NightOwl

Personally I am very much against kata. Why practice a kata when you can practice the moves separately and more efficiently? Kata does build a muscle memory of sorts- but for the kata, not as you would use it in my opinion. Kata can be nice to look at and I know some people like them, but for me I've found them to take up training time as opposed to two person drills, sparring, and even cardio. All of those have been shown in my opinion to help understand techniques as you actually use them and improve your abilities much more effectively. Actually most styles gain kata with time (look at traditional chen vs yang taichi) . The reason being is that kata have a point- preserving a moveset in a pattern- that is why many older kata can be on the short side. They are meant to show moves and that is it. However as time goes on on and people get less interested in combat, forms become a pursuit in themselves. Thus you move from basic function to atheistically pleasing routines. This isn't new- during the Edo period in Japan many samurai complained that the martial arts had started to become a form of dance, and I have even read similar complaints about military kungfu training in ancient china. However even if you have a kata just for preserving a technique, we no longer live in an age where you can't write anything down or only record them on expensive to produce scrolls as in Japan. Besides, such kata are only good when someone actually knows what they represent and how to use them. Applications and sparring have always traditionally been used for learning how to actually apply moves, and thus with no longer any need for preserving techniques in kata I see little need for them. If you want to practice kata I totally respect that- however sometimes an adherence to 'tradition' and a huge emphasis placed on them for grading means that I have less time to train. Wushu is all about the forms (and it looks amazing and requires a ton of work!), however it doesn't try and be a martial art, but a martially inspired sport. On the other hand, I feel that many train like a Wushu practitioner would, but have a completely different goal in mind.

'Traditional' is a bit of a misnomer, as most TMAs as they are practiced are less than 100 years old (arguably most quite younger than that), especially the popular Korean and Japanese styles. The only martial art I would feel comfortable giving a literal traditional label to might be koryu, although I too use the term 'TMA' in the general sense. Koryu martial arts, or Japanese martial arts being able to prove their existence before the Meiji restoration in the late 1800's, have documented histories and traditions via the fact that Japan was somewhat unique in that a good portion of its fighting styles were practiced by an upper class more prone to literacy. Although I might argue that some of them have toned down training methods, Koryu are not trained for learning a martial art as much as preserving a cultural tradition and lifestyle, a tradition that is hundreds of years old in the truest sense. As for what TMA means now, it tends to refer to a method of training and mindset more than anything else IMO. It can both be derogatory (outdated training) or complementary (tradition, values, and a focus or real combat).

Officially they have a 'self defense force', of which their Navy is the most important IMO. As for hand to hand combat, the US military currently also uses jujutsu (particularly BJJ) in their current training, and if anecdotal stories from Japanese soldiers are to believed, the US training regimen is tougher in a purely psychical sense. Either way though, I wouldn't put too much into what a military unit trains. Unarmed combat is one of the very last resorts in a war, and as such it takes a backseat in training. The recent Ben Saunders vs Brandon Wolff fight at the UFC 'Fight for the Troops' event had a Navy SEAL in it (Wolff) and he got beat pretty bad (although Wolff teaches H2H himself using an MMA curriculum according to this articlehttp:// http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/2008/12/09/wolff_troops/ ). If you are looking for the top training for modern weaponry and warfare though (and who I'd bet on in a real combat situation), you've got no better or tougher . Just in a very different field of expertise.

Nope- Koshinage is an aikido throw. If I were to pick out some bread and butter judo techniques Uchimata, Ogoshi, Osotogari, Ippon seionage would probably come up...but they aren't my best throws

A kid can know all the forms and the bunkai down pat. However he can't provide the psychical feedback needed for an adult (perhaps not the same maturity level as well). That isn't to say that being young is bad- it isn't. Kids can be way cooler than adults sometimes. But having worked with kids before (and having been one for a large portion of my life), I can tell you that on the whole they are not on the same maturity level as adults. There is a reason that child psychology is a specialization as opposed to regular psychology. Especially when it comes to fighting- it makes a big difference. I can probably match any 18 year old with no training at all and a 10 year old black belt champ and have the 18 year old win every time. This isn't because he has more technical know how- but because the 10 year old is just too small to be able to do anything yet. If that 18 year old wanted to train, it wouldn't be fair to him as he wouldn't get to train as he would against someone who would actually attack him. Now, kids NEED to know what is like to fight back against an adult, however adults should never have to fight against a kid. Thus you need some interaction between adult and kid training, however to have the kid lead everything for the adults doesn't make sense. That is why kids and adult classes really should be separate. As for kids needing to know what it is like to fight back against an adult- they shouldn't be practicing regular attacks anyways. They need to learn how to escape, bite, call for help, learn to deal with strangers, etc. However training them against an adult with the usual curriculum is bad news. As such having kids lead in things that both kids and adults can participate in (warmups, drills, etc) is a great idea. And for kids classes, the blackbelt students can lead fully to prepare them for when they graduate up.

Japanese, English, Starting Korean.

TaiOtoshi HaraiGoshi Jab+Cross Clinch+Knees

I don't think that they need to be a higher rank either for this (perhaps for drills). It is a good experience for them to get used to a leading role.

I like high hands and bobbing when it comes to striking, I'd rather not get hit

BB of C, that sounds like a good instructor you've got there. If he has trained you to the point that you can start beating him, then that means he has done a good job in helping you get better, and that's not something to be ashamed of

I don't think that it is fair to either the adult or the kid for a young person to be in a position of authority over an adult. For the adult, they have been through school, growing up, perhaps getting married and starting a family, going to work...and yet 2-3 times a week someone less than half their age is their 'boss' because of a black piece of fabric, and I think that can cause some hard feelings. Especially if the adults are looking for hard training other than going over basic drills, someone that young just physically (even if they are very mature for their age) can't provide that level of training. On the other hand as a kid, you are given this authority with no real power behind it. Anyone who has been a hall monitor can tell you what that is like. On paper you are in charge but in reality people can (and will) disregard what you say if they don't like it, simply because you can't really do anything about it. Thus you are stuck trying to lead, but if something goes awry you don't have much of a choice other than going for help. Either way I think that situation is a recipe for trouble, but I don't think that younger kids have no place in teaching at all. Helping lead warm ups, drills, etc helps get teaching experience while being in situations that don't lend themselves to conflict. I think that such training doesn't make adults feel disrespected in any way, and gives confidence and valuable training to young people not quite ready to be in the young adult/adult category.

Hmm, well in my old Taekwondo days I used an Adidas. I don't recall it being the best gi I've ever owned but it served its purpose well. Otherwise for BJJ and Judo I've used gi's not on the list : (

The Last fight in Drunken Master 2 The street brawl in They Live Jackie vs. 'The Jet' in Meals on wheels final fight in Fist of legend way too many good ones.

Kodokan Judo is more comprehensive IMO, and really is a must for the basic overview of judo techniques. however I couldn't resist a book claiming Putin as an author

The Japanese during WWII didn't have any particularly unique training- it was based off judo, kendo, and bayonet drills as far as unarmed and 'cold weapon' training went. The Japanese government mass produced swords during the war so training kendo made some sense (although the WWII swords themselves weren't that high of quality). Kendo and judo are still incorporated into modern police/military training, and I've heard that they have their own MCNAP like system. Yoshinkai Aikido is famously trained by the riot police in very demanding training, however this supposedly has more to do with old political ties between the Yoshinkai and the police force, as well as wanting to promote a 'budo spirit'; then actually training for use on the job. For that they use batons, riot shields, and the many other tools of the trade. For an overview of exercise in Japan Japanese Sports: a History by Allen Guttmann and Lee Thompson is quite good.

Martial doesn't necessarily meanthe military- most arts aren't meant for the battlefield. Traditional karate was supposedly quite informal, and Judo, BJJ, western martial arts, and old school kung fu if you've ever been to a place that practices them, usually are fairly relaxed. Japanese Karate and its offshoots (like many of the Korean martial arts) tend to be more strict, but shotokan really arose during the militaristic days of Japan so that is to be expected. From where I been I have seen no correlation between a relaxed atmosphere and bad training.

"There are many techniques, but only one card" haha

Seiza- I don't know if you ever fully get used to it. We really need more chairs in martial arts. As for leaving martial arts for awhile, I've done it more times than I'd care to admit, particularly in the past 4 years. If you go to a college like mine that doesn't have any martial art clubs and no gyms in town you don't really have a choice but to study over the summer. Fortunately I'll be going to a different school next semester and be near by some supposedly top notch training centers where I can continue my Judo and start submission wrestling as a supporting martial art. Maybe if I have the time I might do kendo/iado or some kung fu, but we'll see.

Hwoarang in Tekken does TKD I believe

It was a good cause but man....that was one of the most brutal fight nights I have ever seen. Poor Mr. Hill's leg looked like Gumby

Hmmm- There is an old saying in Arabic, "Trust in Allah, but tie your camel". I think a similar philosophy could be applied by karateka who follow the "One hit one kill" mindset.

I don't really see this as an issue at all. Case-in-point; Wrestling is already a sport option in most school systems. Other Martial Arts can be taught in a similar premise without any concern. Exactly. Wrestling, Judo, and Kendo all have long histories of being promoted in the public education system (at one time perhaps boxing as well).

Unfortunately (as I like Korea), I've heard that the MMA scene in Korea isn't in so great of shape, as far as top tier levels go. Supposedly many of the higher level Korean MMA fighters train abroad as it is hard to find good training partners. Looking at the old PRIDE records Korean mma fighters usually haven't done that well, which is surprising to me knowing of the strong martial arts culture there. However of all organizations the UFC seems to have its eye on the country, especially with the rise of Dong Hyun "Stun Gun" Kim who has started to gain quite a following.

Some good books- Shotokan Karate: Its origins and Techniques Karate-do, my Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi Both of the books go over the transition from traditional karate to Japanese karate, the latter by the man who imported karate to Japan himself. From what I have read from books like these and others, traditional karate definitely has differences from what you see today. There were no ranks, belts, or uniforms. These were all adopted (mostly) from judo to help promote karate in Japan by making it more 'Japanese'. Similarly the strict hierarchy and formality of karate seems to be absent as well. Karate was never a battlefield art- that can be seen in its emphasis on unarmed techniques as well as its choice of weaponry (from staffs to rowing oars). It was a martial art of the people, as opposed to the samurai arts of Japan. As far as if you can actually find a place that still teaches in the old style, especially in the US, I am not sure.

haha I have his book, Judo: History, Theory, Practice.