bushido_man96

I see a few issues with the gradings handled by both of the clubs you described. 1. If there is a high failure rate in the gradings, then it seems to me be because the instructors let any test, regardless of whether or not they are ready. I may be different than others, but I feel like it would be my responsibility as an instructor to be confident that the student is prepared to test, and should have a high likelihood of passing. If the student just blows a gasket at the testing and messes things up royally, then it falls on the student under the pressure, and this can and does happen. However, as the instructor, it's my job to put them in the best possible position to succeed. 2. If the students are testing at every grading and passing every grading, then it might have something to do with the curriculum not providing enough of a challenge. Martial Artists aren't performing quantum physics, but the material should still be a challenge, and should be progressing to the point of becoming harder and harder each time. I'm not saying every student should have a failed grading here and there. But, I don't find it unreasonable that a student may need to take an extra cycle to get some material down and refined, as in higher ranked students. 3. Both issues could be a money issue, if the schools charge for gradings. The instructor with the high fail rate might not care, so long as he gets the testing fees. The instructor with the high pass rate is the same. Both are an issue, especially if the testing cycle is relegated to merely a source of income.

I like both videos. Good stuff. I think the first link, although perhaps "form" is the best word to describe it, I think gets the idea across as a series of moves that I would refer to as a floor drill of basics. RW's video is definitely more along the lines of what we'd consider to be a form or kata. But both have value.

This is a good suggestion. You can pretty easily find instructions online to build one.If you've got a tree or some other kind of post or pole available (and it's sturdy), you could probably by some kind of kicking shield and use the handles in the back to tie a rope around the post or tree to secure it. It'd give you something to kick and punch, although not quite as good as a standing or hanging heavy bag.

This is really tough. As I've moved along in my professional career, I find more things have to take a back seat to the training time I'd like to have. Often, I find with my schedule rotating the way that it does that, at most, I might be able to get a few months of consecutive, consistent training in (by that, I mean two nights a week) before bouncing to a shift that totally excludes me from being able to go to class. On top of that, and I'm not proud to admit this, but it's true, is that fact that I just don't have a lot of motivation any more. When I have time off, I have either family obligations, or am taking time for myself for other hobbies that I enjoy, or am just taking a break and catching up on some shows I like to watch. That's mostly a me problem that I need to take care of, and I understand that. I would like to test at least one more time, but the financial burden of doing that is pretty sufficient in order to just attain another rank to keep myself ahead of those who've recently purchased our school. Committing the training time to it isn't a concern, because I'll make myself do that. But the monetary aspect of it really has me torn. Compound all of this with the recent pandemic, and the inability to meet in a class setting has also added to the issues. So, it's tough right now. I'm hoping for a sense of normalcy to return sooner rather than later.

Firearms Training 4/6/2020 An hour's worth of practice from the 25 yard line with my backup pistol. My accuracy from this range is improving. 4/30/2020 Thirty minutes worth of practice, again from the 25 yard line with my backup pistol.

I think the toothpick bo was designed specifically for competition, was it not? I think I'd rather build one that is the normal circumference, but that's just my preference.

For us, it's just Mr. Whatever.

I've had things like this come up. I'm always honest with them, and will tell them what I know, or what I understand about something from my own research, or otherwise just tell them that I don't know. I will often present this as an opportunity for them to research the subject matter, and let me know what they found out. It gives them an opportunity to expand their horizons.

I kind of agree with Bob, in that if your sensei won't listen and won't change, there probably isn't much else you can do, other than to continue to beat a dead horse. He might come around if it becomes very dire, as a last ditch effort. Otherwise, if you've already pointed out to him the benefits that you feel these other options offer, and he still doesn't want to try any, well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

I don't understand how becoming a vegetarian would unlock some kind of "superpowers," for lack of a better term. I think there is a lot of myth out there. I don't think there are any superhuman feats that the study of Martial Arts, or anything, for that matter, can unlock. Humans are already capable of great things. Some people are exceptionally athletically talented, and seem to have it come easily to them. The rest of us have to work hard to get there. That, I believe, is the true power in training in the Martial Arts.

Welcome to KF! Are you doing BJJ, or Japanese JJ?

RIP.

I took in a classic the other night, Lethal Weapon. Not what I would consider an MA movie, per se, but, an interesting note is that Rorion and Royce Gracie worked on the fight choreography for the movie. In the fight scene at the end, Riggs slaps Mr. Joshua in a triangle choke....this done well before we saw UFC 1.

The typical bo is about 6 ft long, isn't it? The only thing I can think to change is messing with the ideal thickness of the bo, based on the size of your hands.

The bold type above is pretty much why I've not ever been a proponent of this teaching model. Doesn't mean that this teaching model isn't another means, just to many hiccups for all concerned. Imho. Given that there is no chance to train face to face, this is the next best thing. I'd bet that students have less bad habits with 3 months video instruction rather 3 months solo practice with no instruction. I agree. You can at least spot something by sight, and offer verbal cues until something sticks.

I need to get caught up. I got part way through season 2, and then kind of just fell away. I guess I started to tire of the story a little. I am intrigued by the juxtaposition of Daniel and Johnny's characters and personalities as they've matured into adulthood. The two of them don't realize that they've swapped places. It's a good lesson in trying not to attach the idea of one's past character to who the presently are. Neither one of them have learned that yet.

I absolutely agree. Plus, you can be an excellent instructor without being terribly skilled at applying things under pressure, yourself, or having a competition record. Unfortunately, competitive success is still the majority of people's method of measuring the effectiveness of a martial art, for better or worse. Good points.

Teaching via video is doable, but I think it presents an interesting challenge. In any physical endeavor, at times, there needs to be some physical corrections made in order to emphasize a point. This is lost altogether with video instruction. But, considering the alternative, it is better than nothing.

This is a fun thought experiment. Well, I'm biased. I have my kids wrestle for a reason. Not because I'm going to make them into some super-fighters in the future, but because I think it provides valuable skills to learn. Strong takedowns, an aggressive, top-based ground game, toughness, tenacity, conditioning, and learning early-on how to stand toe-to-toe with another competitor. I would probably add in a striking art. TKD is readily available here (through me, and our school), but if other styles were available, I'd consider them. I'd be concerned about them getting a good technical base early on in the training. In their teenage years, I'd probably have them continue to wrestle, and pick up something like Muay Thai if available. If they had to stop wrestling, I'd move them to BJJ.

Congrats, RW!

I am contradicted when it comes to the idea of proving a style in competition. That can be a good way to get exposure, but most competitions are about skill and physical talent, especially at the higher levels. A really physically gifted athlete will tend to excel in competition, regardless of what style he or she came out of. There was a lot of talk Shotokan when Lyoto Machida was big in MMA, but his success in MMA probably had more to do with him being an incredible athlete than a demonstration of how good Shotokan is in MMA.

4/9/2020 MA Training I started the boys on their TKD journey today. I took them out into the driveway and worked on some basics; punching in sitting stance, middle blocks in back stance, and some front kicks. I also introduced some self-defense concepts using the chamber position of the middle block/knife hand strike as the cover or "flinch" response to a haymaker, demonstrating why the arm crossing is essential. My youngest seems to take to it better than my oldest, so we'll see where this goes.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to look into some of those. This may come across as blasphemous by a Martial Artist, but I've never seen Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The wire work just never appealed to me. The other night I partook in the John Wick trilogy. But wait, you ask, is John Wick an MA movie? Why yes, yes it is.

Interesting callback and thought. You're right. Yes, very interesting indeed. Something about necessity being the mother of invention? Or in this instance, innovation.

Sounds like it could have been a hoax.