bushido_man96

The crossbow was cool, but I liked the Gene Simmons axe, too. Awesome guitar. And they even have a Wii Zapper....fantastic! Boxing gloves look intriguing, too.

Those are great pictures. That would be a beautiful place to visit.

Keep up the good work.

There are peole that I do look up to. My dad, for one, is probably the biggest influence on my life. Other than that, there isn't much else. Sure, at times there were those I wanted to be like, but I have grown past that, and accepted the fact that I am the one who decides who I am, and who I am going to be, and not anyone else. Perhaps it is just a phase that we go through as practitioners; perhaps not.

Ah, I see your concern there now. I agree, and it can be an issue. Nepotism can rear its ugly head from time to time.

I agree, Tiger. Working out does help release that anger and frustration. I was even impressed, however, that I didn't even think to use this anger to power my workout; I just worked out.

In reading the High Risk column in my latest Black Belt Magazine, Jim Wagoner wrote an article that contained a counter-criminal surveillance drill. What you do is get a buddy or two together, and have them get some people that you don't know to follow you around during the day. You have to watch to see if you notice anyone watching you, as to scope you out for prey. He mentioned making eye contact with someone who is watching you and turns away immediately (catching someone watching you while you are not watching them). At the end of the day, you get together and point out who you think was watching you (I guess describe clothing, appearance, etc.). I thought that it sounded like an interesting drill to try, and that it could offer some valuable insight into being clued in to your surroundings. Ideas? Thoughts? Comments?

Is it being hard-headed, or is it having free will? Yes, students do mimic their teachers, up to a point. I have come to the point where I am done trying to emulate others, and choose my own standards to live life by. Not all students have one instructor, either. You yourself have studied many styles. So, are you your own person, or are you merely a compilation of what all of these instructors are? I would venture to guess that you are your own person. Sure, you were probably influenced in some ways by each of these people who have taught you, but in the end, you make the choice of what you keep, and what you throw away.

I don't think that one should really worry too much about alienating another student, though. I think that an instructor should make the students realize that there own pace is what decides where they are, and not that of others, then that should help them to understand that rank is as individual as they are. In a perfect world, anyways.

If you can do a class that is about 30 minutes long, and stick to 5 to 8 minutes sessions, playing one learning game, and them moving to another, that should help to retain their interest. Anything longer than 30 minutes, though, I'd wish you good luck.

Yes, kids learn through play, so incorporating play into the session drills is of utmost importance, especially when it comes to retaining their attention.

I have not heard of this, and I know some TKD practitioners that do bike at times. I ride the cardio bike, mainly because I hate running. I think as long as one remembers to stretch dilligently after exercising, then it shouldn't become too great of an issue.

3-6-09 Weights Bench press: 215x7, 8 fail Row: 160x6, 7 fail Military press: 125x4, 5 fail Lat pull-down: 160x6, 7 fail Machine curl: 50x8 Triceps press-down: 165x7, 8 fail Ab wheel: 5, 5 Cardio: Bike for 25 minutes. 3-7-09 Aikido class: 10:30 - 12:15. Today was a pretty good class. I feel more comfortable with the basic movements, although some of the names are still hard in learning. For technique work, we actually focused on one technique to work on this time, called Katatori Ikkyo (lapel grab/ "First Teaching" and pin). What was nice is that instead of letting the grab happen, we stepped back as the attacker stepped in, and grabbed the attacking hand, and applied the technique. This is one of the techniques that is required should I get to test, so it was nice to work on it. I feel like I can work with the technique on my own, and break it down into sections to make it happen. 3-8-09 Went for a walk in the evening. It was so nice out, that I got to wear shorts for once! I think we walked around 2 miles. 3-9-09 (first session) 100 Push-ups Week 5, Day 1: 17, 19, 15, 15, 30 (max was 20 minimum) = 96.

Hmm, I'd have figured that it would be longer than 40 minutes. However, spending time on drilling a move isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. That way, you can get in some good reps before you start applying it to bag or sparring work.

That doesn't sound like a good thing, Tiger. I hope its not the reason you stated, either. But, it could be. I hope it doesn't effect your school negatively.

Welcome to KF, Josie! Its good to have you on board.

As far as that goes, the ranking system isn't even an original part of Karate...

I agree here. I think it would be worth checking out, at least. Ask any questions you can, and if they avoid your answers, then it is probably time to leave. Also, watch a class, and see how the students look, and how the instructor teaches. It might be worth a try. Never judge a book by its cover...

Just out of curiosity, what do you base this research on? I have not seen it, other than in BJJ where it takes an average of 10 years to earn a black belt. Welcome to the Forums, as well!

Thanks, ps1. Good vids. Your instructor does a nice job of explaining the details, and taking the time to see everything.

I think that the partner drill would be the best route to take, ShoriKid. Especially with your limited room. That way, they associate it with someone being on them at the time, too. Move when someone is on top, and the more experienced guys can coach them along.

That is a good idea. That is the one thing that I lack on when I get to these seminars where so much is covered. So, I try to take one or two things that I can work on, and go from there.

The school offers 4 classes a week at an hour per class. I do think that practicing at home is important, but I think that our priority is in the classes to prepare the student as much as we can.

The shin kick is a better kick, with a better striking tool, in my opinion. The vids that I have seen were of shins breaking on shins, and there aren't that many of them out there to state that the spot isn't good to hit with. People break their hands punching others in the head, but you still see training in head punches. Sometimes, crap just happens. Now, with that said, I do lots of kicking with the foot, the ball and instep. I have broken boards in the past with the instep, although I don't think it is the brightest thing I have ever done in my life. In the end, your target is going to be a deciding factor in the tool used, as well. Its tough (but not impossible..) to shin kick someone in the head. But to the leg, shin kicking is going to get you better results than a kick with the instep.

I agree here, if your kumite training doesn't soley confine itself to a point-fighting, rules-based system. Not that I don't like rules-based fighting, because it is fun. But at times, you have to change the rules so you can work everything better.