bushido_man96

Regardless of size, there has to be some skill present there in order to become a champion Boxer. Being big helps, I'm sure. But if he is big and skilled, then look out!

If you think that their character needs to be built, then sure. However, I don't know if I would look at it in such a manner. I guess for me it would depend more on their attitude towards the training and classes than anything else. I have an interesting story that goes along with this idea of double promotions, so I'll share it now.... Prior to getting into the TKD organization that I am with now, I had attained the rank of 2nd degree black belt and certified instructor in the ATA. It was TKD, but the forms and one-steps requirements were different. When I signed up with my new org, I didn't expect to be boosted ahead. There was also another individual that took this TKD class as well, and he had prior experience, too. He wasn't quite a black belt, but he was just one or two belts away, I think, in a WTF style, that really focused on Olympic style sparring. This fella was younger and definitely more athletic than me, too. Well, when it came time for our first testing, we both got bumped up a few ranks. I didn't ask for this, but the instructor felt that I could handle it. So, we spent the next testing cycle learning more than the usual set of one form and one-steps. This went fairly well, and I got to skip again after the next testing. After that, I mentioned that learning the extra forms was getting a little taxing, so I didn't skip anymore after that. The other fella only skipped the one time, if I remember right. Now, the other guy really liked to compete, so he did. However, I chose not to compete while I was a colored belt in this new org. I didn't really think it would be very cool of me as a colored belt with black belt experience sparring other guys that had only been in for a half year or so, whereas I had perhaps 5 years worth of experience. But the other guy wanted to compete, and he did. I never chided him for it, but just made my own choice not too (not that some of the colored belts probably could have beaten me, anyways ). So, I think that this is something else to consider as well when making the decision to hold rank from a student with prior experience in a similar style. I know not every style is based on competition, but it is another matter to consider in the case, I think.

This week kind of sucks for me. I have so much stuff going on that I haven't been able to make it to a class, and I'll be out of town this weekend, so I won't get to Aikido class, either. I guess I'll have to take some solo time...

That does sound pretty far-fetched. I wonder how they would compensate for rotation, revolutions, etc.

Nope. Crazy. Never dream of trying it.

That's cool. Looks tasty....

I think this will be great. The only thing that disappointed me was that there wasn't a Hulk 2 in the mix. Even with the way they ended it, I thought that they would get another in there. But, at any rate, he should be in the Avengers movie.

At age 46, I'm not sure what to expect from him. Hopefully, it'll be a good fight.

We may be making too big a deal out of the Slice loss. I'm not saying that he's the best fighter out there, but what if we match him and the Silverback up 2 more times, and see what the results were? What do you think?

I think that this is usually at the discretion of the instructor. I went from one TKD org to another, so I moved up a few belts each test. I would not expect this in the Aikdo classes I take, as they don't relate that much. Likewise, I wouldn't expect the same to happen in a Karate class, either. In the end, it may depend on the student's ability to assimilate the curriuclum, and at what level of understanding.

10-8-08 Aikitaisos Irimi motion: 40, 20 on each side. Tenkan: 40, 20 on each side. Austrailian push-ups: 2x10. These really worked my biceps.

Its cool! I am really enjoying the classes. There are some differences in the breakfalls that I do in Hapkido and what we do in Aikido, and I am having to spend some time adjusting. The Aikitaisos are still perplexing, but I have been practicing a few of them on my own, and even found a way to integrate one of them into the DT workout I did this week. Its just another example of how the various MA styles really do cross over.

Thanks again, rmclain.

That is pretty cool. It harkens to a time when more of the world's leaders were actually warriors prior to their rules...

It sounds to like you might take sword arts as an example. I think that you are right here. Its hard to argue the practicality of using sword combat today, unless you can actually carry a sword now and then.

I have heard some people say that they like to get their back to a corner when fighting multiples. I don't know how good of an idea this is, but I can see the pros and cons of it. At least you know there isn't anyone behind you.

Congrats on your promotion!

Cool. Its these little things that we take for granted when we see new game technology come out, I think.

I won't miss any of those words....

Some cool concepts there.

Very funny!

Yeah, I'd say stick with it. Its just another obstacle to overcome.

Interesting story. They make a good point by stating that they had Slice matched against a ground fighter in the first place. Who knows.

Congrats on your first board break! Its quite fun, isn't it? There aren't many things more satisfying than hearing the crack of that wood. 10-6-08 Pull-ups: 2 partial, then 2 assisted, then 4 assisted, at a lower setting on the machine. I have noticed a difference when I use a grip that isn't so wide. Push-ups: 20 Defensive Tactics: 10:15 - 11:30. We had a pretty good session here today. We started with doing forearms strikes on BOB. Then we worked into doing statue drills with forearms strikes. Block-Pass-Pin drills came next, then Block-Pass-Pin with inserts, with the inserts consisting of some forearm strikes. The next drill was the forearm clothesline, done against a roundhouse punch, and then a straight punch. Block-Pass was used to defend the punches, along with a motion we do in Aikido called "irimi," in which we would do basically a steal-step to get behind the attacker, and then we drive the forearm through their body at a downward angle. A reap or trip is optional. We then moved on to a head-twist takedown. We used the same "irimi" motion to get past the punch, but instead of closthelining, we would get behind the attacker, seize the chin and head, and then twist to a takedown, lying the attacker flat on their belly to then cuff or whatever. We then worked a variation where we pulled the attacker back onto our bent front leg (like resting them on the front leg of a front stance). Then we applied an attack to the arms, like turning a steering wheel, which would twist them over onto their belly again, where we could control and cuff. This last option would allow us to control one of the arms when the attacker ended up on their face, which is good for cuffing, etc. This module that we did had a good sense of flow to it, and started with the forearm strikes, and stayed with the forearm theme for the most part. I think that using the forearms as attacking tools is often overlooked, and it is a great tool for combat, especially as a gross motor skill. Later in the day... Side kicks lying on the floor: 3x10 on each side. 10-7-08 Park: Pull-ups: 8 total, and the first 2 were close to being full.

Very nice as well.