bushido_man96

Of course it counts! At the university in my town, TKD is still offered, and I took it. The Aikido club now also offers a for-credit class, and there is a Defensive Tactics club/class that the criminal justice department puts on. There used to be a Saber club, too, but it wasn't for credit. So, we've got a pretty good range of offerings here.

...do not talk about fight club!!!

There are a lot of Martial Artists out there who practice weapons, be they modern or traditional. But, after practicing all the techniques and attacks with them, how many stylists take the time to practice 1) deploying the weapon, and 2) retain the weapon should someone choose to take it? I think that these are two important parts of weapons training, although they might be overlooked the most.

9-27-09 Chiefs 14, Eagles 34 Man, what a trouncing. This just wasn't any fun to watch. I was curious as to some of the plays called, and the running game went right back into the toilet this week. I think that Cassel is playing well, but one guy can only do so much. The administration had better get some talent around him soon, or the best years of his career will be wasted.

There was an article in the 09 issue of Black Belt titled "Mind Games," by Lee Morrison. In it, he talks about his experiences in applying the Martial Arts. What struck me in particular were some of his comments on mind set. What I took note of was his statements about being focused on what you will do to your opponent, and not the potential consequences or outcome; what you are going to do, not what the opponent may do. He also mentions in the article to need to be able to switch off when the threat subsides, and to be able to recognize when this happens. This has been a topic elsewhere, and it is an important piece to consider. You've got to have that stop button, and the approach you take to self-defense should allow for the reduction of force levels as appropriate.

I was reading "From the Archives" in my Oct. 2009 issue of Black Belt. The section gives highlights from issues of the past. This one is dated July, 1973, and it states that at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, a Karate club was promoted to being a for-credit course. It was under the direction of Bill Wallace. I wonder if this was the first incident of this happening in the states or not? I am also wondering how many of the participants on the forum here have ever taken MA classes for credits at college/university? I have 6 semesters worth of TKD credit on my college transcripts.

Yes, you make a good point. But, not all of the empty-hand motions of kata will translate to that of weapon kata, either. Of course, I have to admit that my exposure to weapons katas is limited.

Good story.

Never played any of those.

I think I wouldn't go that route. I'd rather be in control myself, rather than putting a pretender out there.

I beg to differ on sai, they've saved my rear before... I'd be interested to hear how they were deployed and used.

The club is a very efficient and reliable tool when it comes time to do some damage.

I would reason that this is the case because there are really only so many ways that the weapon can be used in a realistic fashion.

I have a book on stick fighting that references various lengths of stick. A mid ranged stick is covered, as well. One thing that grabs me about weapons work, especially when seeing a new one, is the "need to find a kata so I can practice it." I'm not sure if it comes from the vast majority of Eastern MAs being kata-based systems or what, but I personally think that there are more efficient ways to learn weapons usage than through kata practice.

I agree with the nuchuku thoughts. Its an eyebrow raiser, to be sure. With all this in mind, how would you feel if your friend had a liscence to conceal and carry, and did so? Personally, I like this scenario better.

Hey, if you've got to be late to anything, it just as well be your own funeral!!

Congratulations!

I agree. But, I think that most of the time, criminals are looking for victims, not a retaliator, like this guy. So I'm sure it shocked the criminal to see that he was going to have to work a bit harder to accomplish his goal. Another thought is that the criminal may not have had any intention on using the knife; it may have been soley for intimidation. If thats the case, then the clerk ultimately called his bluff. It won't always happen that way, but it worked out well for him. I also noticed that when the clerk was talking, he did a good job of "talking with his hands," keeping them up and out in front of him, where he could use them better. Like from an interview position. If he did that during the encounter, it helped him out, as well.

The best way to figure this out would be for you to get a hold of copies of your local city ordinances, county and state statutes, and go over and through them with a fine-toothed comb. Then, once you are clearly confused by the layout of the legal mumbo-jumbo, you should ask these questions of the local law enforcement agencies, and even a judge or two. Then, ask a lawyer as well. Since every local is different, you really have to dig it up on a local level. That said, "reasonable" is a term you will hear a lot of from these various agencies, so its important to really figure out what that means, and how you would articulate your actions as "reasonable."

9-28-09 Back to the gym today. Chest/ab superset Bench press: 185x8, 5, 5 Push-ups: 15, 10, 10 Crunches: 3x30 all continuous. Assisted pull-ups: 3x10 Leg press: 225x15x3

Probably lots of crunches and other ab work is what you would need to do.

Normally, I'd say no, as well. However, there are a lot of times when I do wish I was taller. At $18,000 a year, its a bit too steep for any budget I'll ever have.

I've heard Kwanjangnim in reference to just grand masters in general; not soley Hwang Kee.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome back.