It is April 10th today, and that's a special day in my Jiu-Jitsu schedule. As of this moment, I have 11 more Combatives (evening) classes and 4 more Reflex (Saturday) classes to go before I can test. I will be ready one month from today.
The Reflex classes are no problem. I have two private lessons booked for those, and have 4 Saturdays coming in the next month. I will exceed the minimum.
There will be one private lesson devoted to Combatives, leaving 10 to go through at the rate of two per week. They will reach completion May 10th.
This all will get me to the minimum requirement. Like most martial arts it all hinges on permission by the instructor. He is very supportive of my maniac pace and I'm sure he'll let me start the test as soon as sensible.
They say the test takes about a month to complete. For each segment, usually one gets all ready by going through the sequence a number of times with a partner. Then it is done for real and recorded as a video. If it all goes well, the instructor reviews it again later. If it is still considered good enough it is saved to be sent off to Gracie HQ with all the other segments for actual grading.
There are five sections to the exam. The longest is 23 techniques, and the shortest is 14. All are very physically demanding and each section must be completed in less than five minutes.
I hope I get some pity points for being old...
I am a 68 year old retired teacher living on the west coast of Canada. I spent over 30 years as a student of Karate until my knees stopped liking it. My current passionate activity is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which I've been at for about 13 years.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Monday, 9 April 2012
Supplement
I love my Karate training, and Jiu-Jitsu as well.
Both are wonderful, and self contained. What would I add to my training if I could?
Well, I've always been interested in the art of the Japanese sword. One summer I trained in Iaido, and found it wonderful. There is none around here.
In Jiu-Jitsu we're always getting dumped. I'd really like to have an opportunity to work on falls. We do a little about that, but really nothing like enough. I understand the principals intellectually, but need about a hundred hours of drill to make it automatic.
I don't need to add much to my training. I currently attend 5 classes a week. Soon it will increase to 8, and then maybe even to 9 in the fall.
Would I honestly attend a couple more so I could train in Iaido? Probably not, even if the times did not conflict. Perhaps it's a good thing that it isn't available so I don't have to think about it.
There isn't a class that offers fall training. I could work on that alone, but I won't. I could do a few private lessons in Jiu-Jitsu and have the focus be on break falls, but I won't. Other stuff is more fun and intellectually interesting.
A lot of people do other forms of exercise to supplement their training. I ride bikes and run.
I am starting to try out some weird, barefoot running shoes. It is a misnomer, as shoes are involved but they are really just thin, tough skins to protect the foot. The wearer has to run in the same way as a barefoot runner.
I've been out once semi-barefoot and have noticed a big difference. One has to run without impacting the heal at all. The calves have to work much, much harder. I predict a significant increase in leg strength. This assumes that my flat feet are up to going support-less. We shall see.
Both are wonderful, and self contained. What would I add to my training if I could?
Well, I've always been interested in the art of the Japanese sword. One summer I trained in Iaido, and found it wonderful. There is none around here.
In Jiu-Jitsu we're always getting dumped. I'd really like to have an opportunity to work on falls. We do a little about that, but really nothing like enough. I understand the principals intellectually, but need about a hundred hours of drill to make it automatic.
I don't need to add much to my training. I currently attend 5 classes a week. Soon it will increase to 8, and then maybe even to 9 in the fall.
Would I honestly attend a couple more so I could train in Iaido? Probably not, even if the times did not conflict. Perhaps it's a good thing that it isn't available so I don't have to think about it.
There isn't a class that offers fall training. I could work on that alone, but I won't. I could do a few private lessons in Jiu-Jitsu and have the focus be on break falls, but I won't. Other stuff is more fun and intellectually interesting.
A lot of people do other forms of exercise to supplement their training. I ride bikes and run.
I am starting to try out some weird, barefoot running shoes. It is a misnomer, as shoes are involved but they are really just thin, tough skins to protect the foot. The wearer has to run in the same way as a barefoot runner.
I've been out once semi-barefoot and have noticed a big difference. One has to run without impacting the heal at all. The calves have to work much, much harder. I predict a significant increase in leg strength. This assumes that my flat feet are up to going support-less. We shall see.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Rolling
There is one thing missing from low-level Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The White Belts never roll.
Roll is the term used to denote two people sparring. Nothing is pre-determined. Each person tries to apply techniques on the other. It is friendly enough, but if you are not careful you'll end up in a joint lock or a choke. When this happens you tap and start over.
Rolling let's you know how you're doing when things get become a little more real.
Today there were 7 Blue Belts present at the White Belt class. We did our normal training, but the instructor saved a bit of time at the end of the session. He then paired us off with the Blue Belts. We then rolled.
We were with our partners for two minutes, and then switched. I got partnered with the instructor, a big guy named Corey, and Madeline. I was the odd man out once and was responsible for watching the time. During the timing I got to watch people grappling. I saw most of the White Belts getting repeatedly caught in armbars and chokes.
We could do what we wanted, which means mostly what we have trained in. The Blue Belts used all of that, plus the stuff they learn in the advanced classes. They often roll in the advanced class. We never do.
It was fun.
I certainly never successfully applied a submission on any of my Blue partners, but am pleased they didn't get me either.
The first thing new Blue Belts learn in the advanced class is how to counter everything they learned as White Belts. This put us at quite a disadvantage.
I also noticed that a lot of the White Belts sort of froze and couldn't figure out what to do. This didn't happen to me. Some also seemed to burn ten times more energy than they should. Nerves, I suppose. I didn't do that either as it is a lesson I learned in wrestling.
I think I did OK.
I look forward to doing it again sometime.
Roll is the term used to denote two people sparring. Nothing is pre-determined. Each person tries to apply techniques on the other. It is friendly enough, but if you are not careful you'll end up in a joint lock or a choke. When this happens you tap and start over.
Rolling let's you know how you're doing when things get become a little more real.
Today there were 7 Blue Belts present at the White Belt class. We did our normal training, but the instructor saved a bit of time at the end of the session. He then paired us off with the Blue Belts. We then rolled.
We were with our partners for two minutes, and then switched. I got partnered with the instructor, a big guy named Corey, and Madeline. I was the odd man out once and was responsible for watching the time. During the timing I got to watch people grappling. I saw most of the White Belts getting repeatedly caught in armbars and chokes.
We could do what we wanted, which means mostly what we have trained in. The Blue Belts used all of that, plus the stuff they learn in the advanced classes. They often roll in the advanced class. We never do.
It was fun.
I certainly never successfully applied a submission on any of my Blue partners, but am pleased they didn't get me either.
The first thing new Blue Belts learn in the advanced class is how to counter everything they learned as White Belts. This put us at quite a disadvantage.
I also noticed that a lot of the White Belts sort of froze and couldn't figure out what to do. This didn't happen to me. Some also seemed to burn ten times more energy than they should. Nerves, I suppose. I didn't do that either as it is a lesson I learned in wrestling.
I think I did OK.
I look forward to doing it again sometime.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Slowdown
I finally got around to doing the math on a prediction as to when I will reach higher Belts in Jiu-Jitsu.
There are two routes a person can go. One is training in a satellite school. The other is going to the main location in California.
Let's assume a satellite school. You can earn a Blue Belt in about a year, and add a stripe onto the Blue Belt in about another year. After that, things get stuck. The materials are not yet available for schools to train you beyond that. The Blue Belt's second stripe course material seems to be about half complete.
Let's now go to the main school. They can train you all the way up. The problem is they only allow a test every six months. At that rate the fastest a Belt can be earned is 2.5 years. That makes the road to Black will take 7.5 years or more after one has earned a Blue Belt.
The funny thing is that this is predicated on a student training about 3 times a week. It is quite possible to train there 11 times a week, but this does not let you test any faster.
For myself both routes make timely rank progression impossible. I'll get as far as my first stripe on a Blue Belt and have to wait for the course materials to become available for each subsequent level.
In a way it is a good thing as it will put an end to any desire to pursue rank.
I'll just have to plug along and have fun.
There are two routes a person can go. One is training in a satellite school. The other is going to the main location in California.
Let's assume a satellite school. You can earn a Blue Belt in about a year, and add a stripe onto the Blue Belt in about another year. After that, things get stuck. The materials are not yet available for schools to train you beyond that. The Blue Belt's second stripe course material seems to be about half complete.
Let's now go to the main school. They can train you all the way up. The problem is they only allow a test every six months. At that rate the fastest a Belt can be earned is 2.5 years. That makes the road to Black will take 7.5 years or more after one has earned a Blue Belt.
The funny thing is that this is predicated on a student training about 3 times a week. It is quite possible to train there 11 times a week, but this does not let you test any faster.
For myself both routes make timely rank progression impossible. I'll get as far as my first stripe on a Blue Belt and have to wait for the course materials to become available for each subsequent level.
In a way it is a good thing as it will put an end to any desire to pursue rank.
I'll just have to plug along and have fun.
EasterAndGreen
Easter will be here this weekend.
The Karate Club will lose the Saturday class, as will the Jiu-Jitsu folks. I'm secretly glad about Jiu-Jitsu, as I can't be there anyhow. Don't want anybody catching up to me. Is that wrong?
I'm glad in another way, as the next Jiu-Jitsu Saturday is supposed to cover the test's second part. It's the hardest, and I'd hate to miss it. With the class cancelled, we'll just do it the next week.
It's funny. Now that I'm a Sensei again I have become two martial arts people.
In Jiu-Jitsu I interpret all the training as being about me. How am I doing? Will I be ready for my test? When will I test? There are other people, but they are responsible for themselves. I'm not.
In Karate things are just the opposite. It isn't about me at all. I was concerned about my students being ready for their tests. They are rising to the challenge. They are on it. I am the helper.
I can see them all wearing Green Belts before July.
Being a Green Belt is cool. It's the first rank where if you count creatively you can pretend you are halfway to Black Belt. It isn't really true, but it almost is.
I'm proud to be able to help them.
The Karate Club will lose the Saturday class, as will the Jiu-Jitsu folks. I'm secretly glad about Jiu-Jitsu, as I can't be there anyhow. Don't want anybody catching up to me. Is that wrong?
I'm glad in another way, as the next Jiu-Jitsu Saturday is supposed to cover the test's second part. It's the hardest, and I'd hate to miss it. With the class cancelled, we'll just do it the next week.
It's funny. Now that I'm a Sensei again I have become two martial arts people.
In Jiu-Jitsu I interpret all the training as being about me. How am I doing? Will I be ready for my test? When will I test? There are other people, but they are responsible for themselves. I'm not.
In Karate things are just the opposite. It isn't about me at all. I was concerned about my students being ready for their tests. They are rising to the challenge. They are on it. I am the helper.
I can see them all wearing Green Belts before July.
Being a Green Belt is cool. It's the first rank where if you count creatively you can pretend you are halfway to Black Belt. It isn't really true, but it almost is.
I'm proud to be able to help them.
Monday, 2 April 2012
Monday
The Karate Club is going to be tiny for a while. Saturday was fine, but it was only me and two students. Kinda extra tiny.
Tonight, everybody was there. It is still small. There was me, and a Brown Belt, and three lower ranks students. Dropping by to be supportive was Dallas Grieve.
He's the instructor at the nearby Roberts Creek Karate Club. Tonight he was just a guy in the line.
I did some of the same explaining I did on Saturday. Told people that we are a Karate-for-everybody club. We modify for health issues, and injuries, and age. This is our niche.
So off we went drilling testing techniques. Betsy, our Brown Belt, did remarkably well. She has a few health issues and hasn't been in class in well over a decade. She remembered most of the techniques, including several Katas.
After class Dallas said he enjoyed himself. He never gets to be just a guy-in-the-line. He also has never trained in Shotokan Kata and found it very interesting. His style is Shito-Ryu, which is very similar. Similar, but not identical.
We chatted quite a bit after class. He's sure a nice guy.
We are off to train the brains out of our low Belts. They have tests coming. All are talented, and close to ready already.
They just need a bit of polishing.
Tonight, everybody was there. It is still small. There was me, and a Brown Belt, and three lower ranks students. Dropping by to be supportive was Dallas Grieve.
He's the instructor at the nearby Roberts Creek Karate Club. Tonight he was just a guy in the line.
I did some of the same explaining I did on Saturday. Told people that we are a Karate-for-everybody club. We modify for health issues, and injuries, and age. This is our niche.
So off we went drilling testing techniques. Betsy, our Brown Belt, did remarkably well. She has a few health issues and hasn't been in class in well over a decade. She remembered most of the techniques, including several Katas.
After class Dallas said he enjoyed himself. He never gets to be just a guy-in-the-line. He also has never trained in Shotokan Kata and found it very interesting. His style is Shito-Ryu, which is very similar. Similar, but not identical.
We chatted quite a bit after class. He's sure a nice guy.
We are off to train the brains out of our low Belts. They have tests coming. All are talented, and close to ready already.
They just need a bit of polishing.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
What Day?
It isn't easy to schedule training for a Karate Club.
Weeks have 7 days, but it isn't as simple as that. Certain days and times just don't draw the crowds.
I've trained on Sundays as part of a big Karate Club. A small core of folks loves it and show up frequently. Most of the group just never attends Sunday. Sundays have to be counted out as a primary training day.
Friday is much the same. A small core finds it great, but most don't
That leaves the other 4 evenings, and Saturday.
The original club I started in had regular Saturday morning classes. I was part of that group for a decade. I've also known other clubs with Saturday sessions. It works well.
Right now, my personal timetable is a little tight.
I am busy two evenings a week, and Saturday mornings, and as I'm the Karate Club's Sensei that matters.
We are trying a Saturday afternoon class. So far it's working. We also train Monday evening.
Only Wednesdays remain open on my dance card. If our club flourishes, we'll likely get a Wednesday evening session going, too.
But is this fair to the club members? An instructor always has to be present, and there is only one of me. Can I really commit to being there?
I know I can't commit to July or August, so have already made it clear the club shuts down in those months.
I will become inconsistent once my wife and I retire. We want to travel.
By the time that happens, the Karate Club should have a healthy crop of Brown Belts. That is a fine rank for assistant instructors. If Helen and I take off to Europe for a month there would be no problem leaving a Brown Belt in charge for a while. A year after that they will be Black Belts and the problem is totally solved.
You see, I've been thinking. This new club is not being started all willy-nilly.
Weeks have 7 days, but it isn't as simple as that. Certain days and times just don't draw the crowds.
I've trained on Sundays as part of a big Karate Club. A small core of folks loves it and show up frequently. Most of the group just never attends Sunday. Sundays have to be counted out as a primary training day.
Friday is much the same. A small core finds it great, but most don't
That leaves the other 4 evenings, and Saturday.
The original club I started in had regular Saturday morning classes. I was part of that group for a decade. I've also known other clubs with Saturday sessions. It works well.
Right now, my personal timetable is a little tight.
I am busy two evenings a week, and Saturday mornings, and as I'm the Karate Club's Sensei that matters.
We are trying a Saturday afternoon class. So far it's working. We also train Monday evening.
Only Wednesdays remain open on my dance card. If our club flourishes, we'll likely get a Wednesday evening session going, too.
But is this fair to the club members? An instructor always has to be present, and there is only one of me. Can I really commit to being there?
I know I can't commit to July or August, so have already made it clear the club shuts down in those months.
I will become inconsistent once my wife and I retire. We want to travel.
By the time that happens, the Karate Club should have a healthy crop of Brown Belts. That is a fine rank for assistant instructors. If Helen and I take off to Europe for a month there would be no problem leaving a Brown Belt in charge for a while. A year after that they will be Black Belts and the problem is totally solved.
You see, I've been thinking. This new club is not being started all willy-nilly.
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