bushido_man96

In my group, if you make a mistake or forget a kata due to nerves for example, its an instant fail. You don't get another chance on the day, in fact you have to wait at least 6 months before you are allowd to re-take. This is because Dan gradings are as much about strength of character (as Seija says) as they are technique. If you dont know your material well enough, and or can not manage the nerves, you are not ready to grade imo. You don't get another chance in a fight after all. What do you guys think? I think that there is something to that, WNM. From what I have heard through my instructor, things used to be more stringent in the system than they are now; board breaking is one example. 2 attemps, then you sat down. No change on the testing. I think that it is something that is seen less and less, and perhaps it should be kept around, especially at the black belt level. Keeping that level of expectation high for your high ranks only improves the quality of your schools.

So Captain America will be back? Comics get crazy sometimes.

Congratulations!

12-23-08 Kicks FL front thrust kicks: 3x10 each side BL front thrust kicks: 3x10 each side FL round kicks: 3x10 each side FL round kicks, low level: 20 each side TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. Only three of us tonight, so we did a quick basics, then reviewed some forms and black belts Do-Kangs.

Out of curiosity, how can certain pants improve the way your kata looks?

I'd say no as well. I just don't think it would work.

He lost his fight via decision: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3784052

Ryan Bader wins TUF season 8: http://phoenix.fanster.com/2008/12/17/former-sun-devil-wrestler-ryan-%e2%80%98darth%e2%80%99-bader-is-the-ultimate-fighter/ Congrats.

Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans…………….Griffin Sub Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir…Nogueira KO Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson………Silva KO Mike Massenzio vs. CB Dollaway…………….Massenzio Dec Mostapha Al Turk vs. Cheick Kongo ………Kongo KO Dean Lister vs. Yushin Okami ………………..Okami Dec Mike Wessel vs. Antoni Hardonk ……………Wessel KO Reese Andy vs. Matt Hamill ……………………Andy Dec Brad Blackburn vs. Ryo Chonan……………..Chonan Sub Pat Barry vs. Dan Evensen……………………..Barry KO

Best of luck to him, and let us know how it turns out.

I find it so hard not to do that! We also have to put our left hand under our elbow so I usually catch myself just as the arm is moving. Was horrible last year as I had loads of interviews for the universities I applied to and I was praying that the lecturers didn't notice! I've caught myself doing that as well. Its a tough habit to break!

I'd heard that Batman was going to die here soon. Now what will DC sell?

Things are well for me. I am happy with my job right now, and am waiting patiently for my chance to move up. TKD is going well, but I have shifted a focus into getting my 1st dan in Combat Hapkido. I want to do this before I test for my next TKD rank. I'd also like to start a Combat Hapkido class at our TKD school, but I don't know if that will happen.

Emerich has had his hand in several movies like this. Independence Day comes to mind. He likes to destroy big things, and civilization in general, it seems . But, this does look interesting, and I might be willing to see it in theaters.

Good points, Joe. It doesn't always have to be about the physical; in fact, I would be willing to bet that most times, it won't be. These ideas of preparation, and just being present, can be deferences in themselves.

I don't recall that Pat Morita was a Martial Artist. Fumio Demura was his double in The Karate Kid movies.

Joe, when you land, are you then firing off and kicking with the other leg? You can do a mini switch back kick set here, if you have a timer or something. Set if for 15 or 30 seconds, and do a set or two. Good burner, if you feel you have your technique down well enough to focus on reps like this. If not, then focus on the technique, until you feel confident in it. Something that may make this faster for you is doing the 45 degree round kick, like shown in the Revolution of Kicking tutorials we watched. This version is easier to control, I think, and will be a touch faster for you, as well. However, it isn't the "full" round kick. Another variation of the switch round kick you can do is like this: instead of switching your feet and kicking, instead, do a siccor type motion with your feet, without switching the lead hand. The lead leg will be crossed and behind what was your rear foot. Then, unleash the kick with the leg crossed behind you, which was your lead leg. It might be another trick you can use. Let me know if that doesn't make sense. 12-19-08 Front leg front thrusting kick: 3x10 each side. Jab: 3x20 each side. Back leg front thrusting kick: 3x10 each side. Cross: 2x20 each side. 12-22-08 Defensive Tactics: 8:30 - 10:20. We did a lot of stick work today, and it was quite fun. We worked off some Close Quarters Combatives material, and to top it off, my workout partner bought me a pair of sticks while he was travelling, so we could work together. Merrry Christmas to me!

I have not seen chest guards that go on the inside of the uniform. I don't think they would offer quite as much protection. I use one from Choi Brothers, and it is ok, but I don't like them in general. Perhaps some from places like Kwon or Adidas would fit better.

I have never really heard of these issues before. I honestly don't think that it would fool anyone. As far as gi pants go, I think would prefer that they be functional and comfortable, as opposed to anything else.

I'm not sure, but if it weren't for politics, then I don't think we'd have so many different styles, especially under the umbrellas of Karate, Kempo, TKD, etc. Sure, there are bound to be differences between styles, due to culture and the like, but the branches of Karate, Kung Fu, etc., I think mostly come from personal differences that became political.

That's a rough deal. Hopefully, once he gets through that rough patch, he'll be steady again. Perhaps this is a one-time deal.

On the contrary, I think that the JKD school could teach you "the real deal" when it comes to trapping, but it just won't be as complex a system as it is in Wing Chun. It will still serve you well.

I see what you are saying here, and in a situation like this, when one approaches another with individual help, I don't see the problem with it, either. But, at the same time, I'm under the impression that this is isn't in relation to an entire class, or a section of the class. More like a "I have done it this way, and it works for me; you might give it a try..." approach. Much different from being put in the charge of a child, teaching you a skill for a class.

Ozpunker brings up an interesting viewpoint. When he says "practice," it obviously refers to training. When a martial arts technique is to be identified, is it automatically to be associated with a trained fighter, no matter what level (belt as usual measurement) s/he is at, to "legitimize" it as a martial arts technique? Here, I don't think that it matters if someone has never learned to throw a punch in there life; if they are punching in self-defense/fighting, then it is a Martial Arts technique, in my mind. When I see an approach like this, then I think of a situation that might sound funny, but comes to a point: Guy 1..."..boy, I think he knocked you out, man. You ok?" Guy 2..."Yeah, I'm fine. But he's not a Martial Artist, so at least I didn't get knocked out be a Martial Arts technique." Seen in a context like this, I just don't think that there are combative techniques that aren't MA techniques. I think that this sums it up pretty well.

Ahh,but isn't this the point, how do you qualify this. Yes, there are good teachers and bad out there, and to extent I buy into the "you can teach or you can't" way of thinking, but I don't think it stops there. Good teaching is down to good communication and classroom management, thats a given. True in depth technical knowledge is something else. imo. This is perhaps why we have a lot of very enthusiastic ma clubs around the uk who are taught by "effervescent" teachers who nurture very keen students, but at the end of the day "technically" they are rubbish. Understanding of technique/purpose is king. The rest is down to how you get it across. I can see what both are saying here. I think WNM has the edge, though, as in many MAs, upon becoming a black belt, may be asked to help some students. They can very quickly find out then that the way they learned a technique may not be the way the person they are helping is able to pick it up. So, you have to be able to change tack, and help in a different way, to get the same results. Not everyone can do this. At the risk of "double quoting," I'd like to point out this statemtent: What I think WNM is saying here (and please jump in an correct me if I am wrong....) is that it is easy to teach the talented students. I take the most pride in helping those that are not as talented, or blessed with some natural attribute, and seeing that light bulb come on, and their face light up and say "oh yeah!"