2005 Workout #63: You gots to bring it!

Tonight was an asskicker. was in dazed and confused mode when he showed up today, which usually causes a workout forged by the Devil himself. The first class was aerobic style “do it quick not perfect” style basics. Then the colored belts went through their katas in preparation for the test. My Dad was having significant trouble because he’s overthinks the katas too much and subsequently gets himself crossed up. We need to do them more together so he gets his muscle memory back.

The second class started innocently enough with sparring combinations. It quickly escalated into 3-5 time attack followed by slow sparring. I originally had a long oration regarding one or two members of the dojo here, but it was far too obscene for the Internet.

I will sum up quite simply: to get a Brown Belt, you have to bring it. There is one person in the dojo that is striving for this goal that is doing so. There are several that think reiterating the same crappy technique ad nauseum is going to get you there.

If you take a shot when sparring a black belt, shrug it off and then come at them like the world would end if you don’t. Even if you’re hurt. In my opinion, to get brown belt you have to start to show the piss and vinegar that denotes you’re ready to start on the path to black belt. That can manifest in several ways, but it NEEDS to be visible in your technique. Personally, I feel that if this fighting spirit exists within a karetka it can even dissuade some lack of polish on techniques, all the way down to white belts testing for yellow.

For those that don’t know me, I tend toward the Barbarian Rage if I get cornered or slightly injured during sparring. Or I’m stressed out, like on black belt exams. This is how I earned the nickname of The Rabid Chihuahua. That story can be relayed at some other time. Others I know have their Sneaky Enzymes kick in when they get into the fight, others still will shock you with timing. It happens differently for different people, but I have yet to find someone that is so subtle that those of a higher rank can’t immediately see this intent when its there.

I intend to push those that are considering testing for any rank (especially purple belts heading for brown) to exhibit some of this fighting spirit, more as you get closer to black belt. We’ll see who can bring it.