bushido_man96

Looking at Ninjitsu in this way is not really the most efficient path to take. What you want to look at is what Ninjistu would have incorporated as far as tactics went for the weapons and empty hand fighting techniques. So, you would be looking more at a skill set much like what the Samurai would have used, except possibly not as extensive, because the Ninja was not a battlefield unit. So, they would have had a system to train in swordsmanship, along with their ranged weapons of choice. As for their fighting styles, they would probably have been very focused in hand strikes and attacks used for stealth, like from behind to attack the neck/throat, but most of the times, smaller arms like daggers or dirks would have been used in accordance with these.

I agree, USCMAAI. It is very foolish to underestimate anyone; including women. I have had to deal with some that have gotten very froggy at times, and it ain't no picnic!

That's really cool! Nobody better come looking for trouble at one of your family reunions! I guess I should add my wife to the list I made earlier, too. After all, I met her at class!

Open handed blocking in this manner, which I usually refer to as a parry, is a very viable and useful manner of defending attacks. Open hands can be used for trapping as well, if you decide to take it that far. There is a reason that Boxers cover or parry/slip jabs; they come to fast to really block, and then are pulled back just as fast. In self-defense drills, we use parries to direct an attacking limb into the other hand, which leads to traps, grabs, holds, etc. Just like the other blocking methods, it is a great tool to have availble to you. Why did your instructor admonish you for this? Was it because you were hooking and grabbing the attacks? If this is the case, I can see why he would do that, if grabbing isn't allowed in your sparring rules. But hooking and "sliding" the attacks away shouldn't be a problem, I don't think. When we spar in class, we put on the chest protectors, and have to make contact. In tournaments, the contact has to be trembling shock or "stumbling blow" to register a point. So, there has to be some mustard on the moves to make them score. In class, when I see that an attack isn't even going to make contact, then I don't waste energy blocking it. When you do that, it is counter-intuitive to what learning to block is about. If you attempt to block techniques that aren't going to connect, then you end up reaching for them, to apply the block. Nothing good can happen when you stretch out the limbs like that. So, in a class like that, I wouldn't even be using energy to block any of the attacks that aren't going to make contact. Its just my opinion, but I just don't think non-contact benefits anyone.

I see your point here, tallgeese, and it is a good one. But, some practitioners enjoy the aspects of training that katas and hyungs provide, so they like to hold onto them, and to dig the interpretations out of the moves (whether this is for better or worse, who can say? Or which is the more efficent method?). I think that the fact of the matter is that katas as vehicles of technique transmission are pretty much here to stay, so it is good that those who study them also have the opportunity to work on the interpretations as well.

I agree. Showing the defense to a lapel grab using the high block is a good defensive move, and easy to learn and retain. It also gives the students something to visualize when practicing katas/hyungs.

I like 'em straight out of the oven, all hot and gooey. Can't beat that!

A lot of it will depend on how savvy a fighter they are, and how you set it up, too. If a fighter is experienced, he is probably tucking his chin, which will make it hard for a direct punching attack. A spear hand thrust might get in, but it will still be tough. Also, if he has a good Boxing guard, with his hands up about his face, getting around the guard for knife hand strikes will be tough as well, as they are easy strikes to block. So, you have to have a plan to make it work.

9-19-08 At the park: Pull-ups: 2 palm out, 2 palm in, 2 palm out, 2 palm in, 2 palm out. Sitting pull-ups: 2x5 The pull-ups weren't full ones, but I pulled up as high as I could.

Cool! Congrats to your instructor, DWx!

Very nice. That was a cool scene. I'll have to watch that movie.

Nice. Thanks for sharing it.

What is "improper" about the way that you train now? Do you feel the training is genuine, and that you are learning something that is effective? If that is the case, then I would stay with him.

Kind of like a bob before throwing the punch?

Very nice. Its that philosophy that makes you continue to hone even your basic techniques, to get closer and closer to being able to attain a perhps unattainable goal. I didn't know that ITF had single wrap belts, either. All my TKD black belts have been double wrapped.

I'm not sure about the MAist being held to a higher standard bit. I think that usually, it is something more akin to the card a defense attorney will play to the jury.

All good points. Yes, DWx, I do think that sport training can affect the way you will train and fight. Now, if you don't train for sport as much, like me, then it is easier for me to get away with a not-as-much kicking style.

I find it strange that you would be admonished for using blocks in sparring that don't "pertain to the style." I would think that as long as it was effective, that not much could be said. Blocks tend to become a different beast in sparring anyway, not resembling the way basics are done. I find this kind of odd.

I don't think that Okinawan MAs came from China. They may have Chinese influence, but to assume that Okinawan fisherman learned Chinese arts, and that formed the roots of the Okinawan styles, I think is off. Okinawans had a system of their own, and they probably were influenced some by China.

I agree with you exactly.

I found an online video that refers to what Abernathy does with the downward motion of the high block, Bushido Man. The first segment has the opponent going down; there's also a segment against a large opponent: http://www.blackbeltmag.com/kelly_mccann_armdrag_takedown_technique/videos/135 That's a good one. The first motion is what Abernethy does, but instead of the arm drag, he drives the forearm back up into the head. I'm sure he would do the arm drag takedown as well.

Wait a second...is there any other kind?????

Oh, don't worry! This old dog won't change much. I'm sure I'll see some new perspectives, but they won't necessarily become my perspectives. Yes, I have already seen where some of the compliments can come into play with each other. I look forward to working them together eventually. And yes, the Japanese will have to come as well. It'll be tough, but I think I can manage...

I would guess that the empty hand techniques stem from a style of Jujitsu of some kind, much like that the Samurai would have learned.

I do enjoy watching the Kyokushin videos. That guard is still useful, even for body attacks.