bushido_man96

First of all, welcome to KarateForums, and welcome back to the Martial Arts! If I were you, I would like to ask the sensei why there have been so many changes made in the curriculum, as to the rate of testings and promotions. I can understand that he wants everyone to be ready when it comes time to test, however, this does seem a bit excessive. I do feel that there are certain requirements that should be met before a student is able to move onto the next level, and these will vary from one instructor to the other. This really seems like a paradox in the martial arts. I have seen the arguments against the 2 year black belts of some styles, and now we see the complete opposite, the 10 year black belt. What it really comes down to, in the martial arts, I believe, is time and experience. In your current style, it sounds like you would be an intermediate rank after around 5 years, the half-way point. However, you will also see that there will be others that are black belts by this time in other organizations. Another problem is that you will be an intermediate rank, with 5 years experience, sparring at tournaments against intermediate ranks with around 1 year, or a year and a half's worth experience. Sure, you may be tearing up the tournament circuit, but it is agianst much less skilled practitioners, due only to the excessive time you have put in at your rank. Can you feel good about that? Then these guys will move on, become black belts, and you will still be stuck cruising the circuit at the intermediate level. You will be a great intermediate student, but, will you be learning any advanced techniques? This is where the black belts that you used to compete with will pass you by. I have used the tournament circuit as an example, but it is only one scenario in a case of many. I would discuss it with the sensei, and then go from there.

One of the best things that you can do is some partner drilling, where your partner throws the technique that you have trouble blocking, and then practice block-and-counter, and counter drills. Start out at around half-speed, so that you get used to seeing what the telegraphs of the technique are, and then, when you are more comfortable with it, start speeding up the drill. Eventually, you will get to where you can do the counters spontaneously while sparring.

It looked like point sparring to me. Some of the hand techniques look like they landed while they were off-balance.

These will get a cop into trouble, unless he can really justify actually striking the perp. I don't think I can agrue with the rest of your list, though. Good thoughts.

What you have to understand about prison is that it is a society. It may be a rough, twisted form of society, but it is a society none the less. As ps1 stated, you have to figure out the politics inside, and also how the social ladder their works. Then, you have to blend in.

What are some of the styles offered in your area? A list would help out.

I was working on my punching bag this morning, doing side steps and kicking and punching, and managed to somehow tweak my neck!! I don't understand what happened, but man, does it feel stiff! I can't turn my head a far to each side as normal, and I can't look up without it really hurting! Aaarg!

Congratulations!!!

I have wanted to start reading this series as well. I have the first 3 books, in soft cover, and I am going to start on them, I think. The movies aren't too shaby, either. I also plan on reading the Wheel of Time series, by Robert Jordan.

Yeah, I can't wait for the last one as well. It has been a while since I have read the others, so I may have to start up again. There is so much trickery and betrayal, and the author just does things that you do not expect. My favorite character was Eddard Stark, but he didn't last long. I was hacked about that. Now, though, I'd have to say my favorite is Jon Snow, and he was left out of the last book for the most part, and is supposed to be a focal character in the last book. It seems to me that there are a lot of ends to tie up, and I would think that this book is either going to be really thick, or he may need one more to get it done.

Coke, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, and that is about it. I don't really drink the store brands that much, and I stay away from Pepsi, and just about anything diet.

How much time until you can test next? I think it would be best to have the knee surgery now, then recover, then get right back into your new material.

Go get it, man!!

An ITF fighter could participate in an ATA tournament, but you would have to be a member of the ATA. Just go join a school, and tell them you train ITF as well. Then you could compete with them. For forms competition, you would have to use the ATA forms. Sparring wise, though, you would be filled in by the instructor as to contact levels aloud, etc. You could also look into AAU competitions. They have both point sparring and Olympic style sparring.

At this point, it is up to the parents to give cautionary measures to their children. And besides all that, I am sure that there are cautionary statements somewhere in the literature that the toy comes with.

Man, that would be cool!

Welcome to the Forums, joemar! That was a great post. I love the straightforwardness you speak of in these arts. I have always been intrigued by the Philipino styles, and would love to learn the weapon styles. Maybe some day.

That sounds like it would be a very interesting read.

Wow. If you ever get back, look me up!

I think that the play calling is a little too conservative sometimes. Edwards is a conservative guy, but I am going to miss that wide open offense from the last 5 years.

That doesn't sound good at all.

I am glad to hear that you had a good time, Carolyn! Congrats on your place! As for the scoring guidelines, it sounds different than what I am used to, so I can't offer much assistance. Sorry!

The training I have received has not built any bad habits, that I can pick out. When we spar, we block, counter, and use footwork for offense and defense. It has helped with my timing and combination building. I have also figured out what some of my strengths and weaknesses are. I have recently found a partner that I can do some more self-defense related activities with, and I am enjoying getting back into it. If there was a judo club or a BJJ school around here, I would be into it in a heartbeat.

Don't know. You should ask him.

I wondered about some of the historic research they did for the show.