username8517

Pretty good list. As bushido_man pointed out, I wouldn't recommend the throwing elbows for LEOs. I would switch that out with knowing how to work side mount.

What? you got a car?! Nope, it appears all I get is use of Patrick's YouGetJack-ominium. I wonder how nicely furnished it is

Nice post! I agree with the statement that here in the States MA has become Americanized in terms of wanting instant satisfaction. I'm sure every instructor has had students leave after a couple months because of issues with not seeing immediate results. I think this hits the nail squarely on the head. Well put!

I'm going to try and stay off my soapbox on this one, but I make no gaurantees. I believe the need for political correctness in every aspect of our lives has just become a pain in the butt. Now I'm not saying that political correctness is wrong or there isn't a need for it. But the bottom line is that at some point in your life you will be offended by something or someone and you will have your feelings hurt. Does that mean we should try and eliminate those things all together? If so, what do we use to define someone's character? Certainly we can't use overcoming adversity then. To address the points you were given: --Can shouting at a child be considered verbal abuse? Yes, but it all depends on the tone, the words used, and the rational behind it. --Can punishments like push-ups be considered physical abuse? Yes, but once again it depends on the rational behind it and how long you force them to undergo say punishment. I do not see the problem in ordering a student to do ten push ups for not paying attention in class, but I do see a problem with order the same student to do push up for twenty minutes for the same offense. --Can putting too many combinations together be considered mental abuse? Yes, but only if you relentlessly push the student to achieve it knowing it is beyond their capabilities and badgering them for their short comings when they fail. This could also be considered verbal and physical abuse as well. However, these abuses are hopefully the exceptions and not the norms of the MA world. Unfortunately, in today's sue-crazy age, we often have to tred the line, worrying what we say and do, hoping we don't offend someone, their parent, or worse--their lawyer.

I'm no expert in the healthcare industry, but I don't believe so. There are state-funded clinics, or "Free clinics", that you can go to, but the care doesn't appear to be up to par. Once again, this is just my impression, I could be entirely off. As far as having healthy insurance, unfortunately it's almost a neccessity here in the States, especially if you have others in your family who depend on it. For example, my wife has something akin to a pacemaker in her body to help control a degenerative genetic defect in her body. Well, the insurance companies consider this a "pre-existing condition" and she will almost always get turned down for health coverage directly. Those companies that will offer to give her a policy will charge out the wazoo--regardless of the fact she hasn't had any issues with this defect in almost six years. This means that the only way she can get health care coverage is as a spouse through health insurance I'm offered through work. So basically, if I stop working, whether it be my choice or not, not only am I without insurance, but so is my wife and two kids. There have been numerous times I've debated leaving my job and pursuing MA as a full-time career, but unfortunately at this time I have other priorities first. But back to the issue at hand--insurance was not an issue when I first started MA, as I was covered by my parents policy at the time (I was young when I started). Even after I finished college and moved out of my folks, I continued to carry insurance because of the simple fact it does cost a lot of money if you have to take a trip to the hospital. For example, since leaving my parents policy and getting my own, I've had to have two knee surguries--one minor (a scoping to remove torn cartilidge) and one reconstructive. Well, let me just say the scoping alone cost me just over $500 with insurance. I hate to imagine what it would have been without. My recommendation would be to get insurance if possible. If you're in good shape, don't smoke or excessively drink, and have no pre-existing conditions, you should be able to get just yourself covered for a resonable amount a month.

Just for everyone who might believe that anti-MA video, here are two videos that without a doubt prove the effectiveness of MA in the street. Enjoy! Tai Chi example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TfH7vZZmr8 Grappling example http://www.dump.com/ffgve/

Just out of curiousity, what kind of perks does being Member of the Month have?? Do I get an additional sick day? Reserved parking? Use of the company car???

Wow! Thank you. In all honesty this was totally unexpected. Obviously this could not have been done without the wonderful community that Karateforums.com is. So let me say Thank You to all of you out there in cyber land for the wonderful dialog and thought stimulation.

My answer to whether permission should be obtained is in the other poll I asked Patrick to lock down. In regards to this: I answer both as a student and as an instructor. In the past I've cross-trained before so why would it be alright for me and not those I instruct? Even my instructor has trained in other styles in the past. When I was cross-training I was doing so in three very different styles: Kali, Silat, and BJJ. Each of these MA are primarily focused on one thing. Kali is weapons (mainly escrima and knife), Silat is striking, and BJJ is grapping. Now that's not to say that each of these styles only focused on what they excelled in, but it was their main focus. By cross training, it allowed me to take in the best parts of different systems and adapt them to not only my body but to other styles as well. But the beauty of the thing is, that by cross training, I have realized that what is truely effective in MA can be found in all MA, regardless of the style--the moves might just be practiced differently or in a different position. Take the Naihanchi katas in Okinawa Karate--I've seen some quite effective BJJ applications taken from those katas and applied as if you're executing them against someone in your gaurd. Even recently, one of my Ni-kyus has approached me expressing interest in getting into some ground work when he reaches his Shodan rank (in about a year or so) and asked if I had any ideas of what would be some good books to do some research on the matter. Rather than simply tell him, I lent him a few books out of my personal collection (granted I know him well enough to entrust him with them). And when he's done with those, I plan on showing him some of the BJJ basics so he has a good first hand experience of what he's getting into before he signs any contracts.

I'll go ahead and set one up for you in the CrossTraining forum since that's what it will be about. Oops i just set one up bearich in general martial arts No problem. I'll PM Patrick and see if he can merge them.

IMO you should be able to train under whomever you want whenever you want. No instructor should have the right to limit your learning and self-defense skills. Knowledge is one of the greatest weapons MA can and should possess. The best way to gain this knowledge is to actually research MA your not familiar with and try them out first hand. Should you inform your instuctor of your intentions--absolutely. But you should not be required to have their blessing.

Please explain your answer

I'll go ahead and set one up for you in the CrossTraining forum since that's what it will be about.

I personally do not agree with this at all. You shouldn't have to ask your sensei for permission to train elsewhere. You have a right to train with whomever you want whenever you want. You should inform him of your intention, but you shouldn't be required to have his blessing. Just my two cents.

Okay. Then you shouldn't have too much trouble getting them to keep their attention during class. Adults and upper teens also will be more likely to participate in class when it comes to answering questions and such. While I don't know the techniques you will be teaching, here are some common tips I've picked up: --While this mostly applies to younger teens, adults are often guilty of thinking they know everything after you explain it once (sometimes even before you explain it). --Know which battles to walk away from (especially in reference to the above). Sometimes it's just better to walk away from a potential disagreement and let the person spend five additonal minutes in fantasy land than waste your time on someone who isn't going to listen. --Regardless of who you like to teach in class and who you wish never came back, you'll have to remember you cannot dictate what another person thinks about MA or how they feel it either. You'll loose some students you like and the ones you want to push out the door will linger. Bottom line, you can't control this, so don't stress over either type. Just go with the flow. --When instructing, those students that don't want to put in the effort to learn get less attention from me. That's not to say I ignore them, but I tend to focus more on those who want to learn. --Don't be afraid to be hands on when showing techniques. Bear in mind that doesn't mean get physical with your students, but if a student is having trouble with a technique, let them perform it on you. You'll be able to give immediate feedback as to what you think was effective, what needs to be altered, etc. --Everyone's body is different. What works for one might not work for another. If a student is having difficulty with performing a move correctly, talk to them (peferable before or after class) about what exactly is causing the issue. And then try and work with them as to a possible solution. --And finally, you'll need to remember everyone has a different learning pace too. If any more come to mind I'll let you know

Will this class be more geared for adults or children?

Recently I've been in a mood where I've favored stop kicks to shins as opponents have come in, but I think my all-time favorite technique is a good old fashioned guntin.

Cross training is always good, even if it's in the same style of karate. What one Shotokan dojo does might be different from another. Back to the question at hand, when you train in other styles, it allows you to see slight differences in the way certain moves are executed. Obviously there will be different bunkai behind it so don't be afraid to ask why it is done the way it is (obviously ask tactfully) as opposed to the way your were originally shown in Shotokan. The good thing about training in another form of karate is it will be easier for you to pick up on things than if you started a training in a whole new system altogether. However, the downside to that is that you'll really have to pay attention to what you're doing or else your old training will slip in and you won't even notice.

Actually what I liked best about it is the martial artist, even after catching the two thugs running up on them, bothered not only put distance between himself and them, but to also to take his eyes off of them to look at his watch and tell the guy the time.

Wow, can't believe we're two pages in the no one has made the comment that the best place to strike in the opening right in front of you. Seriously though, why bother taking your time to aim for that one end all shot when many times it won't be readily available? Instead focus on the openings and attacks your oppoent gives you. Opponent over-commits on a cross, bury a fist into their floating ribs or kidneys. They drop their hands on kick, crack them in the jaw. They throw a solid punch your way, attack the arm or hand directly. While there are sensitive points and nerve clusters on the body, you hit someone hard in the arm and they're going to feel it, even if you miss the pressure point you were aiming for.

Hello and Welcome

Yes you can use dowling rods if you're looking for something to just practice with. As far as measurements go, the average width is approximately 3/4 inch diameter and the length is on average 26-28 inches. Although I have seen a pair as short as 22 inches. While I don't know about japanese sized nunchucks, here in America you can usually get them at your choice of either 12 or 14 inches long. As far as making them yourself, I have no idea.

I found my through a flyer at the rec center I was attending. I was performing additional rehab workout on my knee in the weight room after some reconstructive surgury (as the wonderful insurance company only covered so many visits to the office where I did my "offical" physical therapy). The school was being run in the rec center and was actually starting that day. Seeing that it was a style of Okinawa Karate called Matsubayashi-Ryu. Having done Shito-ryu back in the late 80's early 90's, I figured it had to have some similarities. Intrigued I read more. What really hooked me into attending was that the instructor had experience in additional styles of martial arts; kali, silat, and praying mantis kung-fu. Seeing how I had previous experience in kali and silat (heck it was a silat injury that cause me to blow out my knee I was rehabbing), I decided to stop by that night, speak with the instructor, and see what the class was all about. Since then, I have never considered leaving.

Having never tried them myself I'll have to take your word for it, but I have a friend that swears by them. **Edit: I should note my friend that swears by them is not heavy in MA though

This is a good one. Now you didn't mention whether it was a same side grab or not (his right hand grabbing your left or vice versa), but for a same side grab, this one if my favorite. Make a fist with the hand that is being grabbed and rotate so both your forearms have the underside facing inwards towards your body. Taking your free hand, strike the underside of your opponents arm--this could be a punch or smack--but the principle is the same--applying force against the weak part of the grab (the finger and thumb). A strike with any kind of force will knock his hand loose and allow your hand that was grabbed to attack.