bushido_man96

For most black belt ranks, you remain in rank for years. The instructor may have certain knowledge and/or skill requirements that have to be met in each of the dan ranks. So, these levels could indicate basically how much time they have in rank, or what requirements they have met thus far. I would ask him, and find out for sure.

You may just have to step your contact level up more and let him have it back. Other suggestions here are good as well, letting him tire out. Stick your kicks really hard, and try to jar him. See how that goes.

Didn't know about that. I would be interested to see how he fairs.

The family members actually received training from a Judo stylist from Japan, if my memory serves me correctly. Maeda was his name?

You should be able to find some ideas here: http://www.karateforums.com/what-are-some-good-drills-vt30512.html

You may need to back off, and give your body time to adjust by gradually increasing your work loads. That way, your body adapts, and can then improve more.

6-20-07 I had a 20 minute solo workout today. I did 3 sets of 10 pushups, but they were the short pulsing ones. Then, I did 3 sets of jumping side kicks, on a heavy bag, but I stood on one leg, chambered the other, and then hopped and kicked the bag, and landed on the one leg. I did 3 sets of 10 on each side. Then I did 3 sets of 10 pushups, and did 3 sets of 10 front leg front kicks on the bag. From 5:30 - 6:00 I taught Orientation.

It really depends on the school and instructor. Your best bet would be to go ask them some of those questions when you get a chance. Many martial arts styles help to create discipline, among other attributes. Just making yourself go and better yourself will do this as well. Try it out. Good luck to you! And welcome to KF!

I have not gone there in person yet. What questions should I be asking?Ask anything from the school philosophies on self-defense, teaching in general, competitions, anything that you think is relevant to your interests and training needs. As far as the fees go, I don't like the set up. Just me, though. It doesn't mean that it won't be a good school.

These are very good points. I was never very good at competitions, but I have still done a few. Forms, I can do well with, but sparring is a different monster. But it is a learning experience, and I do recommend trying it at least once.

I agree with your assessments. It looks like fun, though.

You may feel ackward and rusty, but you will probably feel much better on the inside for getting back into it. Go for it!

I see what you are saying, BB of C. But I still don't think that you can do much to change the way that adrenaline affects the body. Even if you have a lot of experience, actual combat experience, I still think that the adrenaline will affect you some. And if you talk to the guys with all the combat experience, most of them will still go with the simplicity over complexity.

Most styles were originally complete combat systems. When the various styles were somewhat watered down for reasons such as cultural change or for sport/competition, that's when the style delineations really started to deepen. As you stated there was a shift away from combat purposes, and I agree, I just see it as less complete for what was there originally. KG We are in accord here.

Have you gone to the school to check it out and ask questions yet? That is where you will get your best answers from. I am kind of surprised that they charge based on how many classes you will attend per week. That doesn't offer much flexibility.

I agree, cobra. However, I think the style arguements started up more as different styles began to move away from the combat/battlefield preparations.

I thought I recognized that quote. The last part is "...and you have been found wanting," I think. But that is besides the point. This is a crazy situation. I am not sure what I would do with this. She showed that she can't be bullied, which is good. However, it doesn't sound as though it was in the spirit of the competition, which is bad. What I don't understand is if the Sensei felt that being DQ'd was good for her, then why did he reward her for it? I wish you luck in dealing with this, USCMAAI. Perhaps if you sit down with your daughter and talk about the whole situation, then you can both help each other out. Either way, it sounds like your Sensei was really messing with you pretty good. He must see a whole lot of you in your daughter. Which, is probably good.

I do agree that there is a difference between self-defense and UFC. I will not argue that. Even though it is close to a real fight, the rules and surroundings make it not so. Going back to the self-defense aspect; when the adrenaline is pumping, and the fine motor skills go out the window, so do a lot of those complex moves, I think. When you get all worked up, and your hands are shaking uncontrollably, you can see what I mean. The more complex the movements, the harder they will be to pull off.

I don't think that a complex move would essentially make it illegal. Look at a throat strike, for example. Not complex, but illegal for obvious reasons. I think the fact that is being overlooked is that many simple moves are just as efficient to do, and have a higher success rate.

Good article, Cross. Thanks a bunch for sharing.

6-18-07 Chest/triceps Bench press: 205x6, 215x4, 225x2 Incline bench: 135x8, 145x6, 155x4 Cable Crossovers: 50x10, 50x10, 50x8 Conditioning Tuck jumps: 3x10 Jump rope: 3x1 min. Taught Orientation from 5:30 - 6:00. I took class off today to let my knee rest. It was hurting pretty bad, and I wanted to walk the next day.

Sounds great. It is too bad that you have a forced curriculum to teach. The awareness teaching will pay off for you, I think. As far as teaching blocks, I don't think I would worry too much about the little things, like making sure the other hand comes back by the ribs, etc. I would want that other hand up for blocking.

The partner stretches are a good idea, but they won't help much when Savedbygrace is solo training. If you want to buy a stretching machine, then go for it. I like to set in one every now and then, too. What you can do is set in it, crank it up, and then watch TV or read a book for a while. What it will do is force you to hold one position for however long you set there. You can also do resistance against it, by trying to force your legs together while in the machine. That will give you a different action and feeling as well. Just don't let it become a piece of equipment that will sit around and collect dust. Then, it will be a waist.

I have seen links to these before, and they look nice. Let us know how you like them.

I don't really think this statement holds much water. There are many MMA practioners who have spent many years in other styles. Liddell is was a Kempo stylist. Any fighter with the last name Gracie has spent at least 10 years doing BJJ. PrideFC has had several Judoka involved in it's competitions as well. The fact of the matter is that these experienced Martial Artists are in the MMA competitions. Many of them have probably had some of the same training experiences as we all have. Why they don't apply the "complex" techniques must have a reason behind it.