the old posts, and it seems like his last rank before his rank skip to Judan was Nanadan. So wouldn't he go back to that rank, or did he get tested for Hachidan at some point? (Skipping Dan ranks to me just seemed ridiculous but that's just me)

I have no problem with your answer. Now to play devil's advocate once again. If the job is to teach students to use their strength why can't a 14 year old get a shodan.

[quote name=" I knew this was not a popular subject that I should have avoided. Ok here is my opinion on this subject. First I do not think it is just about learning and knowing the curriculum. Yes to have the knowledge is very important but this is only half of what I believe makes a Shodan. Not going to be popular but here it goes... If I put a' date=' lets say 14 year old, up against my other Shodans and Nidans they can not handle their own without these other men holding back. Our Shodan and Sandan tests are the hardest we give. This is for a few reason but at the top of the list is the fact that no one is awarded Shodan without deserving it and proving that they are worthy of the title. I have said I am old fashioned before so everyone should know this as I explain what I mean, our Shodan test takes a minimum of a day and a half but usually takes three due to exhaustion and the student needing the opportunity to pace themselves. The normal requirements are tested but instead of just showing that you know and are somewhat proficient in the Mudansha Kata, Kihon, Tuidi, Tegumi, and Kyusho techniques you must prove that you are very proficient. I hate the word mastered but this would be a very close word to describe our requirements. This consists of all curriculum from Hachikyu thru Sankyu and a decent proficiency for Nikyu and Ikkyu requirements. This tests the students knowledge and proficiency in the curriculum. To test the students skills and abilities in utilizing this knowledge we put them up against every Nikyu, Ikkyu, Shodan and Nidan in the school. They must be able to best all Nikyu, most Ikkyu and hold their own against Shodans and be able to hang in the fight against the Nidans. Again I have yet to see a 14 year old able to measure up to what we consider worthy of the grade. In my mind your students represent you as an instructor and more importantly represent the art. If I promoted a youngster to Shodan they would need to be able to hold their own against other equivalent grades no matter the size or age. We have everyone mix it up with everyone. There are no size/weight limits because you will not run into a 200lb hoodlum that walks away because you are only 100lbs. We do not make exceptions for age in that only 16 yr olds fight other 16 to 18 yr olds. They fight 20 to 40 yr olds. There are no rules on the street so why implement them in the dojo? The bottom line is I do not feel that a child would be able to meet our criteria for promotion and I would never hand the belt to someone that I thought was not worthy. Please do not take this as a judgement on you or any other school that awards BB's to youth. Requirements are different from school to school and from art to art. This is just my point of view and my requirements based on my Shinshii's requirements. They do not work for everyone and I realize there is merit in what you have stated above. However you asked me to clarify so I felt obligated to do so. I also realize I have no filter or political correctness so please do not take what I have said as a condemnation although it might come across that way. I certainly do not mean it that way. I respect your choice and reasons to do what you do as well as any other instructor here on KF. However these are my reasons and I stand by them based on my personal experiences as they have proven to be true in our particular art/school.[/quote] So how does the 18, 115 ib female fair against the 32 year old 255 pounder?

Thanks for the feedback. My personal view is to allow testing opportunities every month, just to take account of when people sign up all year around.

Can't believe I missed this. Congrats ! here's to another five years !

Say you run a dojo, and you do testing every 4 months for lower ranks. So for example its January, so the next promotion would be in May. For people that signed up in Jan, that is four months. But if you sign up in Feb, that would be 3 months. Clearly not fair. So do you make them wait till Sept? Not fair either. (This is to assume you have people ready to test.) Do you say tough, or do have various testings such as if you sign up in Jan, you can test in May, sept, and Jan. And if you sign up in say July, Nov, March, and July. Because if you do it on a set schedule, then someone either gets to test in a short amount of time, or they have to wait longer.

Awesome, congratulation

Very cool !Congats

Yeah, there is a dojo by where I live, its a TKD school but they use word karate on their building sign.

Does the average person even know the difference between TKD and Karate?

Whomever is wearing a Kohaku Obi, trust me, their ranks are known within that governing body! Take the SKKA, for example. Every single Rokudan and up are in attendance at our annual Testing Cycle without any exceptions. Within the SKKA, we're all very well known by the SKKA's student body, in that, we know where to line up and where to not line up, albeit, the student body knows that about us as well. In short, there's never any surprises and/or confusions!! Whenever I wear mine, and if there are others that are approved to wear such, it's known by all that I'm the top dog on and off the floor. And depending on what the event is, who lines up to my left varies. Sometimes Shogo title holders line up per their Shogo level, and then by Dan ranks, so on and so forth. A visitor to our Hombu might not know or understand or care about things like this, and for those who've an interest in it, still might not know one way or another. Even those who are well versed in the practice, still might not know either as to that particular protocol and the like. Solid, hope the rebuilding of your organization is going well.

So how does this work for lets say judo tournaments where you have a bunch of 6-8 wearing the kohaku obi. That must be a pain to determine who lines up where. Same belt so how does you know which is a 6,7,8. Anyhow, same rank realy doesn't matter, I would say who ever gets in line first.

Nope, outside of the dojo pretty relaxed. Made some great friends from people whom I teach with.

Happy birthday!

If one thinks about when some people join a dojo. They get a white belt, so technically that's not being tested for. Unless your school makes you test for white belt.