bushido_man96

I am in a spot like this in my training right now, too. I think that your focus on delving into the applications of what you are wanting to teach is a great idea, and I think that this kind of divergence into that kind of a focus is allows the Arts to grow. My problem is I don't have a lot of options in my area, so I'm kind of stuck doing what we always do in class, and picking up training partners here and there to focus on different things. I think the biggest problem with curriculum is that teachers get so caught up in the curriculum that they are either scared to change, add, or subtract things because of a senior rank's response or getting dumped by an organization, or they don't change it because they feel married to the curriculum, and must preserve it. I'd say go follow your goals. I hope what happened to ps1 doesn't happen to you, but if it does, just put that memory in your back pocket, keep it with you, and when the time comes that a former student of yours comes to speak with you on a similar matter, you'll be more open-minded than those that were before you. ps1: man, that's a crappy deal there. You handled it very well, too. I can't imagine how you must have fealt getting lied to like that, especially the way they likely made you look like some sort of bad guy in the eyes of that girl who tested for her black belt. It seems some people have no shame.

I don't even recall what we did after I was awarded my black belt, to be honest with you. I think we just ended up having a dinner afterwards.

Back when I lived at home, many times we would go out as a group to eat after testings, often times with the guest judges along. One summer, we had a testing in the local park and did a BBQ afterwards. That was a good time for kids and adults both.

One thing that I have always enjoyed about kicking in TKD has been more the skill development involved with learning some of the kicks than necessarily the likelyhood that I would use them in self-defense. For example, when I tested for my 3rd dan at our organization HQ school, there were several people doing the flying side kick over three people hunkered down to the floor, but several of them were actually jumping to the side of where the people where, afraid they wouldn't clear them. I was weighing about 240-250 at the time, and I took pride in the fact that I jumped OVER the obstacles and broke the boards on the first go. I also did my other 4 breaks, all kicks, on the first go, as well, where not all the other black belt testers did. So, it can be a source of pride in technical development more than anything at times.

5/4/2011 Decided to give the Stronglifts 5x5 routine a try at the gym. Stronglifts 5x5 A Squats: 135x5x5 Bench press: 185x5x5 Barbell rows: 65x5x5 I've never done squats much, and even the light weight was a challenge, and my legs felt good. I had never done the barbell rows before, so I started out low. Abs: Thera crunch: 30x15x3, 10x2 Smith crunch: 30x12x2, 10x3 Bought a new 70 lb heavy bag from Hibbetts, so I hung it up and worked it over for a while. It hangs lower, so I was able to do low kicks on it. Did some focus work on my crosses.

Well, I don't know. I could probably land that kick in TKD class to the face, but we don't throw it there because we don't want to knock anyone out in class. Same with side kicks to the face. I've seen some clips of Karate tournaments, but I don't know that I've ever seen front kicks thrown to the face in those clips.

I'd call it a jumping front kick, just that the jump wasn't super high, but more for covering distance and gaining good momentum. A great kick, for sure. As far as that particular UFC being "great for Karate" goes, I'm not necessarily sold on that. If that's what it takes for it to be a great event for a specific style, then every UFC is a great one for BJJ. I'm not trying to bring down what Machida did here, and its well known that he touts his style as being more Shotokan than anything else. It is what it is; a knockout with a front kick. Great to see. Loved it myself, being a kicker and all. Its also great to see guys with a bit different style than what has become the standard in the competitions. But it takes both to make it great. I'd love to see someone get knocked out with a spinning hook kick to the head, and it may happen some day. But that doesn't necessarily mean that there will be a sudden jump to TKD schools to learn and use it in the UFC. It will just be what it is; another technique used in a full-contact fight to knock someone out. Anything like this that brings variety into the sport is great. I just won't make it more than it is.

I agree with you, brickshooter. There is no reason for a focused participant to be paired constantly with someone who doesn't want to be there. And if they don't care about their own training, you can bet they don't give a rat's tail about someone else's training. I know that's not what I pay for every month.

I'm not a Karate guy, but I thought the form did look very nice. Sharp, fast movements, contrasting with slow, deliberate body movements. Looks like a fun one to do. Nice job.

I think this sums it up right here. If you feel you should wait, then do so. However, it also sounds as if others do have faith in what you can do, and if you trust their judgement, then it is unlikely they would ask you to test if they felt you were not ready. We can be our own biggest critic, and this may by what you are bringing on yourself. With that said, there is nothing wrong with waiting another year if that is what you are comfortable with.

Ok, so how do you handle it when they see you perform, and it becomes obvious that you have had prior training, and they ask you again?I generally smirk, then say no again. Instructors generally get the hint and move on. From my own experience, the experienced instructors don't even ask. They know my style, background & experience based on my motion and understanding of instructions. Some even knew it from the way I bow which was interesting. As for owing a propaganda lecture because it was a free lesson? Pass. I'll move on. I'm the customer. If they want my business, they'll have to accomodate. Else, I'll give my business to their competitor. Ok, I'll go with that. As far as being the customer goes, you are right there. As far as keeping up the "no" answer goes, I guess if they eventually take the hint, then great. What I do respect of you here, at least what I gather from the way your posts read, is that you don't admit any previous training, nor do you bring up any "I do it this way because...." points of view. If you are going and trying to learn what they teach you, the way they teach you, and not bringing up what you've done before and why you do it that way, then I can respect that. But let me know if I am wrong on that point...

Awesome! Congrats!

Ok, so how do you handle it when they see you perform, and it becomes obvious that you have had prior training, and they ask you again?

While at work: Glock 22, ASP style collapsible baton, X 26 Taser, and also Remington police shotgun and Colt AR-15, and OC spray always close by in the car.

4/29/2011 Weights: Push day: Military press: 95x10, 105x8, 115x6 Dumbell shoulder press: 40x10, 45x8, 50x6 Deltoid fly: 105x10, 120x6, 6 Deltoid machine: 130x10, 145x8, 160x6 4/30/2011 TTA One-steps, with gear on, so lower kicks and not as intense. Still worked on good technical mechanics with the hand techniques. 5/2/2011 TTA one-steps, with gear on, so lower kicks and not as intense. Weights: Pull day: 45 degree arm curl: 35x10, 40x8, 45x6 Dumbell hammer curls: 30x10, 35x8, 40x6 Shoulder shrugs: 240x10, 260x8, 280x8 Barbell wrist curls: 45x10x3 Reverse dumbell wrist curls: 20x10x3 Abs: Thera crunch: 30x15x3 Smith crunch: 30x12x3 Pre-TKD class: TTA one-steps at full speed. TKD class: 6-7 pm. Taught class; basics and forms. 5/3/2011 Do-Kangs 1 and 2, with gear on, but still good power.

This might be at the heart of our difference in opinion about this. Where I'm originally from, you couldn't walk into a boxing gym to save your life. In all honesty, you'd be pretty lucky if someone had an uncle John who boxed in the Navy. I didn't notice you were from New Jersey until just now, and I certainly understand where you're coming from. You'd have to drive a long time to find a Shotokan gym where I'm originally from, and if you were interested in something like that, a brown belt who had a good teaching style would be appreciated. The guys that still attend my "home gym" are 25 miles from a TKD gym, 25 miles from a good MMA gym, over an hour away from a legitimate Muay Thai Gym, over an hour away from a legit BJJ school, and I couldn't tell you where you could find a dedicated karate dojo. So, yeah - in the metropolis of New Jersey, this guy's idea probably sounds insane. From my personal location and therefore history, a million dollars couldn't get you a karate lesson within walking distance. Maybe this is a case of location, location, location? It's hard for us to not say "the more the merrier", whereas in a real life city, you're probably full to the gills. If I were in a large city with lots of competition, I'd be nuts to open up a school without some seriously amazing credentials. Man Liver, ya know I hand't even considered how difficult it might be in other areas to find instruction. I live about 5 mins from Manhattan, 1.5 hours from Philadelphia, 5 mins from Brooklyn, Queens, 25 mins from the Bronx etc. There's literally A TON of schools here. Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Okinawan, Philippino, boxing, wrestling, etc etc etc. I guess either way CallMeLuke has received a ton of feedback highlighting both sides of the situation. From here it's up to him to decide how useful his program might be. I'm in a town of 25,000 in the middle of Kansas, and we have the TKD school I go to, a Karate school that has a sport/fitness focus to its curriculum, and the Aikido club I attended for a while at the college campus. The college also has a Defensive Tactics club that does a good amount of ground fighting. Aside from that, you're looking at the local Wrestling programs. All in all, its probably a pretty good selection considering the location. There is also an MMA gym in a small town about 30 minutes of driving time south on the highway. The guy who runs that show is I believe a black belt product from the old Karate gym here years ago, and now does a small MMA promotion. They have fights out of their gym occasionally, but I've heard some guys around say that the gym isn't very good quality...lot of brawling more or less, I've heard.

4/27/2011 Weights: Pull day: Assisted pull-ups: 10, 8, 8 Lat pull-down: 140x10, 150x8, 160x6 Upright rows: 75x10, 80x8, 85x6 Dumbell rows: 45x10, 50x8, 55x6 Abs: Thera crunch: 30x15x3 Smith crunch: 30x12x3 4/28/2011 All TTA one-steps: 7 per colored rank, except brown, which has 3 plus all the blue. 31 one-steps, but if you count the ones that have several 'parts' to them, its more like 41 total one-steps. Range: 8 am - noon. Qualified with pistol, police shotgun, and patrol rifle. Great time.

Machida's kick was a nice one. We do a jumping front kick as part of the basics in every one of our classes. Although Machida's wasn't a high jump, and more of a hopping or a skipping kick, his timing and distancing for it were just about pefect. The thing about a good front kick is that it can be tricky to stop, especially with it coming straight in from a low angle like it does. Perhaps this kick to the head has been used more at lower MMA levels than it has shown up in the UFC. I have thrown it in class, but not usually to the head. Our instructor doesn't like for us to side kick to the face, just because of the potential for injury. I would guess he would feel the same about a face front kick.

I wouldn't worry about the gi color so much. I hear a lot how white should be the only color worn, when in reality, it doesn't really matter. I prefer my white, but have worn black bottoms/white tops before, and it didn't bother me. My Combat Hapkido dobok is all black. I personally prefer to train in a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt.

Well, the Oh Do Kwan TKD, which became ITF TKD, was trained to the Korean military, and I've heard that it was quite effective at that time, and that is what was being taught by Gen. Choi and Nam Tae-He.

I agree that being in good cardiovascular shape will be a huge plus; this coming from someone who is not in great cardio shape, and suffers for it at times. You could also try to talk to a sports trainer, and see if someone could come up with some sport-specific training to go with your Karate training.

4/23/2011 Squat/alternating lunge sets: 4 sets of 5 of each exercise. Gun draws: 10 Taser draws: 10 4/25/2011 Weights: Push day: Bench pess: 185x10, 195x8, 205x6 (gains... ) Incline bench: 135x10, 145x8, 155x6 Dumbell bench: 50x10, 55x8, 60x6 Triceps push-downs: 110x10, 120x8, 130x6 Overhead triceps ext: 90x10, 100x8, 110x6 Cross body dumbell press: 20x10, 25x8, 30x6 Abs: Smith crunch: 40x10x3 Ab coaster: 30x12x3 Thera crunch: 30x15x3 Decline crunch: 22x10x3 Worked with my 5 year old on the bag again this evening.

man Geo, that's so ignorant on his part that it drives me nuts. a friend of mine faced a similar situation when we went to a BJJ studio and was informed all his years in TKD was worthless. This guy had ridiculous power and thighs like tree trunks. Anyway he came to train with us, which is how we met, and his Judo game became ridiculous really fast. Having that background in TKD, plus the ability to keep himself off the mat, he was an absolute beast. the guy would do all sorts of feinted kicks and windmill looking kicks that came in so damn fast it was more than a little intimidating getting in close enough without blindly rushing. then once you were inside his Judo game was all sorts of tight. i can't think of any MA that can't be taught to be extremely effective. The fact that his TKD dojo made heavy use of spar and kumite, and they regularly competed made his ability to fight leaps and bounds better than anyone we'd ever seen join our dojo as a white belt. I just don't get where folks get off talking like that. Its funny how it is expected that respect runs rampant in the Martial Arts, and then we hear about stories like these... Daisho, I'm sorry to hear you free class ended up being in the tank. But on the other hand, it has to be gratifying to know what the quality of the training you have received in the past is like.

Good job!

I have dealt with his myself, and it is no lie. Its tough. Agreed as well. If you knock someone unconscious, and then continue to tune on them to the degree of breaking limbs and the like when they cannot defend themselves, you've essentially become the attacker and put yourself in a position to be criminally charged.