bushido_man96

These are some good questions. I'll take them one at a time. I don't think mine is either. We do have a competition aspect, but it isn't a focus of our school. We focus a lot on forms and one-steps, so I wouldn't call it an RBSD style, either. I'd say ours is a "traditional" style. Now, do I like this situation? That's a different question to answer at a different time, I think. I'm not quite sure from which angle you are driving at this question, so I'll do my best, and you can clarify later on if you like. I think I can divide my reality and sports aspects of the MAs that I do. I know that when I teach and train Krav as a defensive tactics system for law enforcement, that I'm not going to be teaching or training any kind of competition kicks one might see in TKD competitions. No spinning kicks, no jumping kick, etc. Heck, hardly even any round kicks. The only one I would teach is a low level, angled round kick to the leg, if that. I'm also very aware that some techniques that I use when I spar in TKD class, I will either have to modify or just throw out for when it comes to self-defense usage. No. Its my job as the student to research what a teacher teaches and decide if I want to subject myself to that environment as a student. Would I like the teacher to do this? Yes, I would. I'd love to see more self-defense focused training. But the teacher has his ways, and I'm the student, so I have to go along with what he teaches, or seek out a different instructor. I don't think so. The only way it interferes is by taking time away I'd rather spend on self-defense. I don't feel let down, because I know what to expect when I go to class. I've learned to seek out training in other places to try to fill in the holes.

Sometimes being able to pitch in and help out with everyday things can help to take the mind away from that, if for just a little while. It probably helps her more than we know.

Thank you for this run-down, guird. Great information! Let us know how you get on with training!

There is a reason for weight classes in competition. Mostly for safety reasons. Are their too many? Probably. But in competitions where all (hopefully) of the participants are highly trained, and highly athletic, the weight classes are essential. Like anything, moderation is a good thing. Always training with someone your same weight can make you stagnant in other areas, like dealing with someone stronger than you, or someone smaller and faster than you. So, it has its advantages and disadvantages.

I think this is a very cool way for you to award your daughter. I will pray for her as well. Tell her to keep up the good fight!

I agree, it can be, but it can be managed, too. The instructor needs to be able to step in if something terribly errant is being explained by the assistant. If the assistant is doing a good job, then the instructor can sit back and let them go on for as long as they are doing well. There should come a point, though, when the new instructor is allowed to take care of the class, and then any issues can be dealt with afterwards, between chief and assistant. This will help build confidence, and still provide a learning experience.

I try not to stereotype on anything when I hear of this federation or that association, but at times, this is hard to keep from doing. I was part of the ATA for quite some time, so I've seen both sides of this equation. If I am speaking with an instructor or student, I'll ask if they are affiliated with any federation or association, and if they are not, I'm good with that. I like to ask, because then when they are talking about something like technique, or sparring, or forms, if I know what association they are from, then I might have some framework within which I can understand what they are talking about. If they aren't affiliated, then I like to ask about how their techniques or forms or other procedures vary from what I've done, do, or seen done by others. It really just makes for great discussion for me.

Welcome to KF, Josh!

Welcome aboard!

One thing is for sure, I need to try to get into better shape! My body had gone way down hill over the past year.

I agree. I'm out of town from time to time and it's nothing for a purple or brown belt student to teach. Think about it, a purple belt for us is 4-5 years on the mat. That should be more than enough time to understand the fundamentals and teach them. Plus, it's good experience. I think that having lower ranked students begin to fill in some teaching roles can be a boon to their learning curve when it comes to teaching. Especially higher ranked students, like those of the brown/red belt levels in some of the more traditional styles. If they wait until black belt and have no experience teaching, its really tough to throw them into the fire with no teaching experience. Knowing the material and teaching the material are two different things entirely. Senior colored belts can benefit from putting classes through the basics and warm-ups, and an adult senior rank assisting in teaching kids classes (especially lower ranks) are great teaching experiences, too. Doing this also helps the instructors to figure out who look like good teaching candidates, and who might need some more polishing.

Thank you, everyone!

I see the point you are making, and agree, but in actuality, Aikido wasn't used in this way. It was its predecessor, Aiki-Jujitsu, which had a completely different philosophy in application, that was used. Aikido stemmed from this style, after Morehei Ueshiba had his "epiphany." I'm sure you were aware of this, but I wanted to address it, as even these two styles have differences in approaches and methods.

Ok, the testing has been done for some time now. It went well, and I passed. It was a pretty tough testing, lots of hard drilling, some running, and some more continuous drilling. It was a tough week, but well worth it!

I agree. Go watch a few classes, and see what they have to offer. If they offer some trial classes, give them a go. What have you got to lose, other than some time?

Welcome back!

I'm late here, but happy belated birthday!

Thanks, Bob, and thank you, Patrick! It's a beautiful award!

Congrats!

I will do my best, Bob. Lots of information coming in! Day 4 is in the books. We did some review in the morning, and teach backs in the afternoon, and those went pretty well. Tomorrow, is test day. It will be tough, and exhausting, and tiring, but it will be a blast.

I humbly disagree, I feel that for a person with no experience an who has never been on a fight, and possibly has no ability to visualize this may be more true, but for a person who has experience, has been on a fight, and can visualize quite well, they would get more out of it then an aerobic workout. I can see both sides here. I think one can practice some concepts on his or her own, but to truly train and get some good results from it, having a partner to train with is the greatest training tool ever. Especially if you don't have an instructor to work with. One can theorize on their own all day long about how to defend a certain attack, but until you have it done to you and see the results of what you thought would work, all you have is theory. This is how I see it. If one has to train on their own, that person has to be able to really pay extra special attention to the little details involved in techniques. This person has to be able to critique himself or herself more so than someone who gets good feedback. This person will need to watch as many demonstration videos as possible, and read as many descriptions as possible, and look at lots of pictures if possible, to really get a good indication of how the body should perform the technique. I honestly believe the next thing they need is a good training partner. You can train a lot on your own, and you can visualize all you want, but the first time an attack is thrown in earnest is going to be a real eye-opening experience if all that person has done is train by themselves. Lastly, this person should try to seek out seminars or instructors that would be willing to answer any questions they might have over different techniques or concepts. Is it possible? I do think so. It is definitely a longer road to hoe.

TJ-Jitsu makes some good points. I didn't watch the fight where Rousey was knocked out by the head kick, but I'd be willing to bet that there weren't a ton of head kicks thrown. Timing, set-up, and opportunities are what make for a great kick.

I hope things get back on track for you and the SKKA, Bob.

That's a great list, Bob. And you are absolutely right in that bad customer service can cost a business quite a lot more than it costs itself.

Thanks, Bob, I have been. Days 2 and 3 are in the books now. We covered ground on day 2, and we've done a ton of gun retention and disarms, along now with knife defense and disarms. I'm lucky in that a lot of this is review for me, but the knife stuff is all new. Two days to go!