bushido_man96

Here's an idea for you to try. Instead of giving out ranks in the school setting, instead come up with a certificate of completion to present them at the end of the semester. This might cause you to reevaluate what material you teach, but the nice thing is that you can alter it from your usual "rank" material. Instead of doing forms and such, instead come with a list of set techniques, combinations, partner drills, self-defense applications, etc that they are required to perform a physical exam on at the end of the semester. That way, you teach the same course over and over again, and you don't worry about giving any rank, and thus watering down your standards or going with "half ranks." Now, if you want to provide an extra incentive to the students that really get into it and put some effort into the course, you can make them an offer that would allow them to enter your regular school at perhaps some half rank or some such idea to start them out with. Or, you could just scratch this entirely, and have them come into the school and give them a deal on their gi or something. Just some ideas to think about.

Rothrock was a stud kicker. So was Bill Wallace. Both had great control. Control is a key factor in being a great kicker.

If there is ever a question or issue that arises, I'll just let the other person have the spot in line. After all, I'm there to train.

Great video. I'd like to come visit sometime! That would be a great time.

Did anyone stop to ask why the tree fell in the first place?

That's just crazy to see. We should be built on integrity.

I see what you are getting at there. However, there is a difference in training without using your arms, and training without having arms. Even if I choose to do a lot of kicking, my arms will come into play for balance purposes. Not having arms at all would totally change the way things work.

Word is that Putin is also a Judo practitioner. I don't if that has done much for Judo in Russia.

That sounds like an interesting concept, Alan. Can you elaborate a bit further on it?

Getting older definitely plays into those weekend warrior injuries, too. Now that I don't have the time to train like I used to, I have to take body preparation into consideration.

It's good to see you on top of this, Bob, and really taking charge. Keep at it!

Nice videos. I noticed that many of the entering techniques iin the first video made use of the double knife hand blocks position.

Very nice drills, Noah! Thanks for sharing them. In DT training, I preach to the deputies to have their hands up around the chest area for readiness, as well. Its crucial as an LEO.

In all my years of training, I've never had a chance to train on a makiwara. I would love to experience it.

I try to do this...but my flow is limited. Some people "flow" from a fire hose. Mine is a trickle from a leaky faucet...A leaky faucet is fine as long as you keep leaking. Ever leave a leaky faucet for a month? See how much your water bill is after that.I would posit that having a few techniques and a really good understanding of position is more important than having a lot of tricks up your sleeve. Most beginners spar too much, don't drill enough and always want to learn a new technique. Most advanced players drill a lot, spar regularly but not a lot, and usually wind up using the stuff they learned as a white belt more than anything else. Those are wise words, Tempest!

Well put, Bob. One could say that techniques are the delivery system for concepts.

Yours will be the first one, Brian!! Yes! 😁

That's how you know you've done your job as an instructor.

That's good news! Don't have to worry about that re-test.

I try to do this...but my flow is limited. Some people "flow" from a fire hose. Mine is a trickle from a leaky faucet...

Well, I'm not sure about "ultimate."Remember, in The Quest, I think the Sumo only made it to the semifinals....

I've heard this is a great book, but I've yet to pick it up. Maybe its time....

This is tough one. There is some great advise in this thread so far, but sometimes, you just want to do the things you love! You could do both during the week; week A, you do Karate as the emphasis, maybe a 3-2 or 2-1 class ratio. The next week, week B, you swap it. It could slow down your chances for testing, but if learning each is more important for you, then its no big deal. Let us know what you decide to do. What a conundrum to have!

I think that JKD has developed so much on its own now that cross-training the two would probably be fairly productive. In WC, you'll get the good foundation of what the focus on (if you wonder what that is, check out some of stonecrusher69's videos in the Chinese Martial Arts forum). When you get into JKD, there are some different branches out there, and their focus might be a little different. Whatever you get there, I'm sure can benefit from some WC training.

Its a pretty obscure style anymore, and finding it outside of India might prove quite a challenge. One is probably better off starting out in a local school and learning the basics of Martial Arts, and then branch out from there. The journey must start somewhere!