bushido_man96

Keep your eyes forward, and try to get away, ignoring them. If you attempt to fight a group of people, even if it is only two, you still run a good chance of getting held down and beaten up badly. The best thing to do is avoid it at all costs. If you have to fight, then so be it; get rid of someone fast, and then get rid of the next someone fast. Then run.

Very nice, and very well written. I especially think that firearm usage/defense is too often overlooked today. Considering that it is a more common threat, it makes sense to be prepared for it. The use of First Aid is important, too. A nice point about using First Aid deters the ability to prove criminal intent.

Yeah, I see what you are saying there. If your older boy is really into the grappling, then you could look into a Kid's Wrestling program as well. The goals there will be different, but I think he would still benefit from it, and he would get the chance to compete as well. In the end, I think knowing Wrestling would compliment his BJJ as well.

Welcome to the Forums! It sounds like you have a couple of active ones! If you don't want to change from the Gracie school (and I can't say as I blame you), then perhaps you could have him do MT with your other son as well. If he wants to stay with grappling, though, then perhaps a Judo studio would suit your needs. Best of luck, and welcome!

I will. Hopefully, it will be soon.

Bearich makes some good points. Running an MA school, even part time, is tough. Check this schedule out: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Most people's normal working hours. (Bankers' hours, so to speak. Most people are at work and off by this time) 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. One hour for a Martial Arts class. This is just one class. Let's say you run two classes a night... 7:00 - 8:00. Now, you have to lock up, and get home. Did I mention supper anywhere in there? Nope. Have to do that after class, if you are like me. I don't eat before working out, because then I get bad gas... Nor did I mention any time with the kids, especially those under the age of 4. Do they want to hang out at the MA school all that time? Not likely, so either your spouse does it, or you find a babysitter (more money out of the pocket). Now you just have to figure how many days a week that you want to do this, or can do this. It is very tough. I teach one day a week at the school that I attend, and then work out in two classes each week, and it is still tough on me. Would I open a school or club right now? No way. Too much time, right now.

Here is a new one that Turtle Press just put out: http://www.turtlepress.com/Complete_Taekwondo_Poomsae_p/tkd1.htm Most of Sang H. Kim's work is decent, so I expect this book should detail things pretty well. I am looking at getting it, eventually.

I think that some sport-fighting types of training have a better set up going for training for self-defense than some more "traditional" schools would have you believe. Take Judo and Wrestling, for example. They both go at full resistance, full speed. You learn what you can and cannot do when someone is trying to do the same things to you. Boxing and Kickboxing have advantages because you learn what it is like to be hit, and how to hit back. These sports all have the advantage of training at full speed, with resistance from an opponent. No one is pulling the other fist to the hip, or striking perfect stances, or doing forms. All of the application is right there.

This is a good point, as well. Turnabout is fair play.

There will come a time when you have been doing things long enough to know if you need to try something different to make it work. Don't confuse this with being inexperienced, though. Obviously, if you haven't had any experience with something, it will feel unnatural to you. Just because this is so, doesn't mean you should start doing things "your way" right away. You have to give it time.

That sounds great, then. If I had a place around here like that, I would call it....home!!!

That does make good sense, Zanshin. In the past, I had usually thought of clubs as part-time workout schools, like for 2 days a week, or something like that. However, the club referring to the group makes more sense.

Our school had one at one time, but a my buddy that I do the CQC with bought it. It wasn't of that design, however. It was the bigger, full upperbody design. I like them, and think they offer a realistic target, as long as you are working the upper body (aside from the lack of arms...). It is great for targeting the brachials, eyes, nose, etc. However, when I want a good endurance workout, I prefer to use a regular Wavemaster bag.

Yes, this one is quite good. The Black Belt version has the WTF black belt forms, as well, along with ideas behind opening up a school.

This is quite good. Something to think about.

I agree with NightOwl. Now, if you were living under his roof, and training with him night and day, etc., then it may be a different story. This doesn't appear to be the case, though. This seems like an extreme case to me, and I think you may have a legitimate arguement, from what I can tell. However, if the first thing you should consider is the quality of training that you are receiving, before considering leaving just to push along the rank awards. If you are happy with the training, then I would say not mess with anything. Perhaps approach the Sensei about your concerns, and see what you can come up with together. Perhaps he is willing to work with you. Also, perhaps he is testing you as well. There are a lot of things to keep in mind.

Great points.

It sounds like things worked out in the end.

I recommend the burpee exercise! I can't do it too well, with my knees (although my knees have been better lately...) but it would help you, I think.

Cross training can be iffy in the Martial Arts community. Some instructors think it is great, and some detest it. Here is a thread you can read to get some different opinions on that subject: http://www.karateforums.com/do-we-need-to-ask-permission-vt29499.html With that said, I have heard that training in both Judo and BJJ can be beneficial, because with Judo, you start from a standing position, and in BJJ you work from the ground more. Both are good ranges to be familiar with. Therefore, if you can swing it, I would recommend cross-training in the two.

Montana speaks the truth. If you are ever confused as to how to do a technique properly, ask your sensei. Personally, I don't think that in shotokan, a blue belt is really qualified to "teach".Yes, when in doubt, ask the sensei. This is one of the downfalls of allowing others to teach that may not have a lot of experience. I think that it is important for instructors to spend time with their assistants doing forms and evaluating how each of the moves are done, so that when this kind of circumstance arises, then everyone can expect to be on the same page. Another thing to consider, playing devil's advocate here, is that when you ask someone else how to perform a technique, they may do it differently because the different way works better for them. Martial Artists will adjust techniques all of the time to better suit their body style. Just something to consider. They may not be wrong. In the end, however, talk to your sensei to avoid all confusion.

Perhaps doing some plyometric leg exercises would help to build your quickness for takedowns.

It takes time to accomplish this. As the moves become more natural for you to do, you will be able to relax more easily. The more repetitions you do (correctly), then the more familiar you become, and then the more relaxed.

You are never too old to learn something new. Do it, and you will be glad you did.

Hey there, A-Train. I actually lent my book to a co-worker, because I got him a tad interested in it. So, when he gets done with it, I will be back on the ball.