bushido_man96

This is the problem when it comes to teaching combat systems to an LEO. We have so many rules put to us, and the bad guy has none. I can't just punch a guy in the face because he is pulling his hands away from me as I affect an arrest. Actions like that are what start the media firestorms that Alex mentions we want to avoid. What I do like about BJJ applications in the LEO setting is that once you get a lock set in, you get to decide how much damage is done, based off the actions/reactions of the person you are trying to take into custody. Now, Alex, I think I can help you answer your question here a bit: I can kind of relate to you here, but I am the opposite of you in experience in BJJ: very little; in fact, one could say, next to none. The only real BJJ training I have had has been with the GRACIE course, twice now. Aside from that, a bit of no-gi DT related rolling we do in the Defensive Tactics club. But what I have seen is what I've been able to teach in my sessions with the department has been picked up pretty well by those that have come to the training. Thankfully, there hasn't been a lot of chances available for it to be applied in the work environment, but I trust that I more reps are put in, they will be able to apply it when necessary. I think the key to avoiding "your own press," to use Bob's wordage, is to remember that we can't teach them everything we know and use on a daily basis. We have to stick to the simpler stuff so they don't start getting confused about what they should do. I hope our officers never have to grapple a BJJ black belt taking them into custody for some reason. But, I tell them times like that are why we have other force options, too. Now, to add to the discussion here, I've got lots of years in TKD, and some ample years in Combat Hapkido. During my time in TKD, very little joint manipulation has been focused on; certainly not enough to become proficient in it. So, other than my leg kicks, and using some of my knowledge for apply leverage and adding some power in using my hips, all my punching and kicking really doesn't get applied in the work environment, unless the level of force goes way high, to the bodily harm or great bodily harm stages. If I restrain a guy with a knife in one hand, and have another free, I'm pretty sure I can justify punching the face multiple times if I need to. But until it reaches a point like that or similar, I really can't dig into my TKD tool bag. My Combat Hapkido has more options available to me, with the joint manipulation and locking. However, I've found by and large, that once you get someone by the wrist, and they start resisting, you've got a tiger by the tail. It doesn't look like an Aikido demo from there. I'd prefer to get control of the whole arm instead of the wrist, or move into a body lock instead of holding onto a flailing wrist. Its here, I think, when someone gets really good at joint locking a non-resisting partner, who doesn't follow up a technique, that one can begin to buy their own hype. On the other end of the spectrum, I know a TKD instructor who I had a discussion with about BJJ being used in the LEO environment, and how foolish it is to be rolling around on the ground with a suspect (which isn't the point of BJJ in the LEO environment, but I'm not sure I got my point across). He believed in the merits of what he taught, but not in those of the BJJ, which he has little experience in. In the end, some people will fall victim to this. Others, who choose to look into other methods and systems, will probably have a more open mind to different methods, and consider and review them for the use of their own training. I hope that helps out, and wasn't just a ramble.... ShoriKid, you've got a pretty good grasp there, too. Good post.

It seems more and more difficult to get adults into an MA class anymore. Adults are always very busy, especially if they have kids. Most of the adults in our TKD class are there because they have kids in class. That's one reason why we have combined classes a lot of the time. And if the kids are doing other sports alot, then it cuts in on MA time. I think the adult market is just getting harder to get filled into the Martial Arts.

Yes, congratulations!

Sounds nice. Are you able to flex and form your feet pretty well for whatever kicking tool you use? Years ago, I had a pair of TKD kicking shoes, but I had the same experience with the narrow sole, and I was more wobbly in them than I was barefoot.

Thank you, everyone.

I agree with your sentiments here. Not everyone trains for the same reasons.

Good points, Bob.

I like your points, ShoriKid, except with "the goal of competing." I don't think MMA has to be strictly sport related, although that seems to be the driving force behind it.

Not every instructor has the time to devote to what I would consider a "full-time" school. Many MA instructors do it on the side, and have a separate full time job, and possibly a family. So they may not have the time to make more classes available to you. The class room time you get should be supplemented with some solo training time. If you like your school, stick with it, train some at home, and keep working from there. If you really feel like you need more time, then you may have to find a different school.

Break the form into segments, and focus on each one, hitting the tough techniques and getting the timing down. Then move onto the next segment. Once you feel comfortable, put it all together.

Pretty cool. I'll bet that gi is heavy when its soaked. Probably why its easier to stay under.

This past week, Sun Yi's Academy sadly lost a member of its black belt family, Mark Selbee. He was a TTA black belt, and a former Kickboxing Champ under the International Kickboxing Federation. What I was told was that he was at the lake with his kids on a boat, and one of the kids dropped a toy over the side. He went in after it, and drowned. I'm not sure why. I didn't know him personally, but my instructor came up through the ranks with him, and they competed at a high level at local tournaments for several years. Mr. Selbee went on to compete at a US Open tournament as well, and then into his Kickboxing career. My instructor felt this loss greatly. RIP. Here is the local new story: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/05/26/5047983/hillsdale-drowning-victim-was.html#

According to articles posted on https://www.mnmmanews.com, Kiser is recovering: http://www.mnmmanews.com/minnesota-mma-news/1266-update-kiser-continues-to-improve.html The main question right now is how much rehab he is going to need to do. It appears that the bulk of the damage was done by a few upkicks he received during the bout.

It just depends on what and how we view things. Troy Aikman retired from football years ago. Won 3 Super Bowls with the Cowboys. But, is he still a football player? No. Should we look at our time in the Martial Arts the same way? I'm sure football was as big a part of his life, and meant just as much to him, as our Martial Arts mean to us. But, can we still call him a football player? I don't really think so. It just may be that when we retire from the Martial Arts, the same happens to us.

Congrats on your progression and upcoming test! I would suggest (to help your conditioning) doing other exercises outside of karate. If you do too much of one thing you will plateau to the point where the exercise doesn't do as much for your body as it did at first, this is why a lot of programs change up what kind of exercises you're doing after a set time period. If you're wanting more endurance, the heavybag workout is a great way to go, but don't discount a nice jog/run. I agree with Zaine here. Although Karate can be a good workout, and help you lose weight, it probably isn't the direct goal of your instructor to design the classes around weight loss. Take up some jogging or other cardio exercises to supplement your training, and I think you will see the results you are looking for. Good luck, and let us know how the testing goes.

I will try to look into that, tallgeese. Thank you. 5/26/2014 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:15. Taught this class, and only three kids in today with it being Memorial Day, but we have testing this week, so we went ahead with having class. I did basics, then forms, and each student did their own form at least 3 times, working a little things here and there, giving them pointers to sharpen up on. I had each of the colored belt students do one-steps once through at least with a black belt, so they could get them all in using the testing format. After one-steps, I had them spar in round-robin fashion, as all three of them are going to the organization's annual tourney in Topeka this weekend, too. 5/27/2014 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:15 pm. Basics, with a few change ups in the combinations, doing punch and consecutive round kicks, and another doing punch, back leg front kick, back leg side kick. Stretched, then did my form, Choong Jang. I'm getting better at it, but need to put more solo work in to really clean it up. For one-steps, I did run-throughs with a white belt, and then a high green belt. No sparring, but after class, I worked with some brothers, the high green belt and a low blue belt, on some sparring drilling ideas using the hogu and a target pad for drilling combos, and talked about a few different combo ideas and setups to try working on.

Rank can be fairly subjective in many cases. No two black belts are the same, even if they are the same rank. In regards to how they achieve the rank, though, that's an integrity issue on their part. You could bring it up, but who will listen? Also, are you basing this information off what someone told you they heard, or do you have irrefutable proof that this is the case? Your other option is to call them out personally the next time you see them. But, the only problem with this tactic is how it makes you look to those around. Depending on the audience, who knows how you will be received? In the end, this just kind of sucks, because its no fun to see someone gain rank they don't deserve, or haven't earned. But, a lot of higer rank stuff tends to get political in nature, and as much as we would like to, we will never be able to filter politics out of the Martial Arts. If we did, we'd lose this great sub-forum to post in....

From MMAJunkie.com: http://mmajunkie.com/2014/05/new-ufc-background-checks-ask-fighters-for-criminal-history-release-of-medical-records Found this, and thought it would make for some good discussion. What is the community's thoughts on this? Good idea? Should it have been done a long time ago? Is it too intrusive? Personally, I think it is probably a good idea, if the UFC is wanting to protect its image, in regards to the criminal background checks. But, it appears that they have a lot of leeway with it, and don't necessarily have to base their actions off of a lack of a conviction. But, I can understand this, too. Anyone else have any comments on this?

Welcome aboard! Glad to have you!

I like it. I think there is a lot of truth to the meaning of it, too. No matter for how long we train someone, we will help shape their Martial journey in some way or another.

Thanks for the info, tallgeese. Is it decently priced? Where is it typically held?

I think training both is a great idea.

I don't if its the ref's job to stop the fight at that point. The guy could actively defend himself, even though he was doing a poor job of it. It wasn't a safety issue in the sense that he couldn't mount a proper defense. I'm not sure what kind of leeway the ref would have in that instance. I agree with sitting back and coasting, though. The fight could have been an experience for both of them. The superior fighter could have worked on some different skills, and the inferior fighter would have gained some valuable ring experience.

Someone really good at takedowns is probably going to bail on the shot if you drop to a horse stance, and instead just pick up one of the legs, switching to a single-leg takedown.

ps1 mentioned being technical, and that's where you want to be. If you can gain sound technique in BJJ, you will do well. In my limited experiences with grappling, the longer-limbed guys seem to have a bit of an advantage when it comes to setting in submissions. I have shorter, stumpy arms and stumpy legs, so getting my arms around someone is sometimes hard. I don't think being long and lanky will be an issue, honestly.