bushido_man96

This is not a bad idea at all. However, I would not yet overlook the value of peers and seniors. Having an experienced master or instructor to work with is always a valuable resource. At the same time, its the masters and instructors who can become a roadblock to this kind of evolution. Sometimes these seniors can be stubborn to their way of doing things. Tell me some of your theories and philosophies. I am sure we would all like to hear them.

Patusai, you're speaking of people who have had previous martial or fighting experience, which is the exception, not the norm. I'm referring to someone who receives a BB in 2 yrs or less from ground 0, which is more likely the majority of the quick-rise BBs. Regardless, there's no way most people could master 30, 20, or even 10 kata in 18 months with BB-worthy form unless their name is Bruce Lee. The Okinawans say it takes 1000 reps to be ready to master a kata, so just 10 kata would require 10,000 reps. At ten reps per day, that's a minimum of just less than three years. And that's ten reps every single day, plus all the other techniques one is required to know, for only ten kata. Heck, we have more than 30 in our system. That's a lot of reps. I'm proud to say it takes my school 5+ years to reach blackbelt. Respectfully, Sohan You are talking about developing muscle memory here, which is something that can be developed over any extended period of time with any activity. I am not so sure it necessary to ingrain everything like that. Free thinking is important, too. Ater so many reps, everything starts to seem monotonous. I am not saying that developing muscle memory is bad, but is it required?

I don't have any chi power, and have been in for 13 years.

I don't see anything wrong with 2 year black belts. If the person can demonstrate knowledge of the forms, one-steps, self-defense techniques, and other requirements of the system, then why not? Lets play devil's advocate. Let's say that you enter into a non-ranking fighting system, like boxing. Now, if you practice for two years, should you be able to go fight? Because if you do, then you are going to gain some recognition; moreso if you win. Then people will begin to recognize you as having some skill and ability. Is this any different than what a black belt in 2 years gains? Let me know what youall think.

Congrats....power poster....master of the forum.....guru of the phonetic dojo.... Seriously. You info is always positive and informative, that I have seen. Good stuff.

Interesting question...never considered it before. I would hope that if they did, they would just not tell me. "Don't ask, don't tell." Really, though, it should not matter, as long as people mind their own business.

You could take hapkido, or jujitsu of some sort. Also, could try boxing....great hands AND great feet!!

This is a very good point that you make. Black belts need more in order to keep them interested. Our traditional classes are always the same thing, and even our kicking classes are open to all students, and it is always everyone working on the same thing. They are still good workouts, but I need a little more.

I agree; I feel that I get more power out of the moves in the Chun do kwan style than I did the ATA forms. However, I felt that some of the ATA forms flowed a little better from move to move. I also like how they advance with the kicks in the ATA forms. I know that they may not all be practical, but it is nice to get to do something besides side kick or a front kick.

Yes I know. I'd still like to see someone try and kick me off a horse, though, of any height. I'm not the greatest rider in the world, but I bet that it would be nigh-on impossible for anyone to unseat me with a flying kick. With today's saddles, sure. However, most of the modern saddles and the stirrups were not around at that time. Plus, add on the fact that you are wearing a lot of armor which was very very top heavy, and it might not be that hard. Now, just from jumping next to the horse, probably not. Coming off of a height, very possible. Aodhan Wow, my thread on forms systems turned into an eqestrian arguement

Yes I know. I'd still like to see someone try and kick me off a horse, though, of any height. I'm not the greatest rider in the world, but I bet that it would be nigh-on impossible for anyone to unseat me with a flying kick. With today's saddles, sure. However, most of the modern saddles and the stirrups were not around at that time. Plus, add on the fact that you are wearing a lot of armor which was very very top heavy, and it might not be that hard. Now, just from jumping next to the horse, probably not. Coming off of a height, very possible. Aodhan Actually, I think the Mongols invented stirrups.

If Koreo is one of your forms, it sounds like you are using some of the WTF system of forms.

Teens and young adults aren't "too old to listen" - you just have to know how to make them listen. Yes, they are rebellious by nature, but they can be kept in check. Here's something that's out of the typical TMA school style of thought, but beat them. seriously. There are few things more humbling than getting your butt kicked repeatedly by various people. Why? because you find out that regardless of how many people you beat, there are still those out there who can school you. Train them - but try to get them into competition. For those who aren't interested, then when they get to the sparring stages, make sure they have access to people they cannot beat. This is a very old school response. I, personally, like it. There are some students who need to be taken down a notch or two. You don't see as much of that as you used to, in traditional schools. Humbling someone now and again is necessary.

Good luck. There are things out there, but they are all style based...AAU for TKD, NASKA, and the like. Too many politics to make it happen. It is a very nice thought, though. Maybe you should try to set it up, and then talk to various oganizations to get them involved. It always starts with an idea.

Talk to the instructor. Tell him you want the pad drills back. Communicate with him, and tell him your needs.

Work with as many advanced students that are in your studio as you can. When you spar, work on scenarios with certain attacks, and prepare counters, and do drills like that. Practice, practice, practice.

The 3 section staff would be cool to see.

Go now. The sooner you get the feel for what a tournament is like, the better off you will be. Even if you don't do outstanding, you will get the feel of what it is like to get nervous, and deal with the "stress" of a tournament. That way, by the time you are higher rank, you can worry about your ring strategies, and not about what the tournament will be like.

Gee, this is kind of tough. There are two approaches you could take: 1. Scout out the style. Look on the internet, check out books, and find out what the styles' strong and weak points are. Are they grappling or kicking. Are the fighters flat footed, or do they have lots of footwork? Lots of questions can go here. This research can be somewhat reliable. 2. Scout the fighter you are going to fight. Let's say his a karate-ka. From what I hear, lots of karate-ka have really good hands when compared to someone like myself, a TKD guy. However, this can't be reliable info, as he may be an excellent kicker. If you did not scout him, but did scout his style, you may not have been prepared. Now, if you are talking about just the average street incident, then it is best to be well versed in your stuff, and be confident that you know what you can do. A great fighter can make his opponent play his game, instead of adapting to his opponent's game.

In our school, we try to relate to our students when and where to practice their arts. We tell them to use their heads, and think about what they are doing. By bragging about the MA they practice, they may bring unwanted attention upon themselves. Also, practicing with people outside of the school without experience can lead to injuries, and unwanted scorn from the head instructor.

I would show up in street clothes, with the black belt, white belt, and gi in a gym bag, and then ask the instructor and go from their. He may want to introduce you to the class, letting everyone else know that you are of rank in a different style. He may ask that his students show you the respect deserving of a black belt/instructor, and also suggest that they be supportive in your pursuit to expand your horizons.

For a totally different aspect, you could look into working with a high school or college wrestling team. Not exactly ground fighting, to be sure, but it might prove interesting and beneficial.

I saw that episoed on FitTV. I enjoyed it. The weapons styles made me think of medieval European styles, while the hand and foot techniques had an Eastern air to them. Is this coincidence, or evidence of how similiar fighting styles of the world really are?

Sounds like the confrontation was short and sweet. Just watching the opponent is very valuable. It is a good thing that the movement he made was not into his pockets for a weapon.