bushido_man96

I am glad that you brought this up, because it isn't something that we deal with a lot. However, the fact of the matter is that in a pass/fail grading, like many MA tests are/should be, there is always this possibility. We don't like to think about it, but it can happen. It has happened to me. I think that the most important thing to do is to not quit attending the dojo. If you like the training, and you feel it is good and beneficial, then stick with it. This is a learning experience, just like a tournament loss. You learn from it, and move on. Its tough to not compare your level to the ability level of others testing, but you are evaluated on what your ability level is, and how much you improve compared to how long you've been in. Stick this out. Don't worry about what others think of you. In the end, this will make you stronger and better, and in the end, you'll know that your rank wasn't handed to you.

Solid, tallgeese. Many schools have a curriculum that is attached to a testing cycle; so, you learn the forms/techniques for your belt level, and then move on when you pass the test. There will be some overlap, of course, but as far as moving onward and upward, many schools do it that way. Like tallgeese said, though, making sure that someone has achieved a reasonable level of abilty with a technique or series of techniques, then you can begin to add to it, or advance beyond it. You can't expect expertise right away, so waiting for perfection will stop you at teaching someone how to do a reverse punch/right cross. Another important thing is to not hurry things along too much. Take your time, and get it done right the first time.

I agree. When the weather is nice, its hard not to enjoy it. I spent my afternoon cleaning out my vehicles, and running to the carwash.

It sounds like you had a good time! Good deal for you.

Sounds good, unknownstyle. I'm glad that you feel confident in your decision.

I would agree that this picture shows the throw being executed in the earlier video. Kind of like a fireman's carry throw.

Makes the most sense, especially considering the height difference. I remember a guy who had started in Judo, but changed to Tae Kwon Do, which he did well in. He explained to me that his height was his Judo problem, that being tall, he was "lifting" his opponents all-too-often, while they could toss him all around. He found an advantage of being tall in TKD; i.e., longer legs for firing out kicks at a safe distance from his opponent. Being tall is ok, as long as you remember that the key is getting your hips lower than your opponents. Being taller does make this tougher, but it something that you have to adapt to in training.

I think it should, though. After all, the Martial Arts were originally meant for combat, be it military of civilian. I think that the philosophical side can be a valid bonus of Martial Arts training, but if the style you study isn't helping your Martial training and abilities (physically, for the most part), then I don't think it is deserving of the Martial tag.

Congrats!

All right! I like the Cubs, so I take them in the NL. My wife kind of likes the Dodgers, so the NLDS could be interesting. In the AL, I think that the Angels are the best team, and look for them to make the World Series. Cubs, Angels, and I am rooting for the Cubs.

This looks to be a good season, but I don't get Versus, so I'll miss it. 17 foot rings does sound small. I'd love to see some of those fights. I also think Danza will be a great host, too.

I remember there being a small contingent of Inheritance followers here, so I wondered if anyone had picked up a copy of Brisingr yet. I've got mine, and will be reading it shortly.

Absolutely! And why not? You know, thats when they grab some toy of theirs, and then you can get some interesting results. Kids are the kings and queens of improvised weapons! Along with being just the right height to bust you in the nuts, "accidentally" of course...

Solid post, tallgeese. I like this section here: I think you are right. Its about the totality of the self-defense situations, and being able to handle them. I think this is some good information.

Here's a new one: You know you're obsessed when you look at a broomstick and dustpan as a makeshift sword and buckler set.

Cheers "bushido-man96". I see you have a few posts under your belt. Oh, just a few....

My son loves the movie Cars, too. We have seen it about 700 times, now.

For dynamic, not only chaining together attacks, but also dealing with the attacks of the other person, who is not going to just let you attack. Many forms of sparring help to achieve this. However, I think it is important to change the rules of sparring from time to time, to get students out of their comfort zones. Yes, I think that scenarios are a great way to train. The low-lighting knife work is a good idea, too. Also, just having someone put a weapon on the ground while two are sparring is a great way to add spice to the chaos.

Very true. Its funny though, that the training methods of alot of martial arts classes are: 1. Static 2. pre-defined. I agree, cross. I think that too many, my opening thread may sound obvious, but this is the very reason that I wanted to point it out.

I don't think the words here are vague at all. Combat involves at least 2 people moving and with and against each other, thus the dynamics of combat include at least the movement of 2 people against each other. In other words, combat isn't like a one-step. As for the chaos, that's what combat is. Its random, and can be uncontrolled. The environment and the actions of the other person make it so.

Good call here. Test cutting with sword techniques and "test breaking" with hand and foot techniques could have a common relation. If you did one with a weapon, why not with your natural weapons? I think I read that Anko Itosu was known to test his striking ability on wooden objects, like doors and whatnot.

I think she would have dipped her hips low, to get under him, then stand up and toss. That's my guess.

I feel that most Aikido would offer that their art is a form of self-defense, along with their philosophical viewpoints. The student handbook of the Association I will be joining says this. I think that if a style is going to tout itself as a Martial Art, then it should be focusing on aspects of self-defense. If not, then it should be called something else.

I'd like to add a different viewpoint to this discussion now. Take a TKDer or a Karateka, who takes their time and splits it up between kicking with the feet, and punching/striking with the hands. Aren't we, in practicing these styles, essentially taking time away from one skill set, like using the feet, by focusing on both? Now, take Boxers, who only use their hands. By focusing only on hands, do they stand to become the "master of one," whereas in other MAs that use both punching and kicking, tend to be "master of none?"