ps1

Here's a good video of Pedro Sauer talking about the philosophy of becoming good at Jiujitsu. He's a 7th degree under Helio and Rickson Gracie.

Hello everyone, I've posted some new videos. Here's a link to one that teaches you how to escape from the backmount. I'll give this disclaimer however...if you let an opponent get to this position, you've made a big mistake already. That is to say that no technique is 100% effective. So this should not be your main way to defend someone taking your back. It should be defended long before this. But if you get here...here's a possibility.

With respect, it sounds like you have no idea what you really want. You talk about being upset with being struck too hard in the past. Then you talk about wanting to take Kickboxing, a sport with the sole purpose of knocking out the opponent. Additionally, you want to just do sparring once a month in private lessons. You're gonna get the snot beat out of you! I say this because anyone who only wants a private lesson once per month, with no other supplemental training, will not be taken as a serious student. In all reality, a respectable instructor would deny your request and certainly would not spar with you for quite some time. I can understand your hesitation and concern for safety in your previous schools. I wasn't there and have nothing to go on but what you said. However, it's important to realize that when you are practicing an art that has punches and kicks coming toward you very quickly, you're gonna get hit every once in a while. When you do...it hurts! I've been practicing martial arts for 23 years now. I regularly go home with bumps and bruises. I've taken knees to the face and had broken ribs. However, in the grand scheme of things, that's not that bad over a 23 year period. In Shotokan we always attempted to control shots to the head. However, the body was fair game. We would blast the body hard. It was even more brutal when I trained under anyone from Japan. Remember, they like to espouse the warrior mentality, fighting through pain and overcoming adversity. And don't get me started on Kyokushin! They are just killers...killers with AMAZING karate! But you're gonna take a hit in their classes. My point here is not to discourage you, rather to inform you. In Karate, you're gonna get hit every once in a while. If you are not ready to accept that, perhaps you are choosing the wrong art form.

Rickson Gracie...I could be Krohn's practice dummy:)

Hello! I learned Shotokan under the Kwanmukan organization. I am no longer affiliated with them, however.

I realize it's not your fault IcemanSK...but that was really foolish of the boxing gym to do. Many athletes die every year from heat related illnesses. It's even happened on professional sports teams. Increasing the heat in your training serves no purpose...especially when you don't compete in the heat. It's just dangerous. I know alot of schools are this way because they were not fortunate enough to be able to afford a building with AC. That's one thing... but to build one without it is just asking for someone to keel over. For those of you who don't have A/C...make sure your students get plenty of water. In additon, during exercise water is not absorbed into the system as readily as when you're at rest. So that means you need to take in extra. Chugging the water is better for you as it will allow your stomach to empty...letting the water get to the large intestine for absorption more quickly. Not everyone can stomach the feeling they get when chugging the water though. A small amount of food (a piece of bread or couple of crackers) will also help increase water absorption. Don't be stupid and think your student is learning something by not allowing them to hydrate. If they ask for water...let them have it. You may think the student is wimpy for asking...but you'll look pretty stupid behind bars if that student has a heat stroke. Also, know the signs of heat illnesses. http://www.scif.com/safety/safetymeeting/Article.asp?ArticleID=87 To answer the question...we are fortunate enough to have A/C.

This is a good topic. I would like to add my opinion of what this means and provide a couple examples. First...let me describe black belt as someone who has trained for 4 to 5 years consistently (2 to 3 days per week). This is an important distinction because in some arts, the black belt can take 8 to 12 years of consistent training. In those arts, they often say their black belts are more than capable and have learned much of the art. When a person says this it really refers to the idea that you have assimilated the basics to the point that you will become more technical and more strategic in your practice. Example 1: The spinning/ turning back kick: Most arts have this technique in some form or another. Think of your average person just earning black belt. They can do the technique well. But have they developed every detail of it? Probably not. In order to make the kick effective you must develop the timing, strategy and footwork in a way that makes the technique useful to you. This can take alot of time. Some people have done it by this time...but I submit that many have not. Example 2: The armbar from the guard: In BJJ one of the first techniques you learn is the armbar from the guard. However, it's not until about purple belt (approx. 4 or 5 yrs of training) that a person really begins to learn how to apply the technique and the strategies behind setting it up. In addition, by the time a person earns black belt they are usually only just beginning to really understand the use of combination attacks. I've sparred many first degree (shodan) that throw combinations and don't seem to really understand why they are doing it. That is...they just go through the movements without any respect for how the opponent reacts. The experienced and skilled or "learned" practitioner pays close attention and is able to change/redirect the combo effectively. Lastly is a strong understanding of what the art is really about. For example, in BJJ, many practitioners start out attempting to move fast and strong in hopes that it will garner them results. However, brown/black belts in the art understand and are able to simply move smoothly to counter such movements. They have learned how to use someones energy against them. A "learned" practitioner of Isshin Ryu is able to get inside the oppoent not by forcing it. Rather they set the opponent up to let them in by moving in a certain manner. Chuan Fa opperates in much the same way. By attacking from odd angles the opponent will begin opening their defense to much more direct attacks. In summation, I believe it is years of training, not rank, that determines how skilled a practitioner is likley to be. This is why the, "just beginning to learn" saying has become popular. I have also heard stories about instructors holding back to ensure the student has loyalty to them as well. However, I don't put much stock in that line of thinking.

Conversely, I've met a number of people that have trained martial arts for many years and have little understanding of the concepts, history, or strategies. Good topic Bushido!

I used to wonder the same thing. Until I started BJJ and see just how often a person will grab your wrist when you reach for them. Not to mention its use in attacking things such as an arm drag. Knowing wrist releases has been a huge help to me. Along with collar releases and others. Fleasome brings up a good point that they are often taught out of context and with no set-up. That may be necessary to get down the technique of them. However, once the technique is sound they should be taught from more realisitic situations.

I've never heard of this. That's not to say it didn't happen. Afterall, I don't think people in a Shotokan school would be talking poorly about the styles founder. You know how it is...history is different depending upon the observer and the person telling the tale.

What do you mean? I think he may have been looking for footage of your instructor/ style to see what kinds of things you do. I know I will be. Sounds like you have a great instructor.

With respect...this is simply not true. Just a myth. Although, in your defense...it has basis in truth and used to be considered accurate. Lactic acid is a byproduct of the cellular metabolism during exercise. The pain or "burn" you feel during the exercise is from a combination of lactic acid and excess hydrogen ions. However, the lactic acid is reabsorbed and gone from your muscles within a fairly short time. The pain you feel a couple days later is due to the microscopic tears created in the muscle during exercise. Generally, it's refered to as DOMS (Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness). As the body repairs these microscopic injuries it builds you back stronger than before. This is why you don't continue to get terribly sore after a few weeks (Assuming consistent training). The roller is more therapeutic than anything. It's like a massage. Still effective none the less. As far as stretching through pain. If it's DOMS...that's ok. If the pain is due to an injury such as a muscle pull, strain or tear...stretching could further the injury.

Wow...that's just financially foolish. Their loss, I guess.

Lyoto Machida GSP Randy Couture

Happy Birthday!!!!

Unfortunately I've seen alot of it. At a prior school I saw a spouse earn a black belt without knowing all of the forms and was not willing (don't confuse this with incapable) to do throws...which were part of the curriculum. Overall...she was 4th kyu at best. Now she's a 4th degree though. She's still horrible.

Why who thinks what way? Was there a specific person you're addressing? Welcome to the forums by the way

Just be sure not to stretch to the point of pain...just discomfort. You should not feel the stretch in the joints at all...just in the belly of the muscle. Hold each stretch for 30 to 45 seconds and be sure you're well warmed up before doing them. Once per day should be plenty. If you have an actual muscle pull...then lay off stretching for a few days and rest the muscle.

This, I believe, is the perfect response. I just don't allow other things to get in my way. I've been doing martial arts all of my life. I make it a commitment that nobody, including my wife, will take away from me. As Iceman noted, I'll miss a day here and there for illness or important meetings and such. However, I will never stop. I think most people think of martial arts as a kid's thing. When they talk about it like that I simply invite them to step onto the mat one evening.

Are these new rules? Did you mean 2 points for passing the half guard. Because many people will let you go to the half guard in order to sweep you. Heck...Eddie Bravo's whole game revolves around it. You don't really pass to the half guard...it's still the guard. If this becomes a problem, then they should look into some prohibitions against stalling, which is what it sounds like to me. Most tourneys have those prohibitions. I think the problem comes from judges who aren't always experts in the style. Therefore they aren't quite sure if it's stalling or some new thing they haven't heard of. Essentially, the rule isn't enforced consistently.

Yes. It's normal. That's why Boxers aim for the jaw! Knockout City!!! Be careful!

If you don't want to teach him...then don't. Seems that simple to me. I don't think it has anything to do with respect at this point. Apparently he has enough respect for your school to think the kata are worth teaching others.

I agree one hundred percent. All the greats stress having position before submission.

In general, I agree with you. That is unless you're just senselessly going for submissions before you're in the position to do them. But I know what you're talking about. I'm giving some private lessons to a blue belt under pablo popovich and he doesn't get it that there's more to Jiujitsu than points. I was teaching him some half guard stuff and told him to be careful of a kneebar in a spot. His response was that bluebelts aren't allowed to do kneebars in tournament! Doh!!!