bushido_man96

You are right, boards don't hit back. But a makiwara doesn't either, but their usage is hardly ever discounted as a verifiable beneficial MA experience. Or the wooden dummy of Kung Fu. I don't hold it against any style that doesn't break boards, and I do think the choice has a lot to do with the philosophy of the style or instructor. A lot of styles don't incorporate board breaking, like MMA, Boxing, and like your style, and that doesn't mean that the practitioners thereof can't demonstrate the power of their techniques. They most certainly can. But, I do think board breaking is a good way to demonstrate power, focus, and technique, and is great for higher rank requirements in showing the development of power in techniques.

It wasn't a "kids black belt testing;" we had a testing, and one of our kids was testing for black belt. She had to demonstrate all the forms for each belt level up to hers, all one-step requirements, sparring, plus her black belt form and basics, and board breaks. The same requirements for our adults that test for black belt. The only difference is her age. I apologize if I was confusing in my initial post on that matter. We don't have different standards for kids or adults in our style. All requirements are the same, kid or adult, for each of the ranks. So, I don't see anything wrong with an 11 year old testing for her black belt. She has been with our school since she was 5 or 6 I think. She did a great job at the testing, her technique looked great, and the only thing I could think to coax out of her would have been just a bit more power and speed. Aside from that, the point I was trying to make was in regards to board breaking, and teaching students how to become more comfortable with board breaking. I save the "black belt kids" subject for a different thread.

Yep, pretty much. But, does it hurt or help a cause? What do you think?

Nice. Definitely worth checking out. Thanks for sharing it.

Our experience in board breaking isn't to the extreme. The idea behind the breaking requirements for testings is to demonstrate power and technique, and not necessarily to see who can chop the most firewood. Our view on breaking is that its a display of the power of a technique. Its not necessarily the best way to do it, but between the display of basics, forms, one-steps, sparring, and breaking, it provides a good cross-section, in my opinion. I'll bet it was fun watching that world record attempt. Those guys are definitely talented!

Cool vid, Danielle! Thanks for that. I love the breaking sequences, and seeing all that wood flying. I liked that power break of the 360 roundhouse, too; very cool. The last few were really cool and impressive athletic feats. Which demo team did you enjoy more, the ITF or the WTF?

My instructor had me set on a testing panel just last week, and we had a few brown belts and a black belt kid testing, all of whom had to break boards for their testing requirements. They did a good job, and our black belt girl even broke two of the kids boards on her side kicks. But, as the instructor had the holders set up for 2 boards on the breaks, I saw the girls eyes kind of widen, and it got me to thinking about the board breaking in general, as it tends to be one of the areas of testings that is of the most concern to many students. I watch the students do their forms, one-steps, and sparring during the testing, and see consistency in their techniques for the most part, as far as power, speed, and focus goes. But when its time to line up for board breaks, everything changes for them. They spend anywhere from 5 to 10 reps lining up a side kick, and then when they go to kick it, they fidget and change things, either trying to kick harder than usual to get the break, or stop the technique upon reaching the board, before going through it. So seeing all this, I decided to use the opportunity afforded me at the end of testing to address the students: "Board breaking isn't about the boards. Its about the technique." I went on to elaborate that just because a board goes up in front of you that you don't need to do anything differently. Just do the same kick you always do. If you work and focus on your techniques like you are supposed to all throughout the basics, forms, and one-steps portions of the class, then when it comes time to do a break, you should be golden. I also told them that is why we as instructors constantly hound them on technique during basics and forms; don't shrimp on it, because if you do, it will show up sooner or later. Now, when I discuss breaking, its in the scope of our testing requirements, which is rarely more than two boards at a time, except for at 3rd dan levels, where one has to be a power break of 3. So, I'm not talking in regards to the kind of extreme breaking seen in contests and the like. But, even in those situations, it all starts with proper technique, then the toughening, callousing, and extra power need all fall in place after that. I'd love to hear the thoughts, experiences, and teaching ideas behind everyone else on board, as well!

Not according to my wife sometimes....

This is something the ATA has done in the past for folks like Bill Clinton (who being in office in Arkansas, and that being the HQ location of the ATA had some affect), Jaleel White (Erckel), Penny Hardaway (former NBA player), etc. The idea behind the honorary black belt was that it showed that the person awarded such was recognized as the "black belt equivalent" in their chosen profession. Perhaps the person showed or provided something else to the organization rewarding it, as well, and was done as a show of thanks. I don't think its a bad thing. Cooperation and publicity can be good things for a style that may be reaching out to kids, and bringing in celebrities the kids recognize brings in another form of attachment for what they are doing. It can be the same for adults, too. It just has to all be kept in context. They aren't earning an actual black belt. Could they do some other certificate of acknowledgement or something? Probably. Either way, who and what does it really hurt?

I think any technique offered up should be able to pass a "bull" test. However, not every student should challenge every technique at any given time. I think its important as an instructor to take into consideration when the argument is made, and by whom. If its a newer student that perhaps hasn't been able to get it down yet, then it may take more time to convince them to see it, because they may not be doing quite right yet. If its someone with experience, and does not like or trust the technique, then that opens up opportunity for discussion and application.

10/3/2012 AM session at clinic for 45 minutes.

Thanks for posting this link.In my opinion, the appeal of the head kick in the first round shouldn't have scored. It was a mere touch on the head, and not really a good head kick. More like a point sparring tag, from my view. The Italian appears to land some pretty good body round kicks. A lot of stalling by both, though. The reviews really slow things down. Nice axe kick by the Italian in the 3rd round. Not a bad match, but too much looking at each other, and not enough fighting.

Ali was a good Boxer, but man he was mouthy. I'm not sure what was so much different between his antics and the antics that people dislike so much about current MMA fighters.

In my mind, DWx, everything you said ITF does, WTF style needs to make it fun to watch again. Maybe rework the rules system, and set up a system that scores more advanced kicking techniques higher if they hit, but still allows hand strikes to score and be worked into the strategies is what they need.

That is a frickin' awesome shirt! It would be so cool to get one of those.

That very well could be. Maybe some old-time Boxing stuff would resurface.

I agree. The "take out the leader" idea is a good one, but it shouldn't be carried out unless its feasible at the time. If you are that outnumbered, and have to do some fighting, then you just have to start neutralizing threats. Find a stick or something, fast, and use it much.

I don't think Cassius Clay had experience in African Martial Arts. As far as his Boxing skills went, he used great footwork, and the ability to bob and weave to evade strikes, reducing the number of direct powerful hits he took considerably.

I think power come from the muscles, more or less. The spine is basically a support structure, but the muscles are what allow for power production. The musculoskeletal system is what allows the body to move and work in a powerful and efficient manner.

I agree with tallgeese here. I know there are a lot of people out there, many that might be referred to as "traditionalists," that are vehemently opposed to the idea that MMA is its own style or art. Every style had to evolve in some way to become what it is; be it Karate, TKD (which came from Karate), or MMA (which can be compared to TKD in how it came from an already established style, and added some different influences). To me, the cool thing about MMA is that our generation got to see it be born and evolve into what it has become.

I think its kind of tough to say what the deciding factors are that make the distinction between MMA and a "this with a bit of that thrown in" type of place. I think what you have to do is look at the credentials of the person running the place and/or teaching. By and large, the place will train for competition; I'm sure there are some that aren't soley dedicated to comp training, but that's where they will make their money for the most part. That said, there could be one guy running the show, with experience in stand-up and ground fighting, or one guy who has brought together several coaches to teach each facet of the fight game. Either way would mark the place a "legit" MMA school in my opinion. Now, if I had my own school right now, I would be doing what I can to teach a combination of TKD and Combat Hapkido. Would that make me an MMA school? No, I don't believe so, and I wouldn't tout it as such, either. I'm still up in the air as to whether I would make the two styles requirements for everyone in the school, or whether I would allow advancement in one over the other. I haven't dinked around with the curriculum enough yet to decide, but my goal would be for each student to attain black belt rank in both styles upon completion of black belt testing.....anyway, back to the topic at hand. I think the other distinguishing factor to refer to a school as an MMA school is how the stand-up and ground factors are incorporated. If you are learning to transition from one to the other, and not just being taught stand-up on Mondays and grappling on Thursdays, and never bringing the two together until you have a fight. That, in my mind, is the kicker; am I learning it all more or less together, as equal parts of the same kind of fight, or am I being given the doses separately, to figure out to bring them together myself. My 2 cents.

Welcome to KF, Jon!

10/2/2012 AM session at clinic, 45 minutes. PM session, 25 minutes at home.

Hey, looks good. I'll be checking into this. Thanks!

Yes, crazy, indeed. Quite a different cultural outlook.