bushido_man96

I would love to see that portion of your test. After completing everything else, than attempting to go that long in continuous sparring. I did 20 minutes of continuous sparring for my Shodan test and I was shocked at how tiring it was, and we start our test with that sparring. I've been through Marine Corps bootcamp, so I understand that the human body and mind can continue a lot longer than most people give themselves credit for, but your test seems a little super human to me. I love to see it done. Have you read about some of the kyokushin kumites in testings? Sometimes 20 man, and the real crazy one is the 40 man, and reportedly, there is only one person who completed it. Here is a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyokushinkai#Multi-man_kumite

I like testings because they are a general overview of a certain level of acquired knowledge. For example, most of our schools have a required curriculum, which sets levels of knowledge (i.e., certain techniques, forms, bunkai, etc.) to be attained. After a group of blue belts test, you will then know which ones are ready to learn the brown belt material. However, playing the devil's advocate on myself, here, the down side is that a test does not accurately reflect what the student knows outside of the required curriculum. However, if sparring takes place, like during most tests, this is where the true self-expression lies. Variances in skill level will arise here. Also, different tendencies and attitudes as well. On that note, the instructor does see the students every day in class, and knows what they are capable of. When an outside judge comes to set on the panel, he is going to grade specifically on technique, because he does not know what the students are like in class. However, having an outsider come in to judge brings one who will have no bias to the judging panel. Have I answered the question stated? Well, I think I just talked around it; oh well! Testings have pros and cons, and so does not testing.

That tutorial looks pretty good! I would follow those directions, and just keep at it. Try it with your hands until you get it down, though. Make sure to get a good burst with your legs, and then burst with your arms, too.

I have heard stories about martial artists/military personnel being held to a higher standard, due to their training and experience. I don't know how accurate that is, maybe someone could give me some ideas on this?

Does the style have a website, with any student information on it? Perhaps you could start by trying to get in touch with some of the students who you used to train with, and start backtracking that way. Kind of like doing a geneolgy search.

Congrats, Kez!!! Hooray for you! Are you trying to catch me?! I'll have to step it up!

Off topic a little, I remember my brother bought a game for the PS2 that had every Mega Man game ever made on it, even the old Nintendo ones. Man, that was a blast to play!

Shotokan-kez's son.

It's just so frustrating, but there really isn't anyone I can bring this up to, except y'all.

well you see in the year that they were training they have, using their prior knowledge of the martial arts, been able to master to their dan level, the subtle nuances between the styles... this being said, if they can execute the same technique in both styles and can explain the difference, they deserve to be bragging about 2 belts I think this is the reason why you see friends in other styles just getting together to work out and trade ideas, as opposed to attending each others' school and attaining rank.

Seeing the ads for it on TV, I don't know if it will work like everyone thinks for the swordplay. I think it will be just another Powerglove; nice concept, but not very much fun, in the end.

I don't do any tile breaking, just boards. Between them, you could use pencils, I guess.

Good exercise there by TigerDude. Make sure your back is straight when doing the push-ups. If it helps to relieve the pressure, do them on your knees until you get your back stronger.

I would say try to find something similar, and try to expand your work in kyokushin as you advance in the rank of your current system. Like trying to find training partners outside the dojo, or things like that.

Hmm, that is very interesting. I don't get much into the TSD circles, although I do like to hear about them. I will have to do some more searching, I think.

I just had an idea....when you throw the kick, at the moment of execution, throw the same hand you are kicking with back behind the outstretched leg. This reaction force should help you to control your leg and stop the momentum, so you can return the kick more easily to the ground where you started.

I can see what you are getting at, but is not always possible to breath out on each technique, if you are doing a combination of techniques. I do agree that Kihaps are good to add on to the end of a technique, but do you kiai at the end of every technique, even when you spar? I don't, but that is just me. Muscle contraction is what moves the limbs or our body. The make-up of the muscle fibers is what makes a person more prone to fast, anaerobic actions, or slower (not slow), aerobic actions. It is the difference between running a marathon and running a wind sprint, essentially. Fast, explosive movements are trained and used in many sports; the martial arts is really not any different.

I guess I can take or leave testing. I have always had to test for rank, so it is what I am used to. Does that make it right? No, not really. However, testings have their advantages. It does give some a sense of accomplishment. Others, not so much. Like you said, you will know how good you are, inside. I don't know; I will think on this a bit. A good thread!

If you know one of them, it is best to try to talk them down, get in front of him, and walk him backwards, while keeping an eye on the other party. Hopefully, someone is doing the same to them.

Good deal! Just keep at it, and continue your hard work and effort, and you will be rewarded!

Sometimes, if you really want to do it, you have to MAKE time for it. If you can practice on your own, then that is great. If you really want to train at a school, then you may have to arrange a schedule. You could do what I like to call a 'time budget.' Get one of those handy scheduling books, and whenever you do something, like wake up, get ready for work, commute to work, amount of time you work, etc, you right it down in the schedule book. Do this for a week or two. By the end of the two weeks, you will have a very general idea of what exactly you do with your time, when you do it, and on what days. You will also see where the gaps in your time is, and then you can 'budget' in other activities. Hope this helps....keep at it!

Welcome to KF, Travis! Unfortunately, I have not heard of whom you speak, so I cannot offer any help. Sorry!

Oooh, that is a good quote!

I think you have a good point here, and the problem boils down to the thought of harassment. Guys tend be leary about the thought of harrasing a female, so we try to avoid it altogether.

Boy, that would make it fun to play, then.