parkerlineage

Okay, apparently, I don't know how to edit the polls. Anybody know how?

Hey, everybody. I was just wondering how many black belts are here, and what styles they are. If I forgot any or yours isn't up there, just post it here, and I'll add it to the poll as soon as I notice. Peace; Parkerlineage PS. If I spelled it wrong, tell me.

DKizzle, what style are you?

My Professor kind of looks down on that one...but it is quite fun.

As had mine (I just got a promotion from Juinor to Senior black belt). In Kenpo, at least, if you're a black belt and your retracting hand is rubbing on your belt, you're doing it wrong. Just thought I'd say that, not that it matters. Peace; Parkerlineage

I change my fighting style depending on my opponents'. If they are Tae Kwan Do, for example, I will play defensive until I learn what their favorite kicks are, then after a round or two go offensive with my own kicks and hand strikes. If they are Kenpo, I know they do not use many kicks, and will go on the offensive with kicking to scare them until I can either land one or use my hands. The mark of a truly experienced and good fighter is one that can shift without difficulty and spontanesouly between defense and offense. That almost sounds like a good quote or something, don't you think? Peace; Parkerlineage

Your style may not have kata, Cmon. I don't know for sure, but you may want to look it up on the internet or talk to your instructor about it. Peace; Parkerlineage

Our classes for the kids are 50 minutes long. For the example, I will do the advanced kids' class Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday: 10 Minutes - Warm up, stretches 5 Minutes - Basic two kata together 10 Minutes - Break off by belt level for other kata 10 Minutes - Obstacle course (game) 10 Minutes - Techniques by belt 5 Minutes - Game Thursday: 10 Minutes - Warm up, stretches 5 Minutes - Basic two kata together 5-10 Minutes - Break off by belt level for other kata 5 Minutes - Kicking set Remainder of class - Sparring Peace; Parkerlineage

Don't even get me started on them. I can do a front flip, and a handspring, and all sorts of other stuff I learned when I was in gymnastics. The only thing it helps for is lightness on your feet and flexibility for kicking. DON'T BOTHER! Peace; Parkerlineage DISCLAIMER: I AM IN NO WAY ATTEMPTING TO INSULT ANY XMA STUDENTS OUT THERE. I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TO YOUR SYSTEM OF TRAINING THAT I AM UNAWARE OF, AND WOULD LOVE TO HEAR. THIS IS SIMPLY MY UNINFORMED OPINION.

I am sixteen, so a young instructor, like you. Of the assistant instructors, I know I am the kid's favorite, because I have heard them say that, and have had their parents tell me so. I got to that position by being friendly, but not a friend, like many above have stated. I joke, smile, tease, and establish my authority with an iron thumb if things start to get out of hand. The best way to make kids not like you is to be constantly yelling and doling out punishments - establish your authority as soon as you see things beginning to get out of hand so that you don't spend the rest of the class trying to regain control. Don't be afraid to develop impersonal personal relationships with the students. I forget their names all the time, but they all think I'm their best friend. Joke with them, give out compliments freely and correct subtly - I hate it when the other assistant instructors criticize students in front of the entire class at the top of their lungs (unless, of course, the student has a big head and needs to be deflated), and so do the kids. My final tip is to be just and caring - if two students are arguing, I separate them until such time as I can take them both quietly aside, have them relate their stories to me, and then smooth things out by having them both apologize - and then keep them separated. Peace; Parkerlineage

My instructor chooses the best students to instruct. He basically gives you a quick rundown of what to do after class one day, then, if you have any questions, you ask him. You start off as more of a junior assistant, kind of in the back sort of thing, then gradually move up until, like me, you lead through entire classes while my Professor is giving a private lesson or something. As for qualifications - when I started teaching, I was a Junior Black belt, and had been training for seven years. Peace; Parkerlineage

I am 16 years old, and have been teaching since I recieved my Junior Black Belt at age 13. Most of my statements will probably have already been stated, but nih. 1.) You are teaching because you are the best option. If your Sensei, Sifu, Master, whatever you call him/her asks you to teach, it is because he believes you are better than any other available student to lead out. 2.) Learn from your mistakes. If a student says, "You're wrong," nod and say, "I'll ask Master ____ when we're done," then carry on. If you seriously have doubts about whether or not you were correct, ask, then humbly tell the people you instructed wrong that you got confused. Teach them the right way, and move on without looking back. However, if a lower rank tells you you're wrong, and you know you're not - and this may only work because of my personality - ask them what color belt they are. Then ask them what color belt you are. Leave it at that, and move on without arguing. 3.) Ignore the age gap. Being thirteen, or in your case, fifteen, years old and teaching an adult class is scary. Some of the people are probably old enough to be your parents - in my case, one of them was. However, remember that martial arts is like the military. Your belt outranks theirs - you are their captain, and they should look up to you and respect you. If you have a problem, flex your authority. Break through the wall and order them to do pushups, or whatever your punishment in your dojo is. If the problem continues, speak to your Master about it - there won't be a problem again. 4.) Ignore that stupid brown belt guy. In fact, talk to your Master about him, too, if the problem continues and your Master is a reasonable guy. My pet peeve in karate is when higher-ranking students abuse their power over lower ranking students. He obviously thinks he has to prove himself - don't let him. 5.) Keep going. For the first year or so, it was incredibly hard for me. After a while, it became easier. As you advance in rank and experience, you will become more confident and start having more fun while you instruct. Just let it flow...be the (insert crazy Japanese name you guys have for your kata)... Hope that helps; Parkerlineage

Generally, a ragged belt means more time put in on the mat - the more you tie it and get it pulled and torqued, the more it will...ragedize. However, I will keep this argument simple with my always favorite quote: Colors show, but not what you know.

Ed Parker's American Kenpo Begun by Ed Parker after training from William Chow, who was trained in Japanese Karate, Kung Fu, and Jujitsu. Defense: AK begins with hard blocking, then transfers to open handed parrying, then completely sideslipping the strike or reading beforehand to prevent the attack. Power Principles: AK is based on three power principles. 1.) Gravitational Marriage: The body in a vertical line with the strike. (ie. Downward elbow while dropping to wide kneel) 2.) Backup Mass: The body is in line with the strike on a horizontal plane. (ie. Sliding forward with a punch) 3.) Rotation: The body turns on a horizontal plane with the strike (ie. Spinning backnuckle) Counter-rotation: The body turns opposing the strike (not as common) Circles: AK has three different principles on circling strikes. 1.) Continue the circle (ie. Rising backnuckle, continue motion to ridgehand) 2.) Reverse the circle (ie. Rising backnuckle, change circle to go to other side of head with hammerfist) 3.) Cut the circle in half (ie. Horizontal palm, collapse into inward elbow) Size of circles is based on Economy of Motion - the bigger the circle, the harder the strike, the smaller the circle, the faster the strike. Change the circle to fit the situation or strike accordingly. Strikes: AK tends to be more hand-strike oriented, with circular combinations based on leading your opponent into your next move. Kicks in techniques are virtually all chest level or below, with the majority going to groin or knees. However, kumite style varies with the person; at 6'5", I tend to kick high and fast, like a TKD guy with Kung Fu hands. Promotions: For a promotion, there are 24 techniques that are required to continue on, as well as a kata. However, some instructors, such as my own, have changed the techniques to a 10-15-15-15-15-18-18-18-14 system, which is much more confusing to write. Kata: AK contains an argued number of kata, varying between 12-14 (though the debated kata are too highly advanced to matter greatly). Short Form 1 (White/Yellow) and Long Form 1 (Purple) are defensive hard style, as well as Short Form 3 (Green) and Long Form 3 (Brown). Long Form 4 is known as the System Kata and contains the most hardcore system techinques. Long Form 5 is based on being unprepared for an attacker, and tends to have more circular motions. Long Forms 6-7 (or 9, depending on whom you ask) are based on fighting against weapon attacks. Weapons: AK contains very few weapons kata. My instructor personally knows the lone traditional Kenpo Bo kata. If anybody else Kenpo is aware of further traditional weapons Kata from Kenpo, please let me know. Acrobatics: HA! I'm sure I've forgotten some stuff, but I really doubt anybody wanted to hear that much. I'll add more as people ask, or as I remember. Peace; Parkerlineage

I always say: That's right, sucka! Actually, I have no useful information to post at this time. I generally say thank you to lesser ranks, and give a slight bow to my superiors as well if they compliment me.

As I wander in my lonely desolation, the question comes to me...why does nobody from EPAK (Ed Parker's American Kenpo) post on here? Are you out there? And what rank, if you are? Am I truly alone? hehe; Parkerlineage

To practice: Long Form 5 To perfrom: Long Form 3 or 4 Yay for stupid Kenpo Kata names!!

I have been training for eleven years. At year ten, I looked at where I was at year eight, and felt I had gone nowhere. I was panicing as my black belt test approached, feeling that I was in no way prepared enough. In hindsight, I see that I did improve, greatly, in fact. There is no way you cannot improve. Every time you hit the mat, you learn something new, and become just that much better. Just wait it out; in the end, you will see your advances. Peace; Parkerlineage

A parry is a move. An eyepoke is a move. A kick is a move. An elbow is a move. A move teaches you an automatic response. A technique is a flowing sequence of moves. A technique teaches you to link those responses together. A kata is a flowing sequecne of techniques that have similar applications or principles, whether they be obvious or subtle. A kata teaches you the similarity and reason to the techniques. In Kenpo. Peace; Parkerlineage

For my black belt test, we ran for katas an hour, thesis techniques for another half hour, techniques for an hour, and then the Ring of Fire (spontaneous response drill where you stand in the middle of a circle and people are chosen by the Master to randomly attack you) for another half hour. It was the hardest, most exhausting thing I have ever done. And I feel great about it. It gives me a sense of accomplishment I wouldn't have if I had simply been handed it. My personal opinion, however; others may feel differently, and they are no more wrong than I am. Peace; Parkerlineage

Colors show, but not what you know. My first degree black belt is outranked by a third degree in my studio. I can beat him hands down. My sixth degree black belt teacher makes me look like a white belt when we fight. Belts are pretty - but not always an accurate depiction of your skill. Your skill is an accurate depiction. Nevertheless... I obtained my black belt via a rigorous two hour technique line in which three people were almost knocked unconcious from, and we closed with the Ring of Fire, in which one stands in the center of a semi-circle, and the Master points to random people, who attack you and you must fight them off. Everybody who passed in that test deserved it. If they had sparred me, and lost, therefore not getting their belt, it would not have been right. They deserved it just as much as me. In my humble opinion; Parkerlineage

I believe scottnshelly is probably correct. No offense to anybody who is XMA, but that thing is utterly ridiculous. Peace; Parkerlineage

hahahaha... The name rocks! I recieved my black belt from Master Planas, who is a direct student of Master Parker, but I've got no idea what that's about. Awesome name, though. Peace; Parkerlineage

It is, contrary to popular belief, incredibly difficult to break someone's neck. To do so, one must have a completely firm grip, and use all of one's strength to rip, and even then, it may not break, but tear ligaments and muscles. If you were able to do so, you would undoubtedly be in a position that either: a) leaves you exposed to any other opponents or b) means you are in the right spot to control them without doing such vast harm. The majority of Kenpo techniques can be broken down into multiple levels...Weapons destruction, pacifier, "kill" shot (power strike), throw, control, serious harm (ie. neck break) A martial artist fluent in their style should be able to end the fight before needing to carry on far enough to break somebody's neck. Not that I would hold it against you if you accidently did it, or were in a serious combat situation such as the terrorist scenario previously posted. Adrenaline does crazy stuff to you... Peace; Parkerlineage

I've defended this on several threads, and I could still be wrong. I've never been in any fights that lasted long enough for me to use my kicks, but I'm 6'5", really flexible, and have faster kicks than anybody in my dojo other than my sifu. My legs are long even for my height. Therefore, a kick to the head is barely higher than my chest or stomach. So, could it work for me?