bushido_man96

Kendall's young; he'll learn as he gets older! Besides, he's a very lucky young man...he's got Vicky and you...great parents!! Thank you, Bob. Kendall had a bit of a setback this week at the District Championships. He had a decent day, and he got 2nd, which I will never complain about. But he was argumentative with the coaches during matches, which isn't a good thing at all, and he just can't do. He also let his temper get the better of him, and long story short, he ended up costing his team a point. He was very upset, and although I wanted to be supportive of him in his loss, I really couldn't, because I had to address the attitude issue, which we did, and he apologized to his coaches before we left that day. After all was said and done, though, he is advancing to the state tournament for a second year in a row, which is a great deal.Now, with the first practice of State week coming on Monday, I had spoke with him throughout the weekend about the incident at Districts, and I told him that he needed to approach the team as a whole before practice got started, and apologize for his actions, and for not representing the club appropriately. I discussed this with him, and was supportive about it, and told him that although it might not feel good to do it, he would feel better about it afterwards, and the main thing was taking responsibility for his actions, and basically "manning up" and owning the incident. So Monday rolls around, and he goes and tells coach he wanted to address the team before they got started. Coach got the team together, and led them over to the other side of the mat room, away from the parents, where he could address the team on his own. At this point, I didn't follow him over to listen in or make sure he said what he needed to say; I let him do this on his own. I watched from a distance, and after he said his peace, his team mates lined up, slapped on handshakes and gave him a hug, and then they did a team breakdown, and warm-up began. I was very proud of Kendall. I asked coach what he said, and coach said he spoke very well, didn't stammer his words and was pretty articulate, and he thought he would tear up and break down a little, but he didn't, and coach said he did a very good job. I told Kendall on the way home from practice that I was very proud of him for doing that. I told him I wasn't proud that he had to do it because of what happened to lead up to it, but I was proud of him for how he handled it, and it showed accountability and responsibility. And now from here on, he knows he needs to work to do better. With all said and done, it was a good learning experience for him.

Congrats!

I think that 3 years old might be a bit too young yet. There are some 3 year olds out there that can focus well enough for a short class, but I think the age of 4 or 5 is a bit better, but each child is different. The best thing to do is talk with the instructor, and see what his/her opinion is. As for the change from Shotokan to TKD, I wouldn't think it would be too much of an adjustment. As with anything, there will be some learning curve, but with diligent work, you will overcome it.

Its hard to do for fans, but taking a step back and looking at the team as a business, which is what it is, you can start to see the wheels turning as to what is going on. As much as we'd like to have our teams keep all of our favorite players forever, it just isn't feasible, nor practical. When Tony Gonzalez left for Atlanta, I understood completely, and wished him well. He's still one of my favorite players, regardless of where he played after KC. The older I get, the less and less I get attached to players.

It was mostly a knowledge test. There were 6 plays that I had to know and demonstrate. I also had to demonstrate all of the Posta stances), both unarmed and with the longsword. Most of it was answering questions about Fiore's history, what certain concepts meant, and what was happening in Europe at the to me Fiore was active. I like that, but the history part of it would interest me. I'd be digging back into the manuals...and that's so much fun.

That's great! Congrats! What did you test consist of?

If memory serves me correctly, I believe all Palgwe forms start and end in the same spot-as do Taegeuk's 2-8, however Taeguek Il Jang (1) is the only colored belt Taeguek form that does not-there is absolutely no way it works! Taegeuk 1 I still have issues with, getting it on the line. But I've seen videos where it does appear to end where it starts. As for the Palgwes, I'm having no luck with them.But, I will say this; starting and ending on the same spot in a form is not, and never really has been, a major point of concern for me. What is, is developing correct technique and sufficient power in the techniques of the forms to make them effective and useful. Footwork and stances are part of that, of course, but when it comes down to self-defense, the starting and ending point of a form is really irrelevant to that. But, since I am trying to learn and improve myself, taking on this task of sharpening up the forms as such adds another dimension to focus on.

What is your explanation for this move Bob? What did your Soke and Dai Soke teach? (I have to say, watching this kata for the first time, this is a very weird movement!) I don't have a better explanation, only assumptions!! I believe that the hops were added because of having an obsessive need for uniformity: to reach the start of the Embusen/performance line!! Surely, as intelligent as one is, a way to reach the same start/end of the Embusen could've been achieved other than adding three bunny hops. Soke and Dai-Soke offered up their interpretations of the three bunny hops "could" be used to escape wrist holds and from freeing oneself from a full-nelson hold!! I just don't buy that either!! For me, it's like saying I can escape a wrist hold and a full-nelson by sneezing, and those movements of a sneeze would be effective. I also don't believe that any kata is gender specific. This is one explanation that's been floating around for as long as I can remember. Chinte is believed to be a kata for females...I doubt that! Why? It would be like saying, this technique and that technique is for females, OR males, only!! Why are women mostly found executing Chinte in tournaments? I've no idea! Possibly because a male karateka doesn't want to be seen doing a kata that has not just one bunny hop, but three. It attacks the male ego, I suppose. Do you think it was a case of "my teacher hopped so I must hop"? And no-one know how it got started. To the ignorant (i.e. me!) if it was to get back to the start point it seems bizarre not have just made it a more purposeful step or single jump rather than bunny hops back.. I'm of kind of the same feeling as you, Danielle. If anything, why not add some meaningful techniques, like stepping backwards in back stances and doing knife hand guarding blocks, or directing back kicks or side kicks to the rear while retreating?

Are you sure on this? Kodokan was the name of Jigoro Kano's Judo school. Kodokan is actually quite a common name for a number of Japanese dojo. It simply means place of learning or place for old ways! K I did not know that, thanks for explaining it. I had just always associated Kodokan with Judo. And thanks for this clarification, as well!

I always have to buy my doboks a couple sizes big, and then have the sleeves and pants hemmed up. If you check companies like Century online, most will have a sizing chart. Don't worry about the heights, though, look for the waist size. Get the appropriate waist size, and then go to the tailor with it.

I spent time on 3/15/2015 learning Taegeuk 2. That form doesn't move much at all, with all the walking stances in it. I did it a few times a piece at a time, and then did 10 run-throughs on it. Maybe next week I'll have a video of it to add, as well. The walking stances are still odd; they feel to narrow, and taking that shorter step feels odd, like I'm choking a move or something.

3/15/2015 TKD Forms: Chon Ji x2 Palgwe 1 x2 Taegeuk 1 x2 Songham 1 x2 Dan Gun x2 Bo Chung x2 Palgwe 2 x2 Songham 2 x2 Taegeuk 2 x10 (I was learning this one today, so drilled it heavy). Stretch.

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Welcome back, Cathal! Its good to see you here, and look forward to your contributions once again!

I don't like the idea of the auto-fail, either. I don't think its right to lead a student on for them to test, knowing that you will not pass them just to test their willingness to stay with the program. To me, its not worth putting in the effort if I know I am going to be failed, no matter how hard I work, or how much I show I deserve it. It would be more ethical, I feel, to just stretch out the time between tests to fit the instructor's philosophy on the rank. Cathal, its good to see you back!

I do agree with you that this individual's actions aren't suited for the dojo, and that it would require a discussion with the head instructor in regards to them. I don't agree with the ultimatum that you presented to the head instructor, though. I wouldn't say that you don't have a right to be upset about the situation, because you do. No one should put up with that kind of behavior, especially in a place where courtesy and respect are so supposed to be standard operating procedure. However, to me, the ultimatum sounds a bit disrespectful, too. It sounds like you are trying to force his hand, and if you are threatening to leave, then it sounds like you probably ought to leave and seek training elsewhere, anyhow. It sounds to me like you don't trust the sensei to do anything about a situation like this unless you present an ultimatum like that, and if that is the case, then its probably not a place you would want to be, anyhow. But that's just my two cents on the matter. Hopefully, when its all said and done, everything comes out ok between the three of you.

Are you sure on this? Kodokan was the name of Jigoro Kano's Judo school.

Another nice run-down. That's the first I've seen a knee bar, so thank you for sharing it. I also noted that its not really a gi-reliant technique, which will be helpful for me. I think the main thing will be making sure to triangle the leg when going back.

3/11/2015 TKD Forms: Chon Ji x1 Palgwe 1 x1 Taegeuk 1 x1 Songham 1 x1 Dan Gun x2 Bo Chung x2 Palgwe 2 x4 Songham 2 x2 14 forms altogether. Not too bad!

Thank you, Bob. The support means a lot. He's getting better about getting upset, too, but the higher the stakes, the more emotion that goes into it.

Maybe. That secret could have been that they didn't like the fact that the form didn't end where it started, and he fixed it by adding the hops. That's what I'm inclined to think, anyway.But, that aside, I think Abernethy has come with some sound techniques to give some sense as to the "why" of the movements. I do think, however, that perhaps there are some moves in forms that just might not have a "why" to them.

As I mentioned earlier, I've been working on the 8th gup level material now, which has included learning Palgwe 2, and I will be adding Taegeuk 2 soon. I've done some more videos of me doing the forms, with my son Kendall as my videographer... I've also decided to lump the two TTA orange belt forms together, to kind of keep things a bit more consistent as I get higher in the colored belt forms. So... I'm doing these in my driveway, and I used the crossed cracks in the drive as my starting point for each form. Dan Gun hyung, TTA version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tExdnvuRZs This form is pretty symmetrical, and I end just about right. Bo Chung hyung, "extra form," TTA hi orange belt form: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHMpvCAkabA This form is pretty symmetrical, as well. I was just a little off, and had a hiccup at the 270 degree turn at the end. I imagine I went off line somewhere in the 270 degree turning at the middle block/front kick section. Palgwe 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YdvviPXq8A I end off again, back and to the left a bit, but that seems to be a constant the way I end doing the Palgwe forms, to two I've done so far. And then my awesome son asked me if I farted during the form... Songham 2, ATA orange belt form: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDIulcqDu5c Its symmetrical, like all the ATA forms are, so I ended pretty close. I've made a conscious effort to narrow my front stances a bit, and it seems to have helped considerably with where I finish in regards to my starting points. I also feel like when I do the forms, that I'm using decent power in my techniques, because I'm winded when I finish. But when I watch them, it looks like I lack quite a bit of power. At any rate, those are some more forms to comment on, and please, give me any comments you can, because I am looking to improve as I go. I'll reviewed Taegeuk 2, and will be learning it next week, I hope.

Moved to the equipment thread.

Next tourney for Kendall, Salina Tournament of Champions, 1/31/2015. This is always a tough tournament, and I like to get Kendall out to this one so he can see some of the competition that he will face at the state tournament, if he qualifies for it. Match 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puLuXkj8HwE Match 1 is the first match he has wrestled against a girl, and I think he was a bit tentative about it. We always tell him that he just has to treat a girl like another competitor that is trying to pin him. He tried to shoot, but it didn't go quite right, but he was able to get to her back, got her over onto her back, and got a pin. Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl04KR5j3WE This match was a tough one. The kid was a pretty tall kid, and Kendall had his hands full with him. We watched this kid wrestle his first match, and we watched him throw a headlock right off the bat and get a pin, so we made sure he wasn't going to let that happen to him. The kid reached for his head, but Kendall shot underneath, but couldn't quite get control for a takedown. In all the maneuvering, he ended up on his knees, and the kid pretty much plowed him over, and Kendall was in trouble from there. I don't know how, but he managed to avoid getting pinned, but that series there gave the other kid a 5 point start to the match. Period 2, Kendall starts in the bottom position. He gets up and gets an escape point, but then a brief headlock fight starts, but they end up out of the ring, and get centered. The kid goes for the head again, and Kendall ducks to take a leg, but the other sprawls. Kendall keeps fighting, and finally manages to get a takedown, but the kid is able to just roll through it, and is able to do that throughout the match; Kendall just couldn't hold him down. He gets stuck on his knees again, and gets bowled over onto his back again. He runs a switch that he nearly reaches over the top on, but manages to get up, but no escape, and the period ends. Period 3, they start neutral, and its straight to the head again. Kendall gives up another takedown, mainly because he stayed in front instead of trying to get around to the back. He got a reversal, but couldn't get much out of it. After a break where the other kid gets his headgear back on, and they figure the score out, Kendall finally gets a takedown, but they are out of bounds and he doesn't score any back points. They stand up, and he ties up, but isn't able to get anything out of it, and loses this match, 7-9. We are pretty sure we might see this kid again if he makes it to state. We ended up talking to that kid's mom earlier, and she said Kendall beat her son a few years back a the 6 and under state tourney. He was upset afterwards that he couldn't get those last few points. But we learned a lot with that match, and next time he hopes to get him. Match 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw0nQWiyjIA Kendall starts out with a takedown attempt, but like his others, it just isn't very clean. He has a bad habit of stopping on his knees, which I hope to help him fix. But he gets the takedown, and some back points, before they go out of bounds. They reset, and as I yell out, "Don't reach over the top!" he sets in a cradle, and starts getting some back points . Period 2, Kendall starts on bottom. He stands up quick, then finally breaks the grip for an escape, and shoots another takedown that gets sprawled on, and he stops again. But they reset in neutral, and he gets a decent takedown. He spends the rest of the period trying to pin, but really never gets his body in very good pinning position. Period 3 starts on bottom, he runs his switch, gets two, and then tries to pin again, which he finally gets. Match 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn6liqwt_Ik This kid was another phenomenal Wrestler. He was a national qualifier, and we heard from his dad later on that he hadn't been scored on in the state of Kansas. This kid is good. He gets taken down, and tries to roll the kid, but it doesn't work for him. He's done that move in practice a lot, and I've warned him to move off it, but you know how kids listen to dad. He gave up two points on the initial takedown, but that was all he gave up that first period. Period 2 starts with Kendall on bottom, and he runs his switch, but makes the ultimate no-no mistake by reaching over the top, which gets him caught by a kid that is too good to let that opportunity pass him by. He does manage to wrestle his way out of trouble, and gets up, but gets pulled back down. We had seen this kid running arm bars earlier, so we had talked to coach about how to defend them, and Kendall did a pretty decent job for the most part. But the kid finally got him rolled over, and he was too tight on top, and Kendall got pinned. We had coached him up before going into this match, knowing it was going to be tough, but that was why we came to a tournament like this. I told him I was proud of his effort, and we know what we need to do to get better, and that we would get better. After all was said and done, he ended up taking 3rd place, and we left knowing that he could have won at least one more match.

Here are Kendall's matches from the tournament at Norton, KS, on 01/24/2015. Match 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSdwh5OCYDI At this meet, they combined the 95 pounders and the 110 pounders, and this first match was with one of the heavier kids. I coached him to make sure he didn't get caught underneath the heavier kid. He did a pretty good job of doing that, at least at getting out of a bad spot pretty quick. He finally got the kid rolled over towards the end of the period, but didn't really have good position for pinning. Kendall starts 2nd period on top, and you can hear me telling him to "stay behind." He has been making a habit of reaching over the top of the shoulders to try to force cradles, instead of staying behind the elbows and working tight waists/ankles to break them down. Its been a point of emphasis all year, really. You can see when he starts, he tries to break the arm down, and then goes to reach over the arm, and then is in bad position to break him down. The bigger kid is harder to hold down, to, and you see where the kid starts to get up. But Kendall goes back to one of his favorites from last year, a move they taught called the Iowa twist, which he runs here to get a pin. He was tired after that one, too. Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC7xT1YULN0 At this tournament, they were able to put together an 8-man double elimination bracket, and Kendall had a bye the first round, so this match was for the championship, and it was against a fellow club member, one he has wrestled several times over the past few years. We have to work on his shots, because he ends up sending his head towards the mat an awful lot when he shoots. He dives in more than anything, and ends up getting sprawled on a lot, like here. He really spends a lot of time underneath in the first period, trying to get into better position. He finally gets up, but is tangled up in a position that we try to avoid, where someone can throw a headlock of sorts. Kendall did twist himself into better position, though, and got a pin, and got first place.