New Beginners FAQ

Hi there everyone,

This might sound like a silly question. But what would you consider to be a more effective style one that adopts the hands or one that adopts the feet.

I have been sparring a lot and I have been used to mainly using my footwork as opposed to my fists and from many other fighters tell me that is you are good with your fists then the legs will also be outdone.

The only problem I have is do I give up on the legs or move towards hands and close bouts or is it wiser to use distance and finishing kicks for sparring??

regards
Boualem Bouderba

 

In a legit school, how long should it take to get a black belt if you practice 3 times a week?

 

Depends on how much time is spent training. Is 3 times a week a 1 hour session which actually translates into 45 minutes of actual training or is it 3x2 hour sessions?

It took me 3 years to get to black belt in Ki Aikido.

 

I'm considering doing a FAQ on the basic equipment people will need to purchase when taking up a particular style. So feel free to add your contributions here and I'll collate it all into a nice neat and tidy FAQ.

I guess I should start this off

For your first night training with an Aikido class you will need sweatpants and a sweatshirt or t shirt. Short toe and finger nails.

If you decide to continue standard kit includes a Judo style gi, a hakama, a jo, bokken and wooden tanto. The hakama is normally black and the gi is normally white. However some clubs do vary and others don't care. The hakama is also normally only worn by women at kyu grade level. Men earn their hakama with their black belts. But again clubs will vary.

Many clubs also operate a coloured belt system for kyu grades. Each time you pass a grading you will need to buy a new belt of the designated colour.

 

I'd also note that there are Aikido specific Gi's, Thinner material and 3/4 length sleeves which are, frankly, just cooler

Oh, and a pair of flip flops/sandals when you're walking to and from the mat

 

The one from Nine Circles? Had those at the last club i trained with. They suck. As soon as the class gets remotely energetic they fall apart. Not worth the money in my opinion. A gi is expensive. It needs to last a while.

 

The TENGU brand one's? I've had one since October and it's fine so far but it's not as rugged as my Blitz Judo Gi that I use

 

Yes. Mine fell apart and so did a lot of the others the club ordered.

 

I was think of putting together a small terminology FAQ. Nothing intensive. Just basic stuff like what the place of practice is called, proper title for the teacher and senior students. That sort of thing.

So some contributions would be welcome. Remember to tell me what style your contributions refer to.

 

I want to become a master martial artist

i've wanted to learn martial arts for a really long time.a couple of years ago i started taking karate lessons, but the sensei wasn't teaching us "real karate". my mom made me quit because she said that i didn't have enough time for it. i really want to become stronger and i'm interested in learning either muay thai, caopeira, or tae kwan do. is there somewhere where i can meet a martial arts master? how do i become one? by the way i'm only 13 (almost 14)

 

Well at 13 years of age you're certainly not about to start travelling the world are you. Read the FAQs. Tell us what's in your area. Why does your mother say you don't have time for martial arts?

 

when i said that the sensei didn't teach real karate imean that after spending a year at that school, he didn't teach me anything that would help you defend yourself in a fight. it was shotokan karate by the way. And i didn't mean that i wanted to become a master RIGHT NOW. i just want to start basic training and then envetually get better and get a better teacher.

 

queens in new york city. i started watching youtube videos on tae kwan do kicks and boxing punches and i've already learned some new techinques. now i have to practice them.

 

That's possibly the worst way to learn. Who do you practice with?

 

i just started doing this today so i don't have a partner yet. but i shadowbox a lot. I asked my mom if i could take taekwondo lessons last week, but she said no. i have to take swimming lessons instead -_-