bushido_man96

I am of the opinion that the philosophy behind the Martial Arts in general has more to do with the thoughts and feelings, ideals and beliefs of each who founded a style that they became known for. Others join them, start to like the way they think, and bring those values along with them. In fact, some stylists have used the style they teach to propogate their spiritual beliefs. With that said, I believe that the Martial Arts, in and of themselves, have no philosophy behind them. Its the people who participate in them that have philosophies, or develop them over time, and thus transfer them along with their Martial teachings. That's my stand on the subject, anyway.

I agree. Its important that once techniques are learned, that they be applied under varying levels of pressure. Sparring is a good way to do that, but one has to keep in mind the limitations of sparring (and all sparring has limitations). Another good way to do it is to do some adrenal-stress type training, putting pressure to pull the techniques off in a combative setting. This kind of training will help just about any kind of style out there.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I've always been a Chuck Norris fan, so I like to share his stuff.

I think that a good instructor, even after physical attributes begin to deteriorate, can use other younger, more athletic students around them to demonstrate the techniques that they can't quite perform anymore. A good instructor will be able to take a good senior student and use them as a visual aid in classes. I agree that not all MAs are sports. But, I do think that they should be an athletic endeavor, and treated as such. I do agree with your statements about the personal journey, and how it is likely that not everyone will be judged the same, because each journey is personal. Part of the journey should the personal improvement that comes with the physical aspect, as much as anything else. As instructors, its our job to know our students, know what each is capable of, and where the improvements are showing up. Those things, in my opinion, are what make good instructors.

There really isn't enough information out there to substantiate this. The Japanese, Chineses, and Korean cultures were not the only cultures to have a need for fighting. Every culture that ever existed has had need for this. So, what one would need to do is go back to the first civilzations, and call that the most likely starting point.

Not a TSD guy, but as a TKD guy, the toughest pre-black belt forms I have done have been red belt form in the ATA, with the tough repeat kicking and some spin kicking, and of the Chang On forms I do, Choong Moo, with the jumping and spinning, the flying kick, and the foot work.

Huh, that's really too bad. They looked like they would have been rather challenging to work with.

I agree with you. I think attacks and techniques should be done fast as a rule. In training any technique, train it slow and smooth in the beginning, and as reps come, it should speed up. Slow and smooth, smooth is faster. But, I don't think one should punch slow as opposed to fast. If you have to start striking, you should be fully committed to ending the encounter with one strike, after another, after another, after another... I try to keep this in mind as I approach my training anymore. I want everything to be where it needs to be when it comes time to use the weapons.

The I.O.C. recognise the WKF (not WKO) is the world governing body of Karate. Ah, that's it. My bad. That's what I meant. Thanks for the correction.

Welcome to KF! Its great that you've gotten back to the MA. I think you'll find TKD enjoyable and challenging at the same time. Look forward to hearing from you in the forums!

Sure you can. The Martial Arts is a personal journey that is often taken with many friends along the way. Not all can do the same things equally. What is important is that as the student learns along the way, and realizes what his/her strengths and weaknesses are, they learn to improve on the weaknesses as much as possible, and tweak everything along the way for the way they do things. Learning is one thing. But, when someone starts to learn themself, and makes things work for the way they are, using proper technique and body mechanics, then they have really turned a corner. There is no reason why a person like this can't be a black belt in their chosen style.

This is a great approach. Leaving push-ups out and focusing on what the problem at hand is, is better reinforcement by a long shot. Push-ups are great, but they have their place, too.

Yes, we are lucky. One of the great things I look forward to is being able to learn and teach something every week. Having great people around helps, too.

Bob, I will be driving out to Bonner Springs, KS, for this training. I'm hoping it will add a different element of stand-up defense for my curriculum, as well as the disarms. Like I mentioned earlier, the long gun retention and disarming really intrigues me. I think it will be some great training all the way around. I will keep you guys updated on how it goes.

Check out this short article and video interview with Chuck Norris: http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/442919/Chuck-Norris-Bruce-Lee-and-I-would-have-done-well-in-MMA He was asked about "what-if" MMA competition had been around during his and Bruce's time, and how they might have faired. He also talks about how the Martial Arts impacted his life as a whole. Pretty good stuff. I think he and Bruce would have been pretty good MMA competitors at the time. Both would have figured out how to train and what to incorporate to get good at it. They would have been fun to watch.

That's what I'm used to, as well, and if black belts are involved, the more you have, the better. If testing to 2nd dan, usually having at least 2 or 3 black belts that are two ranks higher to grade them is ideal. All the black belts testing above first dan in our organization have to go to the HQ school in order to test.

As far as the wrong move or whatnot, approach him after class, alone, and ask about it, politely. Maybe he made a change, and has a reason for doing so. Or, he may have forgotten. That can happen; I've seen it before. Business-wise, that depends on how you want to approach it. I won't say you shouldn't, but keep in mind that some instructors tend to have tender egos and they might not enjoy being told they are wrong by a student. But, its up to you to decide if it is worth approaching them or not. Just be prepared for what may follow. If you could clue us in on exactly what situation may be approaching, we might be able to offer more specific advise, as well.

I will. I'm hoping what they offer in this system can help round up what I've done with the GRACIE system. The GRACIE has a lot of weapon retention, but no disarms. No striking, aside from some elbow striking, and although we as LEOs like to minimize any striking, its still important to learn, especially to do it right. After that, I need to attend the course our Academy puts on for DT instruction. I haven't had any of their training since I was there, and apparently they give the "blessing" to add in other stuff, whatever that's about. By and large, though, I think the training I've gotten outside of the Academy DT training has been much higher quality, and much better overall.

People who are interested in training like this should try to approach it a bit more tactfully. If I go to another school, I'll ask if I can train with them, not ask if I can spar someone. If you trundle in and ask for some sparring, it tends to get people's attention, and not necessarily in a good way. But if you ask to train together, then there is more of mutualness about the encounter. I'd build a rapport with a school training with them for a time, and then let them lead into anything to do with sparring, or bring it up after such a time that there is a bit of a comfort level between you and the school. I think that would be a more respectful way of approaching it. You're right, though I do think it is a bit harsh to assume the challenge was hostile. Not everyone is equally good at being tactful, or understands the Martial Arts etiquette. I don't think I assumed it was hostile. Its just that the approach probably comes across more rude than anything else. Like mentioned, not eveyone has the same tact, so it might have appeared rude, but not necessarily hostile.

I agree. If Karate wanted to try to get a slot in the Olympics, the best thing they could likely do is get Japan to host it, and let them do it as a demonstration sport. Probably the closest thing they have set up to a national governing body would be the WKO, which I think was set up with the goal of driving Karate to the Olympics.But, like Wastelander mentioned, it would pretty similar to TKD, and therefore, the IOC doesn't gain much in adding it. I do think the IOC would gain some real value by adding MMA to the Olympics. Its a throwback to the old Pankration, and it is vastly more popular than any of the other Olympic Martial Sports out there now.

Most of the TKD classes I've trained in are pretty structured, kind of militaristic, but not quite that strict. There is a definite hierarchy in the class, and it is to be respected. Answering up "yes, sir" or "no, sir," and such. Its ok, and it usually isn't over the top. It makes for a pretty good structure and flow of training. I've also been in environments that are much more laid back, without the structure seen in most of the "traditional" styles of MA. These provide great training environments as well, and can be less intimidating to beginners, in my opinion.

I got approved for another week-long defensive tactics training course, this time for Police Krav Maga, hosted by Krav Maga Worldwide, I believe. They are going to cover self-defense, combatives, pistol retention and disarms, long-gun retention and disarms (I'm really interested in seeing these methods), and police-focused ground fighting. It should be a fun trip, and I'm really looking forward to it.

4/7/2014 Defensive Tactics club: 1:30 - 2:30 pm. Bag work: there are 6 different hanging bags in the Wrestling room we train in, so I did 6 different 1 min rounds, 1 round per bag: Jab/cross combos Back leg round kicks Elbow strikes Uppercuts/hooks All-out Low round kicks Took between 30 and 40 seconds break between each round. After that, I did about 20 minutes of sparring with takedowns and grappling included (didn't do any grappling, though). No head punches, though, but we didn't have any padding on, either. I was totally wasted after that, and am still a bit sore. I really need to spar more. Wrestling: 4:00 - 4:30 pm. Worked with Kendall on stand-ups (solo), switches (solo and partner, from both sides), and an Iowa defense. He also worked on his Greco/Freestyle gut wrenches with his little brother. Little brother wasn't quite up for that. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:10 pm. Taught, working through basics at a pretty good clip, did new forms, then new one-steps. 4/9/2014 Defensive Tactics club: 2:00 - 3:00 pm. Worked on stand-up today. The coach went over the details he's learned over the years in setting up the stance, circling and moving. We did bag work, doing jabs, crosses, and some hook punches. Wrestling: 3:40 - 4:15. Worked with Kendall again on solo stand-ups, and switches, both solo and with partner. Trying to work some kinks out of the switch that he has when he gets in a hurry. Warmed up on the rowing machine.

That's not a bad regimine there. You are a better person than I!

If Sankukai is heavy on partner training, like sensei8 mentions, then I think I would prefer it, as long as its got a method, and not just a one-step method. Depending on the Tang Soo Do style you get, there are some that still have the strong Karate root, with the forms and paired work. I know you don't want to hear this, but take the time, even with the travel involved, to look into each one. You will thank yourself in the end. Let us know which one you decide to go with.