bushido_man96

I'm of the opinion that strength overall is valuable, including grip strength. Especially for a guy like me with smaller hands, it makes it harder to get a hold in things at times. A nice, firm grip can be intimidating to others, as well. Sensei8 has a rather strong grip, and it is valuable when controlling someone.

I would do your shakes any time after a workout. It doesn't have to be right after either, contrary to popular belief. Just try to get it in within an hour or two after training. I'd be surprised if you put on a lot of muscle mass doing just pushups. I suppose its possible, and everyone's genetics are different, but I wouldn't worry about gaining a lot of weight and muscle mass doing pushups. The extra calories and proteins from your shakes are going to add weight. There is a 100 pushup app out there that I've heard good things about. It tests you to see how many you can max out on, and then sets a daily regimen that you do for each week, and the program adjusts to your output. You may look into that, as well. Best of luck, and have fun!

I know it is tough, but try not to think only about the gradings. Get to class, focus, and learn. Then, take something home from class to do as homework. Take your time. You will be surprised to see how many of those ahead of you are likely to fall away from training as time goes by. Then, what does it matter when they tested?

If you can fit your leg days along with your Karate days, then the next day will be good recovery. But, you will likely feel more fatigued during class.

7/25/2013 Testing: 6:15 - 7:00. With it being summer, it was a pretty small testing. But, we had one going for his hi brown belt, and he did very well. 7/31/2013 Taught class: 6:00 - 7:00. Reviewed all forms and one-steps. At the end of class, we experimented with the crossed-arms portion of the blocking motions we do on most of our blocks for self-defense. We worked on using it to stop a haymaker, from a fence position. I think we learned a few things from it, as well. 8/1/2013 Range: 8:00 - noon. We qualified with handgun, patrol rifle, and shotgun. I shot 47/50 with the handgun, 17/20 on the rifle, and 8/10 on the shotgun. I was hoping to do a bit better with the handgun, but I think the rounds from the 25 yard line got me.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF!

When you guys train, focus on drilling some of those things he wants to do but freezes up on in the tourneys. Do drills that set up what you want, so he learns to recognize those moments in the ring. That way, he becomes more comfortable with them.

Awesome job! Congrats!

It sounds to me like you have a pretty good plan, and you have expressed some legitimate concerns in regards to why you want to do things differently. Good luck in your endeavors.

I could live with or without the bowing. I think the bow could be replaced in most Western MA schools with a handshake. I've been doing it so long now that bowing just isn't something I consider much anymore. I just bow. To me, it just doesn't mean much. Its just another gesture. Sometimes at the school, some of the students forget to bow when I come in, or don't see me, or just aren't paying attention. Usually, another higher ranked colored belt will be quick to point out to them to remember to bow. But truth be told, if they don't bow, I don't go out of my way to make sure they know to bow to me. I'm pretty indifferent to the whole concept.

Lessons like that are great when they occur. I don't know that I would want privates like that all the time, but now and then would be great. I do enjoy having bigger classes, too.

I think he is trying to make good changes to a sport that desperately needs it. It not terribly watchable to me. Changing some of the rules for scoring would help, and I don't even mind seeing a change in the do-bok. Keep the do-bok for the classes, but I don't see any reason not to have a different outfit for fighting in. I don't think what kind of ring is used will matter as long as the quality of the fighting goes up.

Gae Baek.

You would need to likely start looking at the National Law Enforecment Training Center, because any training that LEO take is going to have to be accredited through this national organization, and then not to mention the individual state Law Enforcement Training Centers. Getting your proposed curriculum to the NLETC would probably be your best starting place. You are going to want to provide a curriculum that includes your approaches to cuffing, control, etc. At any rate, that is probably where I would start.

I agree with striving for perfection in the things we do. But, we typically only strive to perfect what we know. Like in TKD, I constantly strive to get better at the curriculum and techniques I've learned. I think what is also important is to seek information from outside our standard curriculum and work towards improvement in those areas, as well, and not just within our comfort zone.

Nothing at the moment, aside from firearms training for work. I hope to get back to weight training eventually.

I wish I could do more now. I have ideas of things I want to do, but not much time for executing.

I don't think it would be necessary to promote yourself to a 10th dan rank to create your own style. The question is, why create your own style? What's is the purpose, and what are your goals in doing this? With that said, do you plan to gain rank as you go, and if you do, will this be testing out in your new style, or by testing in whatever style(s) you are currently involved with from which your material comes? Will you be testing the students for rank in your style? If so, you will need to be sure you are high enough rank that you can test students to a certain level. Or do you plan to use a ranking system at all? Finally, if you do plan to test and rank your students, do you plan to provide certification of rank to them, and what steps will you take to ensure that their rank can be recognized? It sounds to me like you've got a tall order. Best of luck in your endeavor.

Congrats!

I will have to read that when I get more time. I do think punching needs to be more a part of the sport. I think a change in the chest protector might be a good thing, too, which will change how much people crowd each other, and perhaps encourage less of it.

I know this to be true because I've been her sparring partner before in Bakersfield, CA, when she was traiing with Eric Nolan. She has no fear, and she's a sweetheart!! Now that's pretty cool! What an opportunity! How many times did you get to spar with her?

How often do you have swimming pool classes like that, Bob? I think they would be fun, but getting use of a pool is tough.

Try some adrenal-stress training instead. Adrenalin is great stuff, but it doesn't last long, and the toll it takes on the body afterward is quite tiring. If you want to be able to lift cars, then hit the weight room and start squatting and dead lifting.

Yep, sounds about right.