bushido_man96

That's a good start, hapkido princess. It should get better from there.

I don't think that would necessarily work out. It is going to depend on the dojo, and I doubt it would work out.

Even if you can't get an hour in at home, 15 minutes here and there can benefit you, if anything else, by helping with memorization.

I still get nervous at testings, even after 15 years of training! Just breath, relax, and be confident in what you have learned. Let us know how it has turned out for you.

As a military officer, don't you consider some of what you do Martial Arts oriented? It may not be all hand-to-hand, but it is something.As an Electronics Technician in the Coast Guard I don't very much consider 99.9% of what I do MA oriented. I can't even get approval from my command to qualify for my pistol or rifle ribbon since it isn't really pertinent to my position. I see. That is a bummer. I apologize. I agree. You can refine many things by taking your training to different places. Yeah, its tough to practice side kicks while walking around at work, but you can practice things like awareness and threat possibilities.

I think we get into semantics at some point here. "Expert" should not mean "perfect." However, if you are confident in what you know, and your ability to teach and relate the nuances of what you are teaching, then you are likely an expert. That doesn't mean that you may not have to consort a reference on something from time to time; that is a natural thing. Here, I feel, that we don't ever really stop being students. I think that there is always something to learn, or review, etc. Now, if it does come to a point when you continually pull a "duh" in front of the classes that you teach, then it might be time to look into some re-training.

I think that at times you can find those that have a knack for teaching, but for the most part, it is necessary to have experience in what you plan to teach in order to teach it effectively.

Our organization holds a testing every 2 months for colored belts. However, I don't think I like this idea that much. Once you hit 1st dan, you have to wait 1 and a half years to test for 2R, then you have to test for 2D within 6 months, or fall back to 1D. From 2D to 3R, the wait is 2 and a half years, then another 6 months to test for 3D. At that point, it is 3 and a half years to 4, then 4 and a half to 5th, and so on. I think I would prefer to see at least 3 months between colored belt testings, and maybe some more time at the higher ranks, like brown belt. However, our school's curriculum consists of learning forms, one-steps, and then sparring for testings, and board breaks for higher ranks. Class time consists of basics, forms, one-steps, and sparring. The curriculum just isn't that deep. This bothers me, a lot.

Could you give an example of what these things would be, in your eyes? Even in this case, I would be leary. At times, we tend to get very caught up in how we view our instructors, and then how they view someone else. I think that it is important to listen, learn, meet, and then make our own decisions on who earns our respect and who doesn't. I agree here, but would replace the work respect with the word courtesy. Again, I don't feel that anyone has to repsect me right off the bat. I would appreciate the courtesy be shown to me, though.

In this case, I don't think that a defendant would have too much to fear.

What you describe here as basics, to me, seems to be more of an all-encompassing group of techniques. To me, the basics include the straight punch, the high block, the down block, the middle block, the knifehand strike, and the front, round, and side kick. From there, we build off of these to do more advanced techniques. You are correct though; the advanced techniques build off of the basic techniques. However, I don't think that one should have to move up from the basics, if they don't feel the need to, unless a curriculum expresses otherwise. The section that I put into bold is something I'd like to elaborate on, too. We have similar curriculum in our Combat Hapkido, and I see similar progressions in the DT program that I have been exposed to. I see them as the basics applied in various ways. So, you learn your wrist lock, say, from the wrist grab. Then, as you move on, you learn how to apply the wrist lock from other attacks and responses. Its part of the learning curve; if you could only apply your wrist lock from one scenario, then I don't it would be a very effective or efficient technique.

That jab can take a smaller toll, but it's got an impact to it, can be repeated easily, and lends itself to setting up the adversary for stronger strikes. I find it more logical to use what has a greater chance of success, and go for follow-ups, than use riskier moves in a real life situation. I agree with your assesment on the jab. This is precisely why it is such a utilized tool. I don't think that this is the case. As much as I would like to be able to put every high-flying kick that I know to use if needed, each one is just not as efficient or as effective as simpler techniques like the straight punch and round kick to the thigh. Degree of difficulty has to be one of the considerations to take into account when delivering a technique. Nor can you apply what one person does or is capable of doing across the board to everyone else in the world. It takes too many assumptions into account.

Every year, there is an analysis put out (I can't remember who does it) that tells what make of autos is the most-often stolen. I think last year one was a Toyota Corolla....the kind I drive!

I don't think that we will ever see this; not because some of us feel the idea is bunk, but because those that claim to have such abilities insist that they will not ever use it for anything so trivial as winning a competition. So, the proof that we all desire to see will never be allowed to happen.

Man, that's a different approach. I am surprised that someone would actually argue the point like that with you. You should have them come in for a class, so that they can really see what it is all about.

I think it is all part of the learning curve and continuum. I think you can know what you are doing before becoming a master. It just comes down to the depth of knowledge with how long you stick with something.

It would be easy to tell you to just keep your hands closed, but doing so can reduce some of the tools that are available to you. If you do choose to open your hands when sparring, make sure that they aren't hanging too loose; keep a bit of tightness in them, so that they are more resistant to taking that damage. Also, train at some slower paces from time to time, so that you can look at how the attacks approach, and how to adjust to receive it well.

I have actually done this to my brother once. It was pretty cool. But, we were just sparring in the yard, not really fighting....although, we were pretty mad at each other at the time. I do agree with the tactics mentioned above. I would attempt to rechamber my leg forcefully, pulling the person close, and then latching on, to avoid the throw, as mentioned.

I can respect what someone has done or accomplished. That is different than respecting the person. As far as holding a Martial Arts teacher in the highest regard; not so much. A Martial Arts teacher is a person with a skill. There are lots of people around the world with lots of different skills; doctors, school teachers, scientists, etc. We all have our own skills, and apply them accordingly. I really don't think that I have any major talents, but I do have a drive to work hard, even if I am not good at something. That is a skill, too.

Your cost/benefit analysis is right on the money, NightOwl. As per the jab, I think you have to take it in consideration of what platform you use it in. Its very popular in the sporting arenas, with rules and protection. But when it comes to self-defense, it may not hold its value as much. I could be wrong, though. And I am not trying to denounce the utility of the jab; just that in a power comparison with the flying side kick, it fails in comparison. However, useing your cost/benefit analysis to describe it, the amount of successful times you can land it makes it a useful tool.

Although not all crimes are drug-related, I don't see that drug crimes are not as criminally big as they used to be. Around my area, we deal with anything from marijuana, to meth, to cocaine. And it isn't sporadic; its a drug problem, and lots of areas have it. Just about 3 or 4 months ago, our area busted up a drug ring that sent around 10 guys to Federal Court. Selling meth and cocaine. And I live in a community of only about 15,000. It is there; believe me. And tallgeese is right about counting alcohol usage in there, too. Anything from DUIs to disorderly conduct, to battery and domestic battery, I have seen stem from overuse of alcohol.

.....just like most styles. The intricacies come with time.

Whoa! I hadn't been paying attention; I didn't realize I had hit that mark. Thanks for the kind words, all. Most of what I say is because of the great postings that the fantastic members of this site contribute. Thanks again, everyone. Brian.

Joe is right; the more you go, the better, especially early on in your career. There is so much to learn and get used to, that it can be kind of overwhelming. Going 2 times a week should provide a noticible difference. I am also glad to hear that you are sticking with it. Quitting is the easy thing to do; so congrats! Believe it or not, this kind of thing happens to a lot of us, so just stick with it, and things will get better.

I think the key is to be able to articulate that you were fearful of an impending attack. Looking for physical clues like the clenching fists, clenching jaws, and moving into your personal space. Can you talk everyone down? Maybe. At what point do you go the other way? I think it depends on how threatened that you feel.