bushido_man96

I used to collect football cards a lot, but like many other of my hobbies, it started to get expensive, and so have laid off for quite some time. Still have 'em all, though.

Welcome back.

Welcome to KF.

Yeah, that's basically what I am saying. At the core, they are the same. Sure, there are lots of people that will say that the Martial Arts are about more than just fighting, but at the end of the day, you can ask those same people if they would have started taking the classes if all that was taught was philosophy without technique, and I would be willing to bet their answer would have been no.

Fighting is when the physical training aspects of the Martial Arts are put to use. This could be when you reach the physical aspect of self-defense, or a combative sporting event. I think that all too often, Martial Artists especially like to seperate "fighting" and "Martial Arts" as much as possible, when in fact, Martial Arts exist because fighitng exists. I think that most MAists like to believe that the MAs transcend what fighting is, when in fact, the MAs are really in my mind speicialized fighting. You can look at the MAs any way you want to, but the simple fact of the matter is that the MAs came into being so that mankind could learn to fight and protect themselves better.

Thanks, tg. I sometimes feel a bit defeated when I look at what the workout calls for, and then at how much I get through. But, I'll keep plugging at it. Maybe by the end of the year, I'll be able to do a full pull-up without help. 9-11-09 Aikido seminar: 7:00 - 9:00 pm. 9-12-09 Aikido seminar: 8:30 - 11:30 am; 2:00 - 4:30 pm. Little sore after this session. 9-13-09 Aikido seminar: 9:00 - 10:30 am. Details on the Aikido seminar posted here: http://www.karateforums.com/aikdio-club-seminar-for-2009-vt37152.html

At the fitness center my wife and I go to, they have some of the bikes that has a video screen that you ride courses on. Those can be taxing, and passing people can be motivating.

The latter is really difficult to generate any sort of power with if you chamber to the front of the body.... but it does conceal your intentions. Personally, I have learnt both this way and also with bringing my knee in from the side - which is more powerful but less discrete. WNM My instructor is big on the "knee in from the side" version of the kick; or what he refers to as the "full traditional" round kick. I use it a lot, almost exclusively, when I practice, and always for board breaks. However, the shorter, sport kick will come into play more for sparring drills, and for kicking lower, it is ok, but even then, the full round kick is really very damaging, when you need it.

You know, Bob, I'm not sure what to think here. Its a good question. To be sure, there are cases when it does become an ego thing. Not all cases are that way, though, and the heirarchy can have its uses. One nice thing about rank display (belts) is that it allows a student to know where they are, where the person next to them is, and if that person might be able to answer a question they have. If they can't, then they can move up the chain. Overall, organizational heirarchy should work this way, as well. Likewise, the possession of a rank within the heirarchy should denote that the person has attained such knowledge along the way.

Dobbersky: I think that ShoriKid does bring up a good point. I was in the same boat with my current TKD organization. My instructor had asked the GM to allow me to "test ahead" at the black belt level, because my technique was where it needed to be. At that point, it was pretty much a matter of being able to perform the requirments, and have them memorized. But, the GM declined, citing that I would be a better instructor with the extra time in. Whether or not that is the case, eh, whatever. But, I just took it and went on doing what I was doing. At the same time, the concerns you mention bring us all back to the "rank doesn't matter" arguement that becomes so prevalent at times. Rank never matters, until it does matter (if that makes sense). So, I would say, if you enjoy the training, and it is good training, then don't let the lack of recognition by rank worry you. Your skill and ability will be recognized, regardless of the color around your waist. As sensei8 would say, "the proof is on the floor!"

I think the grappling aspect is going to vary from instructor to instructor based on the experience that they have. I don't know that a lot of grappling was done in the early days of JKD, although Bruce did train with Gene LeBelle a little bit. He was aware of it, but I'm not sure if the exposure was there to address it as much as it is today.

I think it could. I don't know why it wouldn't, really. I think if you have the president, then you have what you need, with the board and vice to help out.

Yeah, these kids are great, but I think we are looking at the extremes on both ends here. I'd say these kids are close to being MA prodigies; not many kids are going to be able to attain that level. Hell, there are probably some adults that are going to be able to achieve that level of physical ability and skill (comparatively speaking). We look at these kids and think "wow, they are phenomenal!" Then, think about what they will be like as adults; "wow, more phenomenal!" They can only get better with age, right? So, is that standard for a black belt? Only the phenomenal ones? I would be willing to guess that the most of us that post here wouldn't consider many of our abilities to be "phenomenal." I know I am not. Does that mean that we cannot be black belts, either? I don't think so. Lots of kids (in America, anyways) will grow up playing (American) football. They can start when they are around 8, I think. And some will play into middle school, and into high school, and some will get into colleges and play. Put only a small percentage will be "phenomenal," and make it into the professional level, and make the big money for their skills. Everyone else will be relegated to playing on a recreational level. Is this how we are to view the Martial Arts, and attaining the rank of black belt, as well? Someone is out there doing it. I agree that not everyone is, but to say that no one is, is a bit extreme.

Yeah, these kids are great, but I think we are looking at the extremes on both ends here. I'd say these kids are close to being MA prodigies; not many kids are going to be able to attain that level. Hell, there are probably some adults that are going to be able to achieve that level of physical ability and skill (comparatively speaking). We look at these kids and think "wow, they are phenomenal!" Then, think about what they will be like as adults; "wow, more phenomenal!" They can only get better with age, right? So, is that standard for a black belt? Only the phenomenal ones? I would be willing to guess that the most of us that post here wouldn't consider many of our abilities to be "phenomenal." I know I am not. Does that mean that we cannot be black belts, either? I don't think so. Lots of kids (in America, anyways) will grow up playing (American) football. They can start when they are around 8, I think. And some will play into middle school, and into high school, and some will get into colleges and play. Put only a small percentage will be "phenomenal," and make it into the professional level, and make the big money for their skills. Everyone else will be relegated to playing on a recreational level. Is this how we are to view the Martial Arts, and attaining the rank of black belt, as well? Someone is out there doing it. I agree that not everyone is, but to say that no one is, is a bit extreme.

I think leading the opponent a bit, and then using the angles is a big key. The Aikido sensei talked a bit about this in our seminar this weekend. Basically, if someone wants to go some way, then help them go that way, by moving, or pulling them along as you circle about, or whatever. That way, they over-extend, and then you can work from there.

I agree with Bob; the advise so far is all good. Doing simple things like standing on one leg for timed segments can help improve your balance. As that gets easier, start kicking without putting the foot down. I am also a big advocate of pivoting the base foot before the chamber or kick, like Joe talked about in his post. An instructor of mine called it the "pre-pivot," and I think it is a good way to save the knees in the long run.

The first night of volleyball has come and gone, and the B team that my daughter is on went 2-1 on the night. I thought they played well, but there are still areas of improvement to be made, which is ok. She isn't too concerned about becoming an all-star volleyball player, because she enjoys track, and is looking forward to trying out basketball. But at the same time, she works hard in practice, and she'll continue to improve. The coach did tell her that she wants her to serve underhand instead of overhand, which I don't understand. I would rather see her continue to develop that skill, as she would likely use it if she plays in high school. I have told her to continue to practice it, so that she can use it eventually.

The Chiefs cut Zack Thomas and Amani Toomer. Toomer never did make an appearance in a preseason game, though, and although I would have liked to see Thomas play, I think with Vrabel on board, we have what we need out of the linebackers. I can't wait for this Sunday! How about that season opener, with the Steelers beating the Titans? Two great defenses, and won on a field goal in overtime to boot (sorry about the pun there...).

I wouldn't have expected Titanic, or Saturday Night Fever, to make the list. Kind of cool to see his preferences.

Crazy guy. Very gutsy.

That, and I would agree that wearing shoes does take away some of that sensitivity, too.

It may not be more difficult, just different. I, too, attend a "traditional" school that advocates training barefoot, and I don't usually mind it. But, training with shoes on does change things a bit, and is something that should be experienced once in a while to be accounted for.

Our Fort Hays State University is having its Aikido seminar again this year, and it goes from the 11-13. I'm looking forward to it, because after last semester ended, I haven't had much opportunity to get Aikido work in. Should be fun! I'll post updates when I can.

Ah, I see where you are going now. Very nice, and very good advise. It is all too easy for a self-defense situation to turn into an assault/battery, and I have seen it several times myself at work.

9-9-09 This was the first class for 2 white belts, so I spent significant time drilling basics, and most everything was done at my count. The slow down was good for the higher ranks, too, and I also noticed considerable improvement on the green belt's side kicks after the class I had the week before; I also took the time to let them know that I was seeing improvement...praise is a great motivator. It also feels good as an instructor to see that someone is listening. I also gave some pointers pivoting the foot for kicking, and making sure that they pivot for the kick, and don't let their base foot twist and follow the kick. That's a good way to tear up the knees.