bushido_man96

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.

7-24-09 Morning session Mile bike ride to run the dog. He always starts out blasting, but gasses about the last half of the mile. Combat Hapkido: 8:35 - 9:35. Trapping application techniques: Same side/outside - cross side/outside; same side/inside - cross side/inside...attacker punching, trapping and striking. Stringing techniques, two non-curriculum techniques (drilled for a while), finished with bits and pieces of the curriculum. Evening session Bag work Dumbell punching - Jab: 3x10 each; Cross: 3x10 each FL side thrust kick: 3x10 each leg; needs work, lots of work. BL side thrust kick: 10 each leg. Dumbell punching - Jab/cross combo: 3x10 each side, but not on bag. Weights Bench press: 155x10, 185x6, 205x3 Leg press: 230x10, 320x10, 10 Cable row: 156x8, 9 fail; 156x7, 8 fail Biangular shoulder press: 96x10, 108x10 Lat pull-down: 120x10, 120x8, 9 fail Straight bar curls: 55x10, 65x10 Triceps push-down: 95x10, 100x10 Ab crunch machine: 72x10x2 (ouch!) 7-25-09 1 1/4 mile bike ride with dog. Last half was like a cool down, though. 7-26-09 Mile bike ride.

Cool, thanks.

Nice idea.

I'd heard that the upcoming Affliction event was cancelled because of the Josh Barnett testing. The one thing that the UFC does want out of this is Fedor. White is going to have to make some consessions, however, in order to get him.

You could also look into Iain Abernethy's website for ideas on the use of bunkai from Karate katas: http://www.iainabernethy.com/ He has several books on the subject of applications from Karate katas, and it may work as "the missing link" to what Anslow discusses and demonstrates in his book.

I agree. I constantly wonder these things of myself, and try to push myself to get to a level that I feel that I should be at. I am not in any hurry to test again anytime soon, so I have the time to make sure that I am gaining knowledge and improving. Glib, yes, but I can see a point to the statement...

Very interesting! Another martial artist who said....what handicap!?!Excellent! Thanks for sharing that! I have one of his books. That guy is a BJJ machine, and I can only imagine what it would be like to train with someone like him. This is an interesting instance, Bob, and I have not heard of anything like it. I'm sure there would be some challenges to work through, as far as communication goes. However, a deaf instructor could offer a class to other deaf students, all of whom could communicate through sign language. Another point to consider would be whether or not the instructor could read lips or not. But in the end, I think it would be possible for someone to do.

I remember that story. Very nice one, too.

Are these done with the back leg each time? And when sliding backwards, do you switch feet and round kick, or slide back and do a front leg round kick?

7-20-09 Weights Bench press (free weights): 185x9 Row: 200x6, 7 fail Military press (free): 95x10 Lat pull-down: 170x6, 7 fail Bicep curl: 70x7, 8 fail Triceps push-down: 165x7 Leg extensions: 130x10, 10 Leg curls: 160x12, 12 Gripper: 30x15x3 Leg press: 228x10, 240x10 Decline crunches: 15x10x3 MA session Combat Hapkido: 9:30 - 10:30. Worked through trapping drills and some combinations strings. 7-21-09 Dumbell Punching - 5 lbs each hand Jab: 3x10 each side Cross: 3x10 each side, hitting the bag as well. Bag Work Punching work: 3 rounds Front leg round kick: 10 each leg; right leg pulled on the groin a bit. Front leg side kick: 3x10 each leg, trying not to telegraph. 7-23-09 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:30. I felt like I had some more to put into basics tonight, and I felt really worked. I think I might have zipped through my form a bit fast, but the instructor didn't comment on too much, so maybe it was pretty decent. I did get to spar a 2 minute continuous round with one of the first degrees, and although I think I could have performed a bit better, I didn't feel totally spent after the match. I would have needed more than a minute break to go again, though. I need to get some more sparring in, like doing some round robin work, to get a bit more used to hanging in there. We finished with some back and forth drill work, and then stretched.

I think that once a student has developed the strength and actions in the hips, that one can get away with doing this. But, its important to learn the proper way, first.

These are some of the same reasons that my instructor cites. By using big movements early on, and developing muscles, it makes the moves that we "shorten up" that much more powerful.

Very well said. I like your points here, and I agree with you.

Ah, that's another thing that wouldn't jive on karma for me. I'm not a re-incarnation guy, either.