bushido_man96

Being strong is not a disadvantage to the Martial Artists. One who put an end to that arguement was Joe Lewis, who was a weight lifter since he was around 14 years old. He was not slow, and he was not inflexible, and he was a very successful Martial Artist. You can actually see that even now, even though he has aged quite a bit, that his strength training still benefits him. As for what the result of having "body builder muscles" is to the practicing Martial Artist, I am not sure. However, a lot of what a person's muscle structure looks like is due to genetic traits. Some people will have some awesome tone, and some won't have any tone at all, but may be able to bench press a house. In the time that I have been weight lifting, I have not noticed any kind of slow down in technique, or loss of flexibility from lifting, and I tend to lift as heavy as I can, when I can. Also note, that there is a difference between power lifting and body building.

The main drawback of a front leg round kick is that it lacks a lot of power, even if it is thrown to a low target. Throwing a belt level or higher front leg round kick wouldn't accomplish much in a full contact fight, unless one can generate and unusually high amount of power from it.

7-28-09 I taught two classes tonight, the Little Lions, which consists of 4-6 year olds, and the adult class. Little Lions The Lions class was a focus on memorization today, and I did a drill called "add a technique" with them. Basically, what we did is I had them all line up and face me in a fighting stance, and I mirrored them. I did one punch, then they had to repeat it, without watching me do it. Then I added another punch, followed by a kick, then another. I only worked them up to 4 pretty simple techniques, and they picked it up pretty well. The second drill we did was holding one red pad, and one black pad. If the red pad was flashed, they did a punch, and if the black pad was flashed, they did a kick; two techniques each, and then to the end of the line. "End of the line" was an exercise in self-control in itself, one that several of the kids failed miserably. The drills themselves, went well, though. Adult Class Prepped for testing with forms and one-steps, giving a few little things to each of the groups that were testing, things that they could tighten up their forms and one-steps a bit with. Worked on cleaning up a bit of the basics, as well. Mainly little adjustments in foot placement, good hip usage, etc. We got some good sparring time in, and even got some ring time with those that had pads to spar with. I also worked on some front thrusting kicks for sparring use as a stopping kick, but I mainly had them focusing on getting the thrust motion, and not a sliding up, snapping motion of the knee.

7-28-09 Warm-up: bike 1 mile with the dog, then a 5 minute stretch. Leg press: 315x10x3 Australian pull-ups: 14, 11, 10...all max sets Lunges: 3x10x10 lbs. dumbells Dumbell curls supersets, 25, 15, 10: 10, 15, 20x2, 10, 12, 15...killers. Calf raises: 3x15 each leg Finished up on a Schwinn Spinner for about 5 minutes, doing short bursts of high speed, then resting. 5 minute stretch. Little Lions class: 5:15 - 5:45. Taught this class tonight, and we worked on memorization. A few of the kids were a bit misbehaved, so I had to sit them out. For the most part, the drills we did went pretty well. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:30. I got to teach this class tonight, too. I added the axe kicks into the basics that we did last week. I also added a punch/back leg side kick combination, to get some extra work on the side kick. Testing is this week, so we reviewed the forms and one-steps to prep for that, and gave each of them some little things to clean up for the test. Finished out with some sparring, and then drilling on a front thrust kick to either the kick shield or the chest protector.

Good idea, for sure. I also like to do slow kicking while the students use the wall or a chair for balance. That one really helps them "remember" how the leg goes and how the muscles should be working for a particular kick.

Its good to hear that its not fractured, at least so far. Watch out for those walls in the future...

That one looks like a good read, too. I may have to break down and buy it.

I concur with you here as well, and it was one of the problems I always had with sparring in the ATA. It seemed like it didn't matter if you kept your hands up in a good guard or not, because if something just slipped through and knicked you, they got the point. I much prefer to be able to spar continuously, even though I tend to run out of gas fairly quick, because it allows me to stand in there and instead of blocking everything that come at me, I can worry more about knocking things a bit off-line so that it isn't as direct a hit. I try to do the same thing, Rateh. I try to make it as positive an experience as possible, by introducing strategies and drills that can transfer to the sparring ring, and give them a good amount of reps so that they feel more comfortable in a sparring environment.

I don't believe that weight lifting shortens the muscles. If anything, it increases the amount of muscle fibers, giving more size, and therefore, possibly adding length to the muscles. Strength training can be a boon to any Martial Arts activity, and to not consider exploring it as a training supplement is shortchanging oneself, in my opinion.

Elaborate all you want, or as little as you want. I just wanted to generate some discussion, that's all. In our TKD classes, we also tend to work angles in our sparring, and in our one-steps, both of which could be adapted to self-defense. Its more than just punch or kick.

I don't disagree with you here. I do think that the response you stated would have a time and place, that's all.

Lots of good points, ShoriKid. I have never been all that great at sparring, but I do feel like I have the ability to teach and explain things that can make my students better at sparring than I was. I concur with you here as well, and it was one of the problems I always had with sparring in the ATA. It seemed like it didn't matter if you kept your hands up in a good guard or not, because if something just slipped through and knicked you, they got the point. I much prefer to be able to spar continuously, even though I tend to run out of gas fairly quick, because it allows me to stand in there and instead of blocking everything that come at me, I can worry more about knocking things a bit off-line so that it isn't as direct a hit.

I think just the nature of what we do lends to a bit of curiosity about what goes on in the MA community as a whole. However, I think you are right in stating that one shouldn't let it cloud up his own classes just for the sake of what seems to be in or out. I think that this is the right attitude to take on, especially in delivering your curriculum to your students. If an instructor is looking to add or subtract something to the curriculum, then it is important to evaluate these additions so that one knows if it is going to benefit the system, or just fade away in a year or so.

Here's another example, Master Robert Ott, who after being the victim of a crime, was blinded, among other things. He teaches Hapkido: http://www.sinmoolegacy.com/Pages/Instructors/Ott.html

From 7th gup on up, our students spar in testings. Usually, it will be one match, for 1 or 2 minutes. Black belts will usually spar at least 2, if not 3 times, and usually with a partner a rank above them, if not 2 ranks; it just depends on who is available. I have a new question for everyone here: as an instructor sitting on the testing panel, what do you look for from sparring? Would you ever not pass anyone due to their sparring? The reason I ask is because every other part of the testing has is defined as to performance perameters: forms are done a certain way, with concern to stances, techniques, and targets. One-steps are the same way. Board breaking is easy to see if they get that or not. So, when I see a no-chage at a testing, it is typically because a student totally botched a form or the one-steps, or totally botched the breaking session. I don't think I've seen anyone no-change due to not sparring well, and I've wondered why sparring doesn't get looked at the same way?

I came across this passage in reading C.M. Shifflett's book Aikdio Exercises for Teaching and Training, and thought I would share the idea here, and make some conversation. Basically, its a Q&A spot in the book, and the question asks how Aikido is different from Karate, and the answer is "in variety of responses and end goal." A brief list follows, listing 4 possible attacks: pull wrist in, push wrist in, turn wrist in, or turn wrist out. The answer from the Karate point of view to each question is Punch/Kick, where as the Aikido answer is different for each, in this order: enter (irimi), turn (tenkan), shio-nage, or sankyo (wrist lock). It appeared to me here, that the Karate aspect wasn't really getting a fair shake in the deal, as there are many different ways to deal with attacks in Karate that don't necessarily equal punch/kick. To just say punch/kick, is to simplify too much, as Karate could also utilize outside movements, inside movements, and the like. As far as the "goal" of each style is concerned, I would save for perhaps a different thread. Although I do agree that Aikido does have a variety of ways to deal with different attacks, I also feel that striking styles do so, as well, and that they deserve there dues. I would be intersted in hearing elaborations from both the Aikido and Karate/striking sides of this discussion, as I feel both can learn a lot from each other.

7-27-09 Combat Hapkido: 8:30 - 9:30. Warmed up with trapping drills. Did some of the orange and yellow belt curriculum with a newer trainee, and did some red belt curriculum, as well. Our extra guy gave us an extra body, and doing the techniques on him gave us a great change up to doing them on the same person all the time. We had to change a few things here and there, so it was nice to have another training partner. Weights I started a new workout series today. It was sent around to our Police Department Officers, and one of them sent it to me. Its from a guy named Stew Smith, who has done several books and ebooks on the subject of physical training. His website is here: http://www.stewsmith.com/ So, I'll have to make some modifications here and there to the workouts, as I don't like to run because of my knees, and some of the ab exercises will be tough at the onset, but I'll give it my best go. I'm kind of looking forward to it, as it also focuses on getting in pull-ups, and even though I'll have to do assisted early on, I look foward to getting into better shape. Warm-up: Ex. bike 1 mile, 5 minute stretch Bench press: 155x10, 165x8, 175x6, 185x4, 205x2, 225x1 Push-ups: 30, 23, both max sets Crunches: 25x4 1/2 sit-ups: 25 (braced my feet) Double crunches: 20...tough time with these Military press: 85x12, 75x15, 12...this called for 3 sets of 15. Next time, I may do dumbells instead of barbell. Sit-ups: 30 (braced feet) Dips: 6, 4, both max sets Bike: 10 minutes, at 90+ rpms. Stretch afterwards.

A very nice article. Thanks or sharing. Achieving that state of mind can be one of the more difficult things to achieve in MA training.

I was pretty nervous for my 1st dan testing, more so than any before it. I think it is normal, like Bob said, to get nervous as the stakes get higher. Good luck on your testing. Be sure to let us know how it goes.

Well, sure. Just kind of a place to make some notes on your training, like goals, thoughts on classes, presentations or demos, etc. Any thoughts that you might have that advance your way as a Martial Artists would fit well here, I think. One of my things lately is that I have been thinking about the lack of self-defense applications that we do in my TKD classes, and how I would choose to augment that if I were a head instructor. I really like some of the things that I take from my Combat Hapkido sessions, and I think that some of it would integrate well into the TKD techniques, especially for self-defense purposes.

I prefer the bike, because it is easier on my knees. My knees aren't that great as it is, so I try not to irritate them by running. I have no doubt, however, that running can be one of the best exercises you can do for your body.

Anytime. Thanks for putting it together and sharing it with us.

I understand some of the concerns dealing with the study, but I do think that a study like this does have some merit. I would like to see the study expanded, and done with more practitioners from various disciplines, and in a controlled setting with a group of non-practitioners, as well. Establishing a control group would help in moving towards less biases, and more understanding. By the way, thanks to Kuma for giving me another book idea, and thanks to Joe for finding me another free online MA mag... I appreciate it!

7-27-09 I worked with one of the TKD students that has taken a liking to the Combat Hapkido curriculum. I broke down a few of the breakaways with him, done from a same side wrist grab. The technique could be described as an elbow push, and then spin away. The hand that is grabbed, this arm is moved by "pushing" the elbow toward the attacker, like prepping an elbow strike....this is kind of tough to explain....and you finish as if you were bracing your arm on a wall, and the arm is flat to the wall. By getting to this position, you create space in the grab, which works against the thumb of the attacker. By slowing it down, and working this part, it made the technique work that much better, and from there, applications could follow. We also worked on some of the trapping drills with this student, working on flow and demonstrating where the inserts come in. Some of these drills flow really well into each other, and make the applications part of the system that much nicer. We also discussed the "duality" of some of the techiques and movements. Generally speaking, whether you counter-grab outside or inside, there is a technique available. This helps get away from the "I did it wrong" idea, and leads into "I have this option if I counter here, and that option if I counter there..."

I could spen an entire class session working on the proper chamber position of a side kick. I agree with what you say here, in introducing the specific chambers for each kick, as in my TKD style, we do have different chamber positions for each. I think a big part of it is in drilling the chamber itself, without kicking. Just to get that chamber position down right, and in the beginning. On the occasions that I do get to teach, the side kick becomes one of my pet projects. I can only do so much with one class here and there, but I can always hope that they take it with them.