Jeff Davis school of the Martial Arts in West Virginia

**CoffeeFan** · Posted On: 9/27/2010 3:49pm

Nice write up, thanks for taking the time to do it.

**helmutlvx** · Posted On: 9/27/2010 3:58pm

Thanks. I'll be also giving Mr. Davis a copy of the write-up sometime this week.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 9/27/2010 4:05pm

I wish you could have got pictures of the Master's Degrees. Good review. So, in your estimation they looked like they had practiced sparring and Randori to a satisfactory level?

In that I mean it looked like the techniques they had been doing had been practiced adequately and not over a couple of weeks because you were observing?

I know the answer but, give me your impressions before the boo birds start bitching.

**helmutlvx** · Posted On: 9/27/2010 4:45pm

If the certifications become a major issue, I'll just take my proper camera and get better pictures.

The ASMA ones were blue and basically a template "____ rank in ______ is given _____ 19__ to ______ by _____ (signatures) but I saw them for each of the arts listed. The certificates from Gene Thorner were handwritten (Mr. Thorner's Japanese writing was a bit messy, to be honest.) for 1-dan and 2-dan and then a fancier certificate that authorized Mr. Davis to teach.

To be honest, I don't think the Shorin-ryu group sparred much, if at all. I mentioned in my report about the guy with bent wrists, right? He had the most mental focus of the group and seemed confident in his technique which would not be so if he had been hitting things with those fists.

The Judo group was a little better off because a large portion of the class was active drills, not y'know "Step punch, step punch". The brown belt in the judo group was a young man who had a lot of ferocity, he and an orange belt went for submissions on two occasions during grip fighting before Mr. Davis reprimanded them.

I feel that their Judo program is a nice primer for beginners who don't plan on competing. There is little complexity to the techniques presented. The Karate program is lacking and I wouldn't recommend it.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 9/27/2010 4:50pm

Originally Posted by helmutlvx

To be honest, I don't think the Shorin-ryu group sparred much, if at all. I mentioned in my report about the guy with bent wrists, right? He had the most mental focus of the group and seemed confident in his technique which would not be so if he had been hitting things with those fists.

This should be added to your overall review IMO. It helps flesh out what you observed.

The Judo group was a little better off because a large portion of the class was active drills, not y'know "Step punch, step punch". The brown belt in the judo group was a young man who had a lot of ferocity, he and an orange belt went for submissions on two occasions during grip fighting before Mr. Davis reprimanded them.

I feel that their Judo program is a nice primer for beginners who don't plan on competing. There is little complexity to the techniques presented. The Karate program is lacking and I wouldn't recommend it.

You know what? This entire post should be worked into your review. It is fair and it fits with consumer advocacy.

**helmutlvx** · Posted On: 9/27/2010 5:03pm

Sure thing. In fact, I think the whole report needs some punch-up.

**Arcadian** · Posted On: 9/29/2010 9:30pm

Helmutlvx,

For what it is worth, I appreciate the time and effort you have put into this investigation. I am personally unrelated to all involved and have no stake in your results either way...
However as a guy who lives in the area and whose family have expressed an interest in MA study in Morgantown, I am grateful for the information you have shared with us.

Thank you..
Hope your cold goes away swiftly and does not turn into the lung zapping crud thats been going around Morgantown of late...