Montana

In this age of belt factories, 8 (or younger) year old balck belts and 20-somethign year old "masters", I don't feel that a black belt means nearly what it did in the '60's and '70's. When I got my first BB in 1978 from the head of the system, I joined a rather elite group of individuals in the US that attained that rank "legitimately", and to this day the vast majority of sensei that are testing their students in THIS system still maintain a very high level of standards to reach that level. In my own dojo, I have been teaching since the Fall of 1978 and have promoted only 3 people to black belt. It's not that I'm a task master and hard core, but rather I seek that unique individual that is going to impress upon me their willingness and desire to rise above the average individual in the work ethic, training, diligence and perseverence to meet the standards that I set for my students. My own sensei has only promoted 2 others to black belt when he retired from the arts in 1980. Today, there are dojo's that promote students to black belt in as little as a year, master level in 5. Total crap if you ask me. And child black belts...BAH! They can have it! An exceptional student can realistically attain their black belt in this system in as little as 3 years, but very few are willing to do the work that needs to be done for it. The 3 people that I've promoted to BB were dedicated and worked hard inside, and outside of the class. They earned it.

Sincew we never do head kicks (unless you're on your knees maybe?), we use the cresent kick primarily as a sweep to the ankle or knee region.

Ummm, I don't think so. I'm very familiar with the "Issinryu punch", as we've been doing that same punch for about 200+ years now in our kata and in our techniques. We just do use it as exclusively as Issinryu does. As for it being faster...not a chance. Each punch is used for a different situation and application. I wouldn't say either is faster, just different. I've fought against them, and frankly, there was little or no difference in sparring them than most other similar systems. The punch made no difference what so ever IMO. I think you're listening to to much propoganda. This is in no way meant to be derogatory, as given the opportunity, I wouldn't mind cross training in Issinryu myself...which with 35 years in my own system, is meant as a compliment. There aren't many systems that I would consider cross training in. Two actually, now thaat I think of it...the other being Aikido.

Teaching Shotokan...for $1190.95 year. Essential;ly $100/mo..which for me sounds darn expensive..bit I guess you get the health club "atmosphere"..so if that's what you like, might be OK.

The "corkscrew" punch basically hurts more when you hit someone in a fleshy area of the body or jaw because it "screws" in somewhat and twists the skin as it does because the twist comes at the very end of the punch and is still "twisting" when it makes impact. It also has to do with positioning of the arm when you punch and if you over-rotate the "screw" you can go actually go around some blocks and still hit your target, which you can't do with the Isshinryu punch. It's easier to demonstrate than it is to explain.

We do both full contact sparring and light to medium sparring. Our full contact sparring utilizes bogu gear, similar to kendo armor (see link: http://www.kushu.com/bogu.htm for example), but different. Full contact is allowed to the face and sides of the head, and full contact to the torso except the back. The groin is always a viable target regardless of the type of sparring we do, buut obviously light contact only. The head is also always a target (stupid to not be if you ask me) for both hands and feet, although we never do head kicks in this system.

My students and parents know me well enough that they (or their child) will get a promotion when they are ready for it...not before. I have one adult that has been on the same brown belt (ikkyu) for over 8 years and should be a Nidan by now. He's probably one of the hardest workers with the best attendance record in the dojo..but he just has these two things he has problems with...getting his katas right and his control. He, and everybody else in the class, knows where they're at and what they need to improve or know before advancing to the next belt. I make that very clear to them frequently.

There aren't really any rules about belt stripes in the system I study, except not to over do the "decorations" of your gi/belt...such as tons of patches and such. We keep it pretty simple. I have 4 stripes on one end of my belt.

I've been testing that way since about 1983 or so, but I don't hand anybody their belt, I hand them a rank certificate instead and make them get their own belt.

Since the mid 1970's there have been more "masters" of the martial arts in ANY single major American city (New York, LA, Chicago, etc) than there are in the entire orient! Bunch of bunk if you ask me. That's one reason I like the art I'm in so much...very little of that sort of thing going on.

It all depends on the dojo, association or system. I was a shodan when I started teaching my own class in a town 50 miles from where my sensei lived. Some students called me sensei, some teacher, and some by my first or last name. What is correct for one dojo, association or system may not be correct for another.

The block is OK, but IMO leaves your left ribs very vulnerable and you can't see to your left side in case there is another attacker on that side of you, or if your attacker steps to your left. The palm to the chin is good, but I don't care for the "claw" to the face..not overly effective IMO. I'd prefer a hand block or outside block instead of the "rhino" block so you'd still be able to see to your left side and your elbow can easily lower to protect your ribcage, still do the under the chin (or various other punches) palm strike and finish with punches or kicks as your opponent steps/falls backwards. Different strokes for different folks...

My first reaction was.."Karate Kid...in China? Shouldn't that be The Kungfu Kid?" Tournaments in China? I don't know for sure, but I'd be surprised if there were. *sigh* Hollywood..it figures. I'll wait until it's on video..maybe on TNT in 5 years. Don't get me wrong, I like Jackie Chan...marvelous athlete for any age, let alone in his mid-50's...like I am. Sure, I can do all the same stuff he can do *cough-cough----HACK!* but it's going to be a hard stretch for me to believe he's going to replace the late Pat M..the origional Mr. Miagi.

That's exactly how I test. Basically students are tested daily by their attendance, participation, effort, knowledge, improvements, etc..and when I think they are where I want them to be for their next belt...I give it to them. They have no prior warning that they are getting close, other than I give them positive feedback. Everyone of my students knows exactly what they need to work on and what I expect from them.

I'm not a lawyer, but my guess is the instructor/owner had their student teaching a LOT without being present, and for a long period of time, probably after some discussion between the two on compensation, which was denied by the instructor/owner. My guess anyway. I make it a requirement for advancement from 3rd kyu and above that part of their training involves teaching the class periodically. I require them to take several classes/month and teach the entire class from start to finish, plus to take beginners at times aside and start them on their basics, or to assist them with issues they are having doing something (kata, basics, whatever). I also have a policy in effect that when a student reaches shodan in my dojo, I no longer charge them for classes, but instead expect them to work even harder on their training and to help in class when needed. Basically, I'm training them to start their own dojo some day, if they are so inclined (not required at all).

Kudos also for joining a martial arts class, but I would recommend, if there is an option in your area, to learn a system that is more self-defense oriented than TKD is. A Japanese/Okinawan system such as shorinryu, gojoryu, shotokan, aikido, etc, or Parker Kenpo, kick boxing, and others are much more self-defence oriented with an emphasis on practical techniques, not flash and breaking boards/bricks...all of which are worthless when it comes to defending yourself IMO. As for the gun, it will give you more self confidence, but again, is useless unless you walk around with it in your hand and are trained in its use, and most importantly, are actually prepared to use it if you have to.

You need to ask yoru doctor about this, but as I understand it, a pacemaker keeps the heart beating at the same rhythm no matter what you're doing. For example, it will keep your heart beating at "X" number of beats sitting in a recliner watching TV and the same rhythm as it would if you were carrying a 50lb backpack and running up 3 flights of stairs. Obviously your body demands a more increased heartbeat to pump oxygen when running up the stairs than it does sitting in a recliner, but the pacemaker keeps it the same. Again, check with your doctor as the best resourse for this question.

In the system that I practice, "Master" is reserved for 7th Dan and above. Sensei is "technically" awarded for 3rd Dan and above, but it's OK to call the head of the dojo (1st-2nd Dan) sensei.

I make it a point to spar with ll of my students. In the case of beginners, I prefer to have myself, or another higher student (brown/black belt level) spar with them because in my opinion, there is no more dangerous student than the beginner that doesn't know anything and has no control. A prime example of this from my own experience is my own very first class as a beginner my sensei wanted to spar with me...I had learned basically nothing at that point and he kept saying "Punch...kick...!" ...soooo...I kicked him hard...right in the groin! No cup! Well, this guy was 6'4" and around 250lbs of redneck cowboy, and when he hit the floor, I started heading for the door. He told me to stay and that it was his fault, and we became friends after that and got along fine. Beginners are dangerous, so I or a senior student spar with them first.

The person to blame is the sensei or the association that allows that sort of level of expertice to be promoted to black belt. Quite honestly, I wouldn't find that level of technique to pass a lower level kyu test, let alone a black belt test. Someone earlier stated that maybe that video was taken somewhere towards the end of the test where the student was tired...in my opinion, that is no excuse for that sort of demonstration. Not at dan level...not at ANY level other than gross beginner perhaps. On a personal note, often times people wonder why the Korean arts get bashed so much...well, look at that video again and you'll see a prime example of why.

As I've mentioned in various posts scattered aroudn thsi site, I've been a judge/referee at open (all styles) tournaments since 1980 or so and have seen quite a number of "black belts" with technique like this competing. Some were ranked as high as 3rd Dans. The only time they place in the top 3 is if there are 3 or less competitors in that particular event.

Easrly in my teaching (1978-80) I was often asked by new students.. "Do you think you could defeat/take Bruce Lee?" My answer was always surprising to them I think. "Absolutely! Dig him up and bring him here and I'll kick his butt!"

OK, well I'm probably going to get bashed for my opinions, possibly repremanded by the powers that be, but you asked for opinions, so here is mine... Realizaing of course that systems and instructors have different skill requirements...in my opinion from training since 1975 and teaching since 1978, I'd have awarded Debbie probably a 9th..maybe 8th kyu for that demonstration of skill during her test. Not a dan belt. Poor to non-existant stances during her speeded up self defense techniques, absolute ZERO for speed and power in everything she did, and so on. Sorry, but black belt level? Not a chance. Not even close in my opinion.

Excellent perspective which I agree with...thanks.

I think the martial artist, like myself, that holds down a 9-5 job and does the arts for the love of them and for the self-defense aspects of it, they are no more a warrior than the Okinawan merchants, farmers and fishermen that developed the martial arts as a form of self-protection. The martial artists that train to enter point tournaments and compete for trophies are not warriors any more than basket ball or track athletes because they do it from a sport perspective. I think the true martial arts "warriors" are those that devote their lives to the art for one purpose only, and that is combat. People that strive to defeat others with their skills, such as those found in the UFC and Pride.