bushido_man96

You have some good choices there, but you should take a quick look at each of the schools, to see what they exactly have to offer. That is how I would approach it.

I thought it was kind of interesting as well. I hear that Lennox Lewis is quite good at chess, too...

They may have been easy on them, but it is hard to say. Like NightOwl says, that challenge idea was come up with on the spot, kind of, so it put both parties on pretty even ground. Even with that said, if you don't have any weapons experience, then the weapons-experienced are usually going to pick apart that person.

I really don't carry much to class. For my Monday morning DT classes, I usually bring a notebook with material listed in it, along with my cell phone, in case I get a call. For my TKD class, I have a locker at the school in which I keep my other stuff, like sparring gear and bag. So its kind of nice not having to hall all of that stuff back and forth, just my uniform.

I understand where you are coming from here. I am very habitual too, and these last few weeks I have not been on my regular schedule at all, and it is killing me. But, as soon as I get back, I'll be back in my usual groove. I think that is what helps the most.

That 360 Degree round kick can be a great counter move, as seen in the second video by DWx. In the first video, it had great results as well, but I wouldn't throw it as an offensive kick like that. I also would have made sure to have my hands up as well. Good vids, guys!

Welcome to KarateForums!

Good definition and description, Ed. Thanks for that. I was pretty clueless on it.

Way to go, Zorbs! What all did the test consist of?

You have a great attitude, kkennedy. You also bring out some good points in your post. It is tough to compare all students together, and hold them all to exactly the same levels of ability; people are just too different to do that. Everyone has different abilities and weaknesses, and it is important to judge them on 1) how well they use their talents, and 2) how well they try to overcome their shortcomings. Therefore, earlier gradings may tend to look how you described, but as they move up and up, then it should begin to change a bit, and level out more.

I think I said the exact same thing!

The sempai saying "good" may be more of an acknowledgment as opposed to an actual compliment. This is something that many people do. If you would like to approach him about something, perhaps do it after class on a one-to-one level, and ask him if he saw anything in particular that you could work on to improve your kicks. That way, no one is singled out, or looks unprofessional.

This is very important to keep in mind. Not all students learn the same, so you have to be able to adjust your approach accordingly. This is a good attitude to have. I would also add that if a student asks you, as an instructor, a question that you don't readily have the answer to, it is important to be able to swallow any pride and admit to them that you don't know, but will do some looking and research to try to find out for them.

Hehe, well, it sounds like you've gotten things back on the right track, for the time being.

Kkennedy has a good idea. Along with that foot push, add your hip twist to add power to your techniques. Also remember to keep a good base with your stances, whenever you work with them. Pay attention to how the instructor tells you to set your feet up, and that will be a good reference point to start from.

Those are some interesting observations, DokterVet. Being able to experience something like that first hand must have its advantages, even if you just watch. I guess I am not surprised that takedowns have become popular. Around the area where I grew up, we had a lot of Wrestlers around, so I always figured a takedown or grab and restrain would be pretty standard, anyway. Even your friend's observation of the "hockey attack" that you described shows how getting contact and restraining/clinching someone can help you to control a fight.

Each teacher is different, but Shotokan is primarily a striking art. Therefore, to help to round out your game a bit more, you may look into some grappling style, like Judo or even Wrestling.

How many matches, just out of curiosity, have any of us seen that we would be willing to argue our points about overturning a scorecard decision in a victory? As for me, I can't think of many that I really shook my head at, but I am not that well seasoned with the points, either. Nor have I been able to watch many fights lately.

I sometimes wonder if many of these days that we have in MA classes perhaps end up having more to do with having a general bad day. For example, most of the time we got to class knowing and expecting physical challenges, and we are prepared to work with them and deal with them. However, when we have a bad day at work, or at home, and are generally frustrated or flabergasted about something when we get to class, I think we end up noticing our "bad MA days" more, too. Perhaps it has to do with just a teeny bit of negativity that we forget to shake off before heading in to work out?

Ah yes, I would have to agree with you there. Especially with the shoes on.

I know that these are choreographed Capoeira fight scenes, but I always found them enjoyable. I was just astounded by this guy in The Quest. I thought that he was probably the best athlete of all the fighters that they had on the set. The Kung Fu guy pulled in a close second for me. Fight one Also, this last scene from Only the Strong, with Mark Dacascos. Not Mark so much, but I heard that the bad guy in the movie here is an acutal Maestrea. I just like watching the actual guys with the experience really show it off. Final fight scene.

so many things I could say to that.................................... There are a lot of different feelings on this scenario. I know of schools that have been like this, and of some that are opposite. In the end, a lot of it comes down to what the instructor's philosophies are, and what kind of roles they expect the children to play that hold such ranks.

Yeah, the Ninjitsu episode was really done rather well, I thought. Not a lot of hocus pocus, mystcial stuff made it into the episode. What I did have trouble swallowing was the high-level dan rankings that they guys in the challenges had. Other than that, I don't have many complaints about the episode. Bill handled himself very well, I thought, as did Jason. When the Jason's challenger decided to go hands-on with Jason, I was pretty sure that Chambers was going to put the hurt on him, and he had him very much in control.

12-15-07 Been really under the weather lately. I spent half a week in the hospital, and haven't worked out much, nor really felt like I had the energy to. I did manage to make myself stretch out for 15 minutes tonight, though.

Man, that's a rough go. Just take it easy, and do only what your body allows you to. Keep your head up!