Self Defense practice

5 weeks ago I attended a Black Belt test in Auburn. 

Yoshukai Karate testing includes a pre-arranged self-defense demonstration. Two partners attack the testing student who demonstrate in front of the judges his ability to get rid of them.

Over the years I have seen improvement in the level of proficiency students display. However, there are still too often people perform highly impractical moves, techniques that would result in getting their asses seriously kicked - or worse - if they were to use them in the street to actually defend themselves. 

Often  the problem lies with their instructors who may either not be very knowledgeable on this matter, (Yes, it happens...) or might not be demanding enough of their students when they let them test.

If your instructor lets you believe that you are sufficiently proficient in your art to be  able to actually defend yourself, when you actually are not; he is actually failing you, and if your goal in practicing Martial Arts is to be able to defend yourself, you should look somewhere else for better instruction.

However, at the end of the day, no matter how talented your instructor is, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure you can actually defend yourself by using proper techniques. You, and only You can train and make sure you are up to the challenge.

So how do you know ?

There is a very easy way to test your self defense. Once you have decided what move you want to use on which attack, find someone - if at all possible 50 lb heavier than you - who has no idea what you are going to do, and ask them to attack you. As he or she does not know what you intend to do, he or she will not be able to help and you'll see if your move would actually work or not.

If it works, keep it. If it does not work, change it. Your move might be a valid one, in need of some adjustment - timing, distance, angle, to make it work. Figure them out.  It might also be totally out of touch with reality, in that case, simply drop it and find something better.

One last thing... Remember that no matter how good you are, there will always be someone better than you. Don't be cocky. 

Taido o imashimubeshi

(be prudent in actions...)

Commitment

Last month of May, I had to vent some frustration in a post about the low attendance to a Yoshukai Seminar held here in Dothan. 

Today, I'd like to express my happiness at a good example of Dedication and Commitment.

Last Saturday, we were testing in Iaido. at the Yoshukai Dojo in Dothan. Ron, Fred and myself were testing for Shodan -Ho, an intermediate rank between 1st Kyu and Shodan, and Chris was testing for his 7th Kyu. This was Chris' first test in Iaido.

Chris - who also ranks 4th Dan in Yoshukai Karate - works at the Fairley Nuclear Plant, the plant is presently stopped for refueling and maintenance, and people there are working shifts to reduce the down time to a minimum. This means 12 hours shift for the workers. These are hard working days, I know it, I did it for several years in a previous life as a young engineer.

So basically, after his 12 hours shift, Chris got off work, drove 20 miles to Dothan where he met Fred for breakfast and then trained with him. Then he came to the dojo and tested. Finally, he was able to go home and sleep after a 22 hours day. 

Now, this is commitment. 

Chris could have decided he had already had a long day, was tired and the hell with the test, I'm going to bed. 

If all of us would put in everything we do the effort Chris put into his practice, training and testing, no doubt things would probably be easier on everybody in this world.

By the way, all of us passed the test - thank you to Patty Sensei who drove from Pensacola to test us - an other beautiful example of commitment and dedication. 

Yours in Budo.

French Judo

French Judoka Lucie Decosse placed first at the European Judo Tournament in the than 70 kg category (150 lb) beating Kerstin Thiele from Germany by Ippon this Saturday April 25 in Tbilisi, Georgia (Not the US Georgia, the EU one). This is the 4th time she wins the European title. She got Silver in Beijing spearing in the less than 63 kg category (less than 130 lb). Since then she has moved to the heavier category and won the 4 tournaments she entered.

So far the French won 4 medals. 2 golds and 2 bronzes

French judoka are very competitive at international level.
I suppose it is due to the fact that the French Judo federation is powerful and well organized.

Also, Promotion rules are simple.
To test for Shodan you have to perform one kata with a partner, and beat 10 black belts in official tournaments. It can be done in a few weeks, or in a few years.
For Niddan, you have to beat 10 second degree black belts.
Etc...

And you cannot test untill you are 16.

There is of course a way to test without competing, but it is much more complicated, and I do not really know how it is done, the thing is, most people chose the sparring option. No wonder they have good competitors.

Now, I am not sure the founder Jigoro Kano Sensei would agree with such a promotion system, for although it creates great fighters, they may not have all the qualities one might expect from a Martial Artist (Respect and Manners…). However, once again, it creates great fighters who are a model for younger practitioners.

If people had to be 16 before they can test for Black Belt, and had to win 10 fights against certified black belts, I believe it would tremendously raise the level of that art.

Just a thought…