bushido_man96

Congrats, Tony.

I know this is old, but I enjoyed reading it, and wanted to chime in... Man, what an incident to have to deal with. I think that there were some very good things done here, especially in building the case to take to the police. Very good job there. As far as when things started getting physical, I'm not sure how I would have dealt with that. Especially when it comes to getting hit and kicked. Some kind of restraint would have been in order, and it was good that he had a friend to help him out there. Something that really bugs me here is that the driver didn't do anything to take control of the situation. It is not something that he should do while driving, but the driver should have done something. Stop the bus, radio his dispatch, or do something to get that troublesome kid off the bus. Its nice to see how this situation was handled, from top to bottom, and nice to see that it appeared to be resolved between the two youngsters.

Although I don't think a black belt needs to be free, these actions do sound kind of hokey. For the most part, there are always going to be fees involved. That's the business side of things. But to see that many requirements pop up without knowing about it ahead of time is not very cool at all. I would probably go elsewhere, too.

I can see what you are saying here, JusticeZero, and I too would like to see our adult classes filled to the brim. Parents get busy, especially with kids, and find it hard to make time for hobbies of their own. I know that I struggle to find time for my own training more and more, as the kids become more and more involved in sports, etc.

That sounds great, tg. At this upcoming tourney, are you going to compete Gi or no-Gi? 8-12-09 Morning Aiki-taisos Tekubi-kosa undo (wrist-crossing exercise): 10 minutes Funekogi undo (rowing exercise): 10 minutes Bike ride with dog 1 mile. Stretch legs 5 minutes. Evening Warm-up: 1/4 mile on elliptical, 5 minutes stretching. Bench press: 205x5x5 Crunches: 4x25 Weighted crunches: 60x10x2 Push-ups: 28, 20, max sets. Biangular shoulder press: 72x15x3 Dips: 11, 7, max sets. Elliptical: .6 miles. 8-13-09 Aiki-taisos Tebuki-kosa undo (wrist crossing): 5 min. Funekogi undo (rowing): 5 min.

I agree with you here. Its the chamber that you don't have time to do in fighting or competition, so it must get shortened up some. Even if grabs are not allowed (and in some competitions, they are...I belived Shotokan allows for a grab-and-sweep), the open-handed sweeping types of blocks can still be applied effectively, especially in redirection and working angles for counter attack.

I think that a sweeping block has merit, as well as parries, and even hard blocking to stop a technique outright; I use blocks like this against round kicks all the time, because I am not a quick counter attacker. However, I don't use the chamber motion to do this hard block. I just block from the guarding/hands-up position.

Actually, fighting is brawling. They are pretty much the same thing. When it is time to come to blows, unless in competitons with rules, you don't really get to choose to "fight" or "brawl." A fight is a fight; it may be ugly, or pretty, fast or long, solo or group. It takes many forms, depending on the circumstances.

Don't you think that by wiggling from the hips, that it is moving the dantien? To me, that is the place where it sits, right down in there.

I see that example, Joe, as being more of the "thrust" than the push. I just don't think a push would be productive in many ways, at least not with the fist.

Welcome to KF, Patch.

I haven't seen any steady outdoor dojos. It is a nice thought, though, and the times I have worked out outside have been fun. It changes the training element a bit.

I hear you there. Its tough to work it all in at times. 8-11-09 Combat Hapkido: 4:30 - 5:00. Did some transition work. Leg press: 315x10x3 Assited pull-ups: 8, 7, 6 max sets. Lunges: 25x10x3 Barbell curl: 70x10x3 Calf raises: 3x15 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:30. Thought I'd be worn out for this, but it went pretty well. First class in a week, so it was good to get back into it. Sparring went pretty well, and I worked on using angles more, and attacking with front kicks. My left big toe is going to pay for that...

I don't like the "loading" of the fist. I think it is a good training tool early on, but eventually, I think that keeping the other hand up in a guarding position needs to be explored more and more. I think that it is more practical that way for self-defense and for sparring, and gives you a more viable tool for defense.

In sport or in fight, I don't think its very feasible to do full chambered blocking motions. They take too long, and make you too slow. Instead, being able to use your arm to really stop something coming in hard is going to have to be a shorter motion, but still a solid motion. Parrying blocks have their place as well, and can be very effective blocking tools.

I agree with the bag work, or the makiwara. I like to work the bag without gloves, and it does a pretty good job. If the knuckle push-ups are too much, then use a wall, and do wall push-ups to get a bit more used to the feel. Then, do some on the ground.

It isn't always about money. The Aikido club I attend is not-for-profit, and I pay no dues to attend. I do pay for testings, but that is because I want to gain rank through the association, otherwise, I wouldn't have to. This club also has a layout of hours of practice required for each rank in order to test, and time-in-rank requirements. Now, just because someone has met the time requirements, doesn't mean that they are ready to test. This is the where the instructor steps in, and decides if the student is prepared for the test or not. So, even though some time frame may be layed out, that doesn't mean that it is set in stone.

A very nice statement, Tony. I think that the "center" does have a regular "home" in the body, but when you start moving, that center moves, too. Experimenting with different movements, and where you center goes from there, is important in learning how to use your center to your best advantage. I wish I was built like a V...I look more like an H...

I'm not sure if the horizontal is not as quick to pull back or not. When I punch the bag, I don't feel that I have a slower time returning a horizontal punch, but I may give it a look the next time I do. As for the "pushing" punch, I don't think that is a good way to look at the technique. Instead of the punch being a push, I'd rather refer to it like a sword thrust that isn't retracted right away; a thrust that ends with the weapon still left in the target, so to speak. As far as that technique is concerned, I see it the most in forms. Many times, the punch is thrown, and left in the end position, then the next move is transitioned into.

Welcome to the Forums, Tim.

Yes, but you have skill to go with your will. If you didn't have any skill, then it changes the arguement a bit.

Very nice, Bob. That is a great thing to offer to the kids. To by a kid again, indeed.

Absolutely good advice, Bob. Always be prepared.

Interesting. It doesn't sound as pleasing as chocolate milk, though.

Where you able to get a gi on Boomer fairly easily? 8-7-09 Morning Bike: 1 mile w/dog. 1/4 was a sprint, 1/4 was a steady pace, and the rest was a nice cool down (dog ran himself out). Evening Warm-up: 1/4 mile on elliptical, 5 minutes stretch. Crunches: 4x25 Assisted pull-ups: 10, 9, max sets. Lat pull-down: 108x15x3 Weighted crunches: 60x10x2 Dumbell rows: 25x10, 30x10x2 Dumbell curls: 20x10x3 Bar curls: 60x10x3 Bike: 8 minutes 8-10-09 Bench press: 165x10, 175x8, 185x6, 195x4, 215x2, 235x1 Went up this week. Crunches: 4x25 These are coming easier. 1/2 sit-ups: 25 Double crunches: 25 Push-ups: 30, 25, max sets. Having trouble getting over the hump here. Gripper: 30x15x3 Sit-ups: 35, 15 Dumbell military press: 25x15x3 Dips: 8x2, max sets. Bike: 10 minutes at 90+ rpms.