I liked the video. Nice, as you say, as a demo on jujutsu. Which exact branch it is? The attacks where not honest attacks, but he was sick, and people get nervous during exams, and he surely was trying to help you. Also, I do believe that part of your grading is during normal class. In my school the Sempai and the Sensei keep repeating there is no defence if the attack is not honest. I can't recall the Japanese for it. My Sensei's Sensei (Kai Kuniyuki) in a demonstration knocked with a karate chop his Uke (5th dan) for not doing a "honest attack", which caused him look bad.
That's good of you to not take criticisms to heart, many dont have that ability. Honestly, I'd attribute most of your mistakes to the stress of testing. People tend to become less smooth, and commit less to their movements. The number one thing, is I'm sure your sensei wouldn't test you if he felt you weren't ready. Try not to think too much, as if you've gotten this far I'm sure you know your stuff. Just do your thing.
Honestly a lot of folks in your position would be defensive and give excuses. I'm so impressed by your response above and your maturity. It's about being honest with yourself and taking responsibility for your own training. I'm looking forward to seeing that future video too and good luck.
A quick question u have is why don't you carry out each technique with full intent and a fire in your belly like your life depends in it ? In reality this is how it would applied so why not train this way all of the time so it's the norm under pressure ? Fair play for posting the video though.
While I agree with the issue of lack of intent the idea that everything has to be done to a do or die level is a little flawed, IMO. Having the flexibility of thought and practice to work in various scenarios and at varying degrees of force is probably going to be far handier than a "die die die!!" mentality.
Also considering how his uke was acting it's probably a good idea he didn't go "all out". Edit: Actually if we think about the intent presented by uke then, not only would he (uke) of been at risk of injury in the grading scenario, it could be argued that tori trying to bust him up would of been responding in a disproportionate manner. Just a thought.
Agreed. If always trained "do or die" you will never learn the real technique. This must be learned gradually with increasing realism as you learn more. Too fast and all you learn is second-rate shortcuts.
What I mean by practising with intent I mean carrying out a strike or throw like you mean it. At this grade I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that with control as well, no need to beat up your uke because you practice with intent. I agree slowing it down is how you learn correct technique but in a grading you are showing you have learned the technique and can carry it out in an effective controlled manner .this in turn shows your skill level over a lower grade doing the same technique does it not ?
I agree completely. Heck you can go slow and still have full intent. Again no argument there from me.
Intent and intensity are paramount in scripted drills, IMO. The scripted nature means you must go for it in an appropriate manner for the kata, drill etc otherwise you are just dancing. However having a uke who is providing the correct resistance in the kata is essential as is having an uke who is your senior. This I feel is where some of the problems came from in the clip, if uke was behaving appropriately then it should of been a case of act or get smacked for tori. I bet he'd of sharpened up a bit then.
The attacks must be sincere. The attacks do not have to be fast, powerful, but they MUST hit the intended target if not defended appropriately. Otherwise all we are learning is a choreographed dance move at not a Martial Art/Self defence discipline. The instructors at all my clubs would not accept such bad etiquette and i would have been reprimanded, most definitely in Aikido put on my backside.
