bushido_man96

Making money in the MA is not the problem. The problem arises when instructors and school owners care more about the quantity of the bodies that they put into their classes and tests, as opposed to the qualitiy of those that they are teaching. When everyone tests, even though some are not ready, and the like...those things bring down that image.

That sounds great. Have fun!

I can see the issue here, and I understand the frustrations of those attending and paying for the head instructor's knowledge. The head instructor needs to realize this, and try to find a balance to make everyone happy. Students and parents should also realize that the head instructor is not likely to be around forever, and therefore, in order for things to carry on, and eventually to phase in changes, these things have to happen.

What exactly are you referring to? Do you mean the most popular styles around today, as far as attendance? Or are you referring to something else? I like the quote in the signature, by the way!

A Game of Thrones; Jon We get descriptions of the Stark family, and the Baratheon family. Starks: Robb, Rickon (youngest, 3), Bran, Sansa (12), Arya. We also meet Benjen Stark, Ned's younger brother, and a Man of the Night's Watch. We also meet Theon Greyjoy, the ward of Ned Stark. Baratheons: Joffery, Myrcella (nearly 8 ), Tommen. All are blond haired, blue eyed, like the Lannisters. Lannisters: Cersei and Jaime (twins, Jaime known as the Kingslayer); Tyrion, known as the Imp. Short and deformed, much like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, is the way I view him. Jon describes each of these as they walk by, and he is very observant, reading into each as they walk and act; even his own family members. Benjen notes that Jon is keen, and says he would be great on the Night's Watch. Jon expresses his desire to go, but Benjen expects he doesn't know what it really requires, the duty of the Wall. Jon does not sit with the rest of the family, but he does not mind. After speaking with Ben, he is flustered (and has drank too much), and leaves the hall. Key notes/events: Jon meets and speaks with Tyrion. We learn that Tyrion is not shy, but is brusque, and also perhaps as observant about things as Jon is. He knows who Jon is, as well. Ghost, Jon's direwolf pup, is leary of Tyrion, and may be just as observant as the two of them are. Also...during the feast, Jon makes note of a singer he can barely hear, up near the front of the hall. This is a prominent figure...

A Game of Thrones; Eddard Robert and his court arrive in Winterfell. With him are Cersie (Robert's wife) and Jaime Lannister, twins, and the younger brother, Tyrion. Eddard and Robert have a hearty reunion. Ned notices that Robert has put on much weight since the last time they were together, putting down Balon Greyjoy's last rebellion, upon which Balon's son Theon became Ned's ward/hostage. Key events/notes: Upon arrival, Robert asks to be taken to the Crypts of Winterfell, where he pays respects to Ned's sister Lyanna, who apparently died as a result of something Prince Rhaegar Targaryen was responsible for. Robert defeated Rhaegar in battle at the Trident. Lyanna and Robert were to be wedded. Brandon, Ned's older brother, was also ordered put to death by the Mad King Aerys Targaryen, while his father Rickard was forced to watch. Brandon was betrothed to Catelyn; Ned wed her in his stead. Jon Arryn's death set on quick and mysteriously, and Lysa, Arryn's wife (Cat's sister) and her sickly son of 6 fled to the Eyrie. Robert asks Ned to come be the Hand of the King in Jon's place, the highest office of the land, next to King. He also asks to betroth Ned's daughter Sansa to his son, Joffery.

I see the points that you are making, cross. All the maneuvers that RBSD instructors do and teach are very well and good. However, that doesn't mean that other options are not every available. In the post where I describe the hard block, I am not describing it in the traditional MA manner, so to speak. I am describing an arm movement that originates from the "oh, crap" position (which is, I think you will agree, the position that most confrontations originate from), and then moves to stop the attack. It does not necessarily terminate in a "high block position" or a "middle block position;" it just terminates. This could be a jamming move, as well. It doesn't have to be attack specific. It is just a modified movement, similar to other hard movements. In the Close Quarter Combatives that I have trained (an RBSD style, for all intents and purposes), many of the defenses originate with the block/pass/pin drill. This is what I see as a very shaved-off traditional type of block; as much as it can be after the modification.

I think that I may have seen that clip before. It looks like a good time!

I agree with you. It is just going to depend on the person. Everyone is different, and their attitudes are affected by their goals and ideals.

TKD, 14 years. Combat Hapkido, maybe a little over a year and a half. Close Quarter Combatives, around 6 months, maybe. SCA Combat, around a year.

I was not thinking like a Boxer (although, that may not be a bad thing). I thought that the way I described the process made it sound like the block was a very hard motion, terminating in a solid position, intercepting the attack in a very solid manner. The off-hand does stay in Boxer-like guarding position, however, that is where the Boxing similarities end. The reason that I stated the original position of the hand the way that I did is because when you get jumped, you are not likely going to be able to start from your standard MA class fighting stance. Therefore, your hand starts from where ever it is.

A Game of Thrones; Daenerys Key Events/Notes: We meet Daenerys Targaryen, who is about to be betrothed to Khal Drogo, a barbarian horse lord, by her older brother Viserys, who wants hopes to gain Drogo's army by the marriage. He has visions of reclaiming the throne of Westeros, the Seven Kingdoms, that were taken from him when the Usurper and his dogs (Robert, the King, and Eddard Stark, among others), defeated his father's armies. Dany and her brother live with Illyrio Mopatis, the Magister of the Free City of Pentos, who is helping Viserys to re-gain what is his. Dany does not trust him. Illyrio mentions that he has agents in other countries, including the Seven Kingdoms. The Free Cities are across the Braavosian Sea, far away from the Seven Kingdoms. The Tagaryens are of the Old Valaryian blood, and have wed within the family for generations. However, Dany is being courted outside of the family, in order for Viserys to regain his homeland. Viserys is coniving and untrustful, and very mean to Dany. He is a little off-kilter. Later in the chapter, we meet Ser Jorah Mormont, who is a banished knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the son of the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Did I miss anything here? We also meet Khal Moro (a rival of Drogo's, I believe) and his son, Rhogoro, and the brother of the Archon of Tyrosh (another Free City).

I don't really agree, Rick. Again, these formalities are a cultural thing, and whether they are done or not doesn't really take away from what you learn.

I think it looks great as well. I will probably have to wait until it comes out on DVD to watch it, though.

YES!!!!! Awesome games, especially Dynasty Warriors! Dian Wei is THE MAN!!!!!

This sounds much like the way that Thai fighters would absorb the kicks they take, as opposed to actually blocking them.

Essentially, we are coming to the same conclusion, but just taking different routes. Denying bathroom breaks for an hour is not going to be a very big deal for most children. Most of them can make it an hour without having to go to the bathroom. Heck, most parents will drive for more than hour at a time, without stopping for bathroom breaks. In the end, we both end up at the same point.

Anywhere from 3 to 5 reps is what I have read. Thanks a bunch bushido_man, as weird as it might seem I never actually stayed at my maximum while doing the split, unless I got all the way to the ground. I used to get up instantly. You can really feel your muscles adapting and getting more flexed. You are welcome! Happy stretching!

Any proof? As far as the whole "formal" way of blocking, i.e., crossing the amrs, executing the block with one arm, and pulling the other hand back to the ribs, I don't think will happen a whole lot in a fight, and neither would it be wise to pull your off hand out of your window of defense. However, I do think that a solid block with the forearm can work in self-defense, but its motion will not be to the extreme that it is seen in forms. The arm will move from its position (be it guarding, down, up, or whatever) into the block position, with a hard, jolting snap, if trained properly, while the other arm can be held in the window of defense. After the block, the same arm can lead into a counter.

This is also the way it is in my school that I train at. I think that this all the more formal that we really need to be. I have heard that the "sir" or "ma'am" thing doesn't even go on in BJJ schools. I have heard that they are very informal. Which would be a nice change.

I feel that allowing young black belts to have the time to teach and gain experience is a good thing. After all, if instructors never trained assistants, then we would not continue to find good instructors. However, there is a method to doing this. An instructor should not just throw is young black belts "to the wolves," and hope they figure it out. They need to have them start out easy, like by leading warm-ups in a class supervised by the instructor himself. The instructor should also have some lessons with only the new assistants, teaching them how to teach, essentially. This way, they can be worked in gradually, and their confidence will grow more and more along the way. Something I do believe, however, is that the head instructor should not try to phase himself out of teaching "regular" classes, or "low rank" classes. I believe that he still needs to be involved in them, and be more than just a face of the school.

Finishing out would be worthwhile, I guess. Finding another style afterwards sounds like a good option as well. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Wow, that is quite a chunk of training! Is it all MA training time, or is weight lifting and cardio worked in as well?

That is not too early. And remember, everyone is a little bit different. You could go to bed at 11 instead, and may still feel just as good. You just have to find what works for you.

I think that the escrima training transfers in a more practical manner than some of the ways that some weapons are taught today.