bushido_man96

Thanks for elaborating on that, ps1. In my area, I never got a lot of exposure to MMA gyms, as not many sprang up around here. I do imagine there are so "Fight Clubs" out there, but I think the gyms making a name for themselves are probably going away from that, like you mention. Are there any of 'ill repute' in your area?

What do you mean, "what's with the hands?" Are they doing something funny?

Quite possibly a misused slang term, as well? Maybe he was trying to give a "nasty" connotation to his black belts?

I don't think MMA schools "beat the crap out of each other," not anymore than say Boxing, Muay Thai, or Kyokushin styles. Rather, they are learning applications very early on. As for the sensei you described, I agree that it isn't right to withhold valuable self-defense material to those who haven't achieved black belt. Its a disservice to the students.

Thanks for sharing this. I've never had experience in Chi Sao, other than what I've read. I have had some trapping training in Combat Hapkido, but its pretty basic compared to some of the complexities I've seen Chi Sao.

We have a school here that routinely calls in about out of control students. Good skills to have, for sure. Not a bad deal for those nannies, for sure, especially in dealing with paparazzi and all that. Its too bad it is necessary.

Has she researched the area yet? Do a Google Earth overview of the place, perhaps check into any crime stats for the area? Those things might help some.

Good luck on that half marathon, Danielle. Very cool even to attempt it.

That sounds like some great training. I'd be interested to see what kind of knife work you are doing. Is your striking primarily based on open hand, or closed hand? 5/6/2013 5 pistol draws 5/7/2013 30 min walk, stretch. 5 pistol draws.

I don't think it necessarily has to take all that long, though. Some people like for things to draw out for years like that, and I think that's ok, if that's what they want. But I don't think it has to be that long. There is always a lot of talk about the "deep understanding" that is gained with so many years in training. I think there is value there, but not at the expense of finding other meanings in the training. Nor am I espousing a "microwave popcorn method" of learning in the Martial Arts. But I do think that it is important to give students more than just the face value of a form early on, in order to benefit them in self-defense situations. I also believe its important to evaluate each student, gauge where they are, and bring the along accordingly, and not just along as a whole class. Everyone learns differently, and at different paces, and its important to recognize that and alter teaching protocols accordingly. I'm sure there's a bit here we will butt heads on, but, hey, that's ok. I look forward to your response.

When testing for first dan in our school, the students are required to perform all lower rank forms, as well. I think if it were up to me, I'd require current form and one form back for all colored belt testings, as well. That way the students know they have to keep working on the previous forms.

Congrats to your son!

and you have cloves when working with heavy bag? No, not usually. At times I'll put them on, but its not a hard and fast rule of mine to wear them while working the bag.

Welcome to KF!

That sounds awesome. We've got two training sessions this month, one range and one Taser. Always fun training. 5/5/2013 10 pistol draws. Had to work a funny shift, so no walking today.

Everyone is different, and everyone experiences success in different ways using different approaches. Thus, one guy tells you to kick, and the other to do different. Learn from both, and figure out what works for you. Good luck!

Like others have mentioned, its likely the instructor didn't learn those ways, and therefore is only teaching what he knows. His response does sound as though he may have been a bit closed-minded, but some people are. It sounds like since he won't offer what you want to learn, that moving on may be the way to go. Best of luck in your search.

I tend to punch a lot when training, but we don't punch to the head as a target when we spar. But if training on a bag, I like to punch, because it tends to work better for doing rounds of bagwork.

Well done!

Great job! Now you know what to expect out of the testings a bit more, and so should be able to prepare yourself better the next time around. Use this as a learning experience.

5/2/2013 30 min walk and stretch.

I really don't think this routine is going to build power at all. There aren't really any power movements in that routine. A routine like this will work for around 8 months to a year, but because it lacks the big lifts and progression, its bound to peter out, and that when people go looking for a "different routine to turn the corner."One would do better with a 3 day a week program, 5x5 or even 3x5 setup, working 3 lifts, and then perhaps a few auxiliary lifts, like a calf/glute/ham raise, and the chinups. You squat all 3 days, with a rotating door of bench press/overhead press, and dead lift/power clean. Do that with linear progression and deloads after failures for about year, and then you get to the point to where you're ready to alter the program due to progression, switching to something like a Texas method. Some good programs to look into are Starting Strength, Wendler 5/3/1, and Stronglifts 5x5.

I'm speaking mainly about the use, study, and practice of the fighting techniques involved. Through the course of live practice sessions and studies of the manuscripts, along with common sense, I don't have any doubt that these guys are doing what was done all those years ago. There are only so many ways the body can move and defend in a practical manner with these weapons, and the warriors of the time would have been seeking to move and defend and attack with these weapons in these ways. Its definitely a different, and more challenging way, to go about things, but the way warfare evolved in Europe caused these arts to fall by the wayside, with fencing being the only real survivor throughout the years, and it is the style that has really changed so much.

I really think that would be an awkward combination of weapons to see fighting each other, and am not sure it would really work well at all. But, I'm speaking from a practical standpoint, and not a demonstration standpoint. I can't think of any demo or movie scene I've ever witnessed involving these two versing one another, so I don't know where you'd go to get some choreography ideas. Let us know what you do figure out.

So was everyone happy with their team's draft?