One of the biggest problems in martial arts is that many people discuss violence without ever having experienced what genuine violence actually feels like. I don’t mean sparring in the dojo under pressure, demonstrations, or competitive exchanges. I mean the kind of violence that is sudden, emotionally charged, physically overwhelming, and nothing like theory. There […]
Violence Is Not a Puzzle Waiting for a Secret Answer Read More »
The martial arts are full of variety. Different systems, different traditions, different ways of doing things, all shaped by history and the people who carried them forward. Most practitioners are looking for the same thing in the end: a sense of progress in their own training. But it is not unusual to find strong resistance
Tradition and Progress in Martial Arts Read More »
People often associate practical karate with fighting, self-defense, and physical confrontation. That is understandable. Much of my own writing over the years has focused on practical application, violence, realism, and the realities surrounding self-protection. Those things matter. But after more than fifty years of training, I have come to realize that karate eventually becomes something
What Karate Becomes Over Time Read More »
Kata is often misunderstood because many people view it through a modern lens. Today we live in a world of instant access to information. There are videos, books, seminars, online courses, slow-motion breakdowns, and endless commentary available at the touch of a screen. When kata was developed, none of that existed. There was no social
In many dojos, respect is taught early. Listen. Follow. Don’t question. And for a long time, that works. Until it doesn’t. Because somewhere along the line, respect can quietly turn into silence – and silence doesn’t always lead to understanding. When I first started training in 1974 under a Japanese sensei, I rarely questioned anything.
Respect Shouldn’t Replace Understanding Read More »
There’s a difference between seeking guidance and expecting someone else to do your thinking for you. Over the years, I’ve had many people ask about how I approach training. How do I pressure test? How do I adapt traditional material for modern realities? How do I prepare students for unpredictability rather than compliance? I understand
Are You Teaching What You Understand? Read More »
When I was a kid, I wanted to join the Army Cadets, but I was too young. So I lied about my age and got in anyway. I became known as the “little bloke”. I threw myself into everything they offered – sometimes literally. During one escape and evasion exercise, after being caught, a group
The “Little Bloke” Read More »
When I was younger and competing, I had a couple of favorite techniques. Most of us did. They were the moves that felt natural, the ones I could rely on to score points or end a match. There’s a certain satisfaction in finding something that works; it gives you a sense of certainty. But even
The Danger of Being Right Read More »
Rank, in some environments, can become a trophy for time served, rather than a measure of functional ability. We see this often in the modern martial arts landscape: the rise of the “instant master”. Some individuals move from junior grades to self-appointed high ranks in a matter of years. They trade on titles because they
The “Black Belt” Myth: Why Rank Does Not Equal Survival Read More »
I have never understood the half-hearted approach to things. Anything. I will try my best, even if it’s not as perfect or as well executed as the next person, I will still try my best. What I don’t understand is how easily people step away when things become difficult, or how many settle for doing
Commitment Over Motivation Read More »
Whenever people ask me about karate or inquire about joining our dojo, a question that occasionally comes up is, “What style of karate do you practice?” But what does that really tell anyone? Does a style actually give insight into a practitioner’s skill or an instructor’s understanding of karate? There are those who place a
What Does ‘Style’ Really Tell You? Read More »
In the world of martial arts, grades are often viewed as a reflection of a practitioner’s journey – a blend of technical ability, deeper understanding, and personal character. Yet, from time to time, we come across individuals whose grade far outweighs their actual ability, knowledge, or behavior. And when that happens, it’s hard not to
When Rank Loses Its Meaning Read More »
