bushido_man96

I so envy the guys who can do that.

Thanks. There is a lot to remember. Can't imagine what it is going to be like once I get out of being a white belt!! You'll be surprised how much sticks with you. Just keep reviewing and practicing.

Yeah, a dramatic movement like a head kick could get a good flinch reaction out of them.

Teaching kids does present its own set of very rewarding challenges as opposed to teaching adults. But what I find odd about your question is that you talk about what it is kids can learn in comparison to adults. I've never had a problem with teaching kids proper mechanics in things, like not leaning forward on a lunge punch, or getting the feet right in stances, or getting the proper hip movements involved. Instead of concerning myself with what kids can learn, I instead focus on how kids learn. It takes a different approach to teach kids, and therefore to get them convinced of the same things I teach adults. Now, it is up to each instructor to make sure they do a good job of being consistent with promotion when it comes to their child students.

Man, that's a bummer. I guess, at any rate, what we've learned is to wait until its closer to time, and not be too early.

All good points, Reaper. Especially about psychology. Training the mind in that way, to deal with fear and overcome, is probably the most important aspect of self-defense.

It depends on how strongly each person feels about their knowledge and skills, and it could very well be a conglomeration of two people not necessarily competing for the lead, but each one contributing mightily to the topic at hand.

I don't hold to the whole spiritual blah blah that gets attached to so many styles of the Martial Arts. But, with that said, it doesn't mean that I don't have expectations, morals, etc. I do. And they mean everything. Among those, honesty and integrity are very important to the character of an individual. Once you've sacrificed your integrity, it is gone. Like your virginity, you don't get it back. I also understand that youngsters will try to fib their way out of things, but I ride my kids to do the right thing, and be honest, and to take their lumps; yeah, it will not be fun, but neither is not ever being trustworthy.

10/11/2012 Cardio at the gym. I hate cardio.... Upper body cycle - 6 minutes; 3 forward, 3 backward. Treadmill - walk/jog for 30 minutes, covered 1.75 miles. Bike - cool down for a mile. Light stretch.

I think either can work, but it will mostly depend on the way your are going, front or back like you say, or, if you've done a move that has brought the hips to the "on" position, and you need to perform another move, like that block/strike shown in the second video, then it would be wiser, I think to move the hips into the "off" position, which will still provide some snap and power into the technique, and will be quicker than "reloading" the hip to get a forward motion.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. It lends some good input to the discussion here. I do have a few questions for you in regards to your training. Do you alter your training in any way to train in a more focused way for your MMA matches? Or do you just do your regular class training? Do you do any kind of extra pad work or bag work, and any other kind of sparring training? I look forward to your answers.

Great topic, Dobbersky.

But the thing is, in self-defense/combat, you can never be sure, can you? There is not guarantee that even a jab will land.

My arm still bothers me right now. There doesn't seem to be any hope in sight. I went back to work last week, and the two days I worked killed my arm. The biceps tendon in it is really holding me up, and its getting to the point at rehab sessions that the therapists don't seem to know what to do about it. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever be able to do TKD or weight lifting again.

I've had an instructor move away years ago. It sucked. I consider the guy a great Martial Artist, as well as a friend, and he is doing very well now; better than I am in a Martial sense, anyway, but he was always better. But he taught so much, and I always enjoyed it. I'm still under an instructor now, and I hope to be so for a while yet.

It depends on opportunities, as well. I could probably have a branch school under my instructor's, if I wanted one, but the issue is I would have to drive at least 40 to 45 minutes one way to hold the classes in a different town. I just don't have the resources or desire to do this, with work and family and all that going on. During my ATA days, when I ran my own school, I was on my own, and had to train on my own for the most part. Now, that I get to do the training, I think its much better for me, as I always enjoy learning, and I do better when I have someone else pushing me and a class to compete with.

10/9/2012 AM clinic session - 45 minutes.

I guess it would depend on the manipulations involved, or what the goal of the situation is. For LEOs like myself and tallgeese, when the simple answer would be to punch someone out, we don't always have that option, due to use-of-force issues. Therefore, we have to facilitate a different route to get to our desired destination, which could be getting a hand behind the back, either standing or on the floor.

Insecurity, fueled by ego, I think.

I agree, Zaine. Power comes through technique, and as technique gets better and more refined, it becomes more possible to add more speed to the technique, adding more power.

Your previous response below reads: Here, you said "swords." That is what prompted the wording of my response. I don't think anyone is claiming that MMA has reinvented the wheel of Martial Arts. What MMA has done, however, is look at the way training is done, and how it can be done to focus on Martial success in the competitive environment, as well as in self-defense. I disagree once again. I don't think the lack of a forms curriculum in MMA, or other more "traditional" training aspects degrades to mere brawling. The athletes involved spend way to much time training for it to be considered brawling. The reality of combat is chaos, and this is seen in the competitive MMA environment; its rarely pretty, in either sense. The beauty is in the intricacies of subtle movements that shift weight, targets, and hence strategy just enough to tip the balance of a fight to the favor of the victor. Another important point is the need to realize that in the higher levels of MMA, the competitors are so advanced that the lay person may not understand the intricacies of what the combatants are doing in order to get an advantage on the other. I would also note that there is no reason the techniques MMA fighters learn wouldn't work for self-defense; there have been several articles posted about demonstrating how some fighters have defended themselves successfully. As far as teachers being like fathers goes...that's up to the interpretation of each individual for themselves. I don't really want a father figure as a teacher; I'm a grown man who doesn't really need to have my views and philosophies on life altered by another. I want a competent teacher that teaches well, and knows his stuff, and is an above-board type of person.

However, the rules/regulations governing these venue's prohibit many techniques that would normally be used by karateka's trained in them. I agree, Bob. That's why I think you end up with the few-and-far-between types who choose to eschew some of the more "traditional" techniques in favor of the standard set of punches and kicks, along with more Boxing related defense, and then focus this skill set on the pads, bags, and in sparring practice. Like I think Machida has done with his training.

I don't think his understanding of it came from his being African American, if that is what you are getting at. There are so many more African American fighters now and during the time he fought, but they didn't show those same traits. I think Clay's ability in the ring had less to do with some DNA connection to African MAs, and more about his natural speed and his focus on moving a lot and avoiding contact in fighting.

I don't agree with you here, Shango. There are quite a few systems that don't use weapons, but I would still consider them Martial Arts. And swords can hardly be considered as a practical self-defense option in today's world. Not many people conduct muggings with swords. Hand guns are going to be more popular weapons for both self-defense and crime perpetration than other Kobudo style weapons.

10/8/2012 Back to the gym today, even if it is only for cardio... Upper body cycle for 6 minutes; 3 forward and 3 backward. Treadmill for 20 minutes, walking/jogging (with more walking than jogging). Covered 1.2 miles. 1 mile on bike to cool off. Stretch.