bushido_man96

I think sparring is a very important part of learning self-defense. It teaches you to move and react in real time to a person moving and reacting to you in real time. There are some important things to learn through sparring.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF, Ev.

I'll bet grappling in near-darkness was an interesting time. I had things going great...running was good, getting more Aikido time in, and at least one TKD class a week...then, I get sick. Now climbing a flight of stairs takes the wind out of me. 6-22-10 Range today; qualified with the shotgun and rifle. First time qualifying with the rifle, so I was pleased.

I think sport is ok. There is a lot of negativity toward sport Martial Art, but there has to be a way to up the ante and increase training levels and contact levels. Sport is the way to do this. It is a necessary training aspect in order to get better at the budo aspect. They should go hand in hand.

Fun vid. I'd like to see some targets in there, to see if they really know where their kicks are going.

I don't like to hear the word kiai or kihap when I hear a yell. It would be like using "yell" in English. Doesn't make sense.

Knowing in advance just compounds my nerves. I'd like to try the other way once or twice, to see how I react.

Some very interesting insights....

Welcome! Thanks for your service, and enjoy your time. See you when you get back!

Welcome to KF!

Not many to choose from where I am. Besides, I concern myself more with my own training and progress than that of the GM or organization. I'm in it for me, for the most part.

If you go in and focus on your own training, and not what every one else is doing, then it should be ok for just a few months.

My secret technique is titled "Silent but Violent." Think about that one....

Welcome aboard!

Ah, interesting. Now, getting the kids to follow along those lines, may be another issue. But, getting them to see it is a good start.

I think that would be the same for every style out there...

Jo, bokken, and tanto are common training tools in Aikido.

ShoriKid is dead on. Weight classes are around for a reason. Sure, you can say "there aren't rules in the street," and that this can make a difference. Just remember, the other guy knows there are not any rules, as well.

It is unfortunate that over time, as the MAs have specialized, delineated, and "evloved" into what many branches are today, that a thought like "MAs can be detrimental to fighting" has found its way into the vernacular. Very sad.

Just like anything, I'd say its something you just have to practice. You are already concious of it. Now, just work on it.

In my org, there was an age requirement for 3rd dan...I don't recall if it was 18 or 21, but I lean toward 21. It was in place until the GM's daughter had the years in to test at age 16 or 18, and then it changed....

I got the most peculiar visual while reading this. That of like some random worker lurking beside the copy machine with a clever in their hands. Now thats funny! not if the clever guy is coming at you! Hey, you never know. But, if my post made you think about this, then you have already become more aware....

Good thoughts, Patrick. As for the thread title: no one should be given a black belt. It must be earned...

World Champ is a pretty ambiguous term. Every major sport in America crowns a "World Champ" at the end of every season. Same with different MA orgs. I know the ATA has their own tournament circuit, with two National tournaments held per year in the U.S., and the Worlds tournament held annually in Little Rock, Arkansas. The ITF and the WTF both have their own national and international competitions, with the WTF culminating in Olympic appearances. I think the WKF holds annual championships, as well. I don't know if the National Black Belt Congress or whatever still goes or not, but they did a similar thing, and I think an instructor here in my town fought and won a title in that league. So, as you can see, it varies from system to system, but that doesn't mean that one isn't legit.