bushido_man96

Sparring has always been tough for me. I've just never been a really talented athlete. I can grasp some concepts and teach some of them fairly well, but putting them to work in a match has never really panned out well for me. One-steps are tough, as well. We have some that do some challenging kicking stuff, but as far as practicality goes, only the early ones are decent, and then later on, not so much.

Would you say that it's politically correct to do so? I think its really up to each individual school to decide. The instructor needs to decide what route he goes, and why he chooses to go that way. It would also depend on the curriculum. Ours doesn't differ between adult and child. Our Little Lions don't do the same curriculum as the children and adults, so they are separate. Otherwise, the kids can move at the same pace as the adults.

This isn't always the case. Some things can be done in the same classes. Our school's attendance is down, so its not always feesable for us to have separate adult and childrens classes. We do this when we can, but right now we have gone to a mixed class setup due to the lack of bodies in the classes. The key to dealing with this is pairing. Kids can learn things from seeing adults in the classes, setting examples for them and the like. When it comes to sparring and one-steps, its about proper pairings. We are not an MMA school, so we don't have a lot of ground fighting and choking that we teach, either. It just depends on what the jist of the class is. We currently have a father/son duo in our class, both white belts, and the dad just tested. My instructor and two of his children are both active, and all have dan rank. When I was younger, my whole family was involved in TKD for a time.

Sent my first submission already. "Yes sir, the check is in the mail!"

3/22/2014 Wrestling: I worked with Kendall 3 separate times to warm him up for matches during the district tournament, probably totaling about 20 total minutes of warmups. We did a few stand-ups, a few switches, shots/takedowns to cover, sprawls to cover, sprawls into the Iowa, and head snaps to the Iowa. We focused on moving quickly, and really warming up. He wears me out! 3/24/2014 Taught TKD: 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Basics, forms, one-steps. We have a testing this Friday, and the head instructor wanted me to really focus in on one-steps. So, basics were nothing special added, and forms were just each rank individually, for testing review; no additional forms work. Hit a lot of one-steps, so everyone got lots of practice in with a high rank.

District 4 Championships, 3/22/2014, Goodland, KS. Kendall was supposed to a full 8 man bracket, but there were a few scratches, so he got a bye the first round. Match 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acgkYVzBkP4 Against a familiar face, a kid he beat in a close match by 1 point the week before at subs. Kendall starts with an attempted takedown, but he has trouble taking this kid down. He sprawls out, and is able to secure one of Kendall's legs, which allows him to foil Kendall's takedown, and from there, he circles better, and gets around to the back for 2 points. Kendall fought to keep ahold of his leg, but just couldn't keep it secured. The other kid just gets around behind him. Period 1 ends without any more points being scored. Period 2 starts with Kendall on top. The kids spreads his legs, and really makes it tough for Kendall to break him down. Kendall kind of stays on top behind him, instead of moving to the side, but, Kendall does get something done from there. He uses the kids position to put him into a cradle, and rolls him over. Briefly, I thought Kendall might end up pinning himself, because he rolled onto his own back, but was able to bridge it over to get the kid on his shoulders, and locked it in tight for a pin. It was the first time he set a cradle, and he had been wanting to do that for some time now. Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiNO_CUlnIQ Well, just watch this one. He shoots off the line like a shot from a gun, and covers to pin! I was almost sure he went before the whistle, but it looks like he didn't. If we could just get him to scoop the head a bit sooner in the process, he would probably lock his pins up faster. With that win, Kendall qualified for the state tournament for the first time! We leave this Friday, and wrestle on Saturday and Sunday. He has a tough 16 man bracket waiting for him, with some of those kids from the Salina tournament in the bracket. Kendall was excited about qualifiying for state, and we've told him that we just want him to go out and give it his best effort out there. So long as he gives his best, we can't ask for anything more. I am convinced he is a much better wrestler now than he was at the Salina tournament. I feel confident that he will be able to go out and compete.

Martial Arts students are still human beings, and these emotions will still appear from time to time. I see how some people move and kick often, and I wish I could move and kick like them. This is normal, and it can help to push others to new levels. Some people can thrive on the idea of competing against themselves. Others like the drive of competition against others. There are a lot of aspects of the Martial Arts that is competition against others. Tournaments, sparring, even self-defense. Some MAs were originally combative, military arts; you can bet that being better than the guy in front of you is a goal there. So, to say vehemently that these emotions have no place in a Martial Artist, I tend to disagree. Being a Martial Artist is about being human, and dealing with and using all your emotions to help you get better.

The Maria thing sounds very odd. I'm not really sure what to make of that. It sounds to me like some kind of joke or something, but I can't be sure. Something's not adding up. At any rate, hopefully your new school works out well for you. Keep us posted as to the progress of your classes.

Welcome to KF!

Now, a question is this...how much fine tuning is needed before you could start doing application work with a partner? I think its something that could start right away, and could even improve the learning curve of fine tuning the katas.

Lots of sparring will help. She needs to get used to seeing techniques coming in to the head. Flinching is a natural reaction, so don't be concerned that its something you caused to happen. Just spar more, and throw lots of stuff to the head so she gets used to it. It will come with time.

I think they are a great exercise for anything one does. I can't do them well, and struggle getting one. But there are ways to augment to get them done, and eventually get to doing one, then two, and so on. I'd say they are probably better than push-ups, if you can do them.

3/21/2014 Wrestle with my boys, 5:00 - 5:20 pm. Worked on some technique, some take downs, some Iowa setup, some sprawling and crossfacing, and then just got worked over when it went two on one with my boys.

During the week that we were waiting for sub-districts to come up, my wife and I were doing our best to figure up Kendall's won/loss record for the year. As near as we could figure, he was 20-4 going into sub-districts, which I thought he had done pretty darn well. The only tournament he had not placed at was the Salina Tournament of Champions. So now, we head into the state run, which I am really excited about. Kendall, on the other hand, I can't tell if he has a pulse at times before a match. But, if that is a gift he has, to not get nervous, then I envy him for it. I think I get nervous enough for the both of us. My wife says I'm crazy. She might be right. Phillipsburg North Sub-District 4, 3/15/2014 There were 4 kids in his group, so they did a round-robin format. The top 4 kids in each age/weight group qualify for Districts, so this format would basically decide the sceding for the Districts. Match 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu_AjR0DT3A This was against a kid from Colby that we had not faced before. Kendall is on the right. He goes for a shot, but the kid gets a decent sprawl, and gets around on Kendall for 2. He had a sit-out going, but they went out of bounds and had to reset. He finished the first period only giving up the two points. He was able to stay pretty well based out, and prevent giving any back points. Period 2 Kendall starts on bottom. He gets up and almost gets away after getting into position with a sit-out, but goes for the head and tries a takedown, but gets put down on bottom again. He didn't get out, but did prevent from getting scored on. He had a bit of an anger issue at the end of the period, his frustration showing. He was told to calm down, but he was a little upset. Period 3, Kendall starts on top. Now, he does something a bit unorthodox. Instead of breaking the kid down from behind the elbows, he decides to swing clear out and run the Iowa. You can tell he likes the move. But the problem was that the other kid secured a leg, hurting his chance to run it over. He never did hit the Iowa, but he secured a headlock and rolled the kid over, getting 3 back points to win the match by a point, and nearly causing me a coranary in the process. I didn't think he had it, but a coach pointed out that he got what he needed. Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLqRUF5DsPI This match was with a kid I had seen wrestle in Kendall's brackets before, but he hadn't wrestled him before. So, two unknowns in this tourney so far. This kid appeared quick, and had a pretty quick shot. Kendall starts on the right again. Kendall shot in quick, got to the back, and got him rolled over, even got in north/south position for a bit. This kid was squirmy, and hard to keep down, but Kendall held on for a pin. Match 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV0NKcdEwKE This was the kid Kendall had wrestled several times before, who likes the headlock. Kendall stated with a quick shot and takedown, and then straight to earning back points. He ended up running an Iowa during the period, and got close to a pin, but didn't get it this period. Period 2 Kendall starts on bottom. He tries to switch, but the kid stays with him, but he gets to his feet and gets an escape point. But, he gets caught up in the kid trying to sink a headlock. But, Kendall does something very smart, and shakes loose of the headlock, and ducks down and takes the kid down for two points. He then works for a pin from there. So, Kendall went 3-0 at subs, and will have a number 1 scede at Districts the next week, and will wrestle the 4 scede from the south district. Sub-District champ, and onto the next step towards state. The top 4 from Districts go to state.

To be a weapons master would be awesome. Maybe someday I'll have the time to join the Aikido club and do some more jo work. My goal, overall, is to continue to learn, train, and grow so that if the need ever arises, I can use my skills at work successfully. I also want to be able to provide my fellow officers with the tools necessary to do the same.

I don't know that any have competed for attention. Competing to be better than one another, though, is not uncommon. I compete against others all the time. To spar better, to kick higher, etc. It helps drive me to improve.

That seems like it would work. As long as you make sure to keep good form according to Kyokushin standards. I would add that after you get to the point in the video, to start throwing them faster and faster. This video is great for static balance, but static balance is a different beast than keeping balance during constant motion.In the end, I would suggest drilling it slow at first, kind of like the video (although I wouldn't hold it out there) so that you can practice good technique. Find that sweet spot for you and drill that while gradually moving faster and faster. Drilling away from the dojo is the best way to get the balance that you want. Zaine gives good advice here. I would doubly note how the individual makes certain to rechamber the kick, and not drop it down. Also notice how he doesn't lean over that much when kicking high. This comes from stretching. Don't lean to kick; if you kick high, your body will lean naturally. Zaine also makes another good point about maintaining balance in motion. This is called agility, and you should look into some agility drills to help you with this. Doing some bag work is a good start, as you have to maintain your balance when absorbing the contact that the kick makes with the bag. This will translate well to sparring. Finally, don't discount the advantage of having strong legs. Weighted squats (yes, weighted squats) are a great way to build strength in the legs, along with lunges. Your instructor is right, this will come with time. But, it doesn't mean you can't help it along, either.

I have used my basement before, but its a mess right now, and needs straightened out. I like training outside, but I don't like being watched, so don't do it often. The nice things is I can gain access to my gym floor whenever I have time, so long as no classes or tumbling is going on.

3/5/2014 Wrestle with Kendall, 5:00 - 5:15 pm. We mainly worked on getting a feel for running the Iowa. 3/10/2014 Wrestle with Kendall, 3:50 - 4:10 pm. Stand-ups x5 Switch x5 Iowa from sprawl x5 Also worked on some sit-outs, and basing out. He finished with some free work with his little brother. Not fair, but he had fun with him. 3/12/2014 Wrestle with Kendall, 3:45 - 4:25. Worked on takedowns, quite a bit, to covering after the takedown. Also did head snap to Iowa. Worked on some "popping" over to switch positions when someone on bottom is rolling into him, and some other drills when he's on top to pin. He also spent some time on the rowing machine. 3/13/2014 Solo form work, doing the first 1-11 or 13 moves of Choong Jang.

At my school, I am on contract. We have a belt testing about every 2 months, except at times during the summer, when things slow down a bit. We pay for the testings. These things alone don't make a McDojo. Contracts don't automatically mean McDojo, either. Contracts are an easy way for an instructor to not have to be the guy who runs down checks every month from all the students. He just has to worry about teaching. There are a lot of people who don't like contracts in the Martial Arts. For some reason, monthly services like cell phones get a pass, but not the Martial Arts. Contracts are not a bad thing. Take into account the school as a whole when considering what the school is.

So after the Plainville tournament, we took a few weeks off. During that time, we practiced lots, at the gym on our own and with the club, and learned a few new things, including what they called the Iowa. Its great on a sprawl, or off a head snap. Kendall really likes it, and it has been a good technique for him, and you'll get to see it run a few times. He came back from the break kind of recharged and refreshed. I was a bit nervous about taking two weeks off prior to our local tournament, because it is one of the bigger ones in the state, with around 1300 kids coming, and typically brings in tough competition. The next tournament we went to was our local club's tournament, the Western Kansas Classic, right here in Hays, KS, America. 3/8/2014. Match 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-z1VL0bFIw At the beginning of this match, you get to see Kendall run the Iowa. He fights off a single leg attempt, then once he gets his leg free, he sets it in, and runs it off in a twisting motion. You can see how he gets one hand under and one hand over, then runs it with a twist. He is able to sink it in deep, and the way it runs puts his body in really good balanced position to hold for a pin. He does get the pin, in the first period. A good start, but a ways to go yet. Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfJmSH6-VZ8 Its the same kid we have faced a few times already, the one from Phillipsburg that likes the headlocks. This kid is just tough. Kendall doesn't start great, letting the kid get to his back and 2 points. The kid does a really good job of controlling Kendall, too. Kendall starts to sit out, but isn't able to get free. Then, he reaches around the back (NOOOO!) while trying to switch, but it doesn't bite him too bad. He did manage to get up, and get a nice takedown (even though it had a headlock), but it went out of bounds and he didn't get points for it. He did get reversal points, though. On the reset, he almost nails a cradle, but ran out of time. Period 2 Kendall starts on bottom. Now, I want to say this. There was a time last year when he would cringe and whine a bit when told to go on bottom. Now, he has improved enough that he knows he can get out most of the time, and get his points and reverse. This has been great improvement on his part. He ran a pretty good switch, and went fast, but didn't quite get it set, and ended up with the kid on top of him, which was bad...then the headlock takedown happened. To be honest, I don't know how Kendall didn't get pinned here, but he held his shoulders off, and fought for a loooong time, til the end of the period, to avoid the pin. Period 3 starts from neutral position. I would guess this kid likes to start in neutral, where he can try to work a headlock, but that's just a guess. At any rate, that is what he tried to set up, but Kendall was able to turn it against him and get a takedown. Kendall got nearfall points from there, wasn't able to pin, but did win by points to move onto the final. Match 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTL1dj-YfP4 This match was against a fellow club member, which was cool to see our club wrestling for 1st and 2nd in our local tourney. There were three Hays wrestlers in this bracket, too. Kendall starts with a single leg attempt that he doesn't finish, but he does get him down and gets his two points. He does do a good job of keeping him in the ring, knowing where he is at. Period 2 starts with Kendall on top. He does a good job of breaking down, and runs a half over for a pin, taking 1st place at the home tournament! And a great showing for our club, going 1-2 in the bracket! Next tourney up, sub-districts at Phillipsburg!

Looks like fun! It would be a blast to learn. On a side note, in the movie The Patriot, with Mel Gibson, he fought with a knife and tomahawk combo. I know its a movie, but I wondered if perhaps they sought out someone knowledgable with the two for somewhat accurate fight scenes?

Plainville tournament, 2/15/2014 (I think...) Match 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlY7OlU_xoY A rematch with the kid he lost to the previous week, who likes to headlock. He doesn't start well on the takedown, and you can see where he reaches back around to grab the leg. That's a no-no. He needs to reach inside the leg if he is going to reach, otherwise he gives up a half-Nelson to a savvy wrestler. But he fights back, reverses, and does a better job of switching sides. We made sure to practice that together. He gots called on an illegal hold again, when he switches he tends to run a half on each side, making an illegal full Nelson. When they reset, he tries to ride him from directly on top, not getting to a side, and that was a theme at this meet you will see again. Period 2 starts with Kendall on bottom. He nails a really sweet switch (except for reaching on top instead of under the leg), and get 2 for reversal. He runs the half over, but loses it, and then ends up high trying to pin. He does a good job of switching sides when the kid is rolling, and ends up holding him for the pin. A great match, and he learned not to get tangled up in that headlock. Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVaMmnBgULs This match is against the kid Kendall beat by tech fall in Norton. He has vastly improved, too. This match is for 1st/2nd place. Kendall had a good sprawl, but then got into a headlock match with him (still not running the Iowa yet). Keeping hold of the head cost him, and the kid reversed. He had to fight off the half-Nelson for the rest of the period. He was in a bit of pain from that, too. Period 2 started with Kendall choosing to go neutral. I don't recall the points here, but it was close, 2-1 or 3-1 or 0 for the other kid. More headlocking, but he made it work. I think he got 2 there, but was still down a point. He foiled a single leg, but then ended up running that standing half again, not keeping much control. When they reset, with Kendall on top, he had a cradle in his head, and wanted to run it. The problem is, its tough to run if he doesn't break them down first. We've remedied this by making sure he goes to a tight waist and ankle pick to break them down first, and riding behind the elbows so they can't post his hand and sit out. Period 3 starts with Kendall on top, where he is usually pretty good with control. The kid ran a switch that he almost got, but Kendall stayed on the head. The kid did get one of Kendall's legs, and Kendall tried to get a leg to cradle, but couldn't with his leg trapped. Kendall just couldn't gain control to get back points, and the other kid ended up winning the match by a point, and Kendall got 2nd place. Kendall was a real mess after this match, and trying to talk to him was a losing battle. We are working with him on trying to be a bit more graceful at losing. I did tell him I never saw someone get so upset for getting 2nd place. He didn't see the humor there.

Nice article. It does make a lot of sense. I think people are getting smarter about their training, and when the contact levels go up, its important to be smart about training. Thanks for sharing this.

That looks like it was a total blast! I'd rather have heard what you guys had to say as opposed to the music, but the videos were great!