Martial Arts
Its a funny thing. I joined the Local karate school. My first class i was working with the black belts on kicks, even though i am currently a white belt until they decide where to put me belt wise.
I started my first Martial arts class in 1984. Over the years i have studied formally in 6 different styles obtaining a sifu title(black belt equiv)in a style of Kungfu. I have also studied informally in several armed and unarmed styles. I have teaching and coaching experience.
Now the second class was me and four black belts after the children were dismissed. This was to be my trial by fire as it was sparring class, in other words i would spar all the black belts. Not a problem for me.
First black belt. Six foot something, 100 foot reach. Bowed and then fighting stance was called by the ref. I dropped into my stance and immediately wa told it was wrong, not wide and deep enough, not enough weight over the front leg, front hand too far forward, rear hand too high. I tried my best to 'correct' my stance and begin was called. I immediately shot out a low monkey kick (inverted blade kick to the shin) to the lead leg followed up with a circular jab punch to the face. (those who have seen my pole/spear thrust that looks like its shooting to your right but lands on your face, its the same technique) Hold was called and i was promptly told to use the Karate techniques they taught and to only target the torso. Oh and yeah no grappling or 'fancy' techniques.
The rest of the fights consisted of me blocking kicks, being just a fraction outside of my opponents reach, and doing double open handed chi strikes to the bottom of the incoming side kicks to knock them off balance.
For the grand finale i took a full side kick to the stomach without being moved. Woot for grounding.
It really got me thinking about the difference in what is taught in traditional style schools and what an individual martial artist retains. In a street situation i couldn't or wouldn't use probably 3/4th of what they teach. I guess the main benefit for me going is the physical conditioning they do. If nothing it will help in the weight loss plan.
I started my first Martial arts class in 1984. Over the years i have studied formally in 6 different styles obtaining a sifu title(black belt equiv)in a style of Kungfu. I have also studied informally in several armed and unarmed styles. I have teaching and coaching experience.
Now the second class was me and four black belts after the children were dismissed. This was to be my trial by fire as it was sparring class, in other words i would spar all the black belts. Not a problem for me.
First black belt. Six foot something, 100 foot reach. Bowed and then fighting stance was called by the ref. I dropped into my stance and immediately wa told it was wrong, not wide and deep enough, not enough weight over the front leg, front hand too far forward, rear hand too high. I tried my best to 'correct' my stance and begin was called. I immediately shot out a low monkey kick (inverted blade kick to the shin) to the lead leg followed up with a circular jab punch to the face. (those who have seen my pole/spear thrust that looks like its shooting to your right but lands on your face, its the same technique) Hold was called and i was promptly told to use the Karate techniques they taught and to only target the torso. Oh and yeah no grappling or 'fancy' techniques.
The rest of the fights consisted of me blocking kicks, being just a fraction outside of my opponents reach, and doing double open handed chi strikes to the bottom of the incoming side kicks to knock them off balance.
For the grand finale i took a full side kick to the stomach without being moved. Woot for grounding.
It really got me thinking about the difference in what is taught in traditional style schools and what an individual martial artist retains. In a street situation i couldn't or wouldn't use probably 3/4th of what they teach. I guess the main benefit for me going is the physical conditioning they do. If nothing it will help in the weight loss plan.