bushido_man96

You make some interesting points, Hawkmoon. Some I think are bit romanticized, though. Many tend to think that everyone that studied the Martial Arts hundreds or thousands of years ago were all warriors, but I don't see that as the case. Yes, we do have some good legends to look back on, for sure. But not every MAist of those times was legendary, or a warrior. And how many were perhaps really great, but didn't make it long enough to become legend? That aside, it is true that with age, comes experience. But that doesn't mean we should all wait until we are old to gain that experience, or to start sharing it. Are their better instructors than this kid out there? Sure. No doubt about that. But its never too early to start your journey. Will this kid gain valuable experience in the next few years that will help him greatly in his journey as an instructor and school operator? Sure. No doubt about that, either. But should he have to wait to start doing what he loves, when he can start now? I think he should definitely run with this.

Very cool, i have never sparred in this way, without padding. Looks pretty fun. Nice kicks btw. Thank you. Depending on who is sparring, sometimes the contact can get a bit more intense. We just gauge it off who we are sparring with at the time. At testing, though, the judges will usually keep our control under wraps. When we spar in class, we spar continuously, and if there is a significant point scored, we usually just acknowledge it to each other with a glove tap and keep going. In our defensive tactics club this summer, I padded up in Boxing gloves, thick head gear, and shin pads, and did full body, harder contact sparring, including punching to the head. Lots of fun, and a real eye-opener.

Thanks for sharing the link Brian. I always find it interesting how different associations and even countries evolve their own style and flair to sparring even though they share the same base and rulesets. Thanks, Danielle. I do wish we could change things up from time to time, and do some strikes to the head with perhaps some different padding or something. It really changes the strategy, and opens up things for students.

I don't think your approach is a bad one, Maybetrue. Everyone does things a bit differently, and I agree that an instructor must have the class's best interest as a whole in mind. If the child is absolutely inconsolable, then it may be necessary to have the sit out until they feel comfortable enough to join in. Usually, if that child sees other kids playing a game or a relay and having fun, they will want to join in on their own. I also agree that a good approach is having an assistant or a higher ranked student be able to break off and try to ascertain the issue with the student, and try to get them involved.

Thanks for the elaboration, Alex. Very helpful. Bob, I'm not saying you're wrong at all. I'm just saying that perhaps this young man isn't wrong, either.

Yes, I'd like to see it as well. I don't hear much about Hwa Rang Do.

Great explanation, DWx. Different types of breaking help develop different aspects of technique. I have an easier time with power breaking than I do with speed breaking. Great point!

I agree with this, too. Lighter contact tends to lend itself to a different strategy, and I find it favors faster, lighter fighters, too.

We have the sparring we do in class, which is usually padded in the Olympic style, using Olympic rules, but I would say we tend to have more of a traditional flair to our style. The rules for scoring are typically a body displacement to render a point. Typical of many TKD styles, head kicks are allowed, but not head punching (I know the ITF is excluded in this matter). We also have testing sparring, which is not padded when done, and usually has a bit less contact levels, but its important for the person sparring to "defend their rank" when they do so, and demonstrate blocking ability, mobility, footwork, and combinations in attacking. Here is a clip of me testing sparring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD7WSCcX3SE I'm the "stocky" guy...

People bash point sparring, and sometimes for good reasons. But, it definitely has its place. The problem with it is when it's the only goal of sparring/type of sparring. Sparring needs to be varied. It reminds me of when my uncle was taking TKD - everyone in the dojo, including senior instructors were telling him he shouldn't throw punches, because "punches don't score points." This wasn't during competition training either. His response: "I'm not here to score points." After several months of it he walked away. Its really too bad to hear that. Competition is a good thing, and it can be a great way to motivate training, but I'm against it being the only thing, but some schools are just that way. When I spar in my school, I make it a point to get in close to all the really fast youngsters we have and really punch on them.

No, I don't think so. His or her expectations wouldn't necessarily match up with mine. He could be a former tournament champ, and I could have no interest in competition. But, that doesn't mean I still can't find value in his teaching style. I also think it is important to expose yourself as a student to teachers with varying expectations; it helps us learn who we are and who we want to be.

I think its just how we are as people. I don't see it changing anytime soon.

I really enjoyed this article! I love to hear about the local histories and fighting styles/weapons of various areas, and as you write here, how it can overlap with styles from other areas in the world in similar regards. I also enjoyed the introspective aspect you shared with us, how the training affected you and your training. Thank you very much, Cathal.

Congrats!

You are so lucky! Please keep us posted on the training! 8/10/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-up sets: 45x5, 135x5, 185x5, 205x5, 225x3, 265x1; work sets: 292x5, 292x5, 292x5. Press: warm-up sets: 45x5x3, 75x5, 95x5; work sets: 117x5, 117x5, 117x5. Power Snatches: 77x2, 77x2, 77x2, 77x2, 77x2. Dips: 3, 3, 2. Defensive Tactics Club: 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Helped with technique work, and rolled. Put on the Thai pads and a chest protector to work some combos with one of the guys. 8/12/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-up sets: 45x5x2, 135x5, 185x5, 205x5, 225x3, 265x1; work sets: 294x5, 294x5, 294x5. I think I've finally found the warm-ups arrangement I will be sticking with. Push Press: warm-up sets: 45x5x3, 95x5, 115x5; work sets: 132x5, 132x5, 132x5. Jumping Chin-ups: BWx5x3, supersetted with the push presses. Barbell Curls: 45x10x3, suppersetted with the push presses. Lat Pull-downs: 100x10x3, supersetted with the push presses. 45 Deg. Back Extensions: BWx11x3 8/13/2015 TKD Class: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Basics, Forms, One-steps, Sparring. Stretch after class.

I think being honest with them is best, and I also think there is a way to hit the basics and get on the right path, and sprinkle in a little extra here and there to really spark the interest, and keep them enticed. I think a good instructor will know how to do this.

Ok, its been a while, but I've found some 9th dan stuff! WTF 9th Dan Poomae Ilyeo: 23 movements, following the line of the Buddhist mark (a swastika), and symbolizes "oneness" as formulated by Won Hyo. There are some interesting movement combinations in this form, with a vertical fingertip thrust in a crane stance, which then pivots into a slow side kick with single mountain block, a very elegant series of moves. There is also a front kick followed by a flying side kick combination repeated. Blocks include diamond blocks and high cross blocks. Strikes are kept simple with punches. The last segment of the form, with the Olympic style round kicks, the spin kick, and the splits, is this guys own addition. I can't find anything on the ATA 9th degree form, Dong Seung.

Minimums?!?! Godan, but nothing lower than Sandan!! One that's NOT a beginner of said MA!! Knowledge is everything, and a beginner lacks a lot of that knowledge; while a Sandan, and for surely a Godan, meets the minimums in spades!! But who sets these standards? Are they set in stone, or are they just the standards you grew up with, are familiar to you, and therefore, are the ones you stand by? To me, in many more "traditional" styles, this adherence to "this" way or "that" way is what shuts many people off to occurrences like this young man and his school. We are only open-minded to so many things.

BJJ isn't like other styles. Its isn't uncommon in the BJJ world for purple belts or blue belts to start teaching and running schools. You might be surprised at the skill level of a purple or blue belt in BJJ. Another issue here that needs to be asked by any prospective client is this: does he teach a skill that I do not have experience with? If this is the case, then why not look into it? I'd learn Wrestling from a 16 year old, because I don't know much Wrestling as it is. Should I let my pride keep me from learning something from someone who is capable of teaching it and has the knowledge to do so? That would be terribly limiting to myself, and I am the only one who loses out. Due to foolish pride. The Gracies aren't known for setting up McDojos, either. This is one of those cases where "rank doesn't matter," until it does matter. Then age is thrown on top of it.

I think its a few things. To really pop a good ridge hand strike, you need an angle on the opponent, either a cut to the side, or a nice side-step, some form of tai sabaki to get into position for it. Sure, you can throw it from the front, face to face if you want, but its kind of a big, looping move that would be easier to block or avoid. Now, with the advent of gloves in many sparring environments, I think it loses a bit of its efficacy. But, the front kick was gone for a long time, too, but it has seen a resurgence.

I think it gets the point of the message it is trying to send across. Lots of MMA guys have tattoos, and when we think TMA, a white gi or dobok and a black belt comes to mind. Discriminative, I don't think so much; stereotyping, yes, I believe so.

Actually I don't know if I agree with the statement, the part about the UFC being set up for jujitsu. The first UFC fights had pretty much know jujitsu in them, in fact they were pretty different than what you see now days. Originally you saw people with traditional background stepping in and if you came something that anybody with some blended systems who was tough could make it as a fighter, which is fine but hoyce Gracie didn't even make an impact until later on when he was running into guys twice his size that looked like they were gladiators and he was disposing of them, with his skinny physique, this is what pave the way for jujitsu to become popular the way it is today. I'm not sure which early fights you are referring to, Luther Unleashed, but the first UFCs did feature BJJ, with Royce Gracie being the man displaying his skills. He won UFC 1, 2, and 4, and that was the showcase for BJJ. I don't know that the UFC was designed "specifically" for BJJ, but the mats were padded to an extent which made grappling easier on the body. A regular boxing ring might not have been as nice to grapple on, but I'm willing to bet that a Gracie would have still done it.

Some good points here, but I would point out that in one of the early UFCs, I believe Oleg Taktarov won a bout in which he was essentially blind, because he had taken some fingers to the eyes. He was still able to win, and he won on the ground, because he was able to control from that position. Just an observation. I could be way wrong on the fighter, too. I enjoyed the early era, too, but I don't really think it was going to be sustainable. The evolution of MMA has been fun to watch, and I do believe that better fighters are produced now than then, and better athletes are fighting now. There are always the arguments in regards to groin attacks, eye gouges, and other similar attacks that many TMAists constantly throw out in regards to discussing the legitimacy of MMA, or the fact that it is a sport. Sport is a different thing to a lot of people, and so is art. I think that MMA is an art in itself, and can produce a lot of the same qualities that other MAs produce in people. I think this just depends. On each person, on their approach to training, etc. Think about the discipline that is required to uphold the training regimen of a pro fighter. Between planning the training and the diet required to make weight, it takes a lot of discipline.

8/3/2015 DT Club: 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Some review of "3 brothers," and some takedown work. 8/5/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-up sets: 45x5x3, 155x5, 205x5, 225x3, 265x1; work sets: 288x5, 288x5, 288x5. Press: warm-up sets: 45x5x3, 75x5, 95x5; work sets: 116x5, 116x5, 116x5. Deadlifts: warm-up sets: 135x5, 225x5, 315x3; work set: 345x5. Last rep was a tough one. It felt like I had trouble locking at the top. 8/7/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-up sets: 45x5x3, 185x5, 205x5, 225x3, 265x1; work sets: 290x5, 290x5, 290x5. Push Press: warm-up sets: 45x5x3, 95x5, 115x5; work sets: 131x5, 131x5, 131x5. 45 degree Back Extensions: BW 3x11. Assisted Pull-ups: 120x6, 120x5, 120x4.

Congrats on this great milestone, Bob! Your posts are always thoughtful, and they always have a way of making us think about various aspects of the Martial Arts in way we might not otherwise. I always see something new in your posts, even if it is about a familiar topic; you always drive us to learn and grow: the hallmark of a great instructor. I have been fortunate enough to have got to meet and train with Bob, in person, at my hometown here in Hays. We spent three days, if I remember right, trading Shindokan and TKD knowledge and ideas. I remember learning tuite from Bob, learning Naifanchi Shodan kata, and exploring applications from it. I do have to say that the visit was rather a lopsided one; Bob taught me so much more than I could ever have taught him. And I am proud to call him friend. Bob and I met a long while ago, on BlackBeltMag.com forums, which is now non-existent. I'm so glad you were able to find a home here, Bob; KarateForums.com and all its members are so much better for it! Here's to another 10,000 posts!