Dobbersky

http://matthewsylvester.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/dont-take-your-instructors-for-granted/ Good read, can't agree more, enjoy

DoctorQui, When you pop down to my Dojo, I'll show you how to "Work" the Shin block correctly and yeah that video is 'orrible He probably had a small hairline fracture from over training he wasn't aware of or kicked at the wrong angle, but if you notice its smack in the middle of his shin where it broke, I think its one of every Knockdown Karateka and Muay Thai fighters worst nightmare

OK, There are plenty of Karateka on here who practice that Style of sparring, I practice Full Contact knockdown sparring which is as different a Table Tennis is to Badmington

Slapping Dragons: Questioning the Unquestionable in Martial Arts I frequent Iain Abernethy's site and this was a good recommendation so I would like to pass it onto you guys too The book ‘Slapping Dragons’ is about taking a close look at some of the strange beliefs and practices often found within the martial arts. Some of the claims are silly, such as Qi power and the touch of death, and some of the claims are dangerous, as in when self-defense/self-protection is advertized, and the actual lessons contain incorrect information and ideas which could put you in jail or cause you to be killed. Through personal anecdotes, hard facts and a generous dose of humor, the book shines a light on many subjects surrounding the martial arts, and applies critical thinking skills to examine if they stand up to reason. The book is available at the following: Kindle users (or if you have a Kindle app for your phone or PC (the app is a free download): http://www.amazon.com/Slapping-Dragons-ebook/dp/B0089H5XEE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340367424&sr=8-1&keywords=Slapping+Dragons Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Slapping-Dragons-Questioning-Unquestionable-Martial/dp/1477595503/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1340367553&sr=8-3&keywords=Slapping+Dragons Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slapping-Dragons-Questioning-Unquestionable-Martial/dp/1477595503/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1340367633&sr=8-4

Ryu, What type of sparring do you practice, what style do you study, There are so many different ways of sparring. If you let us know we can asssist more Welcome to the Forum, OSU!!!

Are you over 24?

Finding how many applications of all the "warm up" exercises is a good one, you'd be surprised how many there are. I don't think I have any "special" teaching methods but I been doing it that long its become the norm.

LOL, sometimes I feel it, Arthritis of the spine from a broken back playing Rugby as a teenager, serving in the Armed Forces, seeing things no man should ever have to see. I left home at 18 and I always used to love listening, and still do, to the older generations and their stories of their youth etc. I have a wonderful family praised be to God, but I've always had to "survive" if you understand what I mean, I've never had anything "handed" to me I've had to work damned hard for everything I have, OSU

Solid Post my friend, OSU

You can order a black belt straight from Century for $5. There was an Instructor offering Dan grade certificates and a belt on EBay $10.50 + $5.00 Shipping + whatever he asks for the grade (not much or I won't buy, cos the joke is only worth so much! - even if it does take this sort of !!!! out of circulation) link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=16044 This was in a different forum the Ebay link has been removed but left to prove it was a genuine "OFFER"

I think may the school no longer survives the Sensei retired and the students went their own ways or something tlike that. I remember the schools I used to train in as a Kid and none of them exist now. Its strange when you get to our age 23 nearly 24 (40+) and try to recollect what was around when we were 10 or so I think it will be one of those questions left unanswered like "nobody ever told us "How to get to Sesame Street"" or "Did Samuarai Jack ever get back to his Time Zone and Beat Aku" (Mako was the voice of Aku, he sadly past a few year's back)

I only ever give pressups to the Kids and cadets as a rule, but Adults, I've never had to give pressups out as a "Punishment" but usually as a self-Critique issue. For example if the get a Kata wrong they themselves will do say 10 then start it again. I didn't know that Instructors would give out pressups to adults as can't see any point as they are "adults" so self-dicipline shouldn't be an issue

Question on this Topic, How many of you Shadow Spar, I do it almost daily as it gives me time to put techniques together etc

OSU, as You're in Manchester, please honour me with a visit to my dojo. Solid post and yeah I thought the same things as you. Mine was from Tang Soo Do to Wado Ryu so very very similar issues. The Ashihara I practice is even more different, I found the use of Sabaki on Ashihara was different to the Wado version in performance of the techniques. I had to choose which path, But definitely good to put a face to a name, You're always welcome, chat soon my friend

DoctorQui Can I ask how you manage to differentiate between the styles of Wado and Shotokan? For example Tekki Shodan AND Naihanchi Kata, they are the same but different and the Pinan v Heian Kata's I at the time of studying Wado Ryu AND Shoto-Kan but couldn't see me being able to differentiate the Kata so I applaud you for that. OSU

WELL DONE my friend, totally agree with you on that One OSU

XO, definitely let us know how you got on, OSU

I've got a BJJ book authored by 2 Gracie brothers, it runs a syllabus, best thing to format you training etc is to get the book then find the specified techniques on You tube etc. It's just an idea anyways

My lectures at the end of class usually do the trick, about most Kyu grades need to be shown what to do whereas Dan grades already know what to do. I have some senior Brown belts that I always use to test the skills of any black belt "visiting" I wouldn't bat an eyelid at his previous array of experience, he still needs to earn a grade in your school, set the standard, let him wear his black belt, as he will soon realise where he "SHOULD" be with regards to skill-set OSU

Definitely a good idea, enjoy the event and if you have a "licence & grading" book with you to get the Shihan's to sign it on the courses attended page

I think ALL "GUNS" should be banned in every country! As too many innocents get killed from them! Now bringing the Thread BACK to the topic. Most of Okinawan Arts use low kicks in their arsenal but why do they not get used in competitions. I get fed up of the No low kicks competitions that are about, BUT they allow punches to the face! I had the chance of a Local Club doing a Semi-Contact "100-man Kumite" but they weren't allowing Low Kicks, for Charity. I decided against it as i didn't want my guys disqualified for too many low kicks especially after paying an "entrance fee" too and getting sponsors etc for the charity!

My personal view is that there is never enough or too much Kihon (Basics), I would recommend getting one of the books on teaching Martial Arts that you can get on EBay/Amazon on that very topic. The y go into depth as to how to structure a class and what content should be within it. Don't worry about your Sensei's Critique, If he didn't critique your lesson I would be worried OSU

Take up Tai Chi, its calming and relaxing and definitely no sparring Osu

That's just silly Politics I hate this rubbish!!! If someone comes to my school with a Black belt in another style, they wear their black belt, period. They've earnt it, they deserve to wear it, do you not think your black belts have earnt their grades,..... so why think someone else hasn't earnt theirs! If you attended a seminar with a load of blackbelts would you raise this same question, NO!!! I see this same question time and time again. Its frustrating that people do this, I also don't allow Dan Bars either, to Glorify their Dan grades as their own skills should dictate what level they are at not how many Dan Bars they've got!!!

All, I know many of us are regular cross-trainers in various different arts, but what effects does it have on your personal style? If one has a core style, let's say Shoto-Kan and one also trains/trained in Muay Thai and/or BJJ, can one still say they are at Shoto-Kan fighter or do they HAVE to declare they are a MMA fighter as the fighting "way" of the individual is NOT the Shoto-Kan way any more as varying techniques WILL sublimely filter through to one's arsenal of techniques. I know this as I find myself, when sparring, using many techniques from the various Arts I've studied.