ps1

It was stated in the begining of the thread that this is NOT a life and death situation. This means you are not in a bar or a dark alley or anything the like. Where, then, does the person in your face come from? When you say it's not a life and death situation and NO weapons are involved, there is now only a small element of reality left. Much like Pride, or UFC or some other NHB fighting. In the majority of those fights, the person who gets the solid hit in first usually wins. Skill level is going to play a huge part of your question. You MUST assume two fighters of equal skill. Otherwise, the more skilled fighter will win. This is because it's not a real situation and the elements of weapons, multiple attackers, and luck are now gone. When you begin to advance into higher ranks, you will see that the line between attack and counter attack is razor thin. You may begin to react to things like blinking eyes or seeing toes grip the floor. However, these things do not play into real situations. You do not usually have the benifit of sparring with a real attacker hundreds of times to learn his little quirks. Lastly, your question has no real answer. Afterall, both types of attack should be used at different times. If you have an overly aggressive partner, sure you counter... he's asking for it. If you have a more passive opponent, he will not attack without an opening. Maybe not even with an opening. So you must attack first. To practice one over another is just silly and limits your ability. You must pracitce both. Otherwise you and your training partner just stand there looking at one another.

P.A.L., Please explain to me how "faking an attack to get the other person to attack" isn't an attack in itself! In this situation, your opponent believes he's responding to an attack by you! In the situation you have set up, there will never be an aggressor or defender! They blend together. Aiuchi!

There's nothing wrong with playing music in a school as long as they don't try to pass their school off as a traditional or classical oriental school. There are some other systems that do use specific types of music.

TKD Bill, I know you're fairly new to this forum, not that I'm a veteran, but it's important to recognize who is here. Everyone!!! There are some very traditionally trained martial artists here who, while they understand your situation, believe it is wrong to charge anything more than what it takes to keep your school open. Others, like yourself, are more modern. No one thinks ill of your way. It's just not their way. Everyone Else, Your testing fees, if any apply, are going to vary dramatically depending on your affiliations and the needs of your school. Fees in my school are $35.00 for kyu (gup) and $125 + for dan ranks. This is because the certifying body I fall under is very large. Those fees all go to them. In return, they bring in excellent Sensei from Japan, Korea, Brazil, and other countries to ensure we have very good training. The students see the payoff. Compared to many of your comments, these fees seem quite high. But I've met some very amazing people. It's not likely I will get to visit all those countries in my life, so I think it's worth the little extra. However, all "profit" from my school is put into a fund set up for buying equipment for the dojo and fufilling the needs of the students who may be studying under a scholarship.

Good fighters have an inate ability to use their body and environment in such a way that it serves their needs. Through positioning, body mechanics, and good technique (not nesisarily taught to them) they overcome their opponents.

Do you understand that the art of ninja is the art of espionage? It includes hand to hand combat, weapon combat, stealth, BETRAYAL, economics, disguise, escape, and evasion. All of which is used toward the goal of destroying an enemy force... or the enemy of whoever is paying you at the time! I'm not saying it is an evil art or anything, just that it is not really something a 7 year old will ever truely learn. More the type of thing we teach to CIA operatives in the field! Tell your 7 year old cousin to stop watching too much TV and go to bed.

Because of the size of the WWW, a school webpage is more of a tool than an advertising scheme. I mean, I live in Ohio, what good is my school going to do for a person in China? Really none!! I agree with White Tiger. It's a good and efficent way to communicate with your students. Of course you also communicate at the school. But as you get more students who become instructors on their own, they move away and open their own schools. They can keep tabs by checking the website. Parents can keep track of upcoming events their kids may have forgotten to mention. In the end it's not a necessity, just a very nice convience.

Bumps, bruises, aches and pains are too numerous to count. My first real injury came in the way of a busted jaw, a very busted jaw. I ate a spinning hook kick and it turns out I should have ducked. I sprained my ankles a couple of times. Broken fingers (three I think) Recently broke my right pinky toe doing grappling. I also have had torn romboids (muscles deep in the upper back), that was a painful one.

WW, I bow humbly to you for your enlightening words. domo arigato

Talk about the learning curve flattening out, eeeesh. It's even tougher when you've been studying for 20 years. More because you have this huge list of everything you want to work on (usually far longer than the list of things you feel are where they need to be) and find it difficult to find people to do it with. Has anyone else had this problem?

I wonder which is more highly debated. The debate about the "existance of ki" or the debate about "which style is the best." I think all the people who believe in ki should stand on my right. All the people who do not should stand on my left. I'll say "go" and you can duke it out. Anyone who is left can move on to the round where we test out our styles:)

Drago, White Tiger is exactly correct. You are doing many things right!!! 250 students do not usually flock to a poor instructor. There is nothing wrong with repeating a lesson every once in a while (especially one as important a low kicks). Kicking watermelons is cool. Also, try some circut training. They can kick a different type of target at each station. For example: Station 1, kick with the right leg in the air. Station 2, Kick a bag with the right leg. Station 3, defend a punch and kick to the leg of your opponent. Stations 4,5, and 6 can be the same on the opposite side. Station 7, kick a heavy bag as hard as possible. Time the duration at each station, blow a whistle when they should change. Get the idea? I think you're probably doing just fine.

Since you are still 10th kyu (this is what your profile suggests). I will only tell you to listen to your instructor/ Sensei. There will come a time when a better answer could be provided. At 10th kyu you would not have the technical knowledge to know what is best. For now, learn to move as best you can while in those deep stances.

it's ok that you believe that. but why are you in a thread about scissors contained in a forum for jujitsu?

I guess it would depend on your skill level in BJJ. If we're talking about a Bjj Black belt, yeah it may help. Afterall, you've got allot of experience under your belt. AS LONG AS YOU REMEMBER NEVER TO GO TO GUARD. Many of the takedowns are the same. As a beginner, however, many BJJ schools only train in Gi. This would not be very useful to a wrestler who needs to hunt for underhooks and dosen't have any clothing to use.

I have had the honor of sparring (standing only) with some of his affiliate schools (ufaf) students. All the black belts were more than capable and were very respectful. I'm not the best sparrer (point fighting) ever, but I'm not bad. I say they're on par with the better schools I've seen. ps All of their black belts MUST test in front of Mr Norris.

Funny story! It does say that they were drunk though. I plan to put it up in the BJJ academy where I train. It reminds me of something that happened to the instructor when he was still in college. Don't worry, he's better now.

ps: I'm not assuming those are your ranks, I just used them as an example. I don't mean any offense by them.

Dear john, First: What's your hurry? Think of it this way... wouldn't you rather be a really good purple belt than a weak brown belt? Rank, essentially, means nothing. Second: It's great you are willing to share this info with us, however, we are not your instructor and can do nothing to help you. If you are as good as you say you are, your instructor will know this. She will respect your opinion. TALK TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR!!!

pretty cool little tool. Good find. Didn't come very close. But I think I may have cheated somehow...err...huh!

pyeman, Yes, I do. His name is George E. Anderson. 10th Dan is usually the rank reserved for the political head of an orginization. This is also true of him. He is the head of the Kwanmuzendokai (Kan mu kan for short). Usually, any rank over the accepted "master or guru" rank (5th degree w/in the kwanmukan) is political or honorary in nature. Is there a reason you ask this question?

You're right. I read this book while serving in Iraq. It is awesome. My favorite part is the section on honor. Moreover, if you want more good reading... go to the bibliography section. Any book by Donn Drager is also highly suggested.

Army boy, If you're still in the Army, talk to your NCOIC because you have issues and need the Chaplin. Once those issues are resolved talk to the Combatives instructor. If you're not, figure out why you get into sooo many fights. Then avoid those situations. That's your first lesson, the best defense is not to be there.

on second thought, this guy is an idiot!!

Yeah!! I saw him in Black Belt mag also. I do not like to speak ill of people. That's all I'll say.