Montana

I have questions about this also. There's something specific you want to learn from this sensei? What is it? In my own experience, I've had people want to join my dojo just to learn KOBUDO/weapons, nothing else. most had ZERO martial arts background, training or experience in any martial arts, just wanted to learn weapons. My response has always been "Sure, you can join the class and in about 2+ years, depending on how you train and progress, I'll start teaching you weapons." So far, no takers...

"Average Opponent" would be your average. untrained adult walking down the street. Teen or child, that would be an average other teen or child.

This is something that has been a pet peeve of mine for YEARS! Should a child be awarded a black belt? I guess it depends on what you consider the skills a holder of a black belt should have. I agree that a 1st degree black belt is just someone that has grasped the basic skills of the art. They should understand the stances, punches, blocks and other techniques that make the FOUNDATION of the art, but are certainly not masters of that art yet. I liken it to public schooling. The colored grades are 1st grade thru high school. You can read, write, put together sentences into paragraphs, etc, but not yet ready to write a book. For me, a person that has achieved the skills required and necessary to be awarded a black belt needs the maturity, mental fitness, awareness, skills and experience necessary to effectively DEFEND themselves against an average opponent on the street in a real life, self-defense situation. Under those criteria, would a child of 6-15 be able to do that? Unlikely. What I adopted in my dojo for younger students that had the knowledge of the kata and techniques, but not the maturity. awareness or experience at the level they should have. These students were given a brown belt with a black stripe running thru it. They would have all of the perks and privileges of a black belt in class, and as long as they continued to pursue the art. train hard, show improvement, gain the "seasoning" and experience that only time can give, they would be awarded their black belt. The usual understanding was on their 16th birthday, but that was NOT set in stone, as maturity varies a lot among 16-year-olds. I always ran a small school. I wasn't trying to make a living at it, other than a 3 year period, because I feel doing that cheapens the art. I was content just paying my bills those 3 years but decided I liked teaching in my basement better.

I have a question: What is YOUR martial arts background? Joining a martial arts school, any MA school, you are looking to learn from that instructor. Don't like him/her? Quit. Just because that instructor doesn't do what you think they should do, makes for a real shaky instructor/student relationship.

I've had guest instructors visit my dojo, most were in the same system as I am. A few that were just MA friends and wanted to show us their "stuff". I've taught 8-10 seminars myself, mostly proper weapons/kobudo techniques as many systems I've judged have really poor weapons/kobudo technique. After we've gone thru that in the seminar, I pretty much open it up to whatever they want to see.

Very European, French or English design. Very cool!

Thanks all!!! I'd like to thank the Academy, my mom and dad, my Sensei, my students, my dog and 4 cats, and all of YOU for putting up with my shenanigans! 18 years??? Wow..I really didn't realize it had been that long!

Hey wait! I got Member of the Month??? COOOOOOOOOOL!

Again, is he in my "personal space"? Arms distance? Fists clenched? Postering? In general, the law allows you to strike first ONLY if you feel your life is in imminent danger. Factors to consider, is he drugged? Drunk? Larger than you? Threating words? In your space? Previous encounters? Self-defense in this scenario is so hard to define because of the factors that could be involved.

Generally, the law says you have the right to defend your personal space. There is no specific definition for "personal space". What I taught was "that distance that makes you comfortable". That can vary from person to person, situation to situation. In general, I like to think of it as "arms distance". If I can reach my arm out and touch you, you are in my space. Now, as to what sort of technique you'd use to protect your personal space, that depends a lot on the situation and who's violating that space. A friend? Stranger? LARGE

Well, with a Sharpie, you at least |SEE where you hit them (that'll leave a mark!) to identify the attacker later. But the point is to soft IMO. ABIC is much more solid and also will "leave a mark".

I always have a couple of pens near me. Granted, they're not real sharp, but they can penetrate and against an opponent that's close enough, there are many soft targets you can attack. Eyes, throat, under the chin/jaw, armpit, ribs, side of the head, inside of the arm, back of the hand, solar plexus, groin, inside of the legs, kidneys, back of the head, and back of the knee. BIC pens are especially sturdy. Sitting in a restaurant, knife, fork, spoon handle, candle (wax) come to mind. Somebody mentioned cell phones. They have a small edge/corner and can be used under the jaw bone to press against if you're grabbed. No so good for striking. A belt was also mentioned. I wouldn't try it like Jackie Chan does lol but it can be used like a whip, and for myself, I wear a heavy Carhart belt, which has a pretty solid buckle.

Welcome Brandon! That's a whole lot of ranks for your age. When did you start training?

None. We have no virtues. We're doomed!

Mine was a partially torn anterior crucia ligament (sp?) on my left knee. I was demonstrating with an adult student a defense against a 2 handed grab, was looking/speaking to the class when my opponent swept my knee. There was no call for it other than screwing around. He was dismissed from my class.