bushido_man96

I agree. Stances are transitional, and their use is in the transition from beginning to end, not just the end. Ideally, when you begin to apply techniques more in self-defense, you will start in a more natural position, do a technique or series of techniques in which you will transition through positions that are similar to your stances, and then you will likely finish in a more natural stance, as opposed to a rigid front stance or horse stance. I also think part of the issue of the long, deep, rigid stances in basics and forms has to do with the aesthetics that have developed in the performance of forms, especially due to tournament performances. They look good, and that is part of what some of the more traditional style has become, especially in line with the "personal development" aspect of the training. Hopefully, these differences will start to be explained to you as you advance in your training.

I think there is some good that can come out of this kind of time regulation, but I also think that a certain amount of forms performance is the practitioner's interpretation of it, including timing, rhythm, and technique combinations. So, some is good, but too much regulation can take away from the practitioner's expression.

I think some would struggle with the idea of why someone would do that to their hands. I also think that really big callouses would probably raise some questions, if only in their minds. But if someone were to ask, just let them know. Perhaps explain the process a bit to them; who knows, maybe they'll become more interested, and ask more about training.

Did this happen without striking anything?

When doing an activity, it helps to find a rhythm to help regulate your breathing. During basics, I usually inhale when I chamber, and exhale upon execution. In forms, I try to regulate based on move combinations and such. I think the big key is that when you are done and have a rest, take that time to really take big, deep breaths and let them out slowly, on a 3 or 5 count. That will help. I also think a big part of this is cardiovascular endurance. The higher the endurance, the easier it might be to regulate the breathing.

7/17/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 140x5, 185x5, 205x3, 225x1; work sets: 272x5, 272x5, 272x5. Press: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 65x5, 85x5; work sets: 112x5, 112x5, 112x5. Deadlifts: warm-ups: 135x5, 225x5, 275x3; work set: 335x5. 7/20/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 140x5, 185x5, 205x3, 225x1; work sets: 274x5, 274x5, 274x5. Push Press: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 65x5, 85x5; work sets: 127x5, 127x5, 127x5 (the warm-ups were actually strict presses). Back Extensions: BW 3x10 Pull-ups: jump x5, asst 105x5, asst 135x5. 7/22/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 140x5, 185x5, 205x3, 225x1; work sets: 276x5, 276x5, 276x5. Press: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 65x5, 85x5; work sets: 113x5, 113x5, 113x5. Power Snatches: 75x2, 75x2, 75x2, 75x2, 75x2.

Congrats!

07/15/2015 Strength Training Squats: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 140x5, 185x5, 205x3, 225x1; work sets: 270x5, 270x5, 270x5. The last time I got to 270, I was failing to complete the sets. Now, I'm ready to work past them. Push Press: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 70x5, 95x5; work sets: 125x5, 125x5, 125x5. Back Extensions: BW 3x10 Chin-ups: BW 2x5, 3, jumping for assistance.

I do barbell exercises, 3x5s. I like exercises like squats, press, deadlift, power cleans and snatches, etc.

Welcome to KF, and welcome back to the journey!

Aside from the answers provided, I think the only other thing you could do is check out some other schools in the area with similar programs, and stop and watch some classes, talk to the instructors, and see if there is a program you like better. If that's the case, then look at moving on.

It really just depends. Certifications I receive are helpful in my line of work, in teaching defensive tactics to other officers. Defense attorneys like to see and ask for certifications or course completion certificates. Its kind of the nature of the beast with the world I live and work in. Aside from that, for me, its a nice reminder of a great training time, spent with different people of different walks of life. Its a nice memento.

My question is, what does a Kravist have to gain by learning a kata? They do lots of partner drilling, working with attacks and using their concepts in their self-defense applications. I really don't think it would be worth the time in Krav to find some kata to reverse engineer their techniques into, when the teaching method they already have is pretty effective.

Thank you, Bob!

Very nice, Alex. I love this option, as its something different from the standard "getting back to guard." I think I'd have some opportunities to try this, too, because when guys in the club get to side mount, they do a pretty good job of keeping me from getting back to guard. Thanks for sharing it with us. I've already shared to our DT club page.

I find Sumo very interesting, and probably is very misunderstood by the majority of the public. I don't think many people realize who strong those guys really are.

The best way to avoid things like this is to have a plan. For instance, if the session is being hosted by one school, then that school's CI should hopefully have a plan or a direction he/she wants the session to go. Working on concepts? Counter ideas? Kickers helping punchers, and vise versa? Ideas like this. Or, if the same group gets together over a month period or such, then let each session be "hosted" by a different instructor, that way, everyone gets a dose of what everyone else does on a regular basis. With this approach, the learning focus stays in tact, whereas if 7 guys just show up to spar each other, its going to likely end up being a sparring session, that someone wants to walk away feeling like they won.

Good points, Iceman, I agree. Its important to be able to perform breaking with both sides of the body.

I thought that looked pretty textbook. I work with Kendall on his, because he usually is too far away when he does his penetration step, and his head tends to go down. Not good. I liked his setup with the gi. I find, for me, that its hard at this stage in the game to really change levels effectively. We are lucky in that we have a few collegiate Wrestlers in our DT club, and they work with us on a few different takedowns, and we are going to work more and more on them, too. Last week, he showed one from a over/under setup, where he would reach across and block the opposite knee with the underhook arm, and then apply pressure while stepping back with the outside foot, taking them down and then getting into the position you want.

Exactly. My belt goes on the rack next to my other (non-martial arts) belts. I have never really contemplated washing them... I've never washed one, but mainly because I don't think I've ever needed to. The uniform gets nasty, but the belt really doesn't.

From what I've seen of Krav, there aren't any kind of forms done. They work a lot on concepts, and teach the concepts through working on techniques. They do some pad work and such, but a lot of what they do is partner drills, from what I've seen of it.

There are videos out there of some Dillman students that have gone into a BJJ school to test their Dim Mak skills on other athletes, and they really didn't have much affect on them. Most of what I've seen from Dim Mak demonstrations have been with students directly under the instructor demonstrating, and with no resistance whatsoever from the uke.

I think there is a brief analysis in one of Hee Ill Cho's books on the affect of wrist rotation and punching power. In the grand scheme of things, I don't think it adds a lot to the punch. Its become an aesthetics, technical thing more that anything, I think. The power of the punch comes from the ground, driving up through the hips and core, and is transferred through the arm, with the fist merely acting as the tool that distributes the power. If I think about it, I'll look into that book and see what I can find.

Looks like a great experience! Thanks for sharing this with us! I love getting photo ops like these!

I've been doing a lot of watching and listening to different power lifters talk about the stuff they do, and I've come to see board breaking a lot like an attempt at Olympic weightlifting or Powerlifting. You go out there onto the platform with the weight all set up and ready to go, and its just you and your technique, and the training you have done to prepare for that moment. One max effort.