As of: June 30, 11:59 pm(Pacific)
1. Does your style require you to spar for promotion?
YES-87.00%
NO-13.00%
2. Do you enjoy sparring?
YES-98.00%
NO-01.00%
3. Do you think that sparring has any benefit besides tournament competition?
YES-98.00%
NO-01.00%
4. Do you think that kids under age 13 should be allowed to spar?
YES-99.00%
NO-01.00%
5.Do you think women and men should be allowed to spar each other?
YES-99.50%
NO-00.50%
6. Have you ever competed in a sparring division?
YES-97.00%
NO-03.00%
7. Do you think that you should have to be a certain rank before you are allowed to start sparring?
YES-75.00%
NO-25.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
At 50 years of age I do not have the speed, strength or desire to go toe to toe with the younger generation. I train to engage my opponent not for points but to defeat them in the least amount of time possible. Therefore sparring has little if no benefit. It does have some things to teach us, but not much. besides, I cheat. Larry G. Bethers Jasukai Martial Arts
-Sparring offers the benefits of learning timing and distancing and getting used to having techniques thrown at you. However, tournament-oriented sparring - "point fighting" - can instill habits that are great for winning trophies but worse than useless for actual defense. If you practice a sport-oriented style, fine... spar away. But if you are training to be able to defend yourself, a limited amount of sparring brings the above-mentioned benefits too much sparring (or sparring for trophies) is HIGHLY counter-productive to developing the relexes and the ability to read an opponent necessary tp prevail in the real world. Forget sparring and practice real-world techniques and concepts - which are grounds for immediate disqualification in the ring.
-My style doesn't believe in sparring. The brown belts and above spar, but that is to put their knowledge to work. You can perfect and learn without hitting someone.
-I believe in sparring as a fighting tool, but kickboxing not point fighting. Point fighting developes bad habits for actual combat.
-Sparring is good when you think you are ready for it. In sparring it's not ment to hurt somebody. You must controle your punch en kick. Only then sparring is fun!
-A student should have a minimum of 2-3 months training before sparring but wil depend more on the individual's capabilities.
I think white belts, beginners, should not be sparring. Martial arts is not about hitting each other!
-I believe that sparring is an important part of the martial arts. It teaches humility and control.
-Sparring is a necessary part of training to develop timing and distance
-I am a brown belt at Yong Sung Lee's Hapmudo studio. In Hapmudo we practice two types of sparring. One is points sparring, which is used in most tournament sparring. The other is sparring without target areas, and often times, against more than one opponent. I believe that these two seperate forms of sparring are essential to learning the martial arts. Target sparring, or points sparring, not only prepare students for upcoming tournaments (which are essentail to keeping the "art" in the arts) but also help to hone the student's accuracy. Non-target sparring, exspecially when fighting multiple opponents, helps to simulate what could happen outside of the studio and forces the student to stay aware of his surroundings and of his opponents movements and intentions.
1. Does the school that you train at have commitment contracts? (ie:you must pay for 6 months or 1 year etc.)
YES-70.00%
NO-30.00%
2. Does the school that you train at have a non-competition contract? (ie:if you open a martial arts school in the future it must be out of the city/area)
YES-20.00%
NO-80.00%
3. Does the school that you train at have a one school policy for students?(ie:you can not train at another school/style while you are training with the present school)
YES-22.00%
NO-78.00%
4. Does the school that you train at have a one school policy for instructors?(ie:an instructor can only teach at your school and no other martial arts school/style)
YES-22.00%
NO-78.00%
5.Do you think that contracts are a good idea?
YES-
NO-99.00%
DON'T KNOW-1.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
We have a lot of short-lived schools in the area, and they send students disguised as novices to check us out. The tip-off is they want prolonged free-trials and don't want to buy a uniform. In this sort of case, we insist on 3-months' payment.
YES-93%
NO-7%
2.Are you obligated to be a member for insurance coverage?
YES
NO-100%
3.Do you belong to more than one MA organization?
YES-38%
NO-35%
I DO NOT BELONG TO ANY-27%
4.Are you a member of a organization to accumulate tournament points/ratings?
YES-01.00%
NO-99.00%
5.Does the organization hold training seminars and camps?
YES-99.5%
NO-0.5%
6.In your opinion, do you think that there are too many organizations out there?
YES-40%
NO-60%
7.Does the organization you belong too have an annual membership?
YES-41%
NO-29%
I DO NOT BELONG TO ANY-30%
7(b).If so, do you feel that you "get your money's worth" each year?
YES-98.00%
NO-02.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
In one sense there are too many organizations out there. There are three seperate judo organizations for american judo, for example. Unfortunatly other styles don't regulate themselves much or at all and this propagates a lack of training standards. Of course thats just my opinion I could be wrong.
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
Some organizations are formed soley for the purpose to gain funds while some organizations are formed to create a learning network between martial artist that have the same goals.
TO FIGHT/SPAR-18.00%
FOR SELF DEFENCE-20.00%
TRADITION-41.00%
TOURNAMENTS-%
TO KEEP FIT-8.00%
IMAGE-0%
TO LEARN ABOUT ANOTHER CULTURE-0%
FUN-9.00%
OTHER-04.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
I originally joined martial arts so that I could get a handle on my rage attacks. I use to have a short temper and I needed someone to put me in my place and show me how to control that without having to take a rage fit. Now I am a much better person because of it.
A tradition, a link to something larger than myself...
1.Have you ever competed?
YES-100%
NO
2.Have you ever coached at a tournament?
YES
NO-100%
3.Have you ever refereed/officiated at a tournament?
YES
NO-100%
4.Are you confident that you are up to date on all the current rules that apply to the kinds of tournaments you attend?
YES-80.00%
NO-20.00%
I DON"T COMPETE-
5.Have you ever seen the rules broken at a tournament.
YES-100%
NO
6.If you answered yes to #5, when you saw the rules broken did the official step in and give an appropriate consequence? i.e.: penalty point, disqualification etc...
YES-80.00%
NO-20.00%
SOME TIMES/NOT ALWAYS-100%
7.Do you think that the contact level in light contact sparring is getting out of control and becoming too hard?
YES-60.00%
NO-40.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
SEVERAL-34.00%
NO-55.00%
NO-71.00%
SHOULD TEST-100%
NO-100%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
the question of grandmasters is a very thorny issue .my personal viewpoint is there are minimum age requirements plus there must be a panel of eminent martial artists to ratify this position
The martial arts have too many ego problems. Too many people calling themselves master and grandmaster. There are no "new" styles. Just individual philosophies. You can teach what you know, your way, but that does not make you a master or grandmaster. Just train and teach. If you have to convince others that you're a master by having a title, then you probably aren't that good anyway.
I originally studied under a Jidokwan master using hard Korean standards. He taught us that you had to be 75 years old to be a Grandmaster. I've worked out and worked hard at this, 20-25 hours a week for almost 20 years and still don't feel mature enough at 49, but accept the responsibility. My 7th Dan test was very long and trying, in heat much more extreme than we have in Ohio. It was a good experience. I'll do the best I can with this rank.
Please forgive the double over in topics but I am absolutely swamped with work so a bit of the personal has to slide. A new topic next month. Thanks :-)
Have you ever trained with weapons? (bo, sword, knife, sticks, sai etc...)
YES-99.10%
NO-00.90%
Do you think that weapons training is a valuable activity?
YES-100%
NO-0%
Have you ever competed in a Weapons division?
YES-07.00%
NO-93.00%
Does your style incorporate weapons defences?
YES-99.00%
NO-01.00%
Do you ever carry a weapon for self protection?
YES-12.00%
NO-88.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
we use many weapons in the upper belts but kali
sticks are taught very early and I belive that they are a real asset to hand speed and cordination
tamika curry-
Curry's Kenpo Karate School Owner Memphis, TN
I feel that traing with weapons is a way of paying homage to the founders of your style
Why is it that the government (NY State) does not allow weapons such as the nunchaku, but will allow anyone to be able to register for a gun??? If a person came into the local bank with a nunchaku you at least stand the chance to out run the robber.
Do you have to wear a uniform to class?
YES-100.00%
NO-00.00%
Do you think that you should have to wear a uniform to class?
YES-98.10%
NO-01.90%
Do black belts (or instructors/senior students) have different uniforms then underbelts?(i.e.: two colours or black trim etc..)
YES-86.00%
NO-14.00%
Do you think that uniforms should be "modernised"? (i.e.: t-shirts instead of traditional jackets)
YES-08.00%
NO-92.00%
What about only having uniforms for demos and tournaments?
YES-02.20%
NO-97.80%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
T-shirts should be optional for classes, manditory for tests, tournaments, and seminars. Cheif instructors can mix black and white gis. 4th Dan and higher can mix black, white and red gis.
We have formal classes which require uniforms, but we also have informal classes
such as self-defense, kick-boxing and conditioning which do not require
uniforms.
I think uniforms should be moderized to recognize the number of women who train.
We need a sturdy jacket that won't gap open in the front but can still be used
for grappling, etc.
I think that all students should were the same color uniform. Even the black belts should were the same as the lower grades.
Have you ever participated in a cardio kickboxing style class?
YES-85.00%
NO-15.00%
If you answered yes to the last question, do you think that cardio kickboxing could or does enhance your martial arts training?
YES-85.00%
NO-15.00%
Does your school or the school where you train offer cardio kickboxing style classes?
YES-60.00%
NO-40.00%
Do you think that people without martial arts backgrounds should be allowed to teach a cardio kickboxing style class?
YES-03.00%
NO-97.00%
Have you ever seen a cardio kickboxing class taught at a rec. centre or fitness gym that promotes self defence training as one of the benefits of this class?
YES-97.00%
NO-03.00%
If you answered yes to the last question, do these kind of claims concern you?
YES-90.00%%
NO-10.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
Cardio kickboxing, Kardio Karate, Tae Bo, or
whatever you call it are nothing more than aerobics classes than incorporate
martial arts
techniques. However, whether or not the techniques are properly taught is
another story.
Also, one is not usually taught the whys and wherefores or the techniques. To
promote any of these exercise classes as a means of learning self-defense is a
travisty.
Master Brent Fuller
If it's good for you go for it.
In response to the final question on your survey pertaining to the
validity of cardio-kickboxing as a viable form of self defense training- I
believe that it is a far-fetched notion that, all alone, cardio-kickboxing
teaches the neccesary elements of self defense. I practice cardio-kick along
with my other routines as a Shotokan and Kyo-Hachi Ryu Stylist and it is a great
addition to any training program, but it is just that- an addition. Cardio-kick
does not teach the fundementals of distance, timing, "the fake", nor impact
absorbtion in its regimen, just to name a few things that it is missing.
Cardio-kick is not in and of itself an effective martial way, in my opinion, but
it is one massive workout if you decide you need an aerobic addition to your
regimen. Thank you for the space to speack my mind,
Frederick Parker - Shodan
Sensei, Yoshioka/Kyo-Hachi Ryu Kenjutsu.
I dont believe cardio-kickboxing should be passed off as a martial art, as it often is, I hope all those who participate in cardio kickboxing realize its non-martial realty.
TO FIGHT-0%
FOR SELF DEFENCE-65.00%
TRADITION-05.00%
TOURNAMENTS-0%
TO KEEP FIT-0%
IMAGE-0%
TO LEARN ABOUT ANOTHER CULTURE-0%
FUN-05.00%
ANGER MANAGEMENT-0%
PARENTS SIGNED ME UP-0%
CULTURE-0%
SPIRITUAL-0%
OTHER-25.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
many of us join the arts for more than one reason
I enjoy my training for the hand and eye skills it helps me retrieve I'm 40 now and the fellowship with my son whom it helps develop his athletesism and strengthens his character and self ashurance we study Tracys Kempo and we love the diffrent styles it encompasses!
everyone, who is of age to start the arts on their own started to learn to fight, regardless of what they might tell you. Deep down they all thought "I'm doing this to keep fit, BUT I'll learn to fight too. This is what I have found to be true
Have you ever done any breaking either in class or compition?(ie:boards, bricks ets...)
YES-100%
NO
Have you ever competed in breaking?
YES
NO-100%
Is breaking a requirement for promotion in your style?
YES-90.00%
NO-10.00%
Do you think that breaking is a vauble training technique?
YES-90.00%
NO-10.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
Breaking should be an option, not a requirement!
If someone were to ask you who was your favorite Martial Artisit would the answer be someone who has appheared in a film either bigscreen or tv? eg: Chuck Norris, Steven Segal etc.. (Martial Arts instructional videos not included)
YES-80.00%
NO-20.00%
Do you think that Martial Artists preforming in films helps to put the arts in a good light ?
YES-90.00%
NO-10.00%
If a Martial Artist/ Movie star were to give a seminar in your area yould you attend?
YES-98.00%
NO-03.00%
Were you made aware of the Martial Arts initialy by watching a Martial Artist in a Movie?
YES-90.00%
NO-10.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
Is sparring at any contact level a part of your Martial Arts training?
YES-100%
NO
Do you think that point or touch sparring is a useful part of a Martial arts program?
YES-85.00%
NO-15.00%
Some Martial Artists think that if someone who ONLY point spars will be unpreapared for a self defence situation. Do you agree?
YES-40.00%
NO-60.00%
Do you think that sparring at a higher contact level will better prepar you for a self defence situation?
YES-90.00%
NO-10.00%
Do you think that sparring at any contact level is useful at all for preparing for a self defence situation?
YES-100%
NO
Do you think that continuous light contact sparring is a better way to spar as opposed to point sparring?
YES-100%
NO
Do you compete in point sparring? YES-15.00%
NO-85.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view:-
I am an Hung-Gar student (for 28 years now). I am 5'8" and have a long torso and short legs... I practice Hung-Gar for that reason among many. I also do a style of jiujitsu, so we long and short fight with many ground techniques. Not that I am an expert, but I have had to use my martial arts in real life situations, and I believe that full or semi-full contact are necessary in order to actually feel your opponent's strength and determine his/her skill and balance. With light, point or no-contact sparring you develope good strong skills, but not true fighting skill( in my opinion). Do not misunderstand me, kung-fu is effective,just not as effective as it could be. thank you for listening to me rant on on. As I was rambling on a bit. Just let me say this kung-fu is my life/love forever. Yours in the Martial Arts and Sciences,
Floyed Griffin
It is important for those martial artists who are serious about surviving a confrontation in the street to know the exact nature of how it feels to make impact on an opponent's body ,and how it feels to have someone make impact on their own body.
Do you think that the Martial Arts teach effective anger managment?
YES-99.70%
NO-00.30%
Do you think that the Martial Arts promote violence?
YES-00.30%
NO-99.70%
Have you ever seen an instructor try to get their students mad so as to have them fight better?
YES-00.30%
NO-99.70%
Do you think this technique (question 3) works?
YES-02.20%
NO-97.80%
Have you ever seen a Martial Artist loose control and hurt someone (aside from a self defence situation)?
YES-32.40%
NO-67.60%
Suggestions-additional point of view:
Sorry for being indecisive, just depends on the motives of the person using anger as a means to an end. Also, I have seen others use it for wrong, my bestfriend has a tendency to pick fights and put the person either in the hospital for months on end or on the brink of death. That is why we are no longer friends, difference of opinions.
Have you ever participated in a tournament?
YES-100%
NO
Do you enjoy your tournament experiences?
YES
NO
MOST OF THE TIME-100%
What is your favorite division to compete in?
FORMS
SPARRING/FIGHTING-100%
WEAPONS
OTHER
I DO NOT COMPETE
If you fight, what "style" do you prefer?
POINT-33.50%
CONTINUOUS-66.50%
OTHER
What degree of contact do you prefer?
LIGHT TOUCH-33.50%
LIGHT TO MEDIUM-66.50%
MEDIUM TO HEAVY
HEAVY
NONE
Do you think that Safety Equipment should ALWAYS be mandatory in any fighting division?
YES-33.50%
NO-66.50%
Have you ever hosted or promoted a tournament?
YES-33.50%
NO-66.65%
Are you or have you ever kept track and reported "ratings" such as NBL or SKIL etc..?
YES
NO-100%
Suggestions-additional point of view:
In your style do you have to be a black belt(or equivalent) to teach a group class.
YES-40%
NO-60%
Are you an instructor?
YES-40%
NO-60%
Does your style have an instructor belt,(usually for instructors that do not have their black belt yet)?
YES-80%
NO-20%
There are some schools that allow non black belt instructors to wear black belts while teaching. Do you agree with this ?
YES
NO-100%
Do you think that instructors should be safety certified before they are allowed to teach?
YES-80%
NO-20%
Are you confident that all of your instrctors first aid skills are up to date?
YES-40%
NO-60%
Is teaching time a requirement for promotion to 1st black belt?
YES-50%
NO-50%
Do you think that teaching is an essential part of the Martial Arts?
YES-80%
NO-20%
Suggestions-additional point of view:
BEFORE A STUDENT CAN START ANY MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES I THINK HE/SHE SHOULD GET SOME KIND OF CERT FROM HIS/HER LOCAL POLICE STATING THAT THEY HAVE NO PREVIOUS CRIMINAL RECORD.
Are there safety rules posted in you dojo/studio?
YES-50.00%
NO-50.00%
If a Jr (17 & YOUNGER) is found doing something unsafe are they reprimaned and or punished ie: pushups?
YES-100%
NO
If a Sr (18 & OLDER) is found doing something unsafe are they reprimaned and or punished ie: pushups?
YES-100%
NO
Do you ALWAYS wear headgear when you spar?
YES-50.00%
NO-50.00%
Do you think that instructors should be safety certified before they are allowed to teach?
YES-75.00%
NO-25.00%
Are you confident that all of your instrctors first aid skills are up to date?
YES-50.00%
NO-50.00%
Do you think that there should be diferent safety rules for Jr and Sr?
YES-25.00%
NO-75.00%
Suggestions-additional point of view.-
I've never really thought too much about safety, I guess we've been pretty lucky no one has had a serious injury yet. Although I study traditional karate and we don't spar as often as other styles.
Thank you to everyone that filled out the MA poll.
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