AKS Quarterly Newsletter

"The Punchline Editorial"
June 2015

Summer has begun and with it the storms and heat here in south Texas.  I recently had the honor and pleasure of being involved in a seminar with legendary American Karate Icon J. Pat Burleson.  I've been familiar with this gentleman since the 1967 time frame when I used to train at one of Allen Steen's schools in Dallas. Sensei Burleson is 78 or 79 and still going.  We had a great visit that culminated in a diner.  He was pleasantly surprised to find he and I had much in common, to include knowing many of the same people.  He voiced his sadness at the loss of his friend and fellow pioneer Ernie Lieb.  I told him the senior leadership of the AKS was keeping sensei Lieb's legacy alive and well.

I had a great trip and visit in April when I traveled to Toledo for the Spring AKS Seminar hosted by Sensei Skip Palmer and his Toledo school.  We had some great instructors and AKS members from West Virginia, Detroit and various locations in Michigan.  As has been the case in previous seminars, it was a great weekend.  Our sincere appreciation to Skip, his wife, Deb, and all the members of the Toledo AKS club.

In the past we've had a few people who have voiced a desire to join the ranks of the AKS.  We welcome them with open arms.  However, regardless of their style and years of training and study, they are still required to train with us in order to bring themselves up to speed with our (AKS) requirements.  If a person holds a 3rd degree black belt, they must train up to our level and requirements for that rank.  Once that has been achieved, they may begin working towards the next highest rank.  Once they've acquired that rank, their time in grade in the AKS begins.  Until, and unless this happens, the party has not fulfilled AKS requirements and may not test others in rank without those students also meeting the same criteria.  I feel it's important to clarify this in the event there may have been some confusion.  If there are any questions, I welcome them.  You may also visit with either of the two Assistant Chief Instructors, Fred Reinecke and Dave Thomas.

In just about a month we'll be holding our annual summer camp in Muskegon.  I hope you will all join us for this event during the weekend of July 17-19,2015.

Until then stay safe, keep training, and have a great summer.

Mike Sullenger, 9th Dan
AKS Chief Instructor

PS - I'm very pleased to see we have received an e-mail and testing information from one of our AKS schools in Germany.  It is truly my desire to see more such contacts and inputs to our newsletter.  The Punchline is all AKS members' quarterly means to stay in touch and share what's going on in your respective dojos.  To the the Weyhe folks at the Tasai Dojo - welcome and congratulations.

Are You A "Good Uke" or A "Bad Uke"?

Every time I ask this, I picture myself as Glinda the Good Witch of the North asking Dorothy, "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"  Now that I got that out of my system we can go back to asking, "Are you a good Uke or a bad Uke"?  Now some of you may not be sure, especially if you don't know what an Uke (oo-kay) is, or at least how I use the term.  In Japanese, uke means to receive.  It is used in many martial arts in partner training to designate the person initiating the attack, and it allows the defender (the Tori) to demonstrate or practice his/her defense and counter.  Sounds like an easy job . . . just throw the technique, your job is done and the defender takes care of the rest.  However, this is far from the truth.  Working with a bad Uke can result in much frustration, poor training, and most importantly - injury, most likely to Uke.

As an Uke, you should expect to be taken or thrown to the mat for some techniques.  You need to know how to fall and be willing to fall.  This is a skill that we as martial artists should work on regardless of the style.  If you don't know how to fall and roll, take some lessons in Judo or Aikido, and practice.  The techniques of the defender may include wrist locks and arm bars.  Be sure to warm up and stretch all muscles and joints prior a demonstration, testing, or even when just practicing.  If you have an injury or physical problem, it is your responsibility to notify your partner prior to the techniques.    To notify them after an arm bar that you have a torn rotator cuff is too late.  In my Aikido class, there is a very good student that has a very bad shoulder.  Most likely surgery is in the future.  He wears a red band on that arm to help remind us that we need to take special precautions when working on that side.  The Uke should react by simulating what would happen if the defender had used the technique with full speed and force.  If I am kicked or punched in the stomach, I lean forward.  A strike to my face tilts my head rearward.  The Uke must be willing to allow his partner to demonstrate and practice his techniques without active resistance.  Too many times an Uke has gotten hurt from resisting.  In a demonstration or testing, an uncooperative Uke makes the defender look bad.  It causes the defender to put more force and speed behind his technique to show that it works and injuries can occur.  The Uke should also not take for granted that the Tori is done until he/she hears a Kiai and the defender steps back and away.

However, part of the responsibility belongs to the defender.  Your Uke must trust that you have good control and a good understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.  Can your Uke fall, and if so, how well?  If they cannot, it's not going to be pretty when you throw them.  Do they have tight wrists?  If you hurt someone, they are not going to want to come out and play.  How is the Uke going to react to your techniques?  If you throw a front kick to the groin followed by a front punch to the face, are they going to lean forward in reaction to the groin strike or stand straight up as if they are "Iron Cup Man"?  It is always best that the defender and attacker are familiar with each other for demonstrations and testings.  Many systems now require you to bring the Uke you worked with when you are tested.

There must be communication between the Uke (attacker) and the Tori (defender).  When a wrist lock, arm bar, or pin is being applied, the Uke needs to slap the mat, tap loudly, or verbally communicate to the defender that the technique is working.  This needs to be done prior to too much pain.  If the Uke waits too long, damage may occur.  At our Dojo, we will say "Matte", pronounced ma-tay, which means wait.  The Tori needs to also realize that some Uke's are non-responders.  They do not feel pain until it is too late.  So the defender must be observant and aware of non-verbal clues such as facial expressions or tension in the arm, shoulder or wrist.  I was at a seminar in Virginia many years ago where an Uke was a non-responder.  The instructor did not realize it and continued to apply pressure to an arm bar.  The Uke's arm ended up broken.  Both partners must use good judgement and communication.

So Dorothy, "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"  (Always wanted to say that). 

(The views of the author are his own.  Any resemblance to an intelligent person, living or dead is completely coincidental).

Training with Mr Nehring

On April 18, I had the privilege of working with Mr. Tom Nehring, 6th Dan Kempo, at the Toledo Seminar.  He shared the philosophies and techniques of Kempo.  His style traces back to Mr. Ed Parker, probably the best known Kempo Instructor in America.   Mr Parker in turn was a friend of Mr. Lieb's.  During the 60's, Mr. Lieb competed at his Long Beach International Karate Tournament.

The derivation and execution of techniques from other styles is always interesting and enlightening to learn.  Mr. Nehring has an engaging teaching style.  He teaches in a very student-friendly manner.  He easily kept the students' attention between demonstrating techniques, and sharing stories and experiences.

The most memorable he shared was the time Chuck Norris visited their Toledo school during a promotional tour for one of his new movies.  Tom said that Mr. Norris sat quietly and listened as the students and Black Belts bemoaned being cheated and treated unfairly at tournaments.  The judges wouldn't call their points and wouldn't score them fairly in forms.  It wasn't the students' fault they couldn't win.  The fault was because of others.

Tom said Chuck didn't say a word during the tournament diatribe.  When the students finished, Mr. Norris stood up and said, "You're right.  As long as it's someone else's fault, you'll never win."  Momentary silence.  "What you should do is to train and compete so when you throw a punch or kick everyone in the gym sees it.  If you want to win, make the problems your fault, not someone else's.  Own the problem; don't pass the blame."

Wow!

I was amazed at the simplicity and the depth of his statement.  While there was much more learned and shared during the Toledo Seminar, that concept alone made the trip to the seminar worth while.  I knew it was the first thing I had to share with my students as soon as I returned to class.

As with most things we teach and share in American Karate, the message transcends the dojo.  In a time of no accountability, lack of personal responsibility, and the litany of cultural excuses for failure; at a time when our current culture contends nothing is your fault because of others, what an enlightening concept.  I can't recount the number of meetings and conversations I have had where someone complained that they were impotent because of the actions of others.  "Not my fault, they wouldn't help me."  Or even better, "Look what you made me do."

Very recently during a foster parent's meeting as others in the room were whining that the system was unfair and created problems they were powerless to correct, I interrupted with: "Chuck Norris would tell you, 'Own it to win it.' "  The room got uncomfortably quiet after my comment.

While true, I may not be invited back to another meeting anytime soon, I won again.  Thanks Chuck!

And now a little humor . . .

On the first day of the Third Grade, the teacher asked the students what scared them the most.  One of our white belts replied, "H-Form."

Do You Have Member News ?

Please send news (weddings, births, graduations, etc.) so that we may share with our members and friends.  Accompanying pictures are most welcome!

We look forward to hearing from you !

PROMOTIONS!!

Congratulations to all students who have been promoted this past quarter, and to those we've missed in prior newsletters.

And welcome to our newest Dojo from Germany.  Please read the article in "AKS NEWS" below.  Best wishes in your continued training!

News from the Mountain State

We have had a very busy spring and early summer here in West Virginia.  AKS Assistant Chief Instructor, Fred Reinecke, graciously traveled down from Michigan to head up a testing board for four Black Belt candidates.    The testing covered two nights, June 1st & 2nd, and totaled around five hours. Due to additional time available, Sensei Reinecke conducted a very thorough test which touched on many areas that we do not normally have time for.  John Folsom, 8th Dan Salem Karate Club, had three students testing: James Wise, Don Riffle, and Miki Gain.  The Mountaineer Karate Club had one candidate up for testing, William Way.  Sensei Reinecke headed the testing board which also included John Folsom, 8th Dan, Jude Gore, 6th Dan, and Sandra Gore 2nd Dan.  We are pleased to announce that all four candidates passed and the AKS has added four new Black Belts to our ranks.

This spring, several members from the Mountaineer Karate Club became interested in participating in local tournaments.  On April 25, 2015, Ethan Galicic II and his sister Savannah entered their first tournament, "Rumble on the River" held in Grafton, West Virginia.  This tournament had over 200 competitors and many from other states such as Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina.  Ethan placed 1st in Kata, 2nd in Weapons, and 3rd in Sparring.  Savannah placed 1st in Sparring and 4th in Kata.  She did not compete in weapons.  Savannah was also asked to participate in a non-competitive demo match with a young lady in the next oldest age group.

On June 7th, Ethan and Savannah competed in the "Rumble on the River Championships."  Ethan again took 1st place in kata with AKS Cat Form 1, 2nd place in Weapons, and 2nd place in Sparring.  If you have Facebook, please check out Ethan's Cat Form 1 on the Mountaineer Karate Club page.  At this tournament, Savannah was placed in the boys division due to the fact that she just turned 6 and there were not enough girls in this age bracket.  She placed 2nd in Sparring (competing against all boys) and 2nd in kata performing Tiger 1.

John Billie, also from Mountaineer Karate Club, had been practicing for this competition but badly injured his elbow at work.  Mr. Billie is a police officer for the City of Shinnston, West Virginia.  However, even with his injury, he decided to compete in Kata and Weapons.  John, with a bandaged up arm, still placed 2nd in Kata and 3rd in Weapons.  I believe this is the attitude and spirit that Mr. Lieb wanted to instill in all the AKS.

Congratulations to everyone for a job well done!