MasterH

Best of the Best (part 1) 1989

Not only no, but....well, I won't go there. I'm thinking of having it framed, actually. I think it would look cool on the wall of my office in my (future) school. Aodhan Keep it, frame it..............or you could send it to me..........

The ATA is a closed org. You have to be a card holding member to have insight, Aodahn does, I used to. The ATA is not just buisness, it's an entire curriculum. Most of it's instructors were brought up from white belts in the ATA and are use to it's complete controll over everything, that's all they have ever seen - and in my opinion that cool. One of the reasons my instructor left the ATA was because of this. Something else the ATA does not due is farm out their material, meaning there will never be an indepentant ATA school. ITF and WTF both allow others to use their forms, you use an ATA Songahm form with out permission - you will be sued.

Personally, I think ALL organizations (ATA included) should send people out from their respective HQ's to randomly monitor instruction on site for a week at least once a year, but that will probably never happen. Aodhan Never happen, most orgs are just way to big. That's why we have a certification process so qualified personell will make the good decisions.

Most succsessfull schools run with contracts, it's not an ATA issue.

I'm also an ATA certified instructor, I'm also ITF/ITC certified, and HTF certified. I'm an ATA 4th Degree, ITC/ITF 4th DAN, and a HTF 5th Degree - Master Instructor, in other words I've been around the block. I can tell you thru experience that the ATA has a couple bad apples - no doubt about it. But for every bad instructor you can name I can name 20 good ones. The ATA has the most intenceive intructor certification program in the US, by far. You are tested not only on the physical material, how how teach it, the buisness of the martial arts, and you need. I think Adohan can get more into the certification program, considering he just went thru it. Almost every succcessfull martial arts school nowdays have contracts, there is no way around it. I have issues with people at the top of the ranks in the ATA, some of the buisness decisions have been very questionable. But the normal ATA instructor has no real control over thoes decisions. I thank you, as did Aodhan, with your open attitude, it is refreshing. If there are any questions you can ask either of us.

Nice......thank you.

You know the bene's of the ATA, buisness and otherwise. Think of the these other groups like a buisness group. The tips are great, you get a monthly lay out copy ready adds, both groups now have (massive) yearly clinics.........$120/month just for the adds are worth it.

Yes, but it will be around for a long time to come. ITF vs WTF has been around for longer than most on the sight have.

Don't be to shocked.............WTF hasn't been all that great of a TKD brother. Kind of an elitist org, don't you think? I have friends in the WTF, so I don't hate them, but come on!

I'm not going to get to caught up in this argument. This one gets nasty! Is there a need for WTF, I don't know - or really care all that much. WTF put TKD "on the map" by being the "sport TKD" in the olimpics. And that's it, that's all they do. ITF is the mental side. It's kind of like ones the "jock" brother and the other is the "smart" brother. If given a choice, after years (20) of training I would chose ITF over WTF in a heart beat. But that's just me.

Bingo. I train in TKD and a bit of GF, I also know some PPCT and a little krav but I wouldn't say that I'm "training" in them. I would say major in your MA, whatever it may be, then minor in another (which means you are training in it, but not at the expence of your major MA) Then attend clinics on krav, or whatever, to get the basics of that particular MA.

Not sure, I'm looking into it. My club opens in the spring, and I'm thinking about it. I assume it around $100-$120/ month.

Well, we just live in a virtual alphabet now, don't we?

I would say call them and ask. What could it hurt? I'm interested in the answer myself.

1- Yes we have coed sparring 2- I do not like to fight females. I have given one a concussion, and one a broken nose. It's not that I don't have control, they can not block as well as males so I need to adjust my sparring style to my partner - I don't like doing that. (unless I'm teaching) 3- see answer #2 4- ATA rules. Full gear, light to moderate contact for black belts. No hands to the head, no sweeps, nothing below the belt or to the back, no neck shots or blind tech.

You sound like you need to recharge. Go to a tourney or a clinic and make some friends. I just returned from our (HTF) Reno tourney and I'm ready to go! Had a great time and I'm looking forward to the next one, but I need to train for it. And that's my motivation.

Roger that!

I completely agree with you on the self promotion crap. I happen to be a 32 year old 5th Degree, I can make GM by 50 (8th Degree is GM in the HTF). But to tell you the truth, I'm happy at my current rank. As long as thoes in question have the rank certificate with the appropriate signatures, that's all I need to know.

Thoes are very low rates. Sir, may I ask if you are a school or a club?

It's background....when the track is over you switch partners. It also promotes a relaxed atmosphere, in a tense (sparring) situation.

Robert Miles....I have heard that name before.

the irony is I'm a grunge drummer in seattle, and a martial artist

I'll pop online later and get a sample. I'm not big on rap, but I'm keeping the options open.

Just how old are you?!?!?! Van Halen, my friend. God, I think I'm over the hill. That would be a great one. Thanks.