bushido_man96

That was my thought as well. Hard training can develop all kinds of intrapersonal aspects, like dedication, perserverance, indomintable spirit, and the like.

I think you can introduce various levels of sparring at different intervals. If it were me, for example, I would have them just do grappling/submission wrestling at first. Just like a Kids' Wrestling set up, but with an MMA aspect. They could do this for years and not get hurt, as long as control is there. Kids start Wrestling at around 4 I think, and this could start about the same time, I think. Now, they could add in Boxing/Kickboxing at around ages 13, I think, but with all the protective gear, and in very controlled sparring sessions; not competitive sessions. If you wanted to get them some competition experience at this point, TKD or Karate style tournaments might be the way to go. Once they get to high school, I think the actual competing and more serious training could start.

Hopefully he does. Especially the combat stuff.

I have heard that most of the Gracies are really nice people.

I think a stare-down ends up being more attached to an ego thing than anything else. What can you win with a stare-down? If you have those really intimidating eyes, you might deter someone's ideas, but more often than not, I don't know that it garners anything. I think if someone glared me down, I'd start looking away, and breaking eye contact, so they might start thinking that they do have me intimidated. Then I might have one up on them.

I don't think it is so much a case of abandoning your ways, but of tailoring your training to include other ideas, and not limited to just physical self-defense. For example, bringing in a police officer to teach your class how to speak with officers after an encounter. Teaching the use of force curriculum. And something I would like to do more of myself, dealing with pre- and post-fight concepts.

I was reading an interview in Classical Fighting Arts magazine with Sensei Pat Nakata, and toward the end of the interview he was asked to share his philosophy on Karate training. He answered that he had no philosophy toward Karate training, but to train hard. Nothing fancy, nothing really deep. Just good, old fashioned, hard work in training. I found it refreshing to see this. I know that many members here already know my outlook on various MA philosophies and beliefs. This one is one that I like.

Nice!

Cool. Does it chime the Imperial March when the toast is done?

11-6-08 Push-ups: 3x20

Use it as a tool as well; tell him that if he can demonstrate some control at school with the other kids, then you'll let him start training. At any rate, I'd say let him start. Just see if you can get him to understand to control himself some more, especially if he is going to be learning some more moves.

I use a downward block at times in sparring, when kicks tend to get to the lower abdomen level. It could also have a use of striking the groin with a hammerfist.

That just about sums it up for me, too. I just don't see any need to over analyze anything. I don't think that this is really the case; making things easier for us (Westerners) to achieve. It has more to do with how we choose to achieve our goals, and what avenues we wish to take to reach them.

Still, tallgeese, 25 pull-ups at a time is a chunk. I'm still having trouble with one at a time! Now, push-ups, I am getting better at. 11-5-08 Push-ups: 25, 25, 20 Floor kicks Side kick: 10 each leg Round kick: 10 each leg Hook kick: 10 each leg Hook/round kick: 10 each leg Hook/round/side kick: 10 each leg That makes 80 kicks on each leg. The hips were complaining afterwards. Felt good.

Wecome to KF, and welcome to the world of Martial Arts! Be forewarned, MA training can become addictive! Now, as for the sites you showed: Well, one thing I don't like is 45 minute classes. I think you need at least an hour for a class, in order for it to be productive. I wouldn't pay $150 per month for a class, either. Aside from that, like DWx said, its hard to tell by looking at the websites. You should really go visit each school, watch a few classes, and then make a decision. Also, ask questions when you go. I was wondering, how did you confirm that any of the schools were a McDojo?

I can see how that comes in, the way you describe it. I think that it is important to realize that forms practice is a sterile environment, where everything is clean and crisp, whereas when it comes to resisting application, the appearances of things can change a bit. So, its important to get good practice sessions in on both.

I know that there are some clips on YouTube of some combat Tai Chi. They show the guy doing the Tai Chi moves against an attacking opponent. You might try a search like that in YouTube to get a head start on your ideas.

Thanks, tallgeese. It came to me, thinking about Bill Wallace's side-on fighting stance that I have been trying to mimic. It works well for what I do, and how we spar in class. However, if I came into your gym to workout, I would be more than likely to go back to my old reliable stance, with my hands up, head covered, and body more forward.

I'd have to say that you two guys are a touch deeper than I am. A nice article, though. And a nice response, Joe. As for me, I just go to class and learn technique and application.

That is a great attitude to have. Also, realizing what you are capable of, and should have performed, makes you look really good, too, I think.

Do you do 100 pull ups at a time? Or broken up into sets? And how the hell did you develop your pull-up muscles so well? 11-4-08 I was driving home from my parents house this afternoon, and was finding myself falling asleep. So, to stay awake, I did finger closings with my hands to work my forearms, and also did lots of jabs and palm strikes.

I think that the kids could learn some good things from MMA training, concerning conditioning, pad work, strategy, technique, etc. However, I don't think that they should necessarily be fighting this young.

My most reliable defensive stance is like a Boxer's stance. I tend to block a lot, cram inside, and then attack. I try to work angles a bit, too.

When discussing a topic like this, it is important to know what context we are discussing it in. For instance, using my side-on stance is easier for me to get away with in my sparring sessions, due to the rules of our sparring. But, as you can notice from tallgeese's advise, you can see that his sparring has different objectives than that of my class. Its important to note the situation and the circumstances when making adjustments to your stances.

Awesome!