Keys To Choosing The Right Martial Arts School (japanese martial art supplies)
May 13th, 2007
Keys To Choosing The Right Martial Arts School
1. Location
The key to learning any martial art is practice. To make this easy for you, look for a school near your home, work or school. The easier it is for you to get there, the more time you?ll spend practicing and the better you?ll get. Eliminate those ?Well, it?s kind of a long ways away, so I?ll just watch TV tonight? excuses.
Note to husbands: Watch out for schools located in malls as they give you wife an excuse to shop while your kids are in class! (The location of a school says nothing about how ?good? it is…give every school a fair evaluation while you?re checking them out.)
2. Instructor
You want to be sure that you get along well with your instructor, especially if you?re going to commit to a school for a period of time. Keep in mind that a martial arts instructor is just like any teacher or coach that you have had, their job is to teach you the art and help you improve. Pay special attention to their personality, philosophy, energy, motivation and how they treat other students. If you?re having a difficult time making a decision, go with your gut feeling…this is a decision that has to be right for you. Remember, selecting an instructor is not a life-long decision so don?t take too long to make a decision. Get started, learn about the arts and change instructors later on if you feel it?s in your best interest.
3. Style
You want to be sure the schools you?re looking at offer styles that will help you accomplish your goals. If your goal is meditation, you probably don?t belong in a jujitsu school. But don?t get too picky either. Just because you always wanted to be like Bruce Lee doesn?t mean you have to practice Wushu. Many martial artists train in different arts through their career and end up creating a style that is a combination of all their styles.
Again, this isn?t a permanent decision so it?s better to just get started with a school nearby that has an instructor you like.
4. Costs
Look for schools that offers 1-2 introductory classes for free. These benefit both you and the school by ensuring you?re a good fit before making you commit to anything.
If you?re going to invest in a ?martial arts education?, make sure it?s within your budget. You don?t want you or your kids to get started and become excited about martial arts, just to have to quit due to finances.
Some schools require contracts (or ?tuitional agreements? as they are often called) while others don?t. Don?t be afraid of tuitional agreements, often times these schools are extremely interested in seeing you or your child succeed, which is why they want you to make a longer-term commitment after a free class or two. There are also excellent instructors who don?t want to see money interfere with a martial arts education, so they opt to not require contracts and charge on a per-class basis.
Both contract and no-contract schools are good options, just be sure to give location and instructors more weight than payment structure when making a decision to commit to a school.
If you would like to learn more about Martial Arts or are interested in finding a martial arts school in your area, go to http://www.experiencemartialarts.com.
About the Author:
Javier Lozano, Jr. has been training in the martial arts for over 15 years. He is currently part owner of Experience Martial Arts and will be opening a martial arts school shortly.
Shooting From Behind Cover
Firing from a barricaded position is an essential part of combat marksmanship. It is a
relatively straightforward skill and easily acquired. As all shooting techniques, however,
mastery only comes from extensive practice. Contrary to what is seen on movies, most
shooting incidents do not happen at high noon on Main Street. Common sense dictates that
when being shot at, the reasonable person will try to find cover from incoming rounds. If
withdrawal from the scene is not practical and returning fire is justified, then knowledge
of barricade position firing is essential.
The most important part of the barricaded position is being behind the barricade. While
this seems a simpleminded thing to say, it is amazing how many times while coaching this
technique, one sees shooters positioned beside the cover they should be behind.
As this is a combat skill, it is important to become as small a target as possible. A good
strategy is to adopt a kneeling position behind the item of cover. Kneeling is a good
position because it allows quick adoption from standing and is quick to get up from. As a
general rule, the closer your center of balance is to the ground, the more inherently
accurate a position is. Therefore the kneeling position is a two-fold better position than
standing for return fire, not only for making yourself a smaller target but also for making
your shots more likely to hit your aggressor.
The adaptations from a normal two handed shooting position are simple. The shooter does not
use the off hand to give support to the weapon by muscle tension as he would in a
traditional manner. Instead the off hand is pressed against the covering object. A
much-used method to accomplish this is to make a fist with the thumb extended, in a “thumbs
up” sign. Press the pad of the thumb and the last knuckle of the support hand into the
barricade. Cradle the firing hand and weapon in the support hand. Make sure that no part
of the firearm is touching anything other than your flesh. Contact by the weapon with solid
objects causes the weapon to bounce and the round to go off target. The only portions of
your body that should be exposed beyond the barricade are your firing hand, and only the
amount of your face that is needed to obtain a clear view of the sights, target, and
situation. Your arm should be raised enough so that the weapon is brought up to your face,
not your face lowered to your sights. It takes practice to enable you to be able to quickly
judge the distance needed between your body and cover to allow you to quickly assume the
This article is based on the strategies for using a pistol behind a barricade, but long guns
can also use this tactic with superficial modifications. Instead of using the knuckles of
the support hand against the wall the hand should be extended as if making a “stop” sign.
Extend the thumb away from the hand. Press your hand against the cover with your index
finger flush against the barricade edge. Your thumb should extend past the cover like a
shelf. Rest the forearm of the firearm on this shelf. All other aspects are similar.
It cannot be stressed how important this technique is in a lethal force situation. It is
equally important that this technique is practiced so as to allow a seamless transition into
this position.
David is a former U.S. Marine Corps noncommissioned officer, correctional supervisor and firearms instructor for the TN Dept. of Correction. He is presently commissioned as an operations officer for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. He holds firearm instructor ratings with the NRA, TN Dept of Safety, TN Dept of Commerce and Insurance, TN Department of Correction, and the State of Utah. For articles or advice visit his website Shepherd School Inc at http://www.tngun.com
Strengthen your mind and body by practicing a martial art
Martial arts are basically a set of physical and mental skills that are gradually taught, developed and polished by a trainer usually called sensei for Japanese arts and sifu in Cantonese. Martial arts translate as the arts of war, and they consist of a multitude of weaponless combat techniques, focused primarily on self defense. Based on ancient wisdom and philosophy, martial arts not only strengthen the body of the adept, but they also fortify his mind and his spirit. In Eastern culture, self control, discipline, patience, awareness, are considered to be the traits of a true warrior, and martial arts mainly focus on developing these skills to practicing students. In ancient times, martial arts were kept secret and practiced in silence; being an apprentice in these skills was a great privilege. However, today there are various schools that perpetuate the traditional teachings of the great ancient masters. Martial arts are divided into many different styles, linked together by the omnipresent oriental mentality. If you wish to begin practicing a martial art, you should choose a style that best satisfies your needs and potential. Some martial arts focus more on physical strength, while others focus on technique and reflex. The best thing to do before choosing the appropriate style is assisting to a few training classes and asking the trainer whether you fit in or not. Another important aspect you should consider is that martial arts require a lot of ambition, dedication, perseverance and practice. You should keep in mind that the skills are learned gradually, and it takes time to achieve higher ranks. When you have discovered the style that fits you best, make sure that your trainer is qualified and that he teaches in an approachable manner. Regardless of experience or rank, not all martial arts masters have the ability to teach! You should look for an instructor that stands as a true raw model, a person whose teachings match his ideals and beliefs. Having found the right instructor and training gym, all you need is equipment. Martial arts equipment is sometimes optional and it mainly consists of a uniform or sparring and protective equipment such as boxing gloves, head gear and chest protection. You can either buy these traditional uniforms, or make them yourself. Consult your instructor and find out his requirements regarding the appropriate training outfit. The martial art equipment also includes a belt. It is made of a certain textile material and its purpose is to distinguish the ranks of the students. The black belt marks the highest level of experience and it can be obtained through years of learning and practice. Whether you choose to practice martial arts as a sport or for self defense, its benefits are substantial. Martial arts improve your physical condition, as well as your concentration, attention and ambition. They strengthen the mind and body altogether and help you achieve self-respect, confidence and balance.
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