bushido_man96

Not an instructor, but thought I'd share a situation from a student's POV. When I was 14 and doing Shorinji Kempo, a group of us had joined up at the same time and were all blue belts. Then everyone got proposed to brown belt apart from me. This got me so discouraged that I eventually quit (there were other reasons behind that, too, though). I know it was my fault for being weak-minded (and 14), but the school lost a student because of me not being allowed to grade. Just thought I'd share...not even sure why, lol. And that's why its called a test.

Sounds to me like your golden, then.

I agree. Well put.

I'm not sure I'm following you here. Are you saying you are asking him about the techniques in a form that you is not part of your current rank requirements? If that's the case, then the instructor is right, I think, although he could approach it a bit better. Or, he could be pointing out to you that you should focus a bit more on your Saju drills before getting too carried away with Chon Ji hyung.

No, not the same, that I can tell. Saju Tulgi is 4-direction thrust, used to practice the elbow strike that is done in Hwa Rang.

I'm not sure the two could be compared. It appears with this style, once someone is down on their butt, the game is over, whereas in BJJ or MMA, being on the back isn't good, but it isn't game over, either; there are still options.

I think the main thing to consider is whether or not you want to learn a particular system, or if you want to become proficient at self-defense. I like to think the two should be one in the same, but this is not always the case. But if the system is your goal, then its a good goal, and I say go for it. But I would like for my system to provide what I need in self-defense, so I look for that where I can, along with the other aspects.

I think you are really over-analyzing every aspect of the school. Some schools need to make money to stay open. And some people like to do what they love for a living, so they have to make money doing it, if they want to have a decent living. I don't think its uncommon for some clubs to rival other clubs. Club rivalries can be motivational at time, as long as they are healthy. As for bad mouthing a style....this is unfortunate, and will happen from time to time. It doesn't mean you school is a McDojo.

I will have to look further into this, but what we "hear" and what is actual can be two different things. Has been charged with any crime, or just accused? And who brought the charges? As far as his students go, where they allowed to continue to train, or have they been expelled? This is all news to me, so I'm interested. When I get more time, I will look into it more.

As mentioned by DoctorQui, things like this should be considered on a case-by-case basis. I think as an instructor, I would try to take into account this student's maturity level, and keep it in mind when deciding if the student should test or not. Perhaps he can't help himself. But, given certain incentives, perhaps the student would make a more concerted effort to control himself.

I'm going to be attending a GRACIE Combatives course in June, from the 3rd to the 7th, for some law enforcement training hours. The course is going to be taught by Royce Gracie, which I got very excited about when I saw the opportunity! I spoke with my Sheriff, and got the training approved today! There is a chance my DT training partner with the PD might be able to get to go, as well, which would be great just to have someone I'm familiar with to work with there. I thought this was such a great opportunity, and I am very excited about it! This will also help me get on my way in the niche I want to carve out in my LEO career, as well. Unfortunately, I'll have to push my 4th degree testing back another two months to accommodate for the time needed for this course, but Ii don't know how soon another opportunity like this will come back around. The course is being held in state, and although its a bit of a drive away, it will be very worth while, I think.

4/17/2013 Worked with a hi orange belt on tweaking his form; focusing punches to the proper targets, getting the reaction hand pulled all the way back to the ribs, and stretching out the front stances a little bit more. Also worked on his one-steps, hitting the right targets and such.

That answers my question, thank you.

The privates I have done in the past have been more along the lines of extra, focused work for kids attending regular classes. It was helpful in it allowed me to work more specific details on techniques that I didn't always have the chance to address in class.

4/17/2013 Pre-class kicking: front and back leg 45 degree round kicks, 10 each. front and back leg round kicks, regular chamber, 10 each. front and back leg round kicks, with a downward trajectory upon contact, 10 each, all these on powerline. TKD: 6-7 pm. Was working through basics, and pulled my left thigh muscle again rechambering a jump front snap kick. I did finish out basics, was pretty well shot after that. So frustrating. At the end of class, I got to hold the shields for others to kick, doing round kick drills. Would have loved to get into that. Also helped a high orange belt out on his form.

I agree. Over time as the system gets canonized, it becomes tradition. Necessary for what? For learning the art of Shotokan - absolutely necessary, for learning to protect your life . . . not so much. I beg to differ on this. By "just doing the Kata" you have a point, but looking into the bunkai of the Kata then, in my view you are wrong. Wasn't it Master Itosu who said in his first precept: "Karate is not merely practiced for your own benefit; it can be used to protect one’s family or master. It is not intended to be used against a single assailant but instead as a way of avoiding injury by using the hands and feet should one by any chance be confronted by a villain or ruffian." Baring in mind his belief in Kata, is this not still true? One man's precept. And not the first, and definitely not the last to be made by any individual. Funakoshi had a book of 20 of them, I believe. Some I agree with, and some I don't. Some are taken too literally, in my opinion. The thing to keep in mind about "tradition" is that it is something that is established over time through repetition. Its really nothing more. Some people are more willing to attach importance to some and not to others. I think its also important to notice that just because a tradition has been established over time, doesn't mean that something better can't come along and replace it.

But Bruce still linked "no way" with as being "a way." Being philosophical at times can be funny, can't it? Bruce's style was still a style. He still had to train, so he had to have "a way" to train. And a reason, even if that reason is just as simple as "to train."

It can be frustrating, but I think its good that these things actually cause people to come looking.

So when you consider failing someone, if you fear they may quit if failed, does that alter your decision?

Nice idea here, Justice. 4/15/2013 Taught TKD to my 7 year old son, Kendall. We worked on some basics, and some focus mitt work. If we were in class, it would be a lot of basics, forms, and one-steps. With him, I want to take a different approach for the time being. For basics, we did a sitting stance and straight punches from that stance, and a front stance with a down block. Then we moved on to advancing in the front stance and punching. After the basics, we moved onto focus mitt work. I've been working jab, cross, jab/cross, jab/cross/BL round kick, and then a BL front kick/BL round kick combo. He enjoys it, and I enjoy teaching it that way, too. Taught mixed TKD class that night, too. Basics, forms, one-steps, and did 1, 2, and 3 technique combos at the end of class.

Not so sure about that site. In my time squatting, I haven't really noticed a decrease in my height. There are lots of heavy squatters out there, too, and I don't think the power lifting world has seen an abundance of height decline in their athletes.

I really don't think kata developed out of tradition. It developed out of necessity. I'm not saying it still isn't viable, but I don't think it is as necessary as it once was.

I agree there. Oh, what I would do with a two hour time slot.

Well done, both of you!

Right now, my biggest headache is not having more leeway in what I can teach. We worry too much about the next testing, and don't do as much sparring and self-defense stuff as I think we should. We do have a day during the week that we do forms review and then some kicking drills, which is a nice shake-up.