My issue with generic sport karate and Uechi Ryu

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 7:09 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

There is a certain "programming" that takes place in scenario training and hard sparring , from time to time, at the subconscious level__ That helps in “fortifying “ us physically and mentally, even if it is not the real thing.

I'm a believer in the scenario training; you don't have to bring me on board with that one. But there are limits to what people will and will not do there. Practicing and performing outside the game of tag scenario is good. Finding multiple sparring scenarios to practice is good (I do it myself, and with my classes).

Hard sparring? Where do we want to go? Do we get like the TKD folks and say "You can hit me hard here, but don't hit me hard there, and don't do that, and...and..." I don't know... When I turn up the volume, I really don't want to be told what I can and cannot do. It's OK to beat my legs senseless, but don't hit me in the head because I use my brain for a living? Sooner or later, we get back to the issue of deluding ourselves into thinking something is "real" when it isn't.

Yes, find a way we can practice pieces and parts of the whole. I like to pound and be pounded; I need my endorphin fix like the next guy. Put me in an unfamiliar or challenging scenario and make me have to ad lib. I like that. I like that extended consciousness that epinephrine gives me. Like hot sauce, I like to taste and sample and tease myself with endorphins and catecholamines.

Where do we go, how many places do we go, what are all the pieces, and how many do we experiment with at the same time? <BLOCKQUOTE>quote

We don’t want to destroy our students but we want to “forge” their bodies and spirit, and a great majority of martial arts masters have ideas much different than what I see written on these pages.

I keep my eyes and ears open.

I've been through Japanese instructor-o-doom, weekend long camps of pure heck where I do punches in 36 degree ocean waves for 20 minutes at a spell (3 times during the weekend), have flaming sticks whacked at my head while I block, throw several thousand punches, do leg lifts for 20 minutes at a spell, get beaten up by groups of black belts, get purple welts on my abdomen from shinai strikes, crawl for miles on my belly on the sand dunes, etc., etc. I still remember that sick feeling I always had in my stomach when I was around that man.

I can tell you that VERY few people have seen the kind of heck I've seen. A great majority? I don't think so. Was that kind of heck useful? I guess I have my war stories.

I still wonder about that primal thing inside me, and where the heck it came from... As Flip Wilson once said, it kind of crept up on me, like them Fruit 'o the Loom shorts.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Still we are not answering the question: Do our students {IUKF} measure up to a Uechi world standard?

What does Okinawa do that we don’t? Why?

What don’t we do that we should __ to get close to a world standard.

How would you guys define “Uechi world standard” ??<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I don't get too worried about p***ing contests.

I train hard, Van. I put in at least 3 times the work that the vast majority of my students put in. Nobody tells me to do what I do; it's sort of habit now. I watch what others do, and if I like it, I steal it. I experiment a lot. I play a lot. I try to have fun. I try to stir up the dust here and there to keep my brain from getting too old.

However... I can tell you that 30 years of training didn't happen because of this or that or some other gimic. I don't believe shodans quit because their programs don't measure up to whatever. I think shodans quit because most people aren't like you and I. I think I was in the 3 out of 30 that survived my Ph.D. program because of who I am, and CERTAINLY not because I was the smartest or my advisor was the best (Actually he sucked; I finished in spite of him.

).

Do I think we need to do more between nidan and godan? Yes. Your ideas and my ideas may differ, but I do think there's a lot of excitement we can add both in the "core" of the style, and in terms of encouragement of and "accreditation" for peripheral activities. Once again, I made my own path, independent of what was required of me by ANY Uechi organization.

Which program is better, one delivered to us, or one that comes from within? I think both have merit.

What makes a great fighter, nature or nurture? Hmmm...

- Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Glasheen (edited April 05, 2002).]

Uechij · Post by **Uechij** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 8:36 am

I don’t think training or testing in extremes is a good idea for previously mentioned reasons. Your Jiyu format cannot be a *ussy whipped, Brady Bunch version of itself…nor can it be a real fight. So what do you do, I say choose the middle zone.

Here’s an idea,

Since it’s pretty unanimous that everyone here thinks there should be a Jiyu format of some kind on the dan test, let each school, organization, etc., choose it’s own.

After one year, there will be a competition held for only the dan ranks that tested during that year. Rules and details will be agreed upon by all.

The Jiyu format that dominates this match the most will decide which format will be used on the dan test for the next four years.

At the end of this five-year cycle, repeat again.

Post by **gmattson** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 1:51 pm

We all have a tendency to answer questions selectively, which is a problem with long distance correspondence. Each of us tend to focus on elements of a discussion that supports our claims and avoid those points that don't.

This whole discussion started with Rick asking some specific questions, which never got addressed. I promised to contribute to this thread at the beginning, so here goes:

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>1) Should generic sport sparring be a part of a Uechi Ryu Dan test? (My question.)

2) If sparring is to be a part of the Dan test (I am assuming so) then:

i) What form should it be?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'll answer from my experience in the martial arts and with my opinion as to what is best for the majority of students:

Two, two minute rounds of point type sparring, using rules and equipment approved by insurance requirments held by the testing body. If the testing organization can get coverage: One, two minute round of point fighting followed immediately by a senerio drill with a Bulletman type encounter.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

ii) What percentage should it represent?

I see no reason to change the current test requirements or the importance of any element. (The IUKF recently completed a two year study and revision of the New England IUKF test standards.)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

I guess we may well be at a cross road in the IUKF. Perhaps this is a good subject for a poll?

We did this through the IUKF eGroup discussion group.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

1) Should sport (tournament) karate sparring be a required part of Uechi Ryu?

Unless we use full contact rules, the "point" method is the most reasonable. The problem with "continuous" sparring is that there is no way for the competitors to determine when a "hit" would have stopped an opponent. We experimented with this type of sparring at our first Uechi Championships with disasterous results. A few competitors were fighting full contact while the rest were following the rules of the game. When both competitors follow the rules, the action will deteriorate into a "cat and dog" fight quickly or the action will turn into grappling.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

2) Does sport karate sparring express the principles of Uechi Ryu?

I can best answer this by pointing out that point/sport sparring has been part of the Uechi tests on Okinawa since the 70s. Like IUKF, Okinawa evolved through many different test methods and eventually opted for what they consider to be best.

Do I consider it best? I believe it is best for the time being and until something better is evaluated and approved by the majority of teachers.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

3) Should sport (tournament) sparring be part of the Uechi Ryu Dan test?

Yep. . .

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

4) Should sparring, in some form, be part of the Uechi Ryu Dan test?

Absolutely. It is, in my opinion, the best way test the fighting ability of the candidate.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>5) If you answered yes to either question on including sparring in the Uechi Ryu Dan test, what percentage of the test should sparring represent:

30 % 25% 20% 15% 10% 5%<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Whatever it is right now. . . I believe 20%

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

6) Does generic sport karate sparring threaten the uniqueness of Uechi Ryu?

No. Further, Uechi will continue to improve as it has since the time Kanbun introduced it to the Okinawans.

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GEM

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 2:28 pm

Bill,

Get it out of your head that what I write is an indictment of what you do. You seem to have a thinner skin than George [maybe even mine] about what I write. You guys are beginning to really piss me off.

I could care less about each person's training methods, and of what the individual experience is or it has been in these discussions, sparring matches or real fights, as I could care less about p*issing contests with Okinawa or any other damn group.

I care about IUKF maintaining a recognized world standard in Uechi Ryu. Lets try and define this standard instead of ducking the question.

I remember the “shock” registering on our face when the Okinawans made their first trip to the Mattson Academy and showed us leg kicking/conditioning, and toe kicking/conditioning.

Also shown was their reliance of leg kicks during sparring matches. We had never been introduced to that concept before their coming by GEM sensei. WHY?

Did Tomoyose sensei teach that stuff?

For the next 35 years or so we start to do leg conditioning which we test in free style sparring at the dojo or tournaments and or Dan promotionals.

Now they are too dangerous, and too much a liability.Okay. What about the rest of the Uechi world? How many have abandoned the practice and why?

Has Okinawa changed their tournaments rules to eliminate leg kicks?

My interest lies in wanting to see IUKF Dans hold their own against any Uechi organization, and able to go to Okinawa and do well in an Okinawan Dan test, if they should so choose, and be able to enter the “Arena” in the Okinawan championships along the footsteps of a Bob Campbell, Al Wharton, Bob Bethoney, Gary Khoury and other fine American champions.

I despise the thought otherwise, no matter what the rhetoric being spewed on this thread.

I also want our students to be given the advantage of modern components, such as scenario training to a certain extent, so as to program more completely. Why do you think Gary became certified by Tony Blauer?

We should all be like Gary Khoury. Why do you think he is absent from these discussions?

Let’s not forget we are practicing a martial art, and we should take advantage of every tool.

Shinjio sensei was the All Okinawa champion for over ten years, fighting grueling matches. Would he have developed into the fine Uechi specimen that he is without his conditioning or by competing in wus tourneys?

Wheter we like it or not,Shinjio sensei and Toyama sensei are the world standard in Uechi today, they are the ones sought after by film makers the world over when it comes to Uechi-Ryu. Why?

My students will continue to spar with leg kicks, I will still advise them to test themselves in “hard” tournaments, and whatever else they can find as a challenge to their goals.

My student Fred Chan is a tough competitor in Judo as well as being a strong Uechi-ka, one of the strongest TC students. He shows up at TC classes even with sprains and lumps and bruises, and completes the class even as he hobbles to a finish. That's spirit. Wish all students were like him.

Am I advocating “blood baths” tournaments, or anything goes tournaments. NO

So you and GEM sensei, please get off that merry-go-round

and let the majority decide their Uechi Ryu future.

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Van Canna

[This message has been edited by Van Canna (edited April 05, 2002).]

Tony-San · Post by **Tony-San** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 3:55 pm

A friend of mine is testing for his Sandan in Enshin Karate this weekend. with the exception of head shots with fists (kicks are fine), these guys do it all and they can take it. It's not magic either, it's just practice and conditioning. My friend will be tested in his excercises, kata and kumite. For Kumite he will do 10, 1 minute bare knuckle rounds at full contact. This is with Knees, Elbows, Gi grabs, chokes, throws, whatever!

Frank tells me, win or lose, the objective of Kumite is to show spirit and SURVIVE! It's not about winning or losing and the test board does not care (Joko Ninomiya will be on his board).

In my opinion, this is the way Uechi Ryu kumite should be, except i'm an advocate of controlled punches to the head (i'd rather get a lump on my head sparring then knocked out in a real fight because I didn't take it seriously). If the test board needs to know wether the techniques are good or not, then an expert on the board should be doing the exchange with the candidate and providing feedback to the board.

Tony

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 4:04 pm

Van

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Look at the minimum input here. It is like teachers and students are afraid of speaking up…why? What is intimidating them?

Good question!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

I care about IUKF maintaining a recognized world standard in Uechi Ryu.

This is certainly a noble goal, and a point of common interest. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote

My interest lies in wanting to see IUKF Dans hold their own against any Uechi organization, and able to go to Okinawa and do well in an Okinawan Dan test, if they should so choose, and be able to enter the “Arena” in the Okinawan championships along the footsteps of a Bob Campbell, Al Wharton, Bob Bethoney, Gary Khoury and other fine American champions.

OK. Now what sets these gentlemen apart?

1) Good genes. Give any of these folks to a half decent teacher, and said teacher will have his/her first world champion.

2) They did independent work far away from a Uechi dojo. And why? Out of their own initiative. Each had a thirst for knowledge and new experiences. Each was destined to leave others around them and set themselves apart from the crowd. And I believe each had a mentor (or mentors) open-minded enough to encourage them to broaden their horizons.

Can we bottle their experience and bring it into our style? That's quite a challenge. What made their experiences unique? Part of it was the critical mass of talent that each was fortunate enough to be around. And I guess the rest was the ability of these folks to stay on the leading edge of what was happening in martial arts at their respective times. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote

We should all be like Gary Khoury. Why do you think he is absent from these discussions?

Gary is a good man. He's probably absent because he's a busy man and is trying to train while keeping his school open. He was probably absent last night because he was sleeping. I was here because my modeling software crashed my system and I was slowly bringing it back up again.

I don't think I could have been in a discussion like this at Gary's age. I was too busy trying to figure it all out. Still am...

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Shinjio sensei was the All Okinawa champion for over ten years, fighting grueling matches. Would he have developed into the fine Uechi specimen that he is without his conditioning or by competing in wus tourneys?

Shinjo Kiyohide can thank his father, Shinjo Seiyu, for good genes and fantastic instruction. He can also thank his country for its focus on martial arts the way we Americans focus on basketball or other traditional American sports.

I like Shinjo Kiyohide sensei. I've met him, worked out a few times under him, and trained with several of his students. Dave Finkelstein had me doing Shinjo (Seiyu) drills back in the seventies. We are quite fortunate to have Kenyukai dojo in the mid-Atlantic region, and we have intermingled a bit with UVa students graduating and moving on.

Alan Dollar's book is one of my top Uechi resources. It took me 2 years to find the first editing error in it.

Question: How often do we find a student of a world champion becoming a champion? If it rarely happens, why? What can we capture and learn from these champions, and what is beyond our grasp?

By the way, I have not had the good fortune to work out with Toyama sensei. We have a bit of mingling of students going on behind the scenes. All good students have much to learn from each other.

Don't forget the many other great Uechi practitioners and teachers. You have several glaring omissions, including several that are largely responsible for Gary being whom he is. Gary's Uechi idiosyncrasies are a walking tribute to the men.

Don't forget who taught all the other American champions you mentioned (and their respective teachers). And who is the key historical Okinawa figure behind them all? No matter how much we like to take credit, there's always a group of others that made our interesting lives and paths possible. We may marvel at the grand oaks, but lets not forget who planted the acorns.

And they made it possible for me to tangle with and learn from the likes of someone like you, sir! I am most fortunate.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

If the testing organization can get coverage: One, two minute round of point fighting followed immediately by a scenario drill with a Bulletman type encounter.

Do we have a place to start here, gentlemen? Rome wasn't built in a day. This seems like a good next step.

- Bill

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 4:50 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Don't forget the many other great Uechi practitioners and teachers. You have several glaring omissions ….

Of course not. That was not the intention. And I resent you bringing this up as it were, so retract your Damn statement.

I am talking about today’s world perception of the System.

Why does the Japanese government and filmmakers make the choice that they make? This is the real lesson.
What message is being sent out by these men?

We can talk all we want about genes and men. Fact remains if you don’t encourage the dormant seeds to grow, they don’t grow, period.

And about the reason why Gary is not posting: don’t forget he is my student.

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Van Canna

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 6:16 pm

NOTE...four previous posts were deleted in keeping with the spirit of forum protocol.

What about it, Rick? What do you say of George's proposal - if it can be backed by insurance companies - of part point format and part bulletman scenario format? This seems to keep one foot on the familiar terrain, and one venturing into new territory.

What do others have to offer?

- Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Glasheen (edited April 05, 2002).]

Post by **gmattson** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 7:42 pm

I believe the subject is important and wish we could discuss it without getting upset over difference in opinion.

One of the problems with getting people to post on these forums, is the perception that only seniors are suppost to have an opinion. John Kotelly (One of my first students back in 1958 and inactive since the 70s, but who still practices on his own daily) called me this morning and offered his opinions regarding the subject covered here. I told him to post it himself and he shocked me by saying that he wasn't aware that anyone could participate!

I'm not sure all of the 2000+ people who drop in here daily have the same feeling about the restrictions for posting, but obviously, something is holding them back. Are they afraid of getting us old timers upset??

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GEM

Van Canna · Post by **Van Canna** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 9:43 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Gary is a fine man. I am glad for him and all his many experiences, including those that he has through Van et al.

Yes, Gary is one of the finest Uechi-ka in the world, but I wasn’t fishing for compliments here.

Gary embodies the true Budoka with super conditioning and frighteningly effective striking skills, which he has now combined with the “tactical” having fully gradated and certified by Mr. Blauer.

In the years that he has been associated with IUKF, Gary has demonstrated an uncanny ability to diversify while never losing the traditional foothold on the system.

But more importantly he has shown respect and honor, loyalty and love for his seniors, and he has been generous, chivalrous and knightly in his behavior, with an attitude and philosophy matching his superb mechanics of the art.

I wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote

also shown was their reliance of leg kicks during sparring matches. We had never been introduced to that concept before their coming by GEM sensei. WHY? Did Tomoyose sensei teach that stuff?

Need to clarify. The implied questions here are whether Tomoyose sensei thought much of leg pounding in conditioning or sparring matches to either teach it to GEM sensei in Okinawa, then caution him not pass it on for safety sake, or not to teach it at all until later years, again for safety reasons.

It is not to cast aspersions on GEM sensei’s teaching.

I would like to know how Tomoyose sensei feels about leg kicks in sparring.

And from a safety point of view, ever since sparring with leg kicks allowed, have we ever had broken legs, ankles or knees? Never that I can recall.

We have to be careful, yes, but we must also be realistic.
Karate after all is a martial art. Maybe we should review the definition:

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Art of combat

The way we practice it today it is less dangerous than the game of soccer I used to play. Talk about getting kicked in the legs and in the head!

Maybe some of you are in denial about this, but there is much malcontent brewing in the background because of what we are doing with the Dan test sparring and tournament rules.

Yet people are loath to speak up because they fear being criticized, and ridiculed for their “hawkish” tendencies.

And I don’t like the implication that GEM sensei, and the IUKF sanction Wuss Uechi, and that we don’t measure up to the system’s perceived standard.

We as the seniors in IUKF, should not be perceived to dictate policy and act as a dictatorship as the original NAUKA was perceived to be.

We should let the majority of the organization’s senseis decide what direction we are to take in these matters, but we must be careful to abide by a perceived standard or we will become a “lightweight” Uechi entity.

And we also should be bold enough to realize that Uechi Ryu is not for everyone, and we should not stand idle on our backsides while a bunch of “doves” that have no business wearing the Uechi name, dictate the future of the style.

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Van Canna

ljr · Post by **ljr** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 10:11 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote

Maybe some of you are in denial about this, but there is much malcontent brewing in the background because of what we are doing with the Dan test sparring and tournament rules.

as someone who tested for his shodan a couple of weeks ago, I can tell you that I was disappointed with the change to "point" sparring. We currently do not do any "point" practice except before a tournament. All of our sparring allows leg kicks, grabbing/grapling and all Uechi techniques. I also believe that sparring at a Dan test cannot be completely real, but I would like to see it at least go back to the old style. I know that I am more than willing to give up a shot to my midsection if that allows me to to get in a better shot or takedown.

Personally I dislike point sparring and would rather go for continuous two minute rounds.

Also, you asked about how you would deal with two mismatched testers, I think that is part of the test. When we spar at class there are often discrepencies in talent, the better student needs to adjust and work with the less skilled student. I know that if I was put into the ring with Gary K. I would not last long if he decided to finish it quick, but I also know that he has enough skill to allow a match to go on allow me to show my stuff and allow him to show his stuff also.

just my nickle,
ljr

Post by **gmattson** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 10:12 pm

Van:
Tomoyose sensei did not teach kicks to the legs as a self-defense technique. I sparred almost daily and on Saturdays at Uechi Sensei's dojo with the senior-seniors of today. I remember having bruised arms and having taken hard kicks to the body, but I don't remember taking kicks to the legs. I believe the leg kicks sort of evolved with the advent of "showtime" karate. . . where body blows (legs were hit during these shows)were traded in Sanchin by the students. . . originally done at demonstrations only and eventually becoming a trademark of the Uechi system.

I don't remember when leg conditioning became part of the training. Don't believe we did it when I was visiting in the mid 60s yet, but I could be wrong. Again, the leg conditioning sort of evolved with the hard testing of Sanchin. Once everyone was pounding legs in Sanchin, it was pretty natural to start using these techniques in sparring. I happen to think leg techniques are great as a self-defense, but believe we should be careful about allowing it in dantest sparring. I happen to know that a number of people have been hurt with kicks to the legs. We have been lucky, in that no one has sued us, but nevertheless, just because we haven't been sued doesn't mean we have a no-injury record. We don't! We've just been very lucky.

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GEM

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 11:58 pm

ljr

You are not alone. My student was upset (his student was the brown belt that sparred Justin Testa in the last match). They have mats in their dojo and like to spar as you do.

Frankly I've seen this go both ways over the years. Some years we went freeform. Other years we'd have Bobby Bethoney stop matches whenever a "point" was scored. The only difference is that we didn't have judges in the corner in the old days.

Part of me says "What a shame!" when you look at Steve Perry's dojo with the 3x6 mats and imagine the possibilities. And then part of me knows that another crew would be upset if we allowed the takedowns and grappling. In the end, we aren't going to make everyone happy. What we need to do is find something that:

1) suits the most peoples' needs, and

2) minimizes liability, is insurable, and is reasonably safe for a properly conditioned Uechika.

On the subject of leg injuries... I have seen two related to leg kicks. I had a student get an ankle broken in my dojo (15 years ago) as a result of a leg sweep. I had another person I knew in a previous dojo have his femur broken when his instructor (my old JKA instructor) kicked his leg.

We all put ourselves at risk for injury when we put the gi on. The same is true for football and basketball (probably even higher risk for football). We just need to be able to define what an acceptable risk is. And whatever the venue, it must be known and people should know how to train for it. If people are going to do takedowns, then we need to test for ukemi and the surface must be appropriate for takedowns. If people are going to do leg kicks, then we need to test for ashikitae. The process must reflect that we prepare the students for the venue and take reasonable precautions, or a reasonable person could consider us negligent, and a reasonable person would have reason to criticize the activity.

To Van <BLOCKQUOTE>quote

And we also should be bold enough to realize that Uechi Ryu is not for everyone...

Clearly Uechi Ryu has an identity, and we have a right to preserve it in whatever was is feasible that doesn't put those that keep the lights on and doors open at legal risk.

Phone conversation with Van...

Van and I just talked about this a bit more over the phone (a smart thing to do when misunderstandings start to creep in). A few random comments...

* I think a lot of us are high on investigating the bulletman approach as one way to deal with the jiyu format.

* We talked a bit about leg kicks. I pointed out to Van (and he agreed) that there are many levels on this. Here are the various degrees to which one may take this:

1) Just allowing simple sweeps and leg takedowns. Many tournaments allow this.

2) "Touch" leg contact to the thigh. This is no different than point or other "tag" style fighting, but one allows techniques to the thigh also.

3) Hard kicks to the thigh and lower leg. If that is allowed, then one should clearly consider whether one wants to reconsider the "tag" (light contact) to the body (and perhaps head) as well. This is a gray zone.

4) Allowing kicks "with" the knee joint.

5) Allowing kicks against the natural flexion and range of the knee joint that have a reasonable risk of destroying ligaments and cartilage.

So when people say "leg kicks," one must be more specific about what that means.

No matter what the venue, it must be well defined. And we all know that - because Uechi Ryu practitioners bickered and sat on their rears for so many years - our sparring has legally and practically been defined by TKD and WKA practitioners. Now it's difficult to get others to play in other formats, equipment makers to customize to our needs, and insurers to cover the schools and instructors that want to do things "our" way (whatever that is).

Such are the dilemmas we face. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't find a constructive avenue - one step at a time - towards a venue that more people can reasonably work with and feel good about.

- Bill

Post by **gmattson** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 12:52 am

I wish I had said that so nicely!!

Yes, if we want to do things differently, we must do our homework. We must also be aware of the consequences of our actions. We must evolve slowly, making sure that all our members are aware of the changes and a majority approve of these changes.

We've experimented with a number of sparring methods during tests over the years. Each time we make a change, we make people happy and we make people upset. I introduced the non-stop matches a couple years ago at the tests after quite a long run of sport point matches. We've experiemented with times. . . Everything from 1 minute matches to my suggested two, two minute matches last year.

If nothing else, we have a rich variety of options to choose from. . . all which have been tried and tested.

There still are quite a few more ideas we can try and who says there has to be a single method.

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GEM

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 12:53 am

Fact: In a world where people do dangerous kicks at knees (notice I didn't specify an opinion over what that constitutes) in their MA, or trade knees and elbows full contact (re: comment about a sandan test), martial artists stand a much greater chance of getting hurt in the dojo than they do of avoiding injury in a fight.

The best defense out in the world is still intact cortical functioning, by far. Self defense by joining only knitting clubs and traveling in groups to safe places is more effective, if less interesting, than learning self defense by violence, then taking risks. Something else in addition to self defense is pursued by training for violence.

I'm not saying some real combat doesn't have a role to play in our martial arts. But I am pretty sure 1) we should at least figure out what it is we're trying to defeat with more contact 2) my uechi has been satisfying to me in this last year when I have been to busy to do it formally or have a single sparring match, and I don't like the idea of having the meaning of Uechi hijacked by violence predominant interpretations. Let's be flexible and let people find out what Uechi is to them.

I remember a story of a Uechi senior (forget which one, anyone remember?) watching a "uechi" match and leaving part way through upset with what had become of the art he'd learned.