bushido_man96

This was my thought as well. You'll still get the results you want.

Edward William Barton-Wright was coming to mind for me, too. Also, Jim Arvanitis, who really pioneered an MMA movement before the UFCs came around. If you look back into the history of Boxing, you can find names and feats of strength that go hand in hand with those of Asian cultures. You can also research Hellenistic Wrestling, Boxing, and Pankration, and read about some of the history of the ancient Olympiads.

I think that quote pretty well sums it up, too. Strike hard, but strike often. After they guy falls down, then you can take time to assess things.

I think it keeps things in line inside of class. Outside of class, I can't be positive that any examples I make in the 2 or 4 hours that I spend with these individuals in a week will have any affect on the type of person that they have already become. All I can do is lead by example.

I'd agree with that.

I haven't done a lot of knife defense training, but I don't like the idea of staying squared up with a knife attack, either. I also don't like the idea of not getting my hands up to defend with. You have to protect the vitals, and getting the arms up will help that, for sure. I like the idea of escalating to weaponry, myself. Find something big, and hit them with it.

I don't listen to much when I work out. If its playing, thats fine, but I don't go out of my way to make sure I have some music on to work out to.

I think that you should approach kumite in an exploratory manner. This will allow you to keep it a very controlled environment, and as you become more comfortable with certain things, like seeing attacks come in, or moving to keep someone in your line of sight, then you can move on to more complex things. Tallgeese talks about limited engagement sparring a lot, where one participant is only allowed to do certain things, and the other may have more or less that he/she is allowed to do. I think that you should take this approach to kumite, and I think it will help you become more and more comfortable with it. You are right about self-defense, though; no one who attacks you is going to cut you any slack. So getting prepared is a good idea.

I feel that wearing the uniform elsewhere just leads to trouble. You may know everyone in your town, but it still is something that should just be worn to class.

I think achieving "mastery" is something that is possible. However, its hard to put a measurable, quantifiable number on it. Therefore, its hard to tell if you have made it there or not. "Perfection" is not really attainable, in my mind. Working towards it is a good goal, though; it makes you continue to strive. But, you have to keep it in the context of everything else you are pursuing in your studies. Do you have a layout you could show us for 1, 2, and 3?

I agree, tallgeese. I think a lot of people are under the impression that they can just kick a big dog, and it will go away. If the dog gets into that fight drive/prey drive, there is nothing that is going to hurt them. Shooting the dog would be the best idea, especially if you want to get away with the least amount of harm.

This is just good awareness, I think. Especially by not letting him realize that you were listening in. These are the kinds of things that you may want to document for further reference, in case something bad like what he was discussion should happen.

1-23-09 Week 3, Day 3 16, 21, 15, 15, 21 = 88. The last set was really tough, and I had to really grunt out the last few. But I do feel like I am making improvements. On to week 4!

Well, most of our jail guys don't have any DT training, so we are starting fairly basic. My DT partner is certified in Hock's system, so we are basing our training off of his system. We'll introduce palm strikes, and use the statue drill to introduce them to some basic footwork and use of angles with the strike. Then, we'll move into the block/pass/pin drill. We are also going to work with a torso twist takedown and the wrist twist takedown. The class will begin with some lecture/question/answer time to talk about use-of-force and the like. 1-23-09 100 push-ups log Week 3, Day 3: 16, 21, 15, 15, 21 = 88. The last set of 21 was nasty on me. Weights Bench press: 190x6 Seated row: 170x6, 7 was failure Military press: 115x4, 5 was failure Lat pull-down: 150x7, reps 6 and 7 were not full reps Triceps push-down: 135x6, 7 was failure Machine curls: 45x8, the last 2 reps were tough, but not failure Cable crunches: 105x20, 16, 16 Cable trunk twist: 80x10x3 Cardio: Bike for 20 min, then stretched.

Ouch, cracked ribs. Do you remember how you did that? Remember to just stay patient, and get back to training when you can. Otherwise, you could end up missing a lot more than 4 more weeks. Keep your chin up.

I'm glad that we were able to provide you a little guidance in this matter, slowhands. As always, referring to your instructor will tend to help you the most.

Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

Edit: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski....Fedor...Sub Josh Barnett vs. Gilbert Yvel....Yvel....KO Matt Lindland vs. Vitor Belfort....Lindland...Dec Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou...Sobral...Dec Bobby Green vs. Dan Lauzon...Green...Dec Kirill Sidelnikov vs. Paul Buentello....Buentello...KO Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira....Nogueira....Sub Jay Hieron vs. Jason High....Hieron...KO Mark Hominick vs. L.C. Davis....Hominick...Sub Antonio Duarte vs. Albert Rios....Duarte....Sub Brett Cooper vs. Patrick Speight....Cooper...KO

That was interesting. I'm not sure I got the knack of it, though.

That might be worth a try.

1-22-09 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00.

You touched on the importance of gaining proficiency in another post, but it fits here, too. I think that it is important to realize that this is what the rank system is for; more important is making sure that these proficiency levels are achieved before a student moves on. These small building blocks of proficiency will build the foundation for a good black belt.

Nobody ever wanted me to get to one because it would always be followed with one hundred side kicks for the whole room. Those people must have developed some solid side-kicks, I wish I got to do that aswell hehe. One of my old instructors would use what he called "concentration" side kicks. You'd grab a piece of wall to hold your balance, then chamber for a side kick. Kick 5 seconds out, then hold..........................................then 5 seconds back, then.....hold.................................and repeat as often as necessary.

Good post, Joe. I think I would put proficiency in with the #2 and 3 in the heirarchy listed in the original post that ironsifu made. Its an important step on the road to mastery, for sure (oops, there's that work again...).