bushido_man96

I agree. Many will go over the top in defending themselves, and wind up in trouble themselves.

The first belt system was put in place by Jigoro Kano, so I think it is an Eastern invention.

We don't require anything like that. We really just focus on technique and the curriculum. I do think you have some good ideas, though, and you should run with them. I do think its a good idea to relate this kind of information to the students, either as the instructor, or by providing some resources they can follow up on in regards to finding the information.

12/10/2014 Department Defensive Tactics: two sessions, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, and 6:30 - 8:30 pm. We covered combatives and self-defense from the Krav system. Bag work using punches, palm strikes, and hammer fist strikes. We also did a drill that started with hammer strikes standing, then going to kneeling, then striking from being on the back, then hopped back up and finished with punches or palms. From there we did some kicking, front kicks low, and defensive front kicks, and knee strikes in the clinch. With the defensive front kicks, we did a closing drill with the kicking shields. For self-defense, we started with front choke and side choke defenses.

Thanks for sharing this article, Iceman. I've read lots of Stuart's articles and books, and he really helps send the points home over the application and use of TKD technique. After watching his videos, I still see differences between how his technique looks, and how I've learned technique over the years. In my experience, I've never done any of the rising and falling when doing technique, nor really any of the lifting of the heel prior to performing a stationary technique.

I am aware that most schools have to cover some costs to stay open, and some out there probably like to make a bit of a profit at it if they can. I don't have any issues with that. Some people, you can't change their minds. So there isn't much point in trying. You end up just beating your head against a wall. Personally, if I was looking to change clubs, I would check out the cheaper ones first, as I have a limited income to work with. I'd also make sure that they weren't cheap on the floor, though. That's too bad. I don't have a problem with changing tact and growing or adding something to what you already do. Changing with the times and evolving is one way to do things, but its got to be done the right way. But if you drop your quality to do it, then that's a bad trade-off.

I didn't say we didn't learn any technique application. We just don't always learn it from the forms. And not all Martial Arts utilize forms as a training tool, but they still do technique applications. I'm guessing you don't do any kata in Aikido, but its rife with technique application. I don't think I stated anything about not teaching any technique application. I just stated that not all styles teach it with forms. Now, if you are referencing something like Tae Bo, then I agree; its not a Martial Art.

Thank you, Patrick. Kenneth's practices are a bit of an adventure at this point. His attention span is pretty slight right now, but I think its getting better. The main thing I wanted was to get him some exposure to it, and he seems to be taking to it well enough. He is still trying to grasp some of the concepts, like you can't lay on your back, and moving around and getting to the head to run a half-Nelson and things like that. But, with time, he'll pick it up. Kendall, on the other hand, is woefully out of condition, but the coaches worked them over last night! Kendall is signed up for his next tournament, which will be on December 27th. Video of the previous tournament coming soon.

My main complaint for my school is that we are very tied to curriculum. Basic, forms, one-steps. This is well and good, but being tied to the curriculum for the sake of putting off other things, like extra work in sparring, extra self-defense work, time to work the bags, and things like that. Another issue that I wish would change, but is more just a function of the area I live in, is that we don't have a lot of active adult students. When I first started, it seemed like we had more, but as the years have gone by, its tapered off. The other schools around I don't have much of an issue with. There is one of them that I wonder a bit about the instructor, because he teaches what he calls a blend of TKD, Hapkido, and BJJ, but I'm curious as to what his ranks in each are, and where they came from. Another is a BJJ club ran through our local university. I don't believe any of the students that teach have any kind of rank in BJJ, but they use some online sources to help them train, and a few of them have been to some competitions and had some success. But, I don't know enough about their ranks, either, to know if any have gained anything yet. But, they are trying to do some good work, and I just need to check up with them to see where they are at.

I enjoyed this article, and I think it can generate a lot of discussion. I don't necessarily agree with everything, but I think there are a lot of good points here. I'm not sure if things are quite as bad as the article makes out, however. I think there are some cases out there that do merit a rant, but I think there are far more good people out there training and teaching the Martial Arts than there are bad.

Something I also wanted to mention about Songham 3 is that it is the first ATA form that starts with an attack, instead of a blocking motion.

I would tend to disagree here. Not all styles are learned the same way. I've never been taught any kind of forms applications. Any I have played with, I've had to seek out on my own. With that said, not all styles of TKD will have bunkai that they teach. Its going to depend on what the instructor has pulled from his own experiences and instructors, so it might be a case by case basis. Definitely look into it, though, and don't wait for black belt level. No point in curbing what you can learn.

I think the average person can earn a black belt. I consider myself pretty average. I don't think quite as many instructors out there as you make out are just trying to sell belts and make money. I think its also important to realize that its not the same as it was 50 or 100 years ago. Things change, and many times, revisionist history gives us a false idea of what things were really like "back in the day."

You will have to listen to what your body tells you. It will give you the answers you seek! Take your time, and ease back into full contact, for sure.

Cool, I wondered if that was the case or not. Like I said, I do like these pummeling drills, and I think they are great for learning the positions.

I will, for sure. We've been to our first tournament this last Saturday, 12/13. Kendall had two matches, and won both. I've got video on one that I'll have up soon, but we missed the second one. He was a little gassed, but conditioning should pick him up over the next few weeks.

I'm a big fan of doing what you want in your MA journey. Talk it over more and more with your son, and see what his goals are. Perhaps you can get some of both in, if that is what he wants to do.

Pretty cool. How are you liking it so far? What presents the greatest challenge? This is the year that I tested for 4th Dan.

Thanks for the review, Devin. It sounds like a very interesting read, and I shall consider this one, for sure.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!

Yeah, I concur with you, Brian!! Maybe, it's the beginning of having a one central governing body...maybe!! I doubt it will ever happen.

Interesting, with the turns, especially the use of the cross step to uncork the body to face behind. Its a nice twist, pardon the pun, but it looked smooth and natural. This one seemed a bit more awkward to me. Why is the sabaki in the spots that you show? Have you also been using these changes in any applications? I'd be interested to see those. Thanks for sharing the videos with us, I think its a very cool idea.

Thanks, Bob. Yesterday in practice, Kendall (and I ) got to learn how to do the spiral ride from the top position. I really liked how it worked out, and hope to work with Kendall on it some more this year.

I've never tried this. Interesting. Is the board held at a 45 degree angle, at about waist level?

Wow, that's more than I expected. But, if you have a fairly large student body, then you'd need a bigger number to get that increase. But that's not a bad problem to have!