bushido_man96

I like most of the components of the first video, but I would definitely consider striking with the hands more prior to securing the hands. Kicking low, groin or knee, rather than the body, and I liked the outside movement, provided he doesn't keep ahold of the hair. Otherwise, you help them take a chunk of it out. I didn't like the second video at all. It looked ackward, and the instructor didn't do a good job of making me feel like it could work. In the third video, I didn't like the idea of going so low at the beginning of the technique. It might be ok, if your really limber, but I would take a different route.

I'm not saying that I disagree with you, but how and where do you set the standards? For TKD and Judo, is black belt reserved soley for those who can compete and win in national and international competitions? For BJJ, those who can win in submission matches? Would achieving full splits and exceptional flexibility be a requirement, as well? I think that there are a lot of different factors that go into ranking, and not all factors fit all people the same way. That's why I ask how one thinks the standards should be set.

Actually, it also entailed throws and pins at one point, as well. I think that this is something that should be considered in the judging and reffing of the matches. Perhaps moving grapplers back to the center of the ring, and starting them in a top/bottom type of setup like what is used in Wrestling. If inactivity continues on both sides, then a standup should be initiated, or something to that effect. What is viewed as "grappling inactivity" should also be looked into, as well.

So how do you feel that your focused BJJ training is coming along, tg? Do you feel like you are seeing noticible progress?

It is interesting to see how the addition of protective equipment change different styles. Olympic TKD has been another good example of this.

I didn't think you left the impression of being rude or anything like that, emjay. Your post was good. I just found a spot to expand on, is all. Solid post.

The punching does look different. The punches have a swooping look to them, and look like they wouldn't provide much power.

I don't know that it would matter, really. Violence is violence, and the things that should be considered are getting away, and staying safe. Hopefully, I'll get to see the videos; I can't watch them right now.

I can see the point that you are making here, and I don't disagree with it. However, I don't think that questions like the one the parent was asking should be avoided, nor should an instructor roll their eyes when these questions are asked. The students, and largely now days, the parents, are the consumers here, and I think it is fair to help answer any questions they have about what they are stepping into.Usually, as things go along, different understandings of what the studetns are doing come along. This is great, because that is the point where this kind of training begins to become more of a passion, and less of "buying a product." Not everyone understands this in the beginning, so we should have open minds to different points of view.

Battle infers war and war is fought by many. I was referring to individuals. In fighting to survive, heart has the most to do with it. It is not always the man who has prepared the most. Since you are into movie quotes, let me quote another movie for you: "Victory belongs to those who believe in it the most and believe in it the longest". I don't recall it being a movie quote. I didn't hear it in a movie, anyhow. But, battle can refer to two individuals, or a large group. Its all combat. Hands, feet, knives, or guns, etc...its all battle, and preparation is a huge part of it. Otherwise, training wouldn't be important, and the various styles of fighting that we all love to discuss would not have come into vogue. If this really were the case, then it would not benefit any of us to study the fighting arts, because in the end, its all based on will. Nor would it be any use to spend all the money that we do no training the military, or law enforcement officers, because in the end, it would all come down to the will to live. I personally don't believe that to be the case. Physical and mental preparation are very important when it comes to survival. This isn't really a cut and dried situation. What if the mugger is doing so because he is starving, and wants money to eat? Self-preservation is a huge motivator. Likewise, the person being attacked is going into self-perservation mode, as well. So you see, you can have two people on different ends of the spectrum, but both have lots of will to meet their ends. Where a true traditionalist might not get into a fight unless his/her life depends on it, I don't think an MMA fighter would, either, outside of the ring.

8-19-09 Warm-up: 5 minutes on elliptical. Bench press: 205x5x5 Crunches: 25x4 Push-ups: 30, 23, max sets 1/2 sit-ups: 25..no foot brace Weighted crunches: 60x12x2 Dumbell military press: 30x15x3 Dips: 9, 8, max sets Bike: 12 minutes at 90 rpms.

The best would be to consult with your instructor, and ask for details. Then, drill those little things until you get them down, and then add them altogether, and practice some more.

Sometimes, philosophies and Martial Arts don't go together. It really depends on the person, and what they are seeking out. I would say that it is easier to narrow your fields a bit as you get started, so that you can then begin to set more focused and attainable goals. I wouldn't say that you shouldn't seek all that you ask for, but it will take time, and by having a plan and a path for it, will make it easier on you. One of the best things you can do is research. Check out different sources, and do some reading. Make sure that what you think you are seeking is actually what it is, if that makes any sense. And welcome to KF.

I think that this is less likely to happen to MMA, because it, as a whole, isn't worried about being tied into a "way of life," wearing certain uniforms to class, and following ettiquete and an established pattern of curriculum that started in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is always moving and changing, and its focus is on what makes one successful. Therefore, I think it is more likely that MMA will be more prone to bringing in new ways of doing things, and different things to do. Just my thoughts here. I don't see a problem with this, nor do I think it is a reason for traditionalists to be against MMA. In a capatilistic system, the customer has the right and the privilege to seek out what it is they want. If the customer sees MMA, and wants MMA, then they seek it out. If they don't want TMA, then they won't seek it out. However, the other side of this is the product or service that is offered, and what its quality is. If the customer doesn't feel that the MMA gym they have sought is of good quality, then they will turn elsewhere; perhaps a TMA gym. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes of all time: "Battle does not favor the righteous, or the just; it favors the prepared." In the end, philosophical beliefes and morals don't enter into the meat & potatoes of it.

I don't think that this is true. Certain personal philosophies are all about these things; it just so happens that certain people, who studied the Martial Arts, decided to mix their personal philosophies into their MA classes, in an attempt to bring their students on board with them. Funakoshi and Ueshiba come to mind here. It just so happens that many practitioners like the idea, and bring it along, regardless of previously "clean living" or not. I think that MMA teaches this, too. In fact, when someone better does come along, it becomes common knowledge, and goes on their professional record. Not many MMA fighters will go the path of a Rocky Marciano. Even Machida, as good as he is, will eventually lose, too.

8-18-09 Gym Warm-up: 1 mile on elliptical, stretch 5 minutes. Leg press: 340x10x3 Assisted pull-ups: 7, 8, 6 Lunges: 25x10x3 Dumbell curl 25, 15, 10 superset: 12, 15, 20x3 Calf raises: 15x3 Martial Arts sessions Combat Hapkido: 4:24 - 5:24. We moved to doing the red/black belt material, and there is a lot of it that is overlap from the previous rank. More variations on some of the same attacks, with some new stuff mixed in. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:30. Good class tonight, but the arms were a bit dead from lifting, but it was ok. Sparring was nice tonight. We did some extended round, and I tried to be a bit more offensive, and string some things together. Not bad, but still need work.

This is interesting, and I can see where it would be an eye-opening exercise. I'd have to admit that I wasn't one of those that would have been an envelope pusher.

Very cool.

Here, I would argue the level of practicality of each of the weapons. Staff, sure, because one might find a stick lying around in varying lengths; brooms, rakes, etc. Maybe knowing the eku would be beneficial here as well, with the extra weight on one end. Sai or kama, I wouldn't be so sure. Nor nuchaku. Now, if someone wants to spend time learning weapons like that, I think it is great. I've spent plenty of time learning weapons with not much modern practicality (sword and shield come to mind) just for the fun of it. But, when it comes to managing your time for serious self-defense training, then you might need to pick and choose what you focus on more stringently.

Our school runs on a scale, starting at $30, and getting up to $100 for 1st dan.

That sounds like a great tool to use, cathal. I'd love to see it in action. 8-18-09 During class tonight, there were a few times I got to work with kids. The first was in one-steps, and I worked with him on getting into his stances with techniques stepping forward and back, and on targeting his attacks to the nose. The second was with a young gal in sparring. I helped her to keep her body bladed so she didn't offer too many targets, working a bit of angles and countering in combinations.

When I first teach it, I like to break it down into 4 parts: chamber, execute, rechamber, return. Usually, I'll let them balance with a wall, so they can focus on the kick components, and I also slow it down, so they get some muscle work in. I focus on the chamber and rechamber being in the same position, and making sure that the foot is engaged for the proper striking tool to be presented. It pretty much starts out as a kick from the knee at this point, but as they get the motions down, you can get to engage the hips in the kick as you go. Now, to shamelessly plug some of my own work, I did an article on doing an entire class on the front kick alone: Front Kick Class

I'm kind of with tg on this one, but, I do see that it is more important, especially today, to watch what you say. I told a female student of mine one time that the more like a guy she could spar, the better she would be at beating other females. By saying that, I had hoped to get more power, speed, and aggressiveness out of her. Whether it was right or wrong, I don't know. I didn't think much of it at the time, nor do I really now. I haven't used the expression in a while, but it might pop up sometime again. In the end, I can see where a valuable lesson can be learned, and moms usually teach pretty good lessons.

You might have some kind of bug or something. That could be part of the soreness. Or.....it could be that you are getting older....I've noticed that after turning 30, things feel sore for a bit longer.