ps1

Couldn't agree more!!

I definately agree that BJJ would be an excellent place to learn the appropriate self defense! 90% of the basic techniques taught from the guard would be perfect. Afterall, that's where the attacker wants to get. I would point out, however, that you admit you carry yourself wrong. I teach self defense at a state university and I'll tell you that all the techniques in the world will not change how you carry yourself. Only you can do that. Whether you live through the situation or not...you're still a victim. My question to you would be this: How long are you willing to be a victim? You first need to look at everything you do. How you dress, how you walk, how you talk, where you go and why. Do you get enough sleep, if not...do you look tired when you're out? Do you drink, do you do drugs, do you smoke ect...These questions are rhetorical. I don't really want the answers...but you need them. Being abused when you were 4 was the act of a very sick person and was not your fault! You must come to terms with this...or it will haunt you. It's something no one should have to go through. Understand, however, that the more you abuse yourself now, though, will affect YOUR kids. You never have to be perfect, just don't allow yourself to be a victim any longer. Walk tall and be proud. You have children...you're a mother. So be the mother...strong, convicted, determined, just and fair. God bless and good luck. Bill

Sweet! Sounds like a blast!

My question exactly! It sounds more like you are attacking this person. Unfortunately this may or may not work. Remember that you are in a car. Without the use of your legs and hips your ability to produce leverage is greatly reduced. This technique becomes one of strength and pain compliance. It also depends on wheather the person has his hands open or closed. Even if you get the thumb it is likely to simply be broken in a stressful situation. Now you've made someone who was angry, even angrier! Minutes! You are giving a weak armbar WAY too much credit! The armbar is not a very effective method of controlling someone for a long period of time. In policing and in the military it's used to take somone down so you can gain a better position (the back). This is because slight shifts in the body can allow a person to reposition their arm and effectively escape. Even an untrained person will naturally shift and escape they type of armbar you're speaking of. Give it a try. I agree with most of the people that you should just get out of the car. I'm going to assume that the reason you took the keys in the first place was to protect the driver. So if you're trying to protect him/her...why are strike being thrown in the first place. Take the keys and get out!

Where I used to train we from White to black we required 11 kata. Taikyuku 1 Heian 1-5 Bassai Jion Tekki 1 Bo Sho- Bo Form Tsui Sho- Another Bo Form The ability to perform the Bunkai for the Heian Kata was also required. I believe I will adjust those requirements some when I eventually open my own place. I will require learning all 3 Taikyuku kata and Bunkai for all the kata will be required.

It would seem your sempai is attempting to instill a sense of remaining mind in the his kohai. They should attempt to get up. But to do it in the safest possible manner. Your sempai is doing his duty well!

I've only seen some of the videos. So, admittedly, my experience with the tradmarked program is limited. I wasn't impressed when they spun the cane around their back just to bring it up to a block. I have trained with the cane however, not in that program, and found it quite use less. 99% of what was taught required some pretty strong use of both legs. I could be wrong, but most people who carry a cane don't have great balance or terrific use of their legs. It's fun stuff to perform, but not practical for someone who needs a cane.

On my Karate gi I have only 1 patch. On my Aiki Jujitsu gi I have no patches. This is because I follow the rules and guidlines set forth by those particular schools. On my BJJ gi I have several patches. In BJJ they love to see patches on the gi. The more the better. It's kind of like wearing your entire lineage on your gi. I enjoy both schools of thought. In Aiki they teach that the gi should be like the mind...void of clutter. In BJJ they tell us the gi is just something to put on to go to class...the discipline comes from within. I feel they are both correct.

Whatever choice you make...give it your all and you will succeed. Good luck.

I don't necessarily agree with the whole...best style is the one that wins stuff. Sometimes people don't care about self defense or tournaments. They just do it to stay in shape or for a family event and so on. But I do agree whole heartedly that you can't and shouldn't always blame the judges. During my competition years...I made a point to ask each judge what they felt I could do better. I'd say about 85% always had something valid. Every once in a while I would get a guy who simply said, "I just don't understand Kung Fu." One guy complained that the color of my staff was wrong?!? But most were completely valid in their thoughts. I won several national championships because I asked the judges how to improve, took their advice to my Sifu, and we made decisions from there. Additionally, in all the arts I have studied, my instructors have always been willing to tell me if a technique was good or bad. I'm glad they did. Afterall...that's their responsibility.

So... All the Jiujitsu greats train in Jiujitsu? Call it coincidence! All of the Karate greats trained in Karate also.

With the weight distribution were it was he could not have stood once White got his legs in position. He did have another option...which was to do a face plant into the ground. I'm guessing that blue didn't want to end up with a broken nose and decided to roll instead. I wish the angle let us see the grips that white had. I'm sure that would shed even more light onto it for you. As I'm sure you know...grip placement is extremely important.

Yes...you are correct about the cut differences in the BJJ gi and a Judo gi. If your instructor has a wholesale account with Atama, you can get them for around $80. Otherwise that brand will cost around $100 plus shipping.

He had no choice but to roll. Carefully watch White's leg after it passes over. It goes between Blues legs. This means that blue can not step forward with his right leg. When he backs it out he is effectively swept (his right arm is tied up and his right leg is forced to back out). The arm bar happens when White is sure to lock down Blue's head, making it too difficult to sit up and relieve the pressure on his elbow.

Thanks bushido_man96.

I believe you handled yourself appropriately. "Karate is aid to justice." I am deeply saddened by their actions as it is just the attitude I am seeing from many who study in MMA schools. Too often, I see them believing they are superior to other MA stylists. Please keep in mind that I train in an MMA school now also (for reason outlined on another thread). Too many people learning fighting and too few really grasp the way of the thing itself. At times it can feel like organized thugary. Fortunately the instructor and i are able to set many of them straight.

I know that all the local ATA establishments advertise "Karate For Kids" as a program they offer. I visited their website and it's located in the national ATA also. Don't ask me why. I've never studied at an ATA.

You'll find that all the greats: The entire Gracie Family, Saulo Ribeiro, Pedro Sauer, and the Machados (to name a small few) all train Gi. Those I met and trained with tell me it really helps to advance the no-gi game. You'll find yourself getting different chokes and such because Gi training is much more technical and forces that from you. You'll become much better by training Gi. Then learn to apply what you learn gi to no-gi. It takes time, but you'll eventually start to see there's many more no-gi grips than you previously thought. Go get em'! Have fun.

The belt is meaningless. It's just a way for your instructor to gauge your level of knowledge in your art. If you have it...you earned it. Trust your Sensei. You have not been training nearly long enough to decide who is ready for anything. I don't mean that to be offensive...just truthful.

What's he been doing lately. I've seen a couple "straight to video" movies lately. He seems to have gotten a little eccentric as he's gotten older. Am I the only one who noticed this?

Richard Gregory, To answer your first question: Bunkai consumes about 75% of my kata practice. To answer your second question: I perfer to teach many of the techniques and combinations of the Kata before I teach it as Kata. This way I can refer the student back to that training. It seems to help them remember it. I guess that there are arguments for all the times you mentioned however. ParkerLineage, I would say that you are not correct in thinking that your system is the only one that drills bunkai extensively. Thanks, PS1

Another good way to get him to release his grip is to place both of your legs over his grip and stretch. This usually works. If you want to abandon the armbar, here's a good combo. Take the leg not over the head and slide it under his arms (against the chest of your opponent. Next, remove the leg that's over the head of the opponent and lay to your back. As the opponent comes up you will see that you have set up the triangle. From that point you can easily transition back to armbar or to omaplata and so on. Usually though...the best bet is to get the opponent to release the grip. You're in such a dominant position with the armbar that it would be a shame to give it up. Releasing is the last option.

Don't let it get to you Bushido_man96. Segal has done that for a very very long time. There is no doubt he is very skilled in Aikido.

My favorite is to choke. Preferably the RNC, but any choke will do. Gentle...but extremely effective.

Congratulations