bushido_man96

I'd agree with this being an issue that I'd like to change. I agree with this, too. Its a huge issue, and something that can only be dealt with from within the art. Just a side note, but I'd love to see this happen! I guess what I'd like to change is what I've heard said that TKD is a good "foundation" style; a style to start an MA career with, and then use as a springboard into other styles. TKD has plenty to offer as an enriched Martial Art on its own.

January 9th was an open tournament in Scott City for Kendall. He took 2nd place. He had a bye his first round, and in the second round, he took his opponent down pretty quick, move around and got into an Iowa, and got a pin. This was against another kid taller than him, so good for his confidence. The match for the finals was against a tough opponent. We found out he is on top of the age bracket, and was a state runner up last year. Kendall came out and had some good things working, but he went to run his Iowa, but started it too late, and was standing up. The problem was when he stood up, his hips came forward, and he basically got bowled backwards and pinned. But we always find a kid like this every year, and each time he faces him, he does better. A second place finish this week. Kenneth went to compete at a novice tournament in Norton. He went 0-2, but did some things well. He did some pretty good stand-ups, but when he goes for a takedown, he has trouble really setting it up, so they are hit or miss. There was only 2 other kids in the bracket, and being a novice tournament, they all medaled, so he got 3rd.

Nice series. We don't roll with gi though, so I wonder how well an attempted cross-collar choke would work with just a t-shirt on?

We have the omo plata in our "jits roll" series that we work on from guard, but I have not seen this high guard routine before. I like the way you have laid this out. Thank you. One issue I've had with the omo is really getting set up into the technique. It feels awkward and like it takes a really long time to get it set.

This sounds like the bulk of the issue, to me. Someone got into the MAs because of the philosophy and "mysticism" behind it, and as they went along, they got more into it, and felt like that was the main driving force behind the philosophy. Some people tend to go overboard with it.

Lots of great experiences rolling in here. Keep them coming, everyone!

I agree. Thanks for sharing that story with us. Great, and very inspirational. Give him my congrats!

I'd say no, muscle memory does not equal instinct. Muscle memory merely means your body has learned a movement pattern; i.e., your body knows how to do it. That doesn't mean that your body knows when to do it. That's when training applications comes into play. I do overhead presses and squats at the gym. The movement patterns are ingrained, but my body isn't going to use those patterns unless I tell it to do so. But when I do decide to squat down and pick something up, that movement pattern is going to show itself when I move. With self-defense techniques, its not just enough to train a form or kata and assume you will use the techniques in it when you need to. Your body will know how to do the techniques, but you have to train yourself to recognize when the techniques need to be used. Hence the need for application and scenario-based training.

1/1/2016 Strength Training Deadlifts: warm-ups: 135x5, 165x5; work sets: 201.5x5, 232.5x5, 256x10. Squats: 152x10, 152x10, 152x10, 152x10, 152x10. Stretch 1/4/2016 Strength Training Squats: warm-ups: 45x5x2, 135x5, 165x5, 195x5; work sets: 213x3, 243.5x3, 273.5x6. Deadlifts: 155x10, 155x10, 155x10, 155x10, 155x10. 1/5/2016 Strength Training Power cleans: warm-ups: 95x3x2, 115x3, 125x3; work sets: 134x3, 134x3, 134x3, 134x3, 134x3. Assisted chin-ups: 120x6, 6, 6 (supersetted with power cleans). Power snatches: 107x2, 107x2, 107x2, 107x2, 107x2. Taught TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Basics, worked a lot on new forms. After class, I worked with a few of the kids on some more of their material, as well.

Hey, Bob. We are going to be learning how to download/upload from our new camera, as well. There should be a USB cable with it that you could connect from the camera to the computer. If you plug it in, it might start up a program that will talk you through how to save to the computer, or upload, etc. Start with that, and see what happens. Then let us know here.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you don't have a formal testing, either? Just a promotion when ready? I know Montana has mentioned a similar process.

12/28/2015 Strength Training Squat: warm-ups: 45x5x2, 135x5, 165x5; work sets: 197.5x5, 228x5, 258x5x7. Deadlifts: 155x10, 155x10, 155x10, 155x10, 155x10. I'm doing a different assistance program, called boring but big. On squat day, the assistance work is deadlifts, 5 sets of 10 at 50% of the training max. On press day, I'll do 5 sets of 10 at 50% on the press (since I don't bench press anymore), and on deadlift day I'll do 5 sets of 10 at 50% of squat training max. Taught TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Basics, some forms review, one-steps, and then some pad kicking to work on re-chambering. 12/29/2015 Strength Training Power cleans: warm-ups: 95x3x2, 115x3; work sets: 132x3, 132x3, 132x3, 132x3, 132x3. Power snatches: 105x2, 105x2, 105x2, 105x2, 105x2. Taught TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Basics, then spent a lot of time on new forms after getting results back from testing. 12/31/2015 Strength Training Press: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 65x5; work sets: 88x5, 115x5, 115x7; assistance sets (BBB): 67.5x10, 67.5x10, 67.5x10, 67.5x10, 67.5x10. Assisted chin-ups: 135x10, 8, 10 (supersetted with press).

This is awesome!

How does your school handle promotions? Do you have a ceremony in which you present each student with their new rank? Do you do something special in which you tie on each student's new belt? Or do you merely hand out belts and go on with the next class? When I was in the ATA, we typically had a promotional ceremony, where each student was called up and it was announced what rank they were and what rank they were promoted to, and then they were presented their belt and certificate. At the end of the ceremony, everyone put on their new belt, we lined up, and dismissed. Sometimes there was a reception or pot luck afterwards. In my current organization, their is no ceremony. When we receive the testing results, they are posted on the door, belts and certificates are picked up before class, and class goes on as usual. How does your school do it?

If you instructor is as genuine as he sounds, then you won't disappoint him unless you don't push yourself and work as hard as you can. In that, you will then disappoint yourself. So as long as you are giving your all, and trying your best, your instructor should not be disappointed in you. Good luck with your grading, and please keep us posted on how it goes. And welcome to KF, as well.

The second tournament was a rough one. Kendall went 0-2 for the first time in a long time I can remember. I think he let something get to him. But, he handled this very, very well, and I'm proud of him for that. Kenneth competed in two tourneys this weekend. He went 1-2 on Saturday, and he went 1-2 on Sunday. On Sunday, he placed 3rd, and showed improvement on some things, which was great. Hopefully I can have some videos up in the future. We got a new camera to video with, so we have to take some time to do the uploading.

Different reasons from different people. You could approach them and ask why it is they choose to do this. If they don't want to tell you why, then that's on them. But if they don't have a reason to explain to you, then I'd be a little suspect as to why. Some people just don't want their stuff out there. Some think it has to do with a traditional nature. Personally, I think our organization could benefit from such an option, just making it available to the organization members or the like.

1. Another DT Instructor course. I should be able to meet this one, as there is another Krav course coming here in Kansas in August. 2. Write at least two articles for the KF Article thread this year. I used to write more often, when I had more time, and really enjoy it. I hope that someday I can maybe submit one to Totally TKD magazine. 3. Maintain my strength training routine throughout the year. I don't want to set any numbers to hit, but just want to keep at it.

I don't think I hit this one, but I need to go back and review my records to see how many I did offer. I think I met 5, for sure. I didn't meet this one. There wasn't a course to recertify at offered in Kansas this time around. I will be checking into it in the future, though. Missed this one as well. But 2016 shows hope!

Congrats!

Welcome to KF, JohnR!

I had my mom as one of my assistant black belts for a time. My brothers and my dad were in for a time as well, but not while I was an instructor.

That's great! Good luck with all that new work!

Yes, they are closed. You have to be an active ATA member to compete. That doesn't mean you can't be in a different style, though, either. I know there tends to be some angst out there about the ATA having a closed tournament circuit, but the ATA is big enough that it can do it well, and it really helps with quality control in a way, too. I think there is also a misunderstanding that ATA members aren't allowed to compete in open tournaments, and this is not true. There are ATA members that have competed in WTF qualifiers as well as MMA.

We had him out for a week a few years back and he was great. Its a long wait till 2017 but he seems to be booked out that far in advance. I imagine that's the case. I bet he doesn't have trouble filling his calendar.