bushido_man96

Darn it, I needed Bob to teach me a Pinan kata!

That's alright. You've got plenty of time to train after that. Here's to a full recovery!

100% yes, and as that is so (Which to me it is) as I mentioned 5 or 505 demonstrations should all finish after about the same time a master takes to complete the same kata. To me to finish faster than the master, or a long time after the master is to show a lack of commitment and understanding of the kata and what is teaching 'you'. That, I'm not as sure about. I think everyone will have their own pace in a forms performance. I don't punch as fast others, and my steps tend to be slower than some. In basics, I always feel like I am finishing my stepping last, even though I am the highest rank in the class. I'm not a very quick person, and tend to be rather heavy footed. I think that some good students can figure out each others pace, and stay together for a good demonstration, but, I don't think they should have to at all times.

I've never really done a block in sparring like I've done in forms before. However, with that said, I do think there are applications there. Its just a matter of finding them. Sometimes a block will stop a movement (like a cirucluar type of move, like a round kick or a haymaker), or it will deflect a movement (like slipping a jab). Both need to have accompanying footwork to allow the defender to get into an advantageous position to counter. Continued attacks after defense is what I preach, as well.

There were some movement things in Aikido that I did like, and I could see places where I could mingle in kicks or punches or other strikes to augment the Aikido techniques.

It's the stubborn within you that drives your MA vehicle, so to speak. You won't succumb because it's not within you to do so. In that, it's that light at the end of said tunnel that drives you to break through the darkest MA days into the bright MA days in your MA horizon. Thanks for the kind words, Bob. Now, I just need to get the train moving a bit faster through the tunnel...

I've never had any kind of test like that put on me before. I've been pushed physically from time to time, though. Its exhausting, but quite rewarding in the end.

I've had questions in the past, and even some now, in regards to how I apply the art and its methods. The main issue I have through TKD is that we don't work on applying anything all too much. We spar, but we can only apply so much through sparring, especially with the limited rule set we use. One-steps can only take one so far. When I was consistently training DT and Combat Hapkido, we did quite a bit of talking and training about how well something would work, or what it would take to make it work for us. In DT training now, we work towards it, as well.

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. There is no doubt that our society is exposed to a vast amount of media today. It is possible to find information about anything through media outlets, ranging from books and magazines, to DVDs and VHS tapes, to internet downloads and websites such as YouTube. This wide variety of resources ranges from the informational to the instructional. Of all mediums, the most widely used of these tends to be the internet. While the internet provides access to vast amounts of information on the subject of the martial arts, the accessibility that affords its convenience also allows for any Tom, Dick and Harry to deposit information on the subject, legitimate or otherwise. You could be looking at a legitimate instructor's advice, or the ramblings of a total quack. The purpose of this article is not to argue the validity of learning the martial arts through supplemental media sources as a replacement to qualified face-to-face instruction in the class setting. That debate will rage on for years, and the pros and cons of each will not be discussed here, either. Rather, my goal in writing this article is to provide some points to help those who already have martial arts experience and want to take advantage of the information that is out there, and maximize the use of these training supplements. In order to maximize training with media supplements, I think there are four main points to consider: Know your subject matter.Know your source. Have a good training partner. Don't overload.Know Your Subject Matter The best way to supplement your training with media is to already have a grasp of how to do what you are looking for. If you are looking for kicking workouts, make sure you already know how to kick to some degree. Now, I'm not saying you can't try to learn how to kick from scratch without an instructor, but it is definitely a longer road to hoe. The same goes with searching for joint locking or grappling. Learning how to joint lock or grapple without a basic knowledge of the body mechanics or control involved is a good way to make your first media supplement workout your only one for a while. Likewise with kicking; basic knowledge of how to kick can keep you from hurting yourself. Having a basic grasp on your subject matter will help you maximize what you can glean with the help of a media supplement. Know Your Source Along with being familiar with your subject matter, knowing who or where the information is coming from will help you determine the quality of what you're getting. With that said, you don't have to relegate your search to authors published by big companies, or the most recent YouTube video uploaded by a mixed martial arts legend. Although these could be great sources of information, it may not fit what you're looking for. If you are a kicker looking for more advanced challenges, check into kicking specialists or style-specific kicking. Perhaps an instructor you know of in your current school affiliation or someone you met at a seminar. A taekwondo stylist with a competition focus may search for something with a Steven Lopez connection. If you are looking to focus you're joint manipulation skills for law enforcement purposes, you might look to information put out by Hock Hochheim or Tony Blauer, or a specialist from an agency in your state who had uploaded video or been locally published. Remember that just because someone isn't popular to the majority of the martial arts world doesn't mean they won't provide quality information. If you don't recognize a source, but seem to like what you see from them, try to do some research on them through websites or by asking others you know if they know anything about them or know someone who does. You will want to try to find out how credible and experienced your source is before using their information or buying their products. Have a Good Training Partner Once you have finally decided on some material to delve into, you will find that having a good training partner can help maximize your media supplement training sessions. Your good partner should be competent enough that the two of you can collaborate on the intricacies of the techniques you are doing. If your partner is good, he won't just lie down for a technique to work. You both will have to make the techniques work, and if they don't, you and your partner should be able to discuss why, make adjustments, try variations and decide whether you can keep the technique or discard it. Your partner will also be able to help you spot and correct subtleties in technique. Don't Overload The final bit of advice I would offer to anyone seeking supplemental training information through the media is to not overload yourself with information. Today's technology makes it possible to have internet access almost anywhere, including local gyms and martial arts schools. You could go to your local gym, toting your laptop with you, do a YouTube search for Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and bang, you've got probably thousands of videos to choose from. Then, you can just start with the first video and work your way down, but I would not recommend this. This overload can quickly diminish the focus of a training session. When you plan a session, have a training focus in mind, your intended source in mind and your subject matter. Keeping an outline of these things will help you streamline your search for information, and maximize your training session. Well, there you have it. This is my take on martial arts training through media supplements. I know this way of training is frowned upon in some circles, and it will be a highly debated topic for years to come. However, with more good information becoming more readily available, using the points I outlined can help practitioners looking for additional training information to maximize the use of the vast martial arts media available.

Well, the NLCS is set, with the Cardinals facing the Dodgers. Who wins it?

We usually just do all forms, all one-steps, sparring, and board breaking. We don't usually do any basics in testing.

10/9/2013 Worked on some sparring blocking and moving in regards to blocking round kicks. I see our students reaching across the body to block the kicks with their strong hand, because they aren't comfortable with their weak hand doing anything. So, I started some controlled, arranged sparring work so they can see the technique and react to it, with the proper blocking arm, and some footwork.

All good advise so far. Have a "bring a friend" day, where each of the students gets a friend to come to class. That might help to get noticed, as well. Welcome to the Forums, as well!

I don't agree with punishing a whole class for one person's actions. Nor do I think that exercise punishment is necessarily the way to, either. I think sitting the person out for a time may be the better way to go. Or, as Bob mentioned, a suspension may be warranted.

I agree that keeping the talk of fee payment confidential between instructor and student/parent paying the fees. That way, these issues can be avoided.

First of all, since everyone is wired differently, its important to understand your students well enough to know how to effectively motivate them. Some are more intense than others, and like to be motivated and "pumped up" through yelling and the like. Some are more timid, and can be motivated by a bit of constructive critisim in a soft tone, not necessarily heard by everyone else in the room. From there, its a matter of tailoring your approach to each of the students, or groups of students.

10/9/2013 Taught TKD: 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Smaller class tonight. Worked through basics, and forms spent time working new forms for new ranks. One-steps the same way, and then some sparring. Worked on the right blocking tool and angular footwork for sparring.

Here is a brief article from an interview with Demian Maia after a loss to Jake Shields, and some comments about the judging in MMA, and the judges in general: http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/439229/Maia-Judges-need-to-show-up/ Now, to be honest, I'm not totally up on the judging system used by MMA organizations. But, I have heard here and there that some feel the system isn't a very good one. Joe Rogan has been one that has had some complaints about the system, as well. What are your thoughts on the judging system? What would be a better solution?

I think DWx had found a Korean translation program of some kind, I'm not sure if it was book or CD form, or what it was called. But she might have some information that could help you out there. On a personal note (and I always have to throw this out there), I would just prefer to teach English speakers in English. But that's just me.

....could this be 're-quoted' to say its natural tempo perhaps? Yes, that would probably be a better way to put it.

What was that course like? It was a retention and control tactics course for law enforcement officers. I really learned a lot about movement, and some of the really basic stuff in regards to body mechanics and grappling. Tons of fun, to boot!

I just try to keep pushing. Find a little thing, make it right, then add to it. I just try to stay stubborn and keep working at things to get a little better.

Sorry to hear about your grandmother. I hope she recovers. As for bad classes, I've had them before. It usually has more to do with my lack of performance than other people in the class. Some days, I just feel off, and it shows. On days like that, its just a grind through, get to the end, and shake it off for the next class.

Thanks for sharing this article. I enjoyed the points discussed and the ideals behind them.

Repeating jump front kick drill: use with target or shield, however you want, may even try a clapper pad: Start in right sparring stance, then do #1 jump front kick, followed by #2 jump front kick (which you land in front, switching the legs), #3 jump front kick, #4 jump front kick (which switches the legs again). Should end up in the same stance they started in, so you might switch after that. Make them bounce quick, and make sure they don't cheat any of the kicks. It should be jump/kick/land/jump and so on. You could go by count, or do it for time, like tabatas, or something like that. Its a TKD related drill, and although you might not do a lot of jump front kicks in sparring, its good for the legs and what not.