Brandon Fisher

ps1, I too have been a part of both sides of the equation. I think that kyu grades especially have a good feeling when they pass. Yudansha should have a sense of accomplishment in other ways I think but still I think passing a really tough dan grade testing is something that always sticks with you. But I agree I see benefits to both.

Like I said, I would definately do it all over again. However, what was interesting was that everyone of us that me and the Yandan were in the same car on the five-and-a-half hour car ride back home. I felt sorry for the other two people in the car who didn't test--I mean changing clothes can only do so much to kill the smell of sweat

Thats good to hear Kerry

Bearich, All I can say is WOW. That had to be a interesting day.

I agree with Cathal. Simple fact is its a loose loose situation. You have nothing gain by winning and if you would loose you could loose a lot and so could your sifu.

Kyokushin is pretty famous for 100 man kumite.

However, it is a problem with some instructors and masters. Some do take issue with it. Many traditional Korean and Japanese style instructors do. I have noticed that not so much with Okinawan systems though.

I see respect in two ways; those who demand it, and those who earn it. Thats what I meant by commanding it. Commanding respect is earning it by your everyday actions. Helping others, being a good teacher, blah blah. etc etc. Demanding it is when certain people insist you respect them because of their rank, title, or whatever.

One who expects or demands respect does not deserve it, but one who commands respect does. Just my .02

Get anything you can in the time frame you have if you are that concerned.

Instructor adn student. I know that it was not uncommong on Okinawa for people to train in other systems or other dojos of the same system but they did let their sensei know about it. It is better to be respectful and let the instructor know rather than hide it.

people like this aren't even worth worrying about. They are trying to prove something what I don't know but they are.

I say yes you should ask, if for no other reason out of respect for your sensei.

Gyaku-Tsuki and Mawashi Geri

I think, for the goal setting perspective, that applies to children more than adults. Hopefully, a mature adult should not need superficial tests as a goal. However, this is a great point for children. I don't think it is a good form of quality control. Most schools do test. There are still far too many subpar black belts out there. That just comes from incompetent instructors. Adults do need goal points just like kids do. Its unfortunate that our society is so focused on belts or the equivilant in other things or promotions in general. We as a society have forgotten that hard work achieves something and in turn we have the"feel good" things to help people. I totally disagree with teaching martial arts as a feel good thing. Its not something to have to brag about or make you look like something special, but it sure has become that. Substandard black belts are not just the result of incompetent instructors but also those that don't expect anything of the student and will do it just for the money or to make themselves look good because they have a lot of black belts under them. I came up under one instructor who didn't test except certain people. Many people got handed their black belts where I had to work my tail off for mine. Its insulting to those of us who worked hard in and out of the dojo for it for someone to get handed theirs. It took me almost 11 years to get mine. I have seen people get it training twice a week in 4 years. I have also seen one person go from san kyu to Yondan with a total of 10 years in and was only 21 years old. So it just depends on the instructor more than anything.

Yeah couldnt of said it better for hardening the hands. Also heavy bag work, never hurt to help. Simo, I agree but the bag has to be a good heavy bag one thats nice and hard. The Century wavemasters are not tough enough to really build up the hands.

I agree with the testing approach however in my dojo no one goes for rank unless I think they can pass it. I know who will pass and who would fail. It is to add a little pressure to them to see how they react. I think it helps the student become more comfortable with the material. I call out each technique right off the students testing sheet that they have from day one. Note I have never had a student fail. Its a matter of seeing how they react more then seeing what they are able to do, that I know already. Plus it gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Good makiwara training is the way to harder the hands.

Glad I could help. But it is interesting that the kick is to the solar plexus. Most versions of Bassai Dai has a low Side kick to the leg. Very interesting interpertation.

I think it could be a little smoother and the sidekick could be better, but other wise looks pretty good.

I like the background check standard but honestly each system has a set standard. How can one organization say this is the right way and the only way.

The rank testing in my dojo is more mental than physical I get them to the point where they feel like they are not going to be able to continue but they are able to. Its running the required waza and kata hard that gets them to this point. This is testing how well they really know the material. I have some tough black belts also but they got theirs ranks by training hard and I mean real hard with the required material.

A good solid shot with a roundhouse using the instep can stop the heart or make it skip a beat. It has to be extremely hard but it can be done.

That belt is 10 years old so that goes to show how long a cotton belt lasts.

Here is a pic of me wearing my old tokaido cotton belt. The pic is about 9 months old: http://fisherkarate.com/brandon/brandon-welcome-pic-web.jpg Here is a copy of the pic thats a bit bigger http://fisherkarate.com/brandon/DSC00489.jpg