bushido_man96

For the ones who don't want to be there, you have to try to make it fun for them. Make it a game, and they will take to it. But with both, just be patient, and take your time. If they do one little thing right, praise them for it. The reniforcement will help. Remember, being able to help these little guys succeed is what makes a good instructor. I always say anyone can teach someone who is talented.

I feel like I sometimes have too much control as well. When someone really cranks me though, I tend to let them have it.

Yes, please elaborate. I like the sound of it, though.

Jeff5 made some good points about the books by Abernethy. He has taken kata and applied it completely for combat purposes, with 4 stages of training. I have done forms for quite some time, and have just recently found out about bunkai. I wondered why the Korean styles didn't have bunkai. I have decided to create my own for the forms, to give the forms a meaning. Perhaps you have had the similar problems that I have, and I intend to rectify this by research and study.

I don't like to assume that I am going to be fighting someone who is unskilled. Personally, I don't fight much. Never have. So, if someone wants to dance with me, I assume that they have been in fights, and therefore more experienced than I. And experience is a valuable teacher.

They say that the people who are the best at defending the takedowns are the ones who know how to do the takedowns/grapple.

The orientation is basically what our basic warm-up is. 1. Punches in sitting stance (horse). 2. Down block in front stance, then stepping and puching. 3. Down block and reverse punch on the way back across the floor. 4. Middle blocks in back stance. 5. Knifehand strikes in back stance. 6. High block in front stance. And it goes on into stretch kicks, then front snap kicks, side kicks, and jump front snap kicks. Then we get into some combinations, and that is it. These are all done down to one end of the floor on the instructor's count, then we turn, and go back the other way on our own count. I can give you a whole list, if you like. These are the first few segments.

I don't think it is overtraining, because I only get to class twice a week. However, I am trying to start doing some grappling, so maybe working on this will help me with setting new goals. Thank you, elbows_and_knees.

You are probably right. I try to feel confident in my techniques, but it seems like I get myself down on it at times.

Thanks, Sohan. Good advise!

You make a good point. We all have some positives and negatives about it, but the most of us did watch it.

Same with math. I think we're on to something here. Yeah, but math and music books don't kick back!

Oh right i see. Well usually in our dojo if someone new walks in then the class is generally more relaxed while the new girl/guy settles in. When we get a new student, they go through a 2 week orientation process, which readies them for the basic warm-up in the traditional class. This is very helpful, as the student will know what to expect when he/she gets there.

Maybe Patrick could make it a sticky in the "Getting Started in Martial Arts" forum!

I have never met any famous hero's of mine..but Bushido you totally hit the nail on the head with looking up to people...ie my sensei's. Also my mum and yeah i guess i'm a hero for my sons...thanks bushido you made me smile Ah, shucks. T'weren't nothin'.

Thanks, MizuRyu. Those are great....but would not apply for my class. I guess I should have specified my situation. When sparring in class, there is no back contact, and none below the belt. Sorry to confuse!

Very good points, alsey. To my knowledge, there are few styles that apply to all ranges of combat. One could argue that the bunkai in karate offers grappling as well as stand-up, but it's content is not as extensive as something like judo or BJJ has to offer.

Did you know that the reason Bill Wallace was called "Superfoot" and not "Superfeet" was because he tore up one (his left, I think?) in Judo? Therefore, that leg was pretty much relegated to being the base leg for his other kicks. (I read this somewhere, but it has been so long, please don't ask me to give a source )

I tend to "absorb" a lot of these kicks. I can get a partial block on them, and start pushing them out of the way, but they still tend to catch me a little. It is annoying. Sometimes I don't get a block down, and just end up taking off of my elbows and into the gut. That is not bad, because the attacker usually tears his foot up on my elbows, but I despise the contact being made. I try to side step, but still get snagged at times. Maybe need to work on my timing here. One thing that has worked: block/hook the leg and push it off to the side, making them off balance while sliding backwards about half a stance length. Then, I follow it up with a stepping in outer crescent up to the noodle. It works, but I don't like going backwards....I would rather gain ground than give it. Any suggestions would be great! Also, what is your favorite counter to use against the back leg round kick? I have a couple, but would like to hear yours. I usually block and then counter, but try to just counter sometimes. How about y'all?

Their website is simple and straightforward. I like that. Maybe small operation = small student/teacher ratio. That = good deal for you!

Thanks, jaymac! Every now and then, I get a little emotional !

Yeah, you're probably right. I need to find some philosophical stuff to read now!

That is a good idea, alsey. I know that the ATA works this way, for the most part. My wife's cousin is going from a school in my current association to the ATA. She is a 3rd dan, and the ATA will accept her rank, based on performance of her current material, demonstration of technique, and probably proof of rank certificate.

If you are lifting at the gym, get an employee to show you how to bench properly, and to spot for you. That is what they get paid to do. Most of them probably lift on a regualr basis anyways, so they should be able to help.

There are lots of things that God does not mention in the Bible, like the internet, automobile, computers, and all kinds of things. I know, I probably am sounding silly, but take it for what its worth. I believe that "ki" is in us from day one. Call it spirit, sould, internal energy, or whatever, but I believe we are born with it. I also think that if we are born with it, it is because God put it there, and therefore, is not inherently bad in and of itself. Now, could it be used for evil? Sure, but so can our hands, our minds, and our hearts. But none are inherently bad.