ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY

 

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER

29-JUNE-2009

 

   Our new dojo is coming along. It has taken a lot of work on everyone’s part. However, with the help I get anything is possible. I made a marketing mistake initially sticking to the karate theme to attract people. That didn’t work. I changed it to a modified mma and bingo! New students. I prefer to call it “Integrated Martial Art,” as that is more specific to what we teach, than the word ”mixed.” On Tuesday night we teach Kick Boxing, and striking (it’s Isshin-ryu with boxing). On Thursdays, it is Jujitsu/grappling. Although jujitsu and grappling are the same thing, people don’t realize it and ask for one or both. So I call it what the public understands. Mondays is the advanced class only. It is closed to only the Dragons and who can transition through the Tuesday/Thursday classes. I don’t care how much experience they have had, they cannot come into the Monday class until they have been checked out. If they are not going to fit in to our philosophy, or screw up the chemistry, they don’t come in. My guys have followed and helped me every step of the way. They are my first responsibility and I’ll never allow anyone to distract them. So far, so good. We have some good new people who seem to be picking up on the concept and THE PHILOSOPHY.

 

   The Harold Long Foundation and the Isshin-ryu Cross Trainers Alliance, acquired the services of Debbie Honeycutt as our Board secretary and marketing director. She is a significant addition, as our growth has gotten beyond the rest of the board. She will be handling all records, to include receiving all donations and assorted requests.

 

   The ICA has plans to expand its borders with other martial artists interested in expanding their knowledge of Integrated Martial Arts. Master Butch Hill visited Master Toby Cooling’s association this weekend to demo and network. I will be going to Iowa the middle of next month, to demo Dragon Sen-I Jutsu, for Masters Steve Young’s “Isshin-ryu Karate Training Weekend”. As Mr. Long said, "You gotta travel.” You’ve got to get out of your own back yard if you have something to say. He was adamant about that and it was the main criteria as to how he wanted his successors to continue his work.

 

   The Hall of Fame weekend is right around the corner and it can’t come soon enough. With all the hubbub lately, it will be great to participate and socialize on neutral ground. It is also a way to continue the vision of Mr. Long. It will be the thirtieth year of this event. Wonder what most of us would have been doing and where would we be, without the work and vision of Mr. Long. We should never forget and the HLF ain’t gonna let you anyhow!!!!!!!!!!! There will be a presentation to the Long family on behalf of the Hall Of Fame board, to commemorate Mr. Longs Memory and achievements. I hope you will be there to pay your respects. Look for the Harold Long memorabilia display at the Hall Of Fame.

 

   Master Wayne Wayland has been handed the reins of the tournament. I did it last year and he is just vastly more qualified and is already implementing some new ideas and concepts. He will be the brains. The brawn (arbitrators and get the he-- off the floor people) will be, Carl Martin, JC Burris and lovable me. You highly complimented the tournament last year for its order and officiating. This year will be better. Master Wayland and I have been pouring over the Center Ref positions with a balanced judge’s crew around. We may mix and match as the tournament goes on so we can find the best chemistry for the officiating teams. It is not an exact science but you can prepare as best you can. Wayne is going to challenge the center guys to take command of their group. So get your name in ASAP, if you are going to help officiate. We need you. And remember; those who don’t work, pay general admission at the door. Your call! As I said, the Hall of Fame board has worked very hard to make this a neutral, non political event for all to enjoy. So far that has been in evidence.

 

   Master Clyde Stanley, has had great success with his high school program working with the football team. They cleaned up at the last jujitsu tournament. I understand that they won every division and then some.

 

   Master Dennis Thomas has decided to go into the dojo business full time. Master Tony William’s due to a job change, will be spending more time on his dojo also. I hope you guys never have to work outside your dojo again. You are very good teachers and a credit to the martial arts. A word of caution, Do not run it like a typical Isshin-ryu dojo. Run it like a business that offers martial arts. We all want to give too much away and not charge enough for what we do.  The average martial art going rate is 110.00 a month with all the trimmings (uniforms, belt test, equipment). Teach like Isshin-ryu to a point…lol but think like Te Kwon Do.   We teach the best karate in the nation and charge the least for it. Go figure….I too, am having to adjust but those days are over.

 

   A new drill we have been using is called, “retreat to the wall.” You position yourself against the wall with your training partner in front. Your TP then starts throwing punches and kicks at you for one to two minutes. Not the same ones, but everything in the punching and kicking bag you’ve got.  You can only block. Rest two minutes then switch sides. I’ll let you decide what it accomplishes. The benefits are endless. Caution; Remember it is training, not competition. So kick it back a notch. After that, kick boxing or point kumite is a piece of cake.

 

   One more: pick up your partner and carry him or her from one end of the floor to the other. Throw them down (training speed) than hold them down for thirty seconds. Get up take one minute and reverse who carry’s and who holds. After that, lay head to foot and try to put a pair of socks on your partner before they put them on you. It’s an old wrestling drill. You will find that you are either all offence or defense. You must learn to be both at the same time. It is a good drill if you can keep from cracking up.

 

   We have a bunch more: the hand jive, the human body bag, ect. It is all about quicker, faster, stronger, a presence of mind, adjusting to the situation and shortening the duration of any street fight.

 

   Come visit and train with us some Monday night. I guarantee you some fun and fellowship you’ll remember. Come stay at the “Hotel Shaffer.”  Ms. Reese sure can cook and I’ve got this hot tub and then huge shade tree and lounge chairs, for the night after class recuperation.

  

   See you all I hope, at the Hall Of Fame. Eaten’, fighten’ and dancen’. An Isshin-ryu weekend at its best!