warrior-scholar
06-11-2004, 12:23 AM
When one considers belt testing requirements for other systems, the Defender Level alone surpasses black belt standards in many styles. Rankings aside, the material in this level is enough to make one feel competent in a variety of situations. After having studied the Tracy's System, it is almost humorous that the requirements through first black have been distilled and refined into one level in the Elite System. Granted, without my background in Tracy's it would have taken me much longer to learn, let alone hone, the skills required for the trials.
After completing a Black Belt curriculum, many students continue to learn the same ol' same ol' for the next ten years as they add additional stripes to their ego...I mean belt. Individuals seeking to improve their skill must learn additional systems from scratch. This may lead some people to obtain great skill, but in an inefficient manner. While I do not know all of the details of the Elite System beyond the Guardsman level, it seems that the student is being given a comprehensive system in an efficient form. It does not mean that one will necessarily learn all of the material in 5 years or less and be a complete fighter. It does mean that the tools for having a comprehensive repertoire have been made available in one place.
I have never really cared too much about having this or that rank. I know several people who have upwards of 6 or seven black belts, but do not really feel competent against certain fighting styles. "Give me a Hsing-I, Pakua, Tae Kwo Do, Hapkido, Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Northwest Albino Flying Catfish or Karate fighter any day, but I don't want to mess with a Grappler!" Demonstrating some of the Defender techniques to friends in different styles has solidified my belief that this system works-even at the intro level.
Now, I have seen many advertisements for "practical" combat systems in magazines (no names...Inside - Half our mag is ads - Kung Fu & Black - This mag's for posers - Belt). An acquaintance of mine has actually ordered a few of the "complete" combat training programs in this fashion. When I told him that the Defender Level alone had 102 techniques, not to mention all the other material, he almost passed out! This does not mean that the more techniques the better. I think most would agree that the techniques in the first two levels are anything but repetitive and extraneous. Many of these so-called "complete" combat systems (designed by Guy Macho, Captain in the Royal Marines for 10 years and recipient of numerous medals for bravery while on 25 combat missions, one of which he single-handedly killed 10 guerillas with a comb and his "super secret combat techniques" that you can learn for only $299.99 U.S. Dollars) leave the student wondering if they are complete. Alot of them also brag that a student can become a deadly assassin with minimal training, as long as you order their product!
Enough!!! I am tired of all this garbage! The Elite System doesn't promise easy or quick solutions to the run and gun American culture. This is good! It also doesn't promise to keep a student in training for 25 years under a wise and venerable "master" who may or may not "allow" you to become an "enlightened" warrior. All of my rambling is solely for the sake of placing my training in the right perspective. Putting the Defender Level in perspective is perhaps the greatest motivator I have. Just another thank you for what you guys have done!
Warrior-Scholar
After completing a Black Belt curriculum, many students continue to learn the same ol' same ol' for the next ten years as they add additional stripes to their ego...I mean belt. Individuals seeking to improve their skill must learn additional systems from scratch. This may lead some people to obtain great skill, but in an inefficient manner. While I do not know all of the details of the Elite System beyond the Guardsman level, it seems that the student is being given a comprehensive system in an efficient form. It does not mean that one will necessarily learn all of the material in 5 years or less and be a complete fighter. It does mean that the tools for having a comprehensive repertoire have been made available in one place.
I have never really cared too much about having this or that rank. I know several people who have upwards of 6 or seven black belts, but do not really feel competent against certain fighting styles. "Give me a Hsing-I, Pakua, Tae Kwo Do, Hapkido, Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Northwest Albino Flying Catfish or Karate fighter any day, but I don't want to mess with a Grappler!" Demonstrating some of the Defender techniques to friends in different styles has solidified my belief that this system works-even at the intro level.
Now, I have seen many advertisements for "practical" combat systems in magazines (no names...Inside - Half our mag is ads - Kung Fu & Black - This mag's for posers - Belt). An acquaintance of mine has actually ordered a few of the "complete" combat training programs in this fashion. When I told him that the Defender Level alone had 102 techniques, not to mention all the other material, he almost passed out! This does not mean that the more techniques the better. I think most would agree that the techniques in the first two levels are anything but repetitive and extraneous. Many of these so-called "complete" combat systems (designed by Guy Macho, Captain in the Royal Marines for 10 years and recipient of numerous medals for bravery while on 25 combat missions, one of which he single-handedly killed 10 guerillas with a comb and his "super secret combat techniques" that you can learn for only $299.99 U.S. Dollars) leave the student wondering if they are complete. Alot of them also brag that a student can become a deadly assassin with minimal training, as long as you order their product!
Enough!!! I am tired of all this garbage! The Elite System doesn't promise easy or quick solutions to the run and gun American culture. This is good! It also doesn't promise to keep a student in training for 25 years under a wise and venerable "master" who may or may not "allow" you to become an "enlightened" warrior. All of my rambling is solely for the sake of placing my training in the right perspective. Putting the Defender Level in perspective is perhaps the greatest motivator I have. Just another thank you for what you guys have done!
Warrior-Scholar