CloudDragon

Got it, some people find it helps to sand off the finish that comes with the jo or bo staff and use olive oil, I have used it on one staff for about 10 years and have yet to see any cracking or warping. This process makes the staff smooth but not slick, this makes the strikes and blocks much easier to do.

WW is on the money as usual. I would also like to add that it can be used to encourage the student to "Raise the bar" a bit if they have become a little complacent. But then again, if you are tall, maybe he just wanted to practice head kicks on a tall person!

That post is the very reason there are so many of these McSchools today. Care to expand on that? As for Norris, I don't think that's true - I used to train at one of his schools. Even if it is, he trained 6 days a week, for about 5 hours a day, while he was in Korea. He trained in both judo and tang soo do. When he left Korea, he was a black belt in TSD and a brown in judo. So, however long he was in korea is how long he trained before getting his black belt. Hey I'm just telling what I read in his autobiography, any problems with that should be taken up with Mr. Norris.

welcome noob!

Krav Maga has some really good stuff.

Bretty, I agree with you, high student to instructor ratios can be detrimental to learining. However, many people see a school with alot of students and automatically start making decisions. They never enter the school or talk to the owner. I was invloved with a school that taught traditional TKD. There were over 150 enrolled, this was enough to get the accusations going from those who think that a martial arts school should have no more than 30 or 40 members. What they heard was the classes were held on a full size basketball court with 4 classes a night and about 30-40 students in a class. Here is what the gossips didn't find out: there were 2 or 3 black belt instructors in each class, plus the head insturctor, who circulated among the groups, and 3 or 4 senior students (brown belt and above, all were adults). After warmups the class was broken down into groups with 10 or less students. The real crux is that they were called a Mcdojo because of enrollment! The rates were reasonable, about 10 to 20 percent of the school was students with other martial arts backgrounds. They occasionally participated in open tournaments and did well, and yet they were still called a Mcdojo! I took the training I got there and worked several years in casino and bar security, during which I was involved in a handful of physical incidents. Each time the techiniques I was taught worked exactly as they should and I was never seriously injured. Guess what? I went back to visit the school a few years ago and they are still being called a Mcdojo! What I would like to see is people not judging a school by its enrollment, remember do your research before applying labels. You might be looking over a great school for the wrong reasons!

White Warlock, In response to your thoughts: My statement about 3 years of time to get a black belt is meant to be in training time, so personal life does not have a bearing on that statement. At no time did I say a student should get a black belt without earning it. I think that if an instructor is meant to be an instructor, they will be able to guide the average student to mastery of the basics within three years of training time. Think about this, the basics of most martial arts are mostly physical, there are no metaphysical, political or other lofty achievements required. All you have to do is be able to punch, block, kick and stand, with variations on those ideas. The human body will only move in so many directions and my thought is that a student should be able to learn these movements that are specific to that art within three years. The black belt that Chuck Norris earned was in Tang Soo Do. I believe at that time he had a brown belt in judo, but this had no effect on his position in the TSD Dojang. I read this in his autobiography, I don't have a copy of it anymore, but you might want to check on ebay or amazon for one, it is a great read. As to your note about the school in Sacremento, I never said there was no such thing as a McDojo, and all that were labeled as such were undeserving. Your story proves that. But from my perspective many of the McDojo accusations I have seen are from people who slander the other schools because of high enrollment or the fact that the school has a good business plan and is doing financially well. That is where my jealousy statement comes from. The point I was trying to make with my post is that a long time to black belt is a Mcdojo like practice that many martial artists fall for. To me this is ridiculous. Schools should offer their students progressive instruction that continually challenges them physically and mentally without compromising quality. Thank you for such a well thought response to my post!

I think that every post here has made a valid point or points. I think that most of the people who stamp others with that label usually do so because of jealousy in one respect or another, so they take some point about the other school and proclaim that it is wrong and the school is not a valid dojo. I have one thought about one of the most contested issues: time to black belt. I think that it shouldn't take more than 3 years to attain a black belt. After all, the most accepted definition of the skill level of a black belt is that they are a student who has mastered the basic concepts of their art. If it takes you longer than that to learn the basics of an art, then you are being swindled or not being properly taught. If you do research you will find that before the 1970's and the mass importation of martial arts into the US, (yes I know it started in the 50's & 60's, but it really expanded in the 70's) A black belt was awarded in 1-2 years on average. Example, Chuck Norris got his black belt in about a year, anyone want to tell him his isn't legit? Anyway, if it takes you a long time to earn your black belt I feel that you are being cheated because your instructor or association is milking you for $$$ because they probably won't keep you after your black belt beacuse they have little more to offer. Thank You for your kind attention to my rant.

I agree with Sasori_Te, it reinforces respect and good manners.

You might want to advance in your training a bit before taking on that kind of tournament. I use an escrima stick with gentle to hard hits to condition my shins and forearms.

"Little girls are the devil!" Bobby Boucher's mother in "The Waterboy"

Welcome to the forums!

Think about this, why halt a kids progression? The entire time instructors are saying "You can do anything you want if to set your mind to it" and etc.. But then we slam on the brakes and say "Oh well you will have to wait until you are 16 for your BB" What kind of crap is that? Are children mature enough to handle the responsiblities of a black belt? Some are, some aren't, just like adults, but why should there be such a huge difference in the maturity of a black belt as compared to a brown or red belt? Aren't we as martial artists bound to the same principles regardless of rank? I understand that balck belts are required to perform to a higher standard, physically and emotionally, but if we can make exceptions for people who are older and have lost flexibility. why not make exception for those who have not gained maturity and mold them in the way that is honorable and right?

Well, at least the illustrations look cool.

By using courtesy and respect. Hasn't failed me yet.

Um, Hello? Chocolate chip cookies!!!!

Welcome!

I wear whatever suits me at the time. In my school, assistant instructors wear black pants, and students wear white. We do this to identify "go to" people for new students and recognize our AI's for their hard work.

MTKD, I am sorry that you feel so strongly that the color of a uniform reflects on a persons ability to practice the traditional martial arts. I feel that people need to be assessed on ability, not the color of their uniform. Even arguing this point is ridiculous. Its like cutting down someone for wearing black jeans instead of blue jeans, because blue is "traditional". Another thing, I thank God everyday for the country I live in and the freedom to express my opinion, whether it be about many people, or about one. I also thank God for the knowledge to know when not to be disrespectful and rude to others, because that would go against the tenents of my traditional Taekwondo training.

Welcome

Welcome!

Welcome!

Don't let someone who has never seen you "in action" question your ability. Your Sensei has seen fit to grade you accordingly. Don't feel ashamed or concerned about your children seeing you in a white belt, it is an excellent chance to show that learning is a lifetime experience and to never rest on their laurels. One more thing, remember you truly know your ability and belt level, never let anyone question it. Best Regards, CD

Spook, there is no arguement, it is my thought on the topic. Thank you.

I agree with ninjanurse, politics don't mean ^%$# in a dark alley.