Bill, Sensei Goss is a wonderful instructor. I also highly value my training time (in order) with Bob Bethoney, Carmine DiRamio (dec'd), Forrest Sanborn (dec'd), Jack Summers, Rod Mindlin (San Diego), Ahti Kaend (dec'd), Mehran Shahkar (El Sobrante, CA), Dave Sargent (San Jose, CA) as well as Robb V...

Van wrote " When I see ‘perfection’ at Dan tests… it’s OK…but it only shows me that the candidate has rehearsed his compulsories well. ..But then I think…what if under stress…when under the influence of the chemical cocktail…and when his skills plunge to about 50% of what they usually are in th...

" Your statement was a classic strawman tactic. Say something ridiculous, attribute the ridiculous idea to the person you're debating, and then attack "the strawman." Re-read what you wrote. Why would anyone send someone up if you don't expect them to pass, Mike? Why would you expect ...

Bill wrote: "Then you should never have me on your test board because the service I perform as a judge is not to rubber-stamp the teacher's decision." We are in agreement, no board should "rubber stamp" a candidate. On the other hand the candidate should not have been put up for ...

" quote: Originally posted by MikeK And if all was gleaned and developed before the test then isn't the test itself nothing more than a formality and of no real purpose? Another excellent point, Mike. Testing DOES serve a vital function. One of the major differences between a gymnasium fighter ...

[quote="MikeK"]Bows back in... One last thing. Did you contact the schools owner before using him as your example. http://canadasbestkarate.com/index.php Bows back out... [quote="miked"] http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17652-LA-Martial-Arts-Examiner~y2009m9d14-Are-you-tough-en...

Mike H wrote: "You set the examination duration to be something reasonable, and then you use your well-developed sense of priorities to make the choices. OTOH, I get the boot camp concept, not that I see why a boot camp should be tied to a black belt examination. Anyway, if that's what it's abo...

Bill, I understand the martial arts "boot camp" approach. I spent many years training under "drill sergeants" (Carmine DiRamio and Ahti Kaend). Both of these gentlemen produced formidable and powerful Uechi-ka. Doing a week-long or week-end long "boot camp" for adults t...

Mike K wrote: "Imagine the kids in the video doing the Shotokan or Uchi prearranged kumite. They'd shame many adults, especially me." "I'd have to say if these kids performed along the lines of what the video showed they deserve their black belts. These kids have been exposed to a lot...

Bill wrote, "if the goal is to get junior off the street and occupied with physical pursuits, then maybe the 20-hour black belt exam is appropriate. " Personally, I cannot envision any reason why a 20 hour marathon of kicking, punching, forms, sparring is appropriate for any kid or adult i...

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1765 ... black-belt

Regards,

Mike DeDonato
Los Angeles, CA
www.uechi-la.org
mjdcgb@ca.rr.com

Bill wrote: Where there is no certification process worth a damn, then you'll get this kind of schlock. The guy could be more up front and just open up a martial arts supply store. Then he could sell the black belts (and maybe a box of blank diplomas) to whomever. Six sigma isn't an appropriate comp...

As far as what the old masters would think we'd first have to admit that few were "black belts". They had a set of skills and were recognized but their karate existed outside of a belt system. Few if any stood before a board to be tested or met any particular set of standards. . Mike, To ...

My personal opinion is if an instructor gives a black belt to a child it is nothing more than a McBelt given by an instructor who runs a McDojo. Give children any color belt one chooses just don't give them a black belt. Wait till the child is at least 16 years old. Jim Robinson Jim, 100% agreement...

Aaahmed wrote: I understand times have changed. "But...something like combat, martial arts, guns, knives, punching, kicking, grappling, something like that, does it really require the level of intelligence and maturity that a high school graduate or college degree? Let's look at warriors in his...