bushido_man96

There is an interesting column by Mark Hatmaker in this month's Black Belt Magazine on this very subject. You often here it said in the fight game that the victor "wanted it more," and things like that. But how do you quantify that? How can you truly prove it? Just because a guy loses means that he didn't want it as bad as the guy who won? I think these are good points to bring up. Have you ever lost a match? I have. But what was the conclusion that I came to? Was it because "I just didn't want it enough..." or was it because (gasp, dare I say it...) "darn it, that guy is just better than me..."

I agree. If you use it in a fight, then it is an "MA" move. A lot of MA techniques might be a bit stylized, and some are downright fancy. But, at the heart of all of them, is an efficient technical base that can maximize the power and delivery of damage. I agree with this assessment, as well. All of that training will make you better, and will help you out. Of course, the most valuable training that you does comes from partner drilling with these techniques.

What you could try to do is get with a couple of friends, and replay this scenario, with live action, naughty words, etc, so that you can get into the mindset for when these things happen. As for what is different between then and now, it could be hard to tell. Perhaps you have mellowed some. Perhaps you have more at stake now, or realize that there are possibilites of weapons coming out, etc. It could be any number of things. But, it doesn't mean that it has to remain that way.

I like your approach in using the music. Very nice touch. And it makes sense as to why music is such an important part of your art.

Let me know how it goes for you. Glad to help.

At the same time, if it is seen as frustrating, it could also be seen as a challenge, and therefore that could be why it is included in the tests. I think it is also a good way to demonstrate concentration, focus, and power in technique.

6-15-09 Weights Bench press: 235x6, 7 fail Row: 200x7, 8 fail Military press: 125x4, 5 fail Lat pull-down: 180x5, 6 fail Leg extension: 175x10 Leg curls: 205x12 Machine curl: 60x5, 6 fail Triceps push-down: 180x6, 7 fail Decline crunches: 22 lbs x 12, 10 Trunk twists: 80x10, 10 Cardio Bike: 25 minutes, alternating 5 min intervals at 90 rpm, then 100 rpm. Light stretch afterwards; still nursing that sore groin muscle. 6-16-09 Combat Hapkido: 2:00 - 3:00. We went over the entire red belt curriculum today, just to get a solid review in. I also did lots of reps on BOB, from a natural stance, doing a half-step to the outside of him, and delivering a palm heel strike to the chin and getting the other hand up into a guarding position. It makes for a good distraction-evasion move, and we use a lot of that in Combat Hapkido. TKD: While my daughter was at track practice today, I did some forms work. I did the first 6 forms, and in between each, I spent time duck walking around near the ground while pushing trucks around with my son.

Anytime, Kez.

I agree. With the proper training and patience, you can be a fast and agile big man. Work the proper technique, and then work on enhancing your speed with drills appropriate for that. Also, don't neglect footwork. As a big guy, it can be your friend. Do some footwork drills, and even jump rope if you have the time. Build it from the ground up.

After looking at the clip again, I feel that part of my ackwardness may come from the foot that I move after seizing the elbow. In the clip, the instructor moves the same side foot. I have been stepping with the opposite foot. I also tend to feel too far away from uke when doing the technique, like I have to reach for him. I'll ask the instructor about which foot to step with. The more I do this technique, the more trouble I seem to have with adjusting to the incoming grab, as opposed to letting the grab happen. Also, our prep stance isn't done with the hands in the typical positioning that I have seen in the Aikido books I have been reading, which really bothers me. I don't like my hands hanging down at my sides, and then having to react from that position to intercept the grab. I may start holding my hands up in a more ready position; not doing so just feels unnatural to me.

Well, I don't see too much difference between the Real Aikido, and other Aikido that I have seen. But, that my limited experience talking, as well.

I see what you are saying here, and it is a valid point, but I do feel that the art does need the person more than the person needs the art. All of the philosophies, concepts, and techniques that you mention are layed out by those who practice the art; Kano laid his foundations, and then passed them on, as did Funakoshi, as did Choi, and the list goes on. Even people today continue to leave their marks from their own beliefs. The arts tend to evolve as we do, and I think the practitioners are the heart and soul of it.

I agree as well. Don't worry about the testing time cycle. There will be other opportunities if you miss that one. I also agree that you just look around and see what is offered when you get to college. There are plenty of opportunities out there, and most colleges have either clubs or even MA classes available as credits.

Our interpretations of Kata are only limited by our imaginations, but, are they effective?!?! Only time, training, and experience will tell for sure.

Bingo... Abernethy never claims that ground grappling techniques exist in the katas. In fact, in his books, he has stated that the katas do not contain any grappling (as far as ground fighting goes). To your knowledge, WNM, does Abernethy abandon what you describe in your posts as the essences of Wado? I don't know what his class layouts are, so I don't know the answer to that one.

That's a great one, Bob! I am still smiling over that one!

6-12-09 Weights Bench press: 235x5, 6 fail Row: 200x6, 7 fail Military press: 125x6, 7 fail Lat pull-down: 170x8, 9 fail, go up Leg extensions: 175x10 Leg curls: 205x12 Machine curl: 60x6, 7 fail Triceps push-down: 180x6, 7 fail 6-13-09 DT session: 9:30 - 11:00. Covered defenses against single and double leg takedowns. Then worked on passing guard. We had a couple of gals in the session this day, and I worked with them a few times. The instructor made the point that it is important to work with females as well as males, and that a common problem when attempting to control a female in the LEO business is the tendency to "lighten up" because they are a female. The gals I worked with were very scrappy, and they could squirm and move, and really make life difficult for a novice like me. It was a pretty good session, but I wish we could have gone on a bit longer.

Thank you too Bushido.. I was doing that at first but I was talking to a friend he said the same thing. One thing I can't get down is the kick where you jump up with one leg lifted up and then extend your knee and kick.. I'm not sure what it's called.. Any tips on how to do it? That sounds like you are trying a jumping front kick. Bring up one knee, then switch and bring the other knee up, placing the other foot down. Keep practicing this by switching again and again, concentrating on getting the knee up and high. Once you feel good there, bring up one knee, and use the rising motion to gain momentum and bring you off the ground. Then switch the knees in mid-air, and kick.

I agree with Joe's assessments here. It will depend on how it is taught, and to what ends. Some Tai Chi isn't taught much different than a slower version of Cardio Kickboxing, and some is taught with the impetus of self-defense in mind.

All I can offer for advise is to break it down. Break it into the component parts, and work each, adding the next dimension as you feel more comfortable. Work the crescent kick to the hand a lot, and then work into the lift-off phase. Once that feels good, work into the landing, and putting it all together. Also, slow down at first, and make sure you get everything placed out right. This should help your standing after landing, too.

I agree with tallgeese's asssesment here on the time involved. I do think that seeing applications early on can lead to improved technique, especially if it gives the practitioner something to visualize during practice. I also like some of the approaches taken to blocking in accordance with what guys like Abernethy and Anslow have done. It gives a good feeling of what the body mechanics involved with the motions is supposed to help accomplish, in my mind.

The AJJ practitioners didn't have any qualms about actually blocking an incoming technique, and the takedowns were much more direct. From my limited experience in Aikido, there is less blocking, and more of the circular and spherical type of body movement to avoid the attack, and use or create the momentum of the opponent to make the throw happen.

Your right bushi... I do tend to get caught up in my own little Wado world. No excuse, but actually the author of the article in question is from a Wado-based group! WNM This is true, but even though he has found some different ways of approaching things, does it make what he does less than Wado?

I'm a hardcopy kind of guy myself, and one of the best things about finding something on the internet is printing it out! I've got a 3-ring binder myself, that has my more focused content in it. I also have my Combat Hapkido curriculum packet that has become littered with notes in the columns, so much so that I have began to write things out in a more organized and formal format. Maybe someday, I'll get to teach my own class for it. A good quote my dad used: "There's two ways to do things; right, and again."

Although I haven't seen the video yet, in The Taegeuk Cipher, the author talked extensively about what he called the defensive entry, which appears to accomplish a task similar to what you have mentioned here. A good strategy to practice for self-defense, I think.