bushido_man96

I think that a lot of people answer this question differently when they are approaching the rank of black belt than they do after they have been a black belt for some time. To me, it is kind of an indication of longevity. It shows that I have stuck it out for quite some time now. Many people think that earning the black belt is just the beginning. I kind of adhere to this philosophy a little bit. I don't like seeing people who's only goal is to earn their black belt, and then they quit. There is so much more afterwards. However, I do believe that once you obtain your black belt, there starts to become less and less that an instructor can show you, and more and more that you can learn for yourself. I am not saying that you should ditch your instructor after achieving 1st dan, or that you should no longer listen to your instructor. I do think that more free thinking should begin at this stage, and you as a student begins to truly make your Martial Art your own. I guess this what they mean when they say that it is "the beginning."

2-11-08 Defensive Tactics: 10:00 - 11:20. We worked on outside wrist lock takedowns today. We did several different approaches, and got a lot of reps in, which is important (for me, anyways). We also worked on a bit of the hammer lock. Bag work: step together round kicks, Olympic style - 2x20, right leg only (left hamstring is slightly pulled right now).

The best information that I can give you is to listen to your body. If something doesn't work for you, try to alter it a bit to make it work. If joints start to hurt, see what you can do to fix it. Take your time, and don't rush things. Good luck, and enjoy the journey!

Welcome to the Forums!

That is a good one, and a bit different from what has already been mentioned. Enjoying what you are doing definitely helps.

If the difference in price was not that drastic, say $10, then I would have no problem with it, especially with it being on hand. However, when the difference gets too high, I would find other alternatives.

I am not sure how much difference there is between Olympic Boxing and professional Boxing. However, I imagine that many of those fighters were Golden Gloves Boxers before being Olympians, so I imagine the transition wasn't that much of a problem. I do know that Olympic Boxing uses a point system, with white patches on the gloves the have to hit target areas to score. However, the target areas remain the same. As for your WKF question, I would say yes. If you want to compete, then it will be by their rules. Just like any tournament that you enter.

Here is how I see it... If he joins humbly as a white belt, and does not bring up the fact that he has studied other styles and holds high ranks, then he probably doesn't care how the other students view him. He is probably more concerned with learning and training than he is about how he is viewed by others. I imagine that in one way or another, he will gain/earn the respect of the sempais. Remember, it is difficult to force someone to respect another. Respect is best when it is earned, not demanded.

Kano's book on Judo shows many of these positions. However, I thought that in competition they tried to prevent stalling by standing the competitors up frequently. I could be wrong, though.

Kajukenbopr is correct. It is a very gradual process, usually beginning with something like striking your fingers into sand in buckets, and working your way up to different, more challenging materials. The finger push-ups come along, too, and you build from their. Some people just like to make it their "thing," and put the time into it.

To add to that, many times on a testing/promotion form, names will be listed by rank, and then alphebetically. That could be the cause of the order.

This quote got the old motor turning: I know that many of us have talked about student joining our schools from other styles, and getting rank in the style we teach. Usually, they start at white belt, and the begin working their way up, like they did before in their own style. Most of us have no problem allowing this. Here is my question: What if a practitioner from another style came to your school, and just wanted to work out with your class, on a regular basis (lets say as often as you meet in a week), but had no interest in advancing in your style? He just wants to work out, learn the techniques, applications, etc. Would you allow this? How would you approach it? What belt would you require them to wear? I wanted to throw this out, and see what you all thought. I think it would be interesting to have such a subject in a class.

Medium weight would be a weight that you could work with between 10 and 12 reps with, is what I would call it.

Huh, cool. I would not have guessed such a thing existed.

Well, the WKF (World Karate Federation) has been formed, and is the Governing Body for Karate, as the IOC sees it. The groundwork is laid, so it may become a possibility. The standards for the katas are already laid out. And aside from that, if it does go Olympic, it may just be the fighting, like with TKD. Here is a list of former [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Olympic_boxers_of_the_United_Stateshttp://Olympic gold medalist Boxers. You will find several recognizable names, like Roy Jones, Jr., Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield, Joe Frazier, and Oscar de la Hoya. I didn't think that Kano condoned challenge matches or the like. Perhaps these took place after his death?

I have 2 points for you here: 1. There is no way it will be a waste. You won't lose the knowledge that you have gained, so it cannot be a waste. 2. You will not be starting over again. I'll repeat; you cannot be stripped of your knowledge (short of a brainwashing or a bout of amnesia ). Therefore, don't think of going to a different school as starting over. Think of it as gaining a new perspective.

I think I read once that it was at one point, before it became a sport, was called Sumai, and was a very legitimate fighting form.

I never realized that about the Judo pin. I see so much of the throws, that I have never seen the pin maneuvers. I can't imagine being held down like that for that long.

It did show that the benefit of combining a grappling style with a stand-up style is the best of both worlds.

Welcome to the Forums, scOOt. I use Crest.

That is true. That sounds like an interesting device.

This may sound like a silly question, as there are many qualities that we like to see in our students. What I would like to know is what quality (singular, for now ) you, as an instructor or assistant, or sempai, like to see in a student, especially a new one. I like to see a student who is willing to try hard. They may not be good, or talented, but if they are willing to give it their all, I like to see that; I can do a lot with that. I guess work ethic is what I like to see early on. How about you?

Thanks for the info, James. That sounds really interesting. I can imagine that after two rounds you would have to sit down. I'd have to sit down after the first 2 minutes! 2-7-08 Traditional TKD Class: Tonight while doing basics, I pulled my left hamstring pretty good. I got through the basics, avoiding using my left leg, and then got through several low rank forms, and then my form. I sat out the one-steps to stretch my leg. We finished with some sparring drills, using footwork. I was able to do this in a limited fashion, and focused on the chambering motions of the kicks with my left leg, and concentrating on the footwork.

I think for your weight training, you may want to go with some medium weight, and train for endurance using more reps. The running sounds good; I don't do any. I have always hated it.

Kennedy has some pretty sound advise. You may want to have your knees looked at; you may also consider taking some glucosimine/chongroidant supplements to grease the joints a bit.