bushido_man96

Yeah, and Bruce Lee was a big advocate of the shin kick and instep stomp.

There is a lot of weird, freaky stuff that goes on in the world. Many people may not like to see this, and the reason is because it is a shot of reality that no one wants a part of. You have to accept that these kinds of things go on out there, and be willing to defend against such things, even if the odds that they will happen to you are slim to none.

Another nice article. I enjoy his writings. There are some very good points in this quote.

I don't think it is really fair to assume something like this when we don't actually see them performing a "traditional" form set. We know that the moves get modified somewhat for XMA, so therefore, we may not be seeing their full potential.

I would say a yellow belt would have somewhere between 2 and 4 months training.

This is where I would tend to disagree. What you state here is the ideal of what a Martial Art is according to what has been presented to us by the Eastern-types of philosophies inherent in Eastern styles. This should not be considered the hard-and-fast rule that governs whether something is a Martial Art or not. It just happens to be one culture's rule. You also mention fighting. Fighting is Martial. When you fight, you are experiencing the epitome of "Martial."

I think I may have seen that once before. Very clever, I think!

To an extent, this is true. However, low line kicks can be executed much closer than mid to high line kicks. Even if you are too close to throw a round kick to the thigh, you migh still be close enough to kick the shins with the toe of your shoe or boot. The dynamic just changes a little. Knees would also be available (I kind of consider them kicks, too).

I agree the transitions are useful. But marching up and down the hall doing the stances in a static manner is no way to learn them. Trying to learn transitional positions by doing static stances is like trying to learn to drive with the car parked in the driveway the whole time. You train the stances in a static manner in order to build some stamina in the legs, and to get some form of muscle memory into them. Now, I agree that it should not have to be done for endless hours, but that form of training does have some use. Static first, then applications are important. However, relating the applications needs to be emphasized. This is going to be more style-based than otherwise, I feel. Look at boxers, for example. They can generate a lot of speed and power with their strikes, and they stay more upright than some other styles. Thai fighters would be another good example. Generating power comes from so many different places; from the floor with the feet, up throught the hips, shoulders, and then with the arm. Even though one may have a higher stance, it is still important to be stable on the ground, like you say. Just not necessarily in a deep stance.

I do see what you are saying here. However, you can only learn so much of a culture from a Martial Art. If I wanted to specialize in learning the culture of a country, I could find it in more intensive study through paths other than the country's Martial Arts. Its like I have said before; a side kick is a side kick, and if it hits you, it doesn't matter which language it is in.

I think that you guys have answered each others questions without realizing it; why not train to do both? Couldn't a woman in this situation begin by distracting with the eye-gouging, ear-twisting, and face-clawing techniques to get the aggressor's attention elsewhere and then move on to applying the BJJ techniques that would be useful in dispatching the attacker?? I honestly think that both can benefit each other. You both (cross, ps1) have presented good points about the nature of the event we are discussing. I think the two of you have put the answer together.

You make some very good, and very valid points, NightOwl, especially when you make the comparison to football. The kids did have good head gear on, it appeared, and in the end, neither looked the worse for wear. One thing that this does show is that it may not be necessary to "soften" the training in Martial Arts in order for it to be studied by all ages. Of course, these kids appeared to be the cream of the crop, and how many kids could actually handle something like this?

There are times when the transitional movements are going to be useful, like when throwing or something like that. However, if the instructor never delivers that kind of information, then folks will tend to wonder about it.

This is an interesting way to put it, but you do make a valid point.

First of all, the sensei needs to inform everyone that you are going to be helping out more, and that they should show you the same respect that they show him. If they choose not to, then you need to let the sensei know this. Otherwise, people will just steamroll you. There are ways to "gain" respect, but I think that they are a last ditch option, in my opinion. As for the person that sent you the email. If it were me, I would most likely have a heart-to-heart with this person myself, as opposed to going to the sensei first. However, the right thing to do is probably report it to the sensei, and let him know about the treatment you are receiving. Not everyone is a teacher, and I firmly believe that. However, I do feel that higher ranks have an obligation to be able to assist with lower ranks when needed.

I thought it was interesting in the article that the author pointed out the differences between Aikido and Aiki-jujitsu.

This is an excellent point. It is easier to learn the slang and jargon of the times when actually speaking and asking what it means.

Thanks for the clarifications, Clash. That helps out some. 9-6-07 I worked on some kicking exercises while outside with my son this afternoon. I was kicking our basketball goal post: Back leg round kick: 10 each leg Back leg front kick: 10 each leg Front leg side kick: 10 each leg Front leg front kick, back leg round kick: 10 reps of this combo on each side. Back leg round kick, continuous side kick: 10 reps of this combo on each side. Step up front leg round kick, cont. side kick, cont. round kick: 10 reps of this combo on each side. I maybe spent about 15 minutes doing this. All I got today, so it felt good to do something.

Agreed. That is one thing I like about the resistance in the brief grappling sessions that my friend and I have. The high emotion is not there, but the resistance is. We also try to work some of that stuff into our Defensive Tactics and Combat Hapkido workouts. I am going to suggest to my partners that we start to work on more of it, too.

To add to that, you shouldn't worry about being Renzo or Saulo. Just worry about being you, and practice like a madman to get as good as you can. Who knows? Maybe someday someone will be inspired by you as well?

This one I dissagree with. I do think that some students would be overwhelemed, but that's them and their issues. Some people would absorb the type of calm training as a lesson in keeping your mind clear when faced with a high-intensity confrontation. Which most people know and agree is a good idea. Unfortunately, I would have to agree with this concept for the most part. If you never feel contact, or make contact, or experience a higher (not necessarily the same level of fighting) intensity, then it will be tough to know how to deal with it in a situation.

That clarifies things a bit. In my sources, it actually states that closing is the idea to defend, and that the movement backward is usually a result of a situation, as opposed to be the rule. Whilst i agree with you for the most part, the only thing i see that has changed is some of the older material(this applies to hand to hand also) focuses on the "dual" mentality of 2 guys squaring off outside a bar and going for it like a sparring match. The reality is, however, that a guy attacking you with a knife isnt going to stand back taking delicate little slashes at you, they are going to be trying to get close enough to get one hand on you so you cant move whilst they are pumping you with the knife in the other hand. Actually, the defenses and situations that are discussed in my sources reflect the very scenarios that you have described. It was stated that a dirk (referencing my current source) would have been pulled in a surprise attack, and very rarely was "mutual" knife combat a result. The person to defend themselves would have to a). intercept the attack, and b) then attempt to counter and try to pull their own dirk.

The answer is simple: you have to speak the language. I pointed out the quote you made above because this is the very atmosphere you need to learn you language. If you don't ever speak it and hear it spoken back, you won't get it down. Even if you mess something up, who cares? Then, the person you are talking with can help you figure out what you are actually trying to say, and then help you to get it right. That is how you have to learn a language. Believe me, I speak from experience. I took 3 years of Spanish in high school, and was pretty good at it, as far as writing and vocabulary go. Hearing it and translating it was tougher, especially hearing it from Spanish speakers (hearing an English speaker speak Spanish, and then hearing a Spanish speaker speak it are two different monsters!). I then had some time away from it, but took some more classes in college for it. It came back pretty quickly, but then, I never used the opportunities that I had to talk to Spanish speakers to really get the language down. So, all that time squandered, and I really wish I had it now. Don't be like me. Talk with Japanese speakers in Japanese. Don't be scared. Do it. It will be the best thing you do. As for learning the other 2 languages, the same thing applies. If you get to where you don't have someone to speak them with, they will begin to slip.

I loved that article! He didn't do a lot of bashing. He just talked about his experiences and revelations. There is a lot that I agree with in that article, as far as philosophy, time-in-training, and the like. Thanks for sharing that, Adonis.

A very nice article, indeed. I would love to have had the experiences that he has had. I particularly liked this quote: "But I’m into breaking tradition. So this will be an experiment and we’ll see how it goes." I would also agree with the remarks that he made in regards to humility in the Martial Arts.