Training partners

[The Tabasco Kid]

This is a question for those seniors who operate or teach in a formal setting

I've had little luck finding a training partner in my area and am starting to see the limits of solo practice. There is a studio in my town that teaches a different flavor of American Kenpo and it's where I got a yellow belt three years ago.

I really do not want to take lessons there due to cost issues ($100/month for 1 class/week), but they do have open mat and open sparring times on weekends. Do you think they would let me come in for the open times on a pay-per-session basis, maybe $30/month for 2 open mat sessions a month or so? I'm not coming for instruction, but bodies on which to practice.

One of the objections I think they could raise is liability, but I would be willing to sign a waiver (the same one they had me sign when I was taking lessons.).

Instructors, how would you feel if someone came into your school, said they were taking lessons from somewhere else but wanted to practice on your students?

[administrator]

I have always been very cautious to allow people in who don't want the full program. In the past, I have had guys come in that way looking for 'fresh meat' to spar with, without regard for safety.

However, most commercial schools are hurting very badly right now, so I am sure a deal will be worked out.

Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

I have always been very cautious to allow people in who don't want the full program. In the past, I have had guys come in that way looking for 'fresh meat' to spar with, without regard for safety.

However, most commercial schools are hurting very badly right now, so I am sure a deal will be worked out.

Kevin Lamkin

I can see your point when the people coming in are upper-level, but would you have the same concerns with someone in the yellow-to-blue level? Is it that yellow-blue has a whole different set of concerns than a blue-to-black Kenpoist?

On a side note, just how do commercial schools owners make a living doing it as a sole-source of income? I've always been amazed at places that can keep going year after year.

There are several martial arts instructors in my town who have taught for years but do so through my city's parks and rec department (http://parks.planotx.org/econnect/Activities/Activities.asp?SCheck=13895357&SDT=39628.517518206&SectionId=2&SubSectionId=82) thus avoiding the overhead costs associated with commercial space, which I see as the major cost that needs to be met. Insurance must come a close second.

[warrior-scholar]

I pay $400+ a year for insurance - I teach at a church!
These schools that stay open usually make students buy their equipment, pay large test fees and have snack/drink machines. Those extras can often pay a large chunk of the rent. My first instructor rented out a portion of his building to another business to take care of his rent.

Regarding training partners, I put up a sign at the YMCA just to find a buddy. Four years later I teach a group of 8-10! If you are willing to share knowledge I would think someone out there should be interested. ;)

[The Tabasco Kid]

Regarding training partners, I put up a sign at the YMCA just to find a buddy. Four years later I teach a group of 8-10! If you are willing to share knowledge I would think someone out there should be interested. ;)

I have a ad running on Craigslist but only one response so far from a guy who can only meet during business hours during the week, which is very incompatible with my work schedule. I think I really need to find a partner once I hit Orange, but that's going to be several months away.

[administrator]

would you have the same concerns with someone in the yellow-to-blue level? Is it that yellow-blue has a whole different set of concerns than a blue-to-black Kenpoist?


The point is not what belt they are - what I am cautious about is letting students in my school who do not take in the full curriculum. I do allow visitors to participate in groups classes to try out the school, to see if they like the teaching style and to see if they like the other students. But, I do not allow the physical manipulations in techniques amoung students not with the program - been fooled before. However, if a student is already a friend of someone in class, and wants to work out together, outside of class time, I am OK with it.

Now, you may find that the school you are referring to has a different policy. My first concern is for the safety of my students.

Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

If there is anyone in the DFW area that would like to meet a couple of times a month to get some hands-on practice, please PM me.

[pdavis]

I posted on Craig's List a year or so ago and got a couple of responses but nothing ever really panned out. There is more of a TKD, JKD, and Wado-Ryu following in my area though (Nashville, TN). If anyone is in the Nashville, TN area I'm looking to get a Meetup Group (http://www.meetup.com/Middle-Tennessee-Martial-Arts-Meetup-Group/) together about once a month at my school Practical Black Belt Academy (http://www.PracticalBlackBeltAcademy.com).

[Lance C]

Some bad advice to avoid: Get a job at a rough bar, mental hospital, jail, ambulance driver, you know, places where there are lots of willing people for all the wrong reasons (although it seems to work in a Darwinian evolution sort of way and has worked for some in the past, may not be the best choice)

Good advice: find a strange collecting place for some well disciplined self-actualizing athletes at places where they hang out, athletic places that require discipline and a self-actualizing attitude. Also helps with cross training when you play a sport or participate in other activities.

Following training advice of the Elite Fighters, especially after looking at the fitness charts for qualification and getting a dose of reality, I took up road touring by Bicycle. I met tonnes of people with a good work ethic, discipline, fitness and the bicycle riding was an excellent training method for Kenpo. Sometimes it is better to get out and meets lots of the right kind of people, especially when getting them to come to you has proven to attract the wrong elements into your training area, whether it is a large school or just a buddy coming over to practice.

-Lance C

[administrator]

Sometimes it is better to get out and meets lots of the right kind of people, especially when getting them to come to you has proven to attract the wrong elements into your training area, whether it is a large school or just a buddy coming over to practice.

Very true advice!

Kevin Lamkin

[The Tabasco Kid]

Well, I never found an independent partner, so I went back to the studio in my town where I started years ago. The contact time and instructors have helped in many ways even though the techniques are not quite the same.

For example, in Lone Kimono, they don't use the horizontal upward block to the attacker's elbow but use a thrusting upward block (The arm is extended but not locked (the "unbendable arm")) before circling around to clear the attacker's arm.

Another is Clutching Feathers, where they change the target of the vertical fist from the nipple line to the floating ribs. The outward stroke to clear the clutching arm and raking hammerfist across the face after the heel palm strike is also not taught. Instead, we're taught to guide up the torso after the vertical fist to the attacker's left shoulder and then use frictional pull to pull the attacker in at the same time the left heel palm strike goes out.

To-MAY-to, to-MAH-to. It works either way.

I was a bit nonplussed to see the orange belt requirements: 8 techniques (Attacking Mace, Checking the Storm, Aggressive Twins, Clutching Feathers, Triggered Salute, Locking Horns, Scraping Hoof, Shielding Hammer) and Short 1 (both sides) and even more confused to see that they use a stripe system that doesn't quite make sense. You log 8 hours in class and they "test" (no fees) you for 1st orange stripe by having you do the techniques and form. Yellow belt review may or may not be required. 8 more class hours go by and they repeat it for a second stripe. Another 8 hours and then it's a formal test.

Now, class tuition is $100 for 4 classes a month or $120 for 8. I can afford the extra $20 but not the time during the week to get away to the studio (kid's & wife's activities donchaknow) but I do practice a bit at home. The way I'm going, it would take me 6 months to go from yellow to orange in their version.

They do some light sparring weekly. It's here that I feel a bit out of sorts as there isn't any instruction on attacking. I have been watching Casa de Kenpo's YouTube demo on the freestyle techniques and trying them out during sparring when I can. I do seem to do a *little* bit better when I use what little I know and now am wishing that the freestyle techniques were taught locally. Does Mr. Lamkin have material that covers the freestyle and its applications?

[bajakenpo]

Yes I use Kenpo sparring Volume One and Two. Master of the ring.is also vary good If you know master of the ring you will become one! Also Ed Parker's Infinte Insights into Kenpo Volume 1 - 5.
Good Luck.