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Post by Bishop on Jun 1, 2009 19:56:03 GMT -5
As always I like to preface my lengthy posts with my intentions. Please know that the tone of this is one of curiousity and just wanting to be helpful and not knowing how. I realize that some of the comments I make might seem like I am slightly frustrated and sometimes I can be, but you all know me I feel as having a pretty complacent and relaxed mood and one not to get uptight about things, even things that should upset me. That being said...
After teaching at the Academy I have had a couple of questions about myself and my involvement in Dag. Why I liked it, why I keep doing it, why should I continue to do it. I got to spar with and watch some people that have been fighting for only a couple of months or less or more, but haven't been exposed to some top tier fighters, or people that understand fighting on more of the national level in terms of the theory of how things work. After several hours I sparred and watched the same people and saw huge steps. I saw people that were swinging trash to throwing controlled legitimate shots.
I have been fighting for around 7 years now and this is the 3rd season I believe of the NS. I have seen some people grow, and I have seen some not. I am curious as to if its me and my inability to show people the theory of fighting, or their lack of desire to learn. If I am presenting ideas incorrectly or whatever it might be. I wanna help. I don't learn much from going to practice, but I do because I enjoy hanging out with you guys and I like to teach others about this great game. Mookie recently sent some people a text asking to help him with fighting, and I am wanting to work with you bro and work out a couple of kinks in your body mechanics, shot selection and set up. I spend a lot of time studying fighters, watching video and theorycrafting about fighting and I only want the knowledge not for my betterment but for sharing.
I will obviously still go to practices, but for the past month or so I normally leave frustrated at myself and sometimes unfortunately at others. I will prolly fight in some of the pick up fights, but I would like to relegate myself to simple, intentful sparring with others. Working on specific shots, movements, defense, offense, set ups, fakes the whole nine yards. Even focused and intentful situational group sparring I am up for.
Now if people are okay with their fighting and where they are in that regard I understand. I know their are fighters that just wanna fight they wanna fight, swing the way they swing and thats what makes them happy. I understand and respect that. This is moreso due to how I hear people say they cant beat certain individuals or realize that maybe they aren't fighting as good as they want...I wanna help you reach another level. Do I get upset when someone beats me or when someone is better than me that I have trained...nope, I feel accomplished that I helped someone get to where they are and could help them.
Theres that...lemme know your thoughts.
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Post by Beardo on Jun 1, 2009 21:32:22 GMT -5
Well, Ill be the first one to say that I know I could be fighting better. But, I really think that It has to do with a certain mindset...
For me I have had my head in so many different place at once that i have not really given my all to the game and last practice i was out i realized that i could be doing much better and i need to step up my game.
For me it takes me awhile but if you hit me in the same way enough times then i will eventually realize that i have to do something to change my strategy.
But Bish I don't want you to feel like you have to do this out of necessity or have to stand on the side lines to tend to the needs of the few. After all you are there to have fun!
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Post by Furyun on Jun 2, 2009 0:18:46 GMT -5
maybe some people can agree with my opinion or put it better another way but here goes.
-You have to be at the level where you want to learn before you can. or -Try to explain how to play football "better" to someone who has never been in a game.
don't put it all on yourself, have someone to train the new people, someone else to train the "been to an event" people, and save your time for those who are ready to learn or can fully understand the dagalog of what you have to offer. (props to Katie for the new word)
Now I reflect skip if you wish...
When I started I felt helpless against the onslaught that was mili than and bish (in no particular order) and only because you three would not just beet me, but do so while crushing my spirit and body to the ground. Fortunately I am particularly bull headed and was determined to get good enough to... die honorably.
there was no way I was capable of letting someone tell me how to throw a skilled shot or the better way to hold a shield because I was focusing on not dieing. Its like if bishop had come up to me and said "the next time I rush you and pound you into mush, try to see how I get this sweet wrap shot off"
After going to an event and seeing how the massive battles work, everything snapped into place as did all the reasons for doing things in such a new way. Also why I stuck with a spear and rocks.
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imp
Scout
Warrior
Posts: 2
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Post by imp on Jun 2, 2009 1:53:54 GMT -5
Yanno, you could at least ask something hard. Hands down, you have to want to learn before you will. I would say, just make it known you want to teach, and let people come to you. It'll provide much less frustration, because then only people who want help will come for it, instead of wasting time on people who just fight for fun, not so much for getting better. Let me be an exception to what I just said, barring me being in a horrible mood, anyone that has something to teach me, feel free to pull me to the side to do so. I fight for fun, but I'm definatly in it to get better. Also, I'd like to think I catch on quick <.<. So yea, Bishop, I highly doubt I'm a challenging opponent, but I'll happily spar you whenever. Unless you're gonna blow out my elbow... err either of my elbows... oh yea... and my calves... actually. I don't know if I want to spar you on second though Another thing, realize we collectively dress up in funny clothes to go to a public space to beat on each other with sometimes large fake weapons. There really is going to be a certain dense-ness inherent in this. Sometimes we can be shown things, and just not have it click right then, but later in the heat of battle it'll click in and we'll start using it. So don't be frustrated if people aren't getting something right away. Some of us are really slow sometimes. An example of this. Again, I like to think I'm very quick adapting, but how long ago did you show me how to shoulder wrap? I still can't do those for crap. Its not on you either, I understand the theory and the movement, I just can't throw them at all. Theres my two shinies ~Imp
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Post by Ska'ar Wulfsiger on Jun 2, 2009 11:08:21 GMT -5
First of all, Bish, I just want to say thank you, for all the hard work you have put in trying to turn our lazy bunch of lumps called the NS into a well-oiled fighting machine. I salute you for everything you've done thus far, and in advance for everything you will continue to do for us.
I totally agree with the "you've got to want it" bit. I remember back almost 2 years ago, you showed me some proper sword and board technique. I remember you moving my shield, pushing it in on me, getting it stuck in my head how to use it properly and I remember standing there toe-to-toe with you sparring and actually landing shots and blocking some and feeling amazing, like I could take on the world. And none of it stuck. Rowan showed me the same thing months later. None of it stuck. Mil showed me, nothing stuck. I picked up a shield this year after over 6 months without one, and watched some videos from Ragnarok, and still...it didn't stick.
Then I committed myself to becoming a better fighter, all around, to absorb everything I could possibly absorb, and to train hard, and become the best Dag fighter I could be. Zaron showed me the same thing that Mili showed me, and Rowan before him, and ultimately back down the line to Bish. He showed me nothing new, nothing I hadn't been told 100 times before, not in any new way (aside from being extremely forceful with moving me around) and it stuck. Why did it stick? Was it because Z is a better teacher? No. It was because I was READY for it.
I know I've been a right d-bag at times in the past, completely ignoring pointers and pro-tips, and even getting a but of a 'tude with ya Bish; it was because I wasn't ready for it. Like Fury, I was trying to absorb Dag, take it in, just trying to stay alive, trying to find my niche, my personal style, etc. Once all that finally came together, learning is now possible. I've been trying to get a spar or two with you for weeks now, but Imp's been hogging you. :-P I'm ready to learn, and I'll be right there soaking in anything you got. Same with you Rowan; same with Than; and Mil; and Z (tho' I'm pretty sure he already knows that since I've been tagging around him like a puppy dog whenever he's around soaking up any table scraps he throws at me).
So yeah, you got to want it to get it. And it can frustrating because some people think they want it, but they don't know what they want, and it's lost on them. Should you stop teaching everyone? No, it helps, even if it isn't immediately apparent, they will grasp it sometime down the road and they more than likely WILL thank you for it later. Will it continue to be frustrating for you? No doubt. Such is the life of a teacher. Just know that what you do IS appreciated, and some of us that have now been around for a bit and are finally on that level where this stuff isn't totally lost ARE here ready and willing to soak it up. :-)
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Post by Bishop on Jun 2, 2009 14:29:09 GMT -5
Good feedback and thanks for taking the time to do so. The main thing I was worried about was how this would be received and you guys aren't misinterpreting it so that makes me happy. I am not doing it out of necessity, but because I enjoy it. I fully agree that someone mentally has to want to reach a certain a level or learn something new to learn it...that applies to everything. I also realize that after working with youth for quite some time, that you don't always get to see the fruit of your labors and that is the rough part about being someone who likes to teach. I will be available at practices when I can come now (stupid job... ) to help those that wanna learn. I can fight at pretty much any level, I know the basics and thats what I normally use anyway to teach them to the newer fighters and some of the more advanced theories to those ready to learn them. Thanks again for feedback guys.
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Post by Furyun on Jun 2, 2009 16:06:27 GMT -5
Having had a while to think about it and reading more input. I have come to another conclusion we're aware of, but I want to say out loud and contribute to you Bishop and all of the people in the NS who teach.
Looking at our roster, although goon heavy, we are all a bunch of really tough capable fighters, if you compare a less than one year fighter to others in the nation... were tough.
I know I've killed a LOT of kings at events and I don't think we would be this good if we didn't have the bar set so high at practices, Like Wolf said its hard on a teacher because you rarely see instant results, believe me, Its there.
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Post by maas on Jun 2, 2009 18:18:13 GMT -5
bishop your done alot for everyone in the teaching department. I know that i've learned things from you and used them. like you've said you teach us things that you kill us all the time with. I've seen you kill expericenced fighters with the stuff that you've taught us. so I know it works. Please be patciant it will finially sink in our hard heads.
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