bushido_man96

Some schools spar right away, and others might require you to wait until you have a few ranks in before sparring. Then, a sparring session may become available to you. As the others mentioned, speak to the instructor and find out.

I think that this is debateable. I think that when some aspect of training is adhered to for so long, and then someone decides to try something new without it, it freaks people out, and they don't like to refer to it as "real" anymore, when I don't think this is necessarily the case. When you're talking about the Budo aspect of Japanese Karate, kata aren't very debatable. That's pretty much their purpose. The aesthetic perfection of every single technique in a kata is the lifetime goal of someone that does Budo. Kata, kumite, and kihon are not as linked in Japanese Karate as they are in Okinawan. That isn't to say a link doesn't exist, it just isn't as prevalent in my experience. Once you take away kata, Japanese Karate's kumite, Kyokushin's in particular, becomes more akin to kick boxing, specifically because they have modified their methods throughout the years, and Muay Thai has been a big influence on Kyokushin's sparring. I think it ends up being more about what you want to highlight out of the training. Some will highlight forms more, and some will highlight sparring more, and others maybe other aspects. Its getting to the point where I just don't feel the same about forms as I did in the past. What irks me a bit is saying "if you take forms away, all you have is Kickboxing." This isn't the case. Kickboxing itself is a sport Martial Art, and just because one does Kickboxing, doesn't mean they can't do forms, too.

More like the training of the individual.

Congrats, ps1! Great accomplishment!

Just to clarify the JCVD point. Yes he was a successful fighter. In fact he has a full contact fight coming up in 2011 against a muai thai fighter. Apparently he recently had a minor heart attack while filming but he has denied it so not really sure what to make of it. He is said to have been doing alot of cardio for his fight. I think his opponent is like 10yrs younger but I hope he will do well im very much a fan. That would be interesting to see. Van Damme is no spring chicken any more.

Escalate is a very good idea.

I believe that most of the animal styles are related to styles of Kung Fu. I've not known of many other styles with animal names, but many styles do have techniques with animal-related names.

Welcome to KF, James.

Why would your sensei/shihan care if you were cussing or not? This may be off topic a bit, but there comes a point where people in those positions DON'T have an influence on what you do or say. Ok, rant over. Sorry.

That's why a use-of-force continuum is so important a factor to teach all Martial Artists. I agree here. But, even learning to punch can lead to causing serious harm. I think one of the most important things to teach and that is hopefully instilled in most students before they get to class, is a concept of self-control.

That's a good point, too. I find that when I get off to training, I don't really have to remind myself of that, though. I just get into the training, and everything else goes away for an hour or so.

That's why that kind of alive training is so important. Nothing goes as scripted when things start happening. Its good to have a set of directions to follow, but its also important to be able to improvise and think on your feet to get to where you need to be on the self-defense map. You don't get to do that with one-steps.

Congrats!

I'm hoping the next weapon I get to spend cosiderable time on is the AR-15 Patrol Rifle.

It might just be the grappling schools I've been to, but doing thing this way seems a lot more prevalent in grappling schools than in Karate or Taekwondo schools. At the Judo place I trained at in Korea, only for a short while before I hurt my knee not even doing Judo, until you got your black belt, the belt wasn't really yours. You just kind of grabbed a belt off the rack at the rank you were. When you advanced a rank, the guy told you to grab a different color belt. I kind of like the "grab a belt" idea. Different. As for not holding testings, I can see the pros and cons to that. Perhaps more and more schools will begin going to something like that. I don't think it is a bad idea.

Welcome!

Working in mixed classes is ok, but I truly believe that the majority of them need to be seperated by age group, for the benefit of both groups. Adults simply benefit more from training with adults, and kids tend to learn differently than adults, thus changing the focus and atmosphere of the class.

This sounds like the route to go. In my opinion, the fella should have known better, and it sounds like he may be trying to save face. It sounds like he is trying to take away one of your weapons against him in sparring. I would be. Over and over again. I don't see any reason to stop, other than giving in to his demands. I agree, it should be common sense. As for the light tap and kiai, I don't see anything wrong with that, either. It sounds to me like this guy needs to get a grip.

I think that this is debateable. I think that when some aspect of training is adhered to for so long, and then someone decides to try something new without it, it freaks people out, and they don't like to refer to it as "real" anymore, when I don't think this is necessarily the case.

I was very disappointed with KC this weekend. They really just kind of rolled over for the Texans. I don't know what happened there, but the offense couldn't drive on the last drive when they needed to, and then defense gave up the one drive they couldn't afford to. I was just angry about that game. I think KC still leads the division, which is good, but things need to tighten back up a bit.

Giants are up 2-1 on the Phillies, which surprises me. I felt the Phils had a better advantage, but we'll see yet. Ranger are looking good again tonight. Molina hit a 3 run blast just now, so Burnett may be finished.

No sir! You made more than valid points. I have some very different views than some. Just expressing myself. I think both of you make good points. The system can be very frustrating, and I do think that it is important that when civilians do take matters of protection into their own hands, that it is important to back them on it. To be honest, I think the reason bullying is getting so much more of a problem is because of society's perception that it should be ignored, and tell those in charge (teachers, etc) what is going on after the fact, at which point no real punishment is passed off, and then the bullying becomes worse. Whereas, if victims were encouraged to and allowed to deal with bullying on their own, I think it would cut back a lot more on the terrible incidents that we see as results of bullying. I've been bullyied in the past, so that is just my take on it. I will in no way allow my kids to be bullyied. I tell them to deal with it, right then and there, and I will deal with the teachers later. Being in trouble at school will not necessarily equal being in trouble at home. Now, I can see the point Kuma is making, too. In a technical sense, this guy essentially chased the other guy down and became an attacker. You should defend your home and properties, but once its off the property, you lose some of that legal cover from trouble. Its also easy to look back and say, "what if he had this or that." Like Kuma said, this guy got lucky. He may not, next time. But, there is also the comfort that comes from having this kind of courage, too. Great points.

No we dont but he teaches it to others as a legit martial art not just saying he knows moves and just makes them up. this kid may be a talented fighter but that isnt what MA is about to me that is what thugs r for i dont care if people challenge others to a fight but dont wear the belt because it doesnt mean anything if u can just fight like i said earlier a true black belt has taken his time done things right learned his stuff and tested on it. i could go to my school challenge people in a fight and if i just kept winning i wouldnt say to myself well if i am this good i should probably be a black belt because i am good at one thing...fighting I would disagree with you first point: MAs are about fighting. Being able to fight well does mean something. Now, as for the black belt. Typically, a black belt it earned by meeting a set curriculum of some type, evaluated through class participations and testings, much like degrees are earned. So, I think that one should earn a black belt to be considered one.

I have never been in a school that charged for the testing after a failure/no change. The testing after is usually free. Now, if they fail a second time, it may not be free. But, they shouldn't fail a second time. Parents have to understand and come to terms with these things, should they arise. If they cannot, then it is perhaps time to part ways with the student and parents. This is unfortunate, but as was mentioned earlier, parents cannot be allowed to be make the rules and decisions of the school. If that is allowed to happen, then all integrity goes out the window.

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