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Good job. OT is always tough because of the extreme advantage wrestlers have with takedown points. Especially since many do not allow you to simply avoid the standing section. Sounds like you just need to shore up your guard submissions.

I think application had to come first. It's not likely that a village had a ceremonial dance of some sort that, upon being attacked, they suddenly realized can be used for fighting. That's essentially what it would mean if the patterns came first.

YES!!! Absolutely. I would submit that this lack of extensive training in kata, specifically including its applications and the mastery of those applications, is the reason we have alot of martial artists who really aren't that good at defending themselves. Too much time is spent practicing an empty set of movements simply to move up to the next rank. Instead, that time should be spent learning the pattern, then what the applications of the pattern are, then how to actually use it in a self defense situation, then being able to use it. Only after knowing all that and being able to apply it, should the next form be learned. I don't care if a black belt only knows 1 kata. If he can use the lessons of the kata to defend himself, I'm happy. Otherwise, it's just a dance. NO. Look at Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and BJJ. None have forms of any kind. But they are all very effective martial arts.

Good luck, have fun, and keep us posted on your progress.

The name of the rank is insignificant. He's been training Aikido for 9 years. That's exactly 9 years longer than you. If someone had been in college for 9 years, you'd probably be calling them Doctor or Attorney. Many Karate Nidan and Sandan students only have about that same about of time training. My point is that his knowledge base should be more than enough to keep you challenged. You may see him grow or change some things as you practice through the years. But those changes will be for the best. Enjoy your training.

The one in Akron last year? He did two days. Which day did you go. I was at the evening session.

Absolutely not!!! It's only natural to take full advantage of using your skill at full power on a living and moving target. Furthermore, it will make your technique better and more applicable for self defense use. Anytime you can do this...it will make you better. I'm glad to hear you care enough about keeping your skills sharp to go and train anywhere you can.

In a good study...this is something that would be totally controlled. Either by having each participant use the same hip action or no hip action at all. But you're right...it would certainly make a difference.

When it comes to this type of study I would rather see it conducted by non-martial artists. There are just too many biases. The participants should be experts in there respective type of punch (pro-boxers throwing boxing punches, Karateka throwing karate punches and so on). The heights and weights of the participants should be nearly identical. Everything should be totally controlled from stance to angle of the punch to exactly what will hit the target and where. There should be hundreds upon thousands of participants (There are certainly enough martial artists out there). IMO...these types of studies should be conducted by car companies. They have the instrumentation and complete understanding of the differences between force transmitted...kinetic energy transmitted...impact delivered...and how those things cause damage to the human body. Too many people get those things all mismashed and don't even realize they are different. Until I see this...I will never likely take these studies seriously.

It's sad that it has come to that point. But I have found myself becoming more and more cynical about rank over time. I've just met too many people that are 6th dan with little skill in fighting, self defense technique, and kata. You would expect that they would be good at least one of those things!

First Bid for 10th Dan in BraziIsshinShotoKyokuKungKwonRyuShinDoFuJitsu $17,595... Does that come with a cloak, lightsaber, Red-White-Black-Blue Belt? If so...I'll bid $18,267

Well...I believe the 1 in 10000 number is a little off the mark to begin with. I would put the number that reach shodan closer to between 2 and 5 percent. That is 2 to 5 out of every hundred students. Especially when you count all of the jr. black belts. It may have been more rare at one time...but not any more. I would guess that the average that reach 2nd degree (nidan) is probably 20 or 30 percent (of those that reach shodan). Of course that's just based on my own experiences in the Kwanmukan and chuan fa systems. In BJJ it's still much lower (at least for now).

I'm not "complaining" about it, I'm just pointing out that there are some styles out there that could completely decimate and of these UFC styles that are constantly being praised. I'd love to see anyone from BJJ take on a decent Aiki JuJitsu practitioner. With respect...I'm a Nidan in Daito Ryu. I'm a purple belt in BJJ. Empty handed, BJJ wins hands down. Now, AJJ has some weapons stuff, and that's all nice. But I also don't walk the streets with a sword strapped to my side either. Keep in mind also that 12 years ago I wrote my senior paper on why BJJ is ineffective. So I empathize and understand your position as well. There's just no way to understand it until you've trained BJJ.

Yes...you are wrong to hold the rank in high regard. It's the person that makes the rank...not the rank that makes the person. Hold the person and their skill in high regard. If someone simply says they're a black belt, you can't put any weight in that. You should train with them and get a feel for their skill. The rank is almost superfluous.

Once you've trained with it for a while...you'll be amazed how technical you become. When you take it off...you're no gi game will have just gotten soo much better.

Ha! This reminds me of when we first met Pedro Sauer. Tony (my direct instructor) had been training for 9 years on his own and attending various seminars. He had a bb in JJJ. He figured that, on a scale of 1 to 10, he was about a 7 or 8. After Pedro...he realized he was more of a 1 or 2. Since then, he's just exploded. Now he's a bjj brown belt that regularly beats tough black belts. But he says he owes it all to getting in a good BJJ program with Pedro. With this in mind, do you feel that the time spent with JJJ has been a boon to the time in BJJ? Or do you feel that jumping into BJJ would have been more beneficial to you? As a beginner in BJJ, my background in JJJ certialy helped me. My background in martial arts in general actually. I already had good hip movement and an excellent sense of balance as well as knowing where my whole body is at all times. These things are essential in BJJ and can never be taught. They must be learned though experience. But the devil is in the details. There are so many little intricacies in BJJ that without them you will never be exceptionally good. Without them you'll depend on strength and speed...those things go away with time and you're left with far less skill than you thought you had.

As long as you feel you are getting what you need. Then it's the best style for you.

Ha! This reminds me of when we first met Pedro Sauer. Tony (my direct instructor) had been training for 9 years on his own and attending various seminars. He had a bb in JJJ. He figured that, on a scale of 1 to 10, he was about a 7 or 8. After Pedro...he realized he was more of a 1 or 2. Since then, he's just exploded. Now he's a bjj brown belt that regularly beats tough black belts. But he says he owes it all to getting in a good BJJ program with Pedro.

Yes. You can. You acquire it the same way you get to Carnegie Hall...Practice Practice Practice. Just enjoy the journey.

Wow...this is a very difficult question. To say where "I" would be without Karate is nearly impossible. This is because "I" use Karate (martial arts in general) to define me. I have been training since I was 6 years old. The martial arts are so wrapped up in the fiber of my being that I would no longer be me without them. Of that much I am sure.

Just to clarify...are you saying that "Real Aikido" is the full name of the system... And you're not using the word "real" as an adjective?

Crazy huh?! Kung-Fu was one of my favorite shows when I was young.

I would estimate that the vast majority of martial arts schools fall under no certifying body at all. They art just martial artists who knew their art (and hopefully have an affinity for teaching) and pass it on. "Certified" or not, he still has the knowledge and can teach it.

If he knows shotokan...he can teach shotokan.

Kumite can mean many things. There are many schools, especially traditional schools, that do not do free fighting. That means that everything is a pre-arranged sequence. Usually one or three step kumite is the set up in those schools. The easiest thing you can do is pick up a phone book and start calling the area schools. Visit them and see which one you like best.