bushido_man96

Congrats, Zack! Keep on trucking!

Agreed. So many colored belt trainees see it as a culmination of the their training up to that point. I think for many, it's hard to see what's past it, and therefore, many quit after reaching that point, seemingly happy with accomplishing an objective. Those who can see what lies beyond are the ones that dedicate themselves to the long journey.

I thought the tournament choreography in the first season was a bit excessive. I would have preferred more of a throwback to the first movie.

Thanks, Bob! But I think I'll skip the CrossFit events...a bit too much for me. 4/2/2021 Strength Training Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 205x3, 225x1, 260x5, 260x5, 260x5. Press: 45x5x2, 75x5, 95x2, 127.5x5, 127.5x5, 127.5x5. Deadlifts: 135x5, 205x3, 225x1, 245x1, 290x5. During squats, I tried to focus on coming up the whole time I was descending to the bottom. I think it helped. Press was tougher, and I went to breathing at the top with no stop at the bottom, and also wearing the belt. Deadlifts were hard. Maybe only 5 lb increases from here forward.

Well that's a bummer. Hopefully you're able to find some good doctors and get set up in no time.

Thanks for sharing all that information, Danielle. I might have to bring it up to the CI, and let him mull it over.

De-escalation is still a valuable tactic to learn, and not every confrontation will be like this for you. But sometimes, you have to switch gears and show that you won't be stepped on or run over. Sounds like you adjusted and did what needed to be done.

A bit off topic, but if you are still interested in pursuing a legitimate certification in strength training, you should check out the Starting Strength Coach Certification. It sounds exactly like what you were looking for. Now, it's not an easy certification to obtain by any stretch, but it would be well worth your time.

Hmmm. Observe techniques as though not observing....what do you suppose this means? To me, to observe means more than just to watch. It's to study, learn, and attempt to understand something. Doing this without preconceived notions is important, especially if one is trying to keep an open mind.

We are going to see it this Saturday! Can't wait! GOOODZIIILLLLLAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patrick, I agree with you about the amount of violence with the kids. It's really crazy the way they display it!

3/31/2021 Strength Training Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 185x3, 205x1, 225x1, 255x5, 255x5, 255x5. Press: 45x5x2, 75x5, 95x2, 125x5, 125x5, 125x5. Deadlifts: 135x5, 185x3, 205x1, 225x1, 245x1, 280x5. Another good session, but press was tough today. Not sure why, but it was tough. The squat session went well, and I think I only misgrooved one rep, on the third set. Deadlifts are feeling heavier, but I'm happy with it so far. MA Training TKD Class: 6:30 - 7:00 pm. T-shirt class. After some stretching, I went through my black belt forms; Kwang Gae, Poe Eun, Gae Baek, Se Jong, Yoo Sin, and Choong Jang. All went pretty well.

This is great news! Do your current doctors perhaps have some recommendations, or can make referrals to doctors in Vegas, to get you set up with them prior to moving there?

That doesn't seem like a bad price, depending on the versatility of the equipment.

It sounds like you've accumulated some great experience and knowledge, and have a plan for incorporating it into your brand of training. I think this is a fantastic thing, and I highly encourage it.

I agree. Then my next testing wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg.

3/29/2021 Strength Training Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 185x3, 205x1, 225x1, 250x5, 250x5, 250x5. Press: 45x5x2, 75x5, 95x2, 122.5x5, 122.5x5, 122.5x5. Deadlifts: 135x5, 185x3, 205x1, 225x1, 270x5. Squats felt good today. Only a few bad reps, but overall, felt good. Deadlifts were good; rep 4 floated away from me, but I got it back on rep 5. MA Training Weapons: I got about 10 minutes of stick work in with Kenneth before leaving for class. We worked on single stick flow drills, and I spent some time mirroring him to get the motions of the strikes down a bit better, keeping them more under control. TKD Class: 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Black belt class. Warmed up with Do-Kangs 1-4, then went into three-steps while some recommended black belts brushed up on some forms prior to their testing. I made it through all 12, with them getting a bit rougher closer to the last ones. Just need more time with them. There is one of them that ends up kind of like an Aikido shio-nage, but we stop it at the shoulder and do a dislocation. I hate the technique, and I can never seem to get situated to the point of actually getting the lock like others do on me. It's really frustrating. And then, some of the last ones just don't seem to flow well, and I don't like much about how they work. We finished with some Ho Sin Sul work. We went back to our kick defenses, catching mid-level round kicks and then doing a reap or twisting the leg for a takedown. During the course of our work, I brought up possibilities with getting to a mount, which progresses to ground fighting a bit. After the class, the instructor said he didn't want to get the cart before the horse on the ground fighting stuff, which I didn't think we did. We didn't work it with the rest of the class, I just kind of explored it. But, oh well. No big deal. In the end, I thought it was another good class. I stretched a little afterwards, and a little later on at home.

It's easy to focus on the all the bad things happening in the world right now, and I truly understand your point of view in regards to not wanting to leave your students wanting. As an instructor, I think it's important to be real with them, and not to promise anything other than what you can deliver (which is what I believe you are doing). In the long run, I'm not so focused on my students "winning" fights. I want them to survive and get away, or protect their loved ones if necessary. Not all of that is synonymous with winning, at least not in the sense of an MMA match, a Wrestling match, a Boxing match, etc. I think that is where the big differences lie.

I do tend to agree with other posters here that there tends to be a negative stigma associated with self-promotion. Another option he could have considered was speaking with different organizations about his predicament, and see if he could seek a promotion through said organization, if they deemed it appropriate. But even that option tends to open up some more negative stigma, such as why he had to switch organizations, did he just pay another organization to promote him, etc. There is no good answer here, it seems.

3/26/2021 Strength Training Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 185x3, 205x1, 225x1, 245x5, 245x5, 245x5. Press: 45x5x2, 75x5, 95x2, 120x5, 120x5, 120x5. Deadlifts: 135x5, 185x3, 205x1, 225x1, 260x6. I got a leather punch in, and as kind of a point of pride, I had to punch a new hole in my weightlifting belt in order to get it to cinch up just right. 3/28/2021 MA Training Weapons: I got my sticks in, so Kenneth and I did some single stick drills for about 15 minutes. I was getting him familiar with the different strikes at first, and then we did some flow drills.

I agree with the fact that technique needs to be sharp and the Karateka needs to be able to demonstrate their skills with them. I tend to agree with Bob in that not all black belts can teach, but I do think that when asked, a black belt should be able to demonstrate their knowledge and an ability to relate that knowledge to some extent. As far as being competent in boxing or grappling goes, I don't necessarily agree. Those are two different disciplines, and to spend too much time trying to hone boxing and grappling skills takes away from honing Karate skills and methods. I think you allow them to explore those things on their own. But, I do think that some exposure to them, based off your own knowledge, training, and experience, can be beneficial to their training. If you want all of your Karateka to be super athletes, then you'll have to be selective about the kinds of students you train. You'll want to train natural athletes, those who are explosive and fast. Personally, I wouldn't do yoga, even for free. I do strength training on my own, because I find value in it. But I don't force those things on my students, especially as black belt requirements, because not all of them have the time or desire to put the time into doing those things. For sure, they are beneficial, but forcing them on students will probably end up limiting the student pool you get. And the fact of the matter is that not everyone can or will become a "super athlete." Especially the older population. This is admirable, but again, I don't think attainable by everyone. There are people who, talented as they may be physically, just aren't geared that way psychologically. It's the whole sheep, sheepdog, and wolf principle. But, I do think it is possible to train this to an extent, yet mileage will vary depending on the individual. This is admirable, and is what I think all styles should be working towards. Our school has been taking steps to work on more self-defense oriented things, and I think it is going to pay dividends. The students seem to be enjoying it, and seeing applications and discussing actual situational issues stimulates the students in thinking about their techniques in different ways. This is a tough one. I think it's important for students to understand coming into it that Karate and MMA training are two very different things. MMA is much more focused on things like pad work and drilling with partners, moving in the ring, etc. I think encouraging students to go experience that kind of training would be very beneficial. I like the thoughts behind the path you want to put before your students. Just putting in writing shows that you have a plan, and shows that it matters to you what and how your students do and perform. I think it's great.

This is a very interesting situation. I'd be very interested in knowing all sides of that story, but unfortunately, we probably never will. Normally, I'd say that to promote oneself would seem to be self-aggrandizing, and probably only done for personal reasons (improving business prospects, etc.). However, on the flip side of this, is the politics that we all know exist in the Martial Arts world. And politics in MA cause all kinds of issues; splinter factions of different organizations (hell, there are three "different" ITF orgs), or people just starting their own "style." These things happen, and not all of the splits that have happened have been negative. For the time being, I think I'll withhold judgement in lieu of gaining more information about the situation.

I'd say if you can find it, do it for sure. Both of my boys wrestle, and I've had some great times working and training things with them. But, being 43 myself at the time of this posting, it's gotten harder and harder for me to work things like takedowns with them.

This is what I've seen in my experience, as well. I see a more likely chance of this happening when the classes are mixed, and not separated into kids and adult classes. That way, they get the feeling of truly training together. I absolutely agree with you here, Bob. I think the vast majority probably feel like they don't have the time to dedicate to it.

3/24/2021 Strength Training Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 185x3, 240x5, 240x5, 240x5. Press: 45x5x2, 75x5, 95x2, 117.5x5, 117.5x5, 117.5x5. Deadlifts: 135x5, 185x3, 205x1, 225x1, 250x5. I really felt like I misgrooved some squats today. MA Training Class tonight wasn't really a class; there were only two of us there. So, I spent a half hour going through all colored belt forms and one-steps, and also did Kwang Gae, Poe Eun, and Gae Baek. Finished with a good stretch that felt really nice.