bushido_man96

I think this is the way to go. Look into what it takes to start your own association, if that's what you want to do. The problem is, if you are the head guy and high rank, you will have to find some way to get yourself ranked if you want to continue ranking up others. Or, you can just top things out at 3rd dan, if you like.

On the weekend of 1/12 and 1/13/2013, we did a double-header. We did an open tournament on Saturday, and it went well. He wrestled 3 matches. The first match, he won by technical fall, against a kid he hadn't competed against yet. Next match was against the same kid from that he had been slammed by previously, and he beat him again, but points. Third match was against the kid in our club, and was a win by points. On Sunday, we competed in the Novice tournament, and he won that one, as well. His first match was against a kid he wrestled in his first tournament, and that kid had improved quite a bit. He was able to be him by tech fall, and then he wrestled the same kid from his club again, winning by points, but it was pretty close. A good weekend, and he is just getting better every week. The coaches have also now pulled him into the advanced group, so his hard work is really paying off! So proud of him.

Any activity is going to be good for you to start with. As you go along, you may want to supplement other activities, like sensei8 mentioned. Time and dedication will help you the most.

Thanks, Harkon!

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to the Forums, Katileena!

Welcome aboard!

Instead of picking out a particular style, I'd recommend checking out the area schools, watch classes, and talk to instructors about you wants and needs, and see which fits the bill for you. Every instructor has a different method, and one may have what you're looking for.

Look at using angles to attack. Counters on kicks and strikes, along with footwork, can help you get inside and attack. Once you are inside, you've got to stay there and work them over. Make them run for cover. Those are the things I would focus on. Doing some agility work aside from class training, along with explosive work, will help.

I think that with your past training experience in Muay Thai and Boxing, then you should be able to learn Karate, and after a time, start tailoring things to train the way you want to for Kickboxing and MMA. You'll likely do some learning on the fly in competitions and what not, but I think you'll get to where you want to be. Best of luck to you!

Double-edged sword here. We can argue the meaning of the black belt along with how it should be interpreted as far as knowledge base goes for a long time. I think the whole "black belt is just the beginning" thing has to do with trying to keep people from thinking the black belt is the end goal. Then, what's left? So, kind of like the "no first strike in Karate" maxim, the "black belt is the beginning" maxim is often misinterpreted. I think the general idea is, "you shouldn't stop your training once you reach black belt." So, along with those lines, I think it is important to gauge skill and knowledge along with rank, so someone is representing their style and rank accordingly. Should see the differences in classes between beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. If there were 20 people in a class, doing basics and forms, but lined up in a random order, you should be able to get an idea of who is higher ranked and who is lower ranked by seeing how they move, and by the attitude they exude.

Yes, cell phones are daily use items, but there was a time when they didn't exist, either. My point is, contracts can be very beneficial to anyone involved in the school setting, and it shouldn't be the "auto shut off" that it tends to be when people are researching schools to attend. If the instructor is sincere, then if someone wants to quit, the instructor should work with them to get the contract taken care of. If its an issue from the beginning, then kids should sign up for 1 or 3 months at a time, and then re-assess when the time is up. There should be several contractual options to fit the needs of the student, and not just a one year and your stuck with it option.

What a cazy mess. If I was the chief instructor of that school, I'd have a serious chat with this fellow. Its one thing to be an active Godan, but to be a Godan in name only essentially after being out of training for so long is another thing. To assume command of a class like that is a bit brash. I'd make sure to let the head instructor know what happened, and how you felt about the whole thing. It sounds like you've got some support in the matter, as well, so bring everyone affected to discuss the matter. The head instructor should take some kind of action in the matter.

As with all things in life, budgeting is something to be concerned with when undertaking any activity. I hear from time to time complaints about the price of MA classes, but if you look at the second most popular kid activity around here, which is dance, it makes our TKD school look cheap. Yet, the dance studios are full. And aside from their fees, they have to pay for their outfits and all that for the competitions. More often than not, I'd say MA classes are pretty fairly priced. With that said, I don't think I would pay over $100 per month for classes. Anything getting close to that amount is shaky for me. I just can't justify that payment. If that's the case, then that's just the way it is. I find some other way to train, or some other school that meets my financial limitations. But I don't think its right for other Martial Artists to complain about what other schools are charging, either. Its like complaining that a Mercedes Benz doesn't cost the same as a Chevy Cavalier. There's a reason I don't drive a Benz.... But I don't complain to anyone about the cost of a Benz because I can't afford it. The other thing to consider in price evaluation of the school is if you are getting what you pay for. If you think the level of instruction is worth the price of admission, then by all means, keep with it if you can afford to. If its not, then looking around the area for other options is a good idea. Now, with all that said, you won't always be getting what you pay for. Some charge high prices because its what they are told or recommended to do by the organization they are a part of. Some organizations make it mandatory to follow their tiered programs, and pay for each new one. I'm not saying that it is right or wrong, but you probably won't be able to change it. So, its important to know what's available, and look to see if there is something else that better suits your budgetary needs.

I wish people would realize that we aren't teaching Martial Arts in Okinawa in the 1600s anymore. Times change, things, changes, ideas and methodologies change, and this isn't always a bad thing. Kids classes are geared differently than adult classes because kids learn differently. Parents like to see the kids learning about respect and things like this. And monthly contracts are helpful to instructors who don't have to worry about collecting a check from all members every month and keeping track of who's paid and who hasn't. No one wants to sign a contract with a Martial Arts school, but everyone will sign a contract for their cell phone plan. For the most part, its a matter of convenience. I've been on a contract plan for the past 5 years or so. Its nice, because I know my training is paid for through direct deposit, and I just show up to class and only worry about training.

Welcome kensei! Great to have you!

Hey all, been away a few days, but thank you so much for the wishes! Happy Birthday to you as well, Heidi! You guys are all so great!

I agree...it did seem quite quick but the unemployment line in the NFL isn't very...well...enjoyable. I was not shocked on any of the NFL coach firings but man, what a stressful job to have...NFL Head Coach...here today, gone tomorrow. Personally I enjoy Reid, I feel that he's a quite capable head coach, but still, every win and every loss is a team effort, it's just that the head coach is accountable to the teams owners. The poor Chiefs need something because they've fallen off the boat and they're treading water up and over their heads at times. I love to watch the Chiefs and I believe that they are a great team. Sorry Brian, I know Patrick was asking you. I'll go back to my corner now! No problem, Bob! I like the hire, Patrick. This year was bad, but, he had several years of success in the past, and has proven he can build a team for success over the long term. I think he will help bring pride back to KC football. I imagine a Super Bowl win would propel Peyton Manning jersey sales, but I imagine the biggest jump came when the first Bronco's Peyton jerseys were put out. I don't know how many of those folks will go buy another one just because he wins the Super Bowl. If he wins the Super Bowl. I used to like Peyton....

Well, we can hope, anyway.

People talk. It doesn't mean they know what they are talking about. Listen, but don't take everything terribly seriously. As far as guaranteed passing; I'd be leery of this. They are only called tests, in my opinion, if there is a possibility of failure.

Ask you questions of the school instructor. Don't be shy, I'm sure you won't have been the first to ask such questions, and he should provide suitable explanations to your questions.

Earlier on in my TKD career, I bounced a lot more, and was a proponent of it. Now, that I carry more weight, and my knees ache more, and I get tired quicker, I choose not to bounce, and let those young pups run around. If you see it enough, the bouncing and feinting won't get to you.

You should look into letting the local authorities in on this, and then going to the WTF itself with any complaints. That would be the way to go, I think. Documentation of anything you experienced would go a long way in helping the case, as well.

Maybe its just that I'm a bit old-fashioned, but this sounds like a very round-about way of starting up a school. In my experience, students come up through the ranks, become black belts, get teaching experience under their instructor, and then end up expanding out on their own or under their instructor as a branch school. Its a much smoother transition, and you know what you are getting. This "free-agent" idea you are talking about here looks like it could be wrought with problems.

Our students pay right around the $70 mark, I believe. Thankfully, I don't have to deal with charging the amounts.