bushido_man96

I agree with Zaine. Well said. Some people have different goals and objectives with their training. With that said, I think that once someone hits the black belt level of a style, they should be well versed in it. If they are not, then the problems lies in how they learned, or how they were taught. The thing about this subject is that most of us tend to have ourselves attached to a style that we have committed quite a bit of time to, or have taken up a style that we intend to spend a lot of time in, because we feel a certain amount of devotion to it, either because of the experiences we have, or due to an instructor, or both. So, when others take a different approach to learning a style just to the black belt level, then it appears odd to us, perhaps because we think of what they "could have been" if they stuck to a style we might feel more of an inclination towards. Just remember, their journey will be different than your journey. But, as long as they journey on...

Congrats on hitting this milestone, Patrick! Every year goes by so fast! It shows how good of a job you've done at putting this community together! Its been an honor and a privilege to be a member of this community.

I see what you are saying now. The way you define "submission wrestling" helped out there. Good points, very well made. Thank you for taking the time to elaborate a bit.

You are welcome, Bob. Glad you enjoyed it. Now, here is the flip side of the coin. Shouldn't the other fighter realize he is outclassed, and concede the loss to the superior fighter? Why should the onus be put on the more talented, more capable fighter?

How is this different than the McDojo approach? Honestly, I think the only difference is that in the McDojos, these people tend to stick around longer. Very true, if I find myself with lots of students without effort I turn up the sweat factor and will lose a few, those that stick around are generally serious. They will always be there but you can't ban them because they haven't shown much interest in the first few lessons. For my few years of teaching I'm quite proud of my student retention rate, I've only lost a few higher grades but I don't think it was a reflection on myself or my methods. I agree. I think letting those students thin themselves out is the way to let it happen. I think eventually, they decide to put more into it and stay, or just go. I think its important, though, to really evaluate what they are putting in, and when they shouldn't be allowed to test any farther. That is the problem with McDojos. They tend to keep testing them.

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5/19/2014 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:20 pm. Taught class. Basics, then forms by rank (no review of low rank forms), and one-steps. Instead of sparring, I got blockers out, and had the students use the arm-crossing portion of a knifehand strike as a blocking drill; the flinch reflex type of drill. I was calling out by count so they could get the timing down, then had them do it freely. After that, I had them moving like sparring, and I would swing the blocker so they had to cross their arms for the block. After that, I showed them an application for the knifehand strike we do in basics as a simple self-defense technique, inlcuding block, seizing, and striking all in one nice package that we train everyday. 5/20/2014 Range: 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Worked on drawing and firing from the hip at the 1 and a half yard line, then did a drill with metal "pepper popper" targets, where the rangemaster called out a color and strong or weak hand, and we had to either shoot from behind the cover, or step out and aquire the target accordingly. Dummy rounds were inlcuded in this drill. After that, we did some practice from the 25 yard line, and I think I got some things figured out to get better grouping from that distance. I went through all of these drills several times. A good day at the range. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. I participated in this class. Basics, then stretch. Form (Choong Jang), then one-steps. Did a mix of white belt and blue belt one-steps. Then did 3 or 4 rounds of sparring. I did ok, but need to work on my movement and counters something fierce. Had about 20 minutes of stretching after class, too.

How is this different than the McDojo approach? Honestly, I think the only difference is that in the McDojos, these people tend to stick around longer.

Sounds like it was a geat opportunity to have a good time, and sounds like you did pretty well!

I started to do some fishing for the years between 1964 and and 1974, a ten year period during which Norris appeared to have done most of his competing. Dan Gable's name came up, but it appears he must have Wrestled at 150 lbs, so a bit outside of Chuck's weight class.

I saw this on MMA Underground the other day. I thought it was interesting: http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/444091/Beautiful-fighter-taps-out-to-save-opponent-punishment The dominating fighter, Mike Pantangco, was really outclassing his opponent. He got the sense that his opponent wouldn't give in, so instead of seriously hurting him, he kneeled down and tapped out of the fight, giving his opponent, Jeremy Rasner, the win. Interesting set of circumstances, and a very interesting take by the forfeiting fighter. What are other's thoughts here? Could you or would you take a loss like that?

I do think Patrick and DWx are making very good points. What the McDojos have figured out is how to market. That's what the smaller dojos and dojangs need to figure out how to do. If they want the same recognition. There are always going to be the one's out there that market the "we make you deadly" facet; that will never go away. The other tactic to take is to combat what those dojos advertise. But you can't do it by just calling them liars and such. You need to gather some facts, sort them out, and figure out how to use them to argue your points. That will give you more standing and credibility than otherwise pounding the table would. I can understand where your frustration comes from. Look into the award; it might be worth it. Or, be thankful for what you learn and where you learn it, and that it perhaps isn't as saturated as a McDojo might be. When people argue with you, just smile inwardly, and let them think what they want.

If that were the case, I think you'd see more gyms that produce fighters using them in their training. The combo of Muay Thai, Wrestling, and BJJ has pretty much won just about everyone over as far as MMA training goes. Not that it wouldn't be a good combo, and not that every fighter will fit into that mold. There are always a few outliers that will keep this conversation going.

I agree with Zaine on the difficulty of the two. I don't think one is more difficult than the other. The important thing is to work in good teaching concepts to make it simpler to pick them up.

All good comments. The youngest I've seen is 4, and that was usually in a "kids program" that tends to focus more on building some gross motor skills, familiarization with some techniques, and working a lot with building different traits like respect, courtesy, integrity, etc. But some kids are better at 4 than others. It depends on the child.

Happy Birthday!

I think Tannehill has been progressing nicely, really. I'm optimistic about the Chiefs picks. There was a lot of complaining in Chiefs Nation about not taking a WR earlier in the draft. I think WR talent can come from just about any spot, so I don't worry about it too much. The addition of De'Anthony Thomas to fill the role of Dexter McCluster is exciting, I think. I'm also curious to see what Aaron Murray can become in a few years under the tutelage of Andy Reid. And KC did draft a few OL towards the end, which will hopefully develop their needs there, as well. Overall, no complaints from me.

5/12/2014 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:15 pm. Taught class. I had more students today, so broke things up a bit after basics for forms. Had kids doing forms separate from adults to start out. At higher ranks, I had them out by ranks. Didn't get to review as many forms as I would have liked. Did get through one-steps, and some sparring.

We have this move in Do San hyung, and Stuart Anslow gives some applications he uses in his book. He shows using the spear hand as an entry move, getting in to grab the arm, then spin into a throw. He also lists some alternative applications, as a release from a grab, then spinning to a backfist, or an elbow strike if closer. Another interesting application he presents is the twisting of the fingers into the solar plexus as a distraction/pain compliance to gain space when grabbed, as in a front choke. I don't care for that application so much. A disclaimer here; I have not had the opportunity to practice these applications, so can't speak on their performance.

Thanks for the response, Credo Te. We also do most of our blocking motions with the blocking hand on the outside. The exceptions are the down block (chambers inside) and the high block (arms don't really cross, blocking hand starts low, arms cross in the process, but blocking arm does go outside). Just because one evades doesn't mean they can't counterattack. Think of a Boxer ducking a punch, and delivering a body blow as they duck. No block, no deflection; evasion and counter. Like unknownstyle mentions in regards to tai sabaki: You can do tai sabaki without the deflection at times. If you don't have to deflect the attack, counter strike becomes a good option, almost like an intercepting strike. In TKD, sometimes we will block a round kick and counter with a spin side kick. But, if the practitioner gets good at detecting the move, see the round kick coming, many will just spin and counter with the spin side kick, not blocking the round kick at all, just a countermove. Evade doesn't necessarily mean lack of attack.

The 2014 Draft has come and gone. How do you think your team did? I think KC did pretty well. Another pass rusher, with speed to burn, will be great. I'm interested in seeing how well Andy Reid can groom Aaron Murray for NFL duty. May be a good future set up there. Credo Te, how do you feel about the Browns drafting Johnny Manziel?

This is great, Bob! Glad to hear this!

Erik Paulson's Combat Submission Wrestling Ah, cool. Thank you.

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Spoiler...you!! I couldn't help myself...