demonstrations

Testing for Nidan

This entry was posted in basics belts black belt bunkai challenge demonstrations fighting fitness kyoshi eddie bethea multiple attackers pressure testing randori self defense sensei eddie bethea sensei richard poage shodan skills sparring techniques throws traditional martial arts and tagged black belt testing on by

On Wednesday, July 20th, 2016, I tested for Nidan, along with another Nidan candidate, two Shodan candidates, and several brown belt candidates. The testing panel consisted of: John Dominguez, MD, Shodan Jim Mitchell, Shodan Richard Poage, Renshi, Godan Michael Newland, Renshi, Rokudan Jeff Allred, Renshi, Rokudan Eddie Bethea, Kyoshi, Hachidan The Shodan candidates had to complete a written exam, which […]

Two Steps Back, Two Steps Forward

This entry was posted in basics behavior bunkai compliance criticism demonstrations fighting misconceptions partners safety tma tradition traditional martial arts training and tagged distancing fighting ippon kumite maai self defense on by

Recently, I wrote an article in defense of the use of wrist grabs in karate training, which are often derided as being unrealistic. In that article, I mentioned that the most common complaint people tend to have about many karate and kobudo applications and fighting drills is the use of formal karate-style attacks and incorrect maai (distancing). Unlike wrist grabs, […]