ps1

It depends on whether or not you're on a first name basis with your instructor. If you're not, sir or Mr... would be appropriate.

Generally, taping of any kind is used to add stability to a joint. In this case, it adds to the stability of the wrist joint, which can be especially fragile due to the sheer number of parts that make it up.

I went with the "should be marketable" category. I chose this because when I see "accomplished," it makes me think of tournaments. While this can be an indicator of how good an instructor is, it can also be an indicator of how self centered he is as well. I picked marketable because that's where I would put the good instructor. There may be a number of reasons he can't or didn't compete/ excel in competition. But he might still be a great instructor. If that's what you meant by accomplished...than that's where I should have voted.

That's a cool observation.

Well, let me ask you this. If a person learns TKD. And then they decide to go and teach it on there own, is there some limitation on whether or not you can teach ITF forms or WTF forms? I know that TKD is a fairly generic term, like karate. Can a person teach WTF forms and not be part of the WTF? Teach the forms you know, even if they are not from your art. As long as you can provide proper context for what you're teaching. My main point is that if you're BB is in TKD (whatever kind), that's the art you should give rank in, even if you're no longer under ITF or WTF or Whatever. If I hang my 3rd degree certificate on the wall and it says Shotokan, and suddenly I tell my students they are learning JKD...that just seems fishy. Even if I add things or take something away, I would still call it shotokan or at least karate.

There is no reason why the two of you should not open your own school once the two of you have developed the technical expertise in your style. Especially if you don't care about being under your current organization. I don't think you should create your own style. If your rank is in TKD, than you should teach TKD.

I completely disagree with this statement. The "advanced" techniques are just basics with better timing and more strategy employed. The rank of the person employing them is rather insignificant compared to the time on the mat training them. I never liked the comparison of advanced degrees of black belt to the degrees offered in college. There's simply no comparing a black belt of any level to a physician or astrophysicist or lawyer. In the end...we're just not that important.

I agree that expertise in the basics is what will make you exceptional in your art. I don't, however, believe that anything should ever be kept secret. By divulging every trick and skill you have, you give others the ability to attempt those things on you. That can only help you to learn to elevate your skill and learn how to defeat those techniques, thus leading you to a higher skill level in your art.

Yeah...I've never done something for someone and thought, "I really hope this doesn't turn out for the best or the worst. I hope it's fair to midland!" I've been in war and am certainly more afraid of the dark side of what we do.

I'd like to learn Portuguese and visit Brazil.

I don't really care what one's rank is. What I respect is their time on the mat, the blood and sweat they've poured getting where they are. They've traveled down the path I'm on. The path I love. I respect they skill they can demonstrate and the weaknesses they acknowledge.

No. Black Belts are a dime a dozen anymore. It's hard for me to consider an 8 or 10 year old as noble. This is a child without wisdom or understanding or real knowledge of any kind. I've met non-martial artists who are more patient, kind, and noble than any martial artist I know. Nobility comes from the person, the actions the person will and will not partake in, the mindset that person has throughout their life, and the wisdom they use to call for actions upon their convictions.

The atemi waza of Judo is outlined in Kano's Kodokan Judo book. It starts on page 136.

Because we're on the karate forum, I'm going to assume you're talking about a karate school. In that case, it's a good idea to change the patch to that of the school where you currently train or simply wear no patches at all. You're instructor will be able to give you more information on that.

I won't say it's not effective...but it's certainly not my cup of tea. p.s. I've been on a battlefield...and I'm glad I didn't have systema with me.

The problem that arises when pushing the chin/twisting the shoulders is that it doesn't necessarily put the weight of the opponent on the foot that you're reaping. That means that they can simply lift their leg and step out of the throw. You need your weight to be driving the opponent toward and down into the leg you're going to reap. This is why it's a good move if you're taller than the person you're doing it to. Additionally, the driving with the hand represents poor jiujitsu/judo anyway. That means you're pushing with just your arm against the muscles of the head and abdominal muscles. It's much more effective, as you mentioned you notice in the vids, to use you're entire body weight and bump the opponent in order to get them off balance.

I agree. It doesn't seem to match the cover style that BB has been using the past few years.

The stance difference is really just a manifestation of the differences in training. Kyokushin is knockdown karate fighting while shotokan is not. They train differently and, therefore, have different habits.

The prices do sound a little high. But it also sounds like a nice facility. He's gotta pay the bills. I say, if you like the instructor and facility and you can afford it...give it a shot.

Why fast track to black belt? Doesn't seem fair to just throw a black belt at someone just because they are athletic and can compete well.

Yes. It's a freak incident that will be unlikely to repeat itself. Just monitor your body and make sure not to wait so long to get an injury checked out. But you should certainly go back.

If your school has a wrestling team, that's a great place to start. It's free and will get you into great shape. Beyond that I would highly suggest Brazilian Jiujitsu, Judo, and Sambo. Here's a short "google" list of BJJ schools in Tennessee http://www.knoxbjj.com/ http://www.rutledgebjj.com/ http://www.tnbjj.com/students.html http://www.memphisbjj.com/site/ http://nashvillemma.com/brazialian_jiu_jitsu.php http://www.alphajiujitsuacademy.com/about.htm Don't know if any are near you, but hopefully it'll help.

You're answering your own question. The styles are different because they perform things differently. Therefore, the way they perform their stances are going to be different in order to fit in with their fighting style.

Well Jay, I'm afraid you'll find that attitude anywhere you go. Keep in mind that I train in BJJ. We have MMA guys come in all the time and tells us why they don't need to do this move or that move. It comes down to simple ignorance of the person with whom you're speaking. Many don't understand words, only action. So...after submitting them about a billion times, they start to come around. The problem that many traditional martial arts have is in their unwillingness to prove what they are saying works. For example, what use would an eye poke be to an MMA fighter? None! It's an illegal technique in the sport. Of course they wouldn't train it. So you're using the wrong argument. You're better off to talk about the way you punch or kick or use foot work. Then you need to be willing to stand up and prove it works. Take Loyota Machida! He uses many traditional Shotokan techniques to great effect! But he was willing to prove they work. The simple fact is you can't say a certain strategy works unless YOU are willing to prove it does. Otherwise, avoid the discussion all together, because it's not something words can ever prove. Bill

Can you be a little more specific. By Hook Kick do you mean Mikazuki geri - Chitsu No. That's a crecent kick. Here's a video of a hook kick. In the video, he's spinning, however it can be done without the spin as well. Bill