bushido_man96

I recall this. I don't remember if it an 8 or 10 kick per round requirement, but for some reason that sounds right. Boxers would just get their kicks in and then go to work with their hands.American kickboxing rules required a minimum of six kicks at the discretion of the referee. The kicks needed to be substantial strong not just a flicky minimal effort "as this would be pointless" referees only accepted full contact strikes. Some kickboxers in the 1980s did find their way out of the traditional martial dojos and in to the commercial fighting scene; it was also a gateway into the movie industry. Don "The Dragon" Wilson comes to mind.

Boxers fight with gloves on, so they don't concern themselves with toughening up the knuckles.

When contact levels are allowed to go up, and when the fight isn't stopped for a point, things will change. If there is "just some contact," then it isn't full contact. In this case, the advantage will probably go to the quicker tactics in scoring an ippon. Take the ippon away, and you have a full contact fighter who is used to taking shots and exchanging. Two different worlds.

Interesting presentation there. I noticed a lot of what looked like mantis hands in the kata. It'd be cool to learn some more about it.

Welcome to KF! Its quite the journey you've had, and its great to see you are back into it!

If "martial" pertains to "war," and the method of making war on another changes with time, as do the weapons involved, then so changes the ideas of what a Martial Art, and hence a Martial Artist, is.

I just saw this. Its a good concept to train. That, along with learning to recognize bulges on the clothing that might tip you to the fact that a weapon could be concealed. In our DT, we focus on the flip side of this, weapon retention, but there are a lot of similarities.

Some times, it really is that simple. Some straightforward aggression.

If I were you, I'd consider getting away from the rank, and go with the certificates of achievement. If they want to test, then set up requirements for it; make a certain amount of classes, show aptitude towards the material, and most important of all, get approval to test from the instructor. That way, the serious students that want to test can, and make them pay your testing fees to do so (if that is what you do). If they choose to test, have the testing held at your school as opposed as to wherever you teach this class, and make it a separate investment that each student can choose to make on their own.

I recall this. I don't remember if it an 8 or 10 kick per round requirement, but for some reason that sounds right. Boxers would just get their kicks in and then go to work with their hands.

Respect through admiration and respect through fear are indeed two very different things. Respect through fear will usually end up manifesting into something bad, be it physical in nature, or perhaps political in nature. Earning respect through example of character and work ethic is the best way to do it.

You'd have to move quick, dart in and out, and then maybe just run...

Congratulations to the nominees, and good luck to all!

I think that Martial Arts grows and evolves as do our methods of combat. If we merely restrict the idea of Martial Arts training to methods that were relevant 100 years ago or 1000 years ago, then we can only be Martial Artists if we are doing historical studies of ancient systems? I don't think this is the case.I also think that a big part of the issue with what people perceive as what is or isn't a Martial Art is related to the hold that the Eastern Martial Arts has on the subject. They became popularized in the 1950s and 60s, and has kind of had a monopoly since that time as THE perception of what a Martial Art is or isn't. This is a very narrow point of view in my opinion, and it takes away from other Martial heritages, past and present.

Well done, Cubbies.

KC pulled one out today, playing with third and fourth option running backs and a backup QB. Come on next week!

The Knights and soldiers also............ Western kobudo............ I don't have an issue with this. I don't think the term "Martial Art" has to refer to "hand-to-hand."

I still say going with a certificate of completion is the way to go. You can still teach progressively, you just have to alter the curriculum some. If you do it right, the ones who put forth effort will get better, and the ones who don't, won't. Here are some questions I have, and perhaps you've already answered them, but just to get some things in order: 1. How long does the course last? 2. Do kids "retake" the course? What I mean is, can kids take the course again if they wish? 3. Can you give grades, like other courses do, especially in regards to attendance? Let me know, and we'll see where this goes from here.

Chloe Bruce is well worth watching her kicking skills.I've watched her as well. Very talented individual.

Very nice. Seems so simple, but knowing the nuances is what matters, huh?

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?