Define EFFECTIVE!

[sensei8]

I define EFFECTIVE this way...

If your instructor is effective across the board, and you believe in your instructor; than what she/he provides you through their style(s) of the martial arts will also be effective.

What my Soke placed in the curriculum was effective, and what my Dai-Soke supported in the methodologies that he taught was effective as well. However, I tested what was being taught to me over and over again until there was no doubt in my mind that what I was taught and what I was teaching was, in fact, effective. If not, then I discarded it, even if it was in our curriculum. Why?

I've a responsibility to myself and to my students first and foremost, no matter if this included angering my Soke and Dai-Soke.

It's effective if I say so through my blood, sweat, and tears!! For everything that I've kept that's of the martial arts was because, to me and for my students, that said technique(s) was more than adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result!! I'll test the technique(s) over and over and over and continue to test the technique(s) by placing them through one microscope after another until I'm satisfied one way or another.

It's effective because I say so; it works for me, and in that, I teach my students what I believe in, just as I'm sure you do as well. Techniques that I don't believe in, well, I wouldn't line the bottom of a bird cage with. I do not judge a martial art's effectiveness from what I see in the ring; I take the time to actually analyze the techniques. And I have, and I still am.

Am I always right? No! And when I discover that I'm wrong about a technique(s); I discard it immediately!

Your definition of EFFECTIVE?

[Jeffrey]

EFFECTIVE as I define it is what works best for you. Learn all the skills and pick what works for you. Becuase we all varied body type and abilities not every thing is going to work for you the same as it would some one else.

[honoluludesktop]

Seperating personal relationships from being a student of technical knowledge, if you can not follow your Sensei in technical matters, you should find another. In order to learn technique, you must be able to follow without question.

[bushido_man96]

To me, effective means it works in an active situation when you need it.

I think what goes hand in hand with effectiveness is also efficiency. I've seen some powerful kickers that can make a jumping 540 degree spin side kick effective. But, its hardly an efficient means of accomplishing a similar goal that a front kick can.

[bushido_man96]

In order to learn technique, you must be able to follow without question.

I don't agree with this entirely. I do see what angle you are coming from, and in order to truly learn a technique, you have to give it a chance, first. But, I think questioning is very healthy. Being questioned by a student helps make the instructor think, and see things in a way he may not have previously.

[sojobo]

Seperating personal relationships from being a student of technical knowledge, if you can not follow your Sensei in technical matters, you should find another. In order to learn technique, you must be able to follow without question.

I couldn't agree more.

Unfortunately, many traditional martial arts were not designed to deliver results in a way that today’s world of instant gratification and the need for competition / comparative results has come to expect.

Following with without question as not an idea that is supported in most walks of life today - however in budo it is pretty much essential.

Sojobo

[bushido_man96]

I don't think it has anything to do with this being the "world of instant gratification." It has more to do with the differences in cultures, and how different cultures learn to do things. Learning how to fight and defend oneself truly doesn't take very long. What takes time is building up experience and ability through training.

I have never met anyone who took one seminar or 6 months of self-defense training and then decided they had learned enough. I have never seen or heard this, and I don't think it is as prevalent as traditional MAists around the world might think. I think this thought process comes more from those who less and less worry about achieving high master ranks over decades of sticking with a style and search more and more for effective means of achieving their training goals.

[sojobo]

I don't think it has anything to do with this being the "world of instant gratification." It has more to do with the differences in cultures, and how different cultures learn to do things. Learning how to fight and defend oneself truly doesn't take very long. What takes time is building up experience and ability through training.

I have never met anyone who took one seminar or 6 months of self-defense training and then decided they had learned enough. I have never seen or heard this, and I don't think it is as prevalent as traditional MAists around the world might think. I think this thought process comes more from those who less and less worry about achieving high master ranks over decades of sticking with a style and search more and more for effective means of achieving their training goals.

It may well be a cultural thing, but i am not sure that's bad. Self defence and Budo for example are not the same thing. One is a by-product of another.

Also, it depends what your goals are. I wanted to train in and understand Wado-ryu for example.

At the top of the Wado-ryu training spectrum for example are paired kata called Kihon kumite. Most students do not begin to train these until they are 3rd kyu so about 2-3 years into their training. I've been training in Wado now for over 25 years and I am only just beginning to get them.

That doesn't bother me in fact I love it because I have amassed huge experience along the way that has made me realise so many other things within the Wado spectrum of things.

Sojobo

[KarateGeorge]

To me, effective means it works in an active situation when you need it.

I think what goes hand in hand with effectiveness is also efficiency. I've seen some powerful kickers that can make a jumping 540 degree spin side kick effective. But, its hardly an efficient means of accomplishing a similar goal that a front kick can.

I would agree wholeheartedly with this, and would add to it that the technique needs to have a clear applicatoin. Even if one can perform the technique efficiently, but you're not really sure when or how you'd make use of it, then its no longer effective.

[sojobo]

I would agree wholeheartedly with this, and would add to it that the technique needs to have a clear applicatoin. Even if one can perform the technique efficiently, but you're not really sure when or how you'd make use of it, then its no longer effective.

What if your Sensei told you it was a "foundation technique" onto which (with continuous training) you could build?

This foundation technique may not have any "direct" application in its raw sense, but the end result (along with the rest of the schools curriculum) will yield results in long run.... trust me?

Sojobo