bushido_man96

Don't worry about your height/weight too much, they've got that all figured out for you already; their called weight classes. If you think you are too short for a particular weight class, after spending some time training, you can look into doing different things to make your weight. But to start out, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Nothing wrong with being serious about it. In TKD class, we have to sometimes get on to the kids when they spar, because they get to laughing and giggling, then that leads to goofing, and then someone can get hurt. We tell them its ok to have fun, but not to be laughing while sparring.

I've done shikko in Aikido class. I'm pretty decent at that. I can do without seiza, though.

What I do think our jobs as MAists is to make sure we aren't advertising something we aren't selling. Not every school is selling self-defense, although it does appear in most school's itinerary. Teaching forms is not necessarily teaching self-defense. Its important that we as instructors are honest and upfront about what we actually cover in our classes, and what is not.

The nice thing about the jigsaw mats is you can order them one or two at a time, to spread the cost out over time. But I've been on jigsaw mats; would they offer enough cushion for judo throwing?

So it sounds like what you've done is ran a broomstick through the ring at the top of the bag where the chain is, and through the natural swinging of striking the bag, the stick moves around, forcing you to avoid it periodically. It sounds like a nice way to change up a heavy bag session, working in ducking and blocking, bobbing and weaving, etc.

Its also a good way to get yourself knocked out. And then its even harder to defend yourself.

So you learned the whole system all ready? How long did this take?

Here were my goals. I feel I have made some progress with my form; perhaps less has been more in that area. When I do it, I feel more comfortable, and I've worked on individualizing the techniques some, so it all doesn't look so run together. As far as physicall, I feel stronger, and I owe that to the weight training regimen I've been doing since May. Not too, bad. Hopefully in 2012, I can start putting some more together.

I hope that in 2012 I can test for my 4th dan. In order to do that, I need to get more consistent in practicing at home and making regular classes. I'll need to drag my butt off the couch and work on forms and one-steps, curriculum stuff, and also try to work myself up to spar better. I also hope to get my lifts up in the gym so that I can make 1000 lbs between bench, squat, and dead lift 1RMs.

Marlins landed Mark Burhle, but then the Angels turn around and land Pujols and Wilson. Wow! The question is, how many good years does Pujols have left?

Bob, I don't know that Crennell can fix much with the Chiefs right now. Unless he brings Willie Roaf and Will Shields out of retirement, that O-line is pretty hopeless. And unless he can do a Mr. Miyagi and heal Cassel, Moiaki, and Charles, I'm pretty sure we're still screwed.As far as the Packers go, I got a bad feeling about this one. If the Lions could score 40 on KC, then I think this will be, ugly, to say the least. KC's pass defense has been decent, but after the D spends more than a third of the time on the field, it doesn't matter how good they are when you give another team, especially one like the Packers, that many opportunities.

I hated that movie. I'm not sure what I'd do, to be honest. Probably go crazy after a while, spinning my wheels like that.

No way, man. I'd be flat out livid about this whole deal, and I would not condone it. I'm lucky that I have a wife who would be just about as livid, and she had a healthy amount of paranoia about things like this. That, and I have two younger boys to think of as well, not just a daughter. I'd have a sit-down with my daughter, where I would talk, she would listen, I'd talk more, she'd interrupt only to be silenced, and then continue listening. That may sound like an over-reacting father, but this situation just sounds bad from the beginning, and it would just have to be one of those times when my daughter would hate me. I hope you get something figured out with this. Keep your guard up, man.

That's two out of three. In most states, there is no "duty to retreat" clause when it comes to self-defense. Just because you can turn and run, doesn't mean that you are required to. In some cases, it could be a bad idea. In a more familiar area, it might be ok. As far as your scenario goes, pushing them away, and hopefully to the ground forcefully enough to cause injury, would be the way to start. From there, things can happen really fast. You could turn and bolt for your door, or begin a strategic retreat, and watch their actions. Is she getting back up, redoubling her efforts to attack? Did she drop the knife? Is she turning and running away? All these questions lead to either an escalation in force, de-escalation, or perhaps staying with the same level you are at. If she drops the knife, this can change things. If she leaves it and trys to escape, then gunning her down might be a bad option for us. But, with this in mind, we know two things; 1, she tried to due great bodily harm/intended death to one person already, and 2, she had one weapon we could see. She may have another, or may go retrieve another. Do we want to face this scenario again? If she attempts to regain the knife, then at that point, shooting may be the best option. The fact that she is a female, and likely smaller in stature then the person being attacked, matters little when she is armed thus. An idiot can kill someone with a knife; you don't have to be knife fighter to do the job. If she loses the knife, drawing the gun and giving orders not to move might be the best response at this point. Likewise, tackling, pummelling, and controlling her while help arrives might be wise, as well. She is less likely to die this way, and will be arrested and dealt with from there. Hopefully, while all this is going on, we have our head about us enough to give commands; "LEAVE ME ALONE!" "DROP THE KNIFE!" "STAY DOWN!" "DON'T MOVE!" Things of this nature will help draw attention to your perdicament, and hopefully more backup soon, along with demonstrating your intentions during the confrontation. There are so many ways a situation like this could go. Its easy to Monday morning QB these scenarios, especially from the outside looking in, and when it isn't numero uno it has actually happened to.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it is your duty. But, I do think that to many of us, having the training we do, we may feel more compelled to react in such a way. And this is an admirable quality to have. I've seen those videos of a bus full of people who watch another person get stomped. I think to myself, "what is the deal here, people?" Talk about feeling alone in a crowd. I don't know if I could live with myself if I watched someone getting stomped like that.

You're welcome, Alex. I figured you'd appreciate it. Another facet you don't see here, is that prior to the game, one player made a comment that a player on the other team probably wouldn't be able to start for his team. I don't recall which was which, but at another point in the game, this comment lead to the crowd chanting against this guy while shooting a free-throw, shouting "Who's Kilpatrick?" (I think that was the name; don't recall for sure, and please correct me if I am wrong). So, we have several other factors that instigated this boiling over point. Pre-game jibber-jabber, followed by a crowd thowing fuel on the fire, and then culminating in the bruised egos and pride of the affronted individuals ending in suspensions, reprimands from universities, and possible criminal charges.

My initial question is if perhaps giving a half-rank, as you mention, is something that happens commonly in that school? Perhaps this isn't unique to your wife, and may be something the school does on a regular basis. I would encourage her to keep up her hard work and dedication. Gaining the knowledge and experience is great reward in itself. Time and hard work will pay off.

Credentials are great to have. No doubt there. But sometimes, instead of trying to dig up someone's credentials, look instead at their body of work. It will likely speak volumes. Still kicking: I agree that it is not necessary to confer some credential on oneself; like the black belt the thread is about. I don't disagree there. Instead of trying to confer rank on himself, this is one of those times where he should let his body of work speak for itself.

12/14/2011 Deffley B Dead lift: warmup: 135x5, 225x5, 315x3; work: 385x5x3 Push press: warmup: 45x5, 65x3, 85x2; work: 135x5x5

My knees have a bit of scrunching noise in them, too. I'm the same age as you, too. Since I started lifting, it seems to have helped them out. If you notice more and more knee pain, you might want to adjust how hard you kick, and take some of the snap out of the end of the kick; make it more flowing and fluid. Take the wear and tear off that knee. Some minor adjustments like that might help out.

Eat more chicken!!! I eat both, every chance I get!

Good points, Justice. I think there is a misconception that "its always better over there." That isn't always the case. Bad instructors and bad schools are everywhere.

First off, welcome to KarateForums. As far as your concern goes, everyone has to start somewhere. Those brown belts walking around doing everything so easily weren't always that way. It takes time, patience, and practice. Try not to compare yourself to what they are doing, or their experiences. Your own will come in time, and you will improve over time. Some practitiones don't start until they get into their 40s or 50s. Be secure in yourself and what you are doing, and don't worry about the progress of others. Doing so will only inhibit your own progress, and take away from the enjoyment of your own experiences. Have fun and be yourself!

Chiefs win against the Bears, but can't put together two in a row, and fall badly to the Jets. No conistency at all, and the O-line is pourous.