bushido_man96

That sounds like a cool idea. Hopefully, it takes off over there.

Some organizations have set fees, and the HQ will get a kickback usually. If you plan on being affiliated, then that is something to consider.

Great answer, tallgeese. Please don't think the question just goes to MMA_Jim, either....I welcome anyone's response!

Exactly. Even getting together with both an attorney and an LEO to figure out how you should articulate these things would be a wise idea.

I think that there is a lot of truth to this statement. When you begin fighting, you have the lessons that have been taught to you, but you also learn that what was good for someone else, may not work as well for you, too. There is a lot of truth here, too. When you begin to teach, you have to learn different ways of relating the things you learned to others. Not everyone learns the same way, either. It is important to be able to take different approaches to teaching the same things, even if they are the most basic of things.

Hey, tallgeese. When I get some time, I can give you an idea of what we do with our Combat Hapkido. Right now, we are going through curriculum, for the most part. I don't know if it is listed anywhere online, though. I do have some ideas of some things that I want to focus on if and when I ever get a chance to teach it. I am really excited this week, because my daughter is not baby-sitting, and I will get to go to TKD class 3 times this week!!!! Yeaaaaaa!!!!

Thanks for the vids, and the info, DWx. ITF-C kind of threw me at first; now I know why. What was the front kick with the toes straight up in the air in Ko-Dang? Does it have a name, other than front kick? It just looked different to me. As far as Ju-Che goes, it looks like an interesting form. Lots of interesting kicking techniques in it. Balancing and doing a slow turning hook kick would be tough for me. For some reason, my organization doesn't do either of these forms. I am not sure why, but I do know that there is some funky history between the GM of my organization and the WTF. He was once a member of it, but has since moved on. Now, we do the ITF forms. But not these.

This is very true. I have a brother who is 5'10", and about 320 lbs. He is strong as an ox, too. If I try to manipulate his wrists in any way, I am pretty much screwed. About the only way I can begin to do so is by using lots of distraction/diminishing techniques, and then I might be able to pull something off. Being big makes a big difference.

MMA_Jim, that was a good post. There are a few things that I would disagree with, but for the most part, you bring a lot of good points to light. This statement really brings out a lot. There are a lot of MMA fighters out there who have/do study other "traditional" styles, like in your scenario. In the end, by getting into competing in MMA matches, what they really end up altering is like tallgeese mentions; their training methodologies. I have a question for you, though. Would you consider the fact that perhaps the TMAer that doesn't compete in MMA, but does compete regularly in his style's type of tournament competition, as willing to test his style as the MMAer does?

This is a very good point that you bring up. As a civilian, I have a lot more self-defense options (like striking the face, etc.) than I do when I have to restrain someone in the jail. In the jail, I am restricted to holds and restraints, and usually have the advantage of having assistance. However, the situation has to be just right for me to be justified in actually striking an inmate. These are good points about MMA's training methodology. The same things go with Boxing and Thai Boxing as well. A similar advantage can be found in Wrestling, Judo, and BJJ, where in these styles the practitioners are constantly working against a resisting, dynamic opponent as opposed to a cooperative one.

Thank you, sir. I had read it somewhere, but couldn't pin it down.

These are all great thoughts, everyone. Thanks for contributing thus far. Now, I would like to add a twist to this. Most of us responding in this thread spend out time practicing a Martial Art that uses a rank system; therefore, we have this black belt-realtion-to-learning analogy. Now, lets take the rank away, and talk about it this way: what about styles without rank, like Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai, etc, where there is no rank to suggest something of this nature? How and when would you describe that some more of this "deeper learning" begins to take place?

Doh! My bad!! Thanks, NightOwl! Great discussion so far, everyone. I am really enjoying everyone's thoughts on this.

What happened that you missed your chance?

If I were you, I would talk to some law enforcement officers and some attorneys to find out what options you do have in regards to this. There are physical clues that aggressors will give off when they intend to attack; I am sure that you are aware of these. It is when your students begin to recognize these signs that they can determine that an attack may be immenent. After preparing for this physically, it is important to prepare mentally as well, by learning how to justify yourself for your actions with words. I feel sorry for you having to deal with the way the law is set up there.

Although I think I may have an inkling as to the outcome here, I thought I would see what everyone's favorite 2D tournament fighting game is. Its not played much anymore, but before the 3Ds, they were great. I know that there is more than Street Fighter 2 and so on, but I am mainly just going with the franchises, here. If you have one in particular that you liked of the ongoing series' listed, name it. I know that I left out some others as well, like the Marvel comics ones that they did, so list them if you like. Edit: I can't believe I left it out, but I adjusted the poll to include Mortal Combat. Can't believe I forgot that one....

Happy 4th of July, everyone! Enjoy the beer and bar-b-ques, and don't shoot too much of you money up in smoke! I hope everyone enjoys the holiday!

Welcome to KF!

Welcome back, Champ!

I would check there, first. Otherwise, how do they know that those testing for black belt have credentials?

Well said, ps1. That is a very well-thought out post. And I see you points throughout. I do realize that not every detail of many of the techniques will be worked out by the time one has attained the rank of black belt. I also understand what you are saying about learning through time. Experience is a powerful teacher, and time brings about experience. Now, I question this: is the learning curve between 1st dan and 2nd dan all that much greater? Is that much more understanding garnered, do you think? I like to think that we can always learn something new, regardless of time in. However, I believe the learning begins to be more subtle.

I have always been a fan of the Camaro and the Corvette. The Trans Am was great, too.

That's pretty cool.

I see this time and time again, especially when we see talk of those who set a goal of attaining a black belt. Many practitioners are of the opinion that real learning doesn't begin until after achieving black belt. Many state that achieving black belt means you have now got the basics down, and the real learning can begin. My question to the community is this: do you feel this way? Do you believe this standard? Why? Why not? As for me, I don't think I hold to it all that much. I like to think that the learning really begins when your Martial Arts training begins. I also think the journey and the learning is true, from beginning throughout.

Hehe, funny.