bushido_man96

Very nice, Kuma.

I agree with you 100% here. I'd wouldn't mind if it did fall out of Olympic favor. It might be better for the art all around, but who knows for sure.

No, not specifically. Some schools may demonstrate use of some pressure points, but for the most part, it is a joint manipulation-based style, not unlike Jujitsu styles.

Agreed. They will cover TSD more than most other magazines will.

Yes, its a different angle of attack, and gives you another tool to use. Hook kicks can be great for getting around obstructions like arms, and if spinning, the momentum can be nice, too.

DWx has some good questions there. Are you using a point system, light contact, etc? Those things will play into your strategies. And forms is a different beast. Great article, Joe. I like CS Kim's stuff alot.

Are you asking about a spinning crescent kick, perhaps, Bob?

Hehe, I kind of like that one...

Bruce Lee was known by his incredible feats and physical abilities. I think a lot of his popularity has come from his exposure, and he definitely used that to his advantage. Who wouldn't, especially when you are pushing a new philosophy that many haven't heard of? I don't think I am as good physically as Bruce Lee was after his 19 years in training. Would I like to be, oh yeah. That would be great. But, I just keep plugging away, looking to improve as I go along. I pray that I get to have more than 19 years in the Martial Arts.

isshinryu5toforever is right on the money. So what if they do things a bit differently? Its an opportunity to learn something new along with what you already know. In the end, its not the rank, but the knowledge that you take with you that will count for more than anything. I went from a 2nd dan in one TKD organization to being a white belt in another; totally different forms, one-steps, and training styles. In the end, I haven't lost anything, but gained a whole bunch. Its all time I would have spent training anyways, so its for the best.

There are lots of good points here, and all of them are viable ways to look at the black belt rank. Sparring is but one way to judge a level of proficiency. A good sparrer may not be good at defending himself, and a poor sparrer may have what it takes to wipe up on the street. Age can play a factor in performance, as well. In the end, the body of knowledge as a whole should be a determining factor when considering black belt rank. Can the person teach the information? Can they perform it adequately? Best of all, can you count on what you are taught to work for you? All of these can come under consideration.

I agree with WNM here. Don't worry about your detractors, or what they might think. It is your journey to take, so do it your way. Check back with the school, and if it has changed, then look around other areas, and see what is available. Best of luck to you!

Washing belts isn't a very big deal, really. Here is a good article on the "not washing belts" condundrum: http://www.24fightingchickens.com/2005/09/09/urban-legends-of-karate-belts/

Wow. What a sight!

So what of the styles that don't use rank to show any indication of skill level? At what point would the "traditionalist" reference them to being ready to look into another style?

I hear what you say here, but even the Olympic committee has been teetering on whether or not TKD should come back to the next Olympics, because the matches don't draw a lot of attention. I think that some significant rules change would be able to revitalize TKD's sport side.

Wow. That's just mean...

Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida ...........................Machida.......KO Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra....................................Hughes........KO Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen..................................Miller...........Sub Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar................................Sherk..........Sub Drew McFedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam................ Foupa-Pokam..KO Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson................................Larson.........Sub Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff.......................Yoshida......KO Tim Hague vs. Patrick Barry...................................Barry.........Dec Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley...............................Nover.........Dec Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski...................Soszynski...KO George Roop vs. David Kaplan...............................Kaplan........KO

Congrats, Patrick, and great job on running the show here. Its always a great place to come and contribute.

I haven't got through them all yet, but it was cool to see the Shredder at number 39. I followed the Turtles through the cartoons, and had a few comics. Reading these little bios, I am learning a bit that I didn't know about the comic villians. Cool reading.

Man, those truckers should not be on that road. Unreal. I'll bet the officers out there stay busy with traffic.

It sounds to me like they are reaching for some accredited advertising. Anymore, customers like to see that kind of thing, even if they have no idea what they are looking at. Like Chris Farley said in Tommy Boy, it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

5-19-09 I wasn't teaching a class or even for an extended period of time, but after class, a student approached me about one of her one-steps, and I helped her address a few things in it. I explained to her that one of the unfortunate circumstances of self-defense is that of close proximity, so she needed to make sure that she used her stance and footwork to get into a good position to use her techniques. She was doing a rising x-block to divert a punch, after which she twists into an arm/shoulder lock, and follows with a front kick. Along with proper hand position, I worked with her on getting into a good back stance, getting the feet placed properly and comfortably, with the weight back a bit, but the hips still in good position, allowing for the flow of the technique. I guess it all starts with good stance, eh?

I agree. It is unfortunate, but as much as we want to reach out and influence those that we teach, in the end, it truly is up to the individual to make the right choices.

I don't know, you tell me. Can he teach it TO THE LEVEL he's attained? NO! Why? If he's only attainded Shodan in Shotokan then, by the by-laws of the JKA, John Doe can only advance his Shotokan students up to the rank of Ikkyu. After Ikkyu, that student would have to find a Sandan to promote this student to Shodan, yet, John Doe is certifying to Shodan in Shotokan under the Toma Banner of Seido, yet, the certs SAY...SHOTOKAN SHODAN. Now that you bring this up, I see what you are saying. Typically, at the testings that I have been involved with, the judges sitting on the panel must be at least 2 dan ranks above the highest rank that is being tested for. So, at least two 3rd dans should be present to test/promote to 1st dan, and so on.