Originally posted by rmcrobertson
"3. "Kenpo people are all tied up with their own egos." Sure, absolutely. We all got 'em. However, would you really say that there's worse strutting in kenpo than anywhere else in the martial arts? Try Wing Chun. Take a look at the next UFC you see. No male fantasy there, mirabile dictu. Oh, and while we're on the subject of ego, take a quick inventory of the language people use when they choose an alias. No ego there, no 11-year-old-with-a-new-toy jet mentality. "
Agreed. There are eogs everywhere. As for the alias that you refer to, then again, I'm not sure if its directed to me but the "MJS" that I use is in reality the initials of my name. Just cuz I dont post MSlosek on the MT forum does not mean that I'm using a fake name.
It is from Tuesday of this week, two days ago. A post by you, partly in response to it, is the last thing on the thread. It is from stuff like this that I get the impression you're not actually paying all that much attention to the text--whether it's my writing, or the Tip.
Refresh me on this please.
Just to actually discuss the issues that the Tip--and you--raise, I'd argue that speed as such has nothing to do with it. In fact, I'd argue that "speed," is exactly what hamstrings a lot of martial artists at some point in their training.
Speed has its place and time in all techs. Getting the speed will come later. IMO, the first thing that is of importance is actually understanding the tech.
It's partly the old thing about rushing your techniques and your training--which is why I keep disagreeing with you about learning "fighting," rapidly, discarding the forms, etc.
Rob- The forms are a good thing. They do teach MANY ideas, etc. Will they teach you how to fight? Sorry, but I'd have to say no. The only way to do that is to spar with someone. By doing that, then you'll be able to tell if your hands are up, your punches/kicks are getting to their targets, etc.
It's partly that fast but ineffective strikes are simply going to annoy an opponent.
Agreed again
It's partly that the deliberate attempt to be faster cuts down on your speed, and hides the fact that there are different kinds of speed that are important, which may be worse.
Agree again
And one last point--I realize this is a partisan comment, but you are confusing teaching with executing a technique. The Tip is there to teach, and to start a process, NOT to illustrate how fast or how strongly Larry can move. In fact, teachers who are constantly working to demonstrate How Much Better They Are are invariably bad teachers.
I dont recall ever saying that it did matter how fast Larry was moving in this tech. If you look back to my last post, I commented and echoed Angela saying that he was in fact going slow to show the tech.
And I realize that this is partisan too, and you're not going to like it. But I have been teaching for over twenty years at this point, in a VERY wide range of contexts and disciplines, and I am very, very good at it. I have also seen a wide range of wonderful teachers.
And I too have seen a wide range of teachers...some better than others. And for whats its worth, during my phone conversation with Clyde, he did comment on what a good teacher you were!!
And bad news, but Mr. Tatum may be the best teacher I've ever seen.
Cant comment on that due to the fact that I dont train with him. Again, back to the phne chat with Clyde, I was enlightened to many different things.
Mike
