Black Belt Gradings

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Hello

Yesterday, 29th June 2008, we had a Dan Grading session at our Dojo in Scarborough.

Hanshi Steve Barnett came along to preside as 4 of our 1st Kyu were put through their paces as they attempted to prove they were of the required standard to be called ShoDan! After a hard session they proved themselves to be worthy. So many congratulations go out to Sensei Brian Smith, Sensei David Kemp, Sensei Jon Cussins and Sensei Phil Cussins. All stepped up and represented themselves, me and the club excellently.

At the same time, Sensei Anthony Prior, also of Enso Ryu, graded for his SanDan. Again, he performed well, especially when put under pressure, and passed! So Many Congratulations also to Anthony.

Lastly, I was also there to my surprise, as well as putting them through their paces for Hanshi Barnett, I was there to receive my YonDan. A very pleasant surprise.

So, congratulations go out to

Brian Smith - 1st Dan
David Kemp - 1st Dan
Jon Cussins - 1st Dan
Phil Cussins - 1st Dan
Anthony Prior - 3rd Dan

A big big thank you to Hanshi Steve Barnett for coming over here, meeting the guys, I know they enjoyed it, and for putting them through their paces.

Well Done All.

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Anatomoy Test Re-introduced!

Hi all

How important do you think knowledge of the anatomy is?

I’ve trained with a few people over the years who have just said, hit them here, and that’s been it. Personally I like a bit more than that, I want to know where the weak points are so I’m being more precise with my strikes.

To this end I’ve introduced the anatomy test as a pre-requisite to the physical ShoDan gradings. Looking initially at Skeletal, muscular and respiratory system. I may well extend it in the future as well to include things like Circulatory as well.

For those going for Dan Gradings at the weekend. Sorry!

For those done them in the past - Don’t laugh too much, I may make you do them before your next grading, after I’ve introduced Circulation!http://www.jujitsuonline.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Am I asking too much I sometimes wonder, it is martial arts and not medical college!

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Forum Down

Hi, quick note for you, the Forum is down at the moment. We don’t know why but are looking into it at the moment.

Normal service will be restored ASAP.

Shame really we were just having some good discussions!

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Do You Have To Be 100% Fit To Train?

You get an injury should you keep training?

The reason I started thinking about this is that quite often I get people coming to me

saying they are not training tonight or this week because they have hurt their foot or

their arm, or feeling tired.

How valid is this? I know everyone is different but when I was training properly I never

wanted to miss a session, I had to be told, no. It doesn’t seem to be that way anymore,

quite often I get a call saying I’ve pulled this and don’t want to make it worse. Sometimes

OK, fair enough, I’ll go along with that, but, if you’re serious, and want to focus on

every aspect of your art, you don’t have to go at it, big throws, or a whole night of full

physical rolling about.
You can take the oppotunity to work on the finer aspects of your art, step through slowly,

look at the small things that really make the throw. You don’t even have to get to the

throw part of it, there are so many small angle changes you can play with to try to enhance

your moves and going at it full tilt, isn’t the way to find these, it’s too easy to let

strength and speed take the move on, and you forget about the small things, the things that

really make it all work smoothly and effortlessly. I know, i’ve been there and done it both

ways, in fact until I’d passed my Black belt and started teaching, I was still doing it

that way.

So what I’m really doing is trying to give you a heads up, teach you something it took me 4

years to learn myself.

Though saying that, Sensei Hart did try to tell me as well, I still didn’t listen though

I’m afraid, not as well as I did.

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Should You Teach Juniors This?

I was going to have a bit of a rant at this stage, but I’ve calmed down a bit since last

night!! Has anyone ever had students who are capable but lazy?

I’ve got one, a junior, and since they passed their Black Belt has become incredibly lazy,

it winds me up something chronic. I decided to have a word and try to get to the bottom of

this and sort it out and get them training again. Explaining how it’s a waste, of ability,

time, money etc. Not sure it got through. Then the comment causing the main rant at this

time.

“I’ve been going to a Judo club recently and it’s much better than this” Now that’s a

statement to start with!! She may have a point, it may be better for her, as we know,

everyone is different and what I do isn’t for everyone. However I’m still not on to the

reasons for this post. Apparently the Judo instructor was criticising the things I had

taught her, she didn’t know the chokes and strangles he was teaching her and was

criticising me!

I ended up biting I’m sorry to say,I had to remind her of where Judo actually came from,

and yes, I know chokes and strangles, probably as well or maybe even better, who knows than

the Judo guy. The difference is I don’t teach them to Juniors.

So, to my point, do Juniors have the necessary control to enable them to put a choke or

strangle on in training safely? If you know what you are doing you can put that lock on

just to the point they are going to pass out, but without causing any real damage. Could a

Junior do that?

In this day and culture of litigation, is it worth the risk? Personally I don’t do joint

locks chokes, strangles and pressure points with Juniors, it’s too risky, that’s my choice,

I’ve known it go wrong in the past and I’m happy progressing the way I am.

Sorry, it did turn into a rant!

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