Ironberg

Finally! Someone else who realizes that TKD contains elbow and knee strikes in it as well.

I didn't get back into the martial arts until I already grew like crazy after the start of my puberty. Therefore, I'm an extremely tall (6'4'') lanky guy - not very muscular. Before I started Karate, I was the same height and weighed 140lbs (not muscular at all). Now, I'm well over 160, but still don't feel so good about myself. My torso and legs are well muscular, but my arms are kinda pathetic. I don't see any reason why Karate would stunt growth, why would you just want to become a scronny sucker like me?

Personally, I like the idea, except that injuries are probably a guarentee. If there's a bunch of mangy Karate nuts who really want to do this, then let them - I'll get the popcorn.

So basically, if you took two equally trained fighters from both styles, the TKD and Savate guy would basically be the same at long range, except the TKD guy will possibly fall when the hands are in range?

Amen!

I thought Elvis only got a black belt in some style of Karate.

Hmmm... Less must be known about Savate than I originally thought.

LOL... I'd like to challenge the board members to come up with a vaguely unique takedown or submission that hasn't been designed before. When I saw Scissor Hold, all I could think of was the Hapkido Scissor Kick takedown.

Try to get your hands on a heavy bag (this helped me). However, I suggest that you don't get a standing bag that you have to adjust the height on, because they wear out too easily, and then they never can adjust again. Do shadowbox. Buy weights even if they're just 30lb dumbells and work on really deep stances while holding them for your leg strength, and do all the upperbody toning with them. Don't forget about Calisthenics.

Hawaii, eh!? I'm starting to feel ignorant. Is Shaolin Kempo basically a watered down version of the original kung-fu art, or what?

That's the start of a good topic involving sparring strategy. As a beginner, I use to telegraph with my eyes all the time. Lately, that hasn't been an issue.

I'm not certainly positive on this issue, despite the fact that I practice "American Karate". The style I study is mostly Tae Kwon Do. All the kicks, punches, and hyung are reminiscent of ITF Tae Kwon Do, but we do not spar the same as ITF practitioners. Some of our one-step takedowns and submissions and arm breaks are reminiscent of Japanese arts. Still, probationary black belts are expected to study wrist locks and flexes that stem from Aikido. Our methadology concerning heavy bag workouts seems to be more kickboxing. I am being expected to write a ten page plus paper for my black belt examination in the summer. One of the topics is the history and development of so-called "American" Karate. My instructors almost seem to be keeping this subject of the roots of our style mysterious, until now (they are willing to help with research). Ironic, isn't it? I'm actually asking for your aid in understanding the history of my own style. I just practice what I've been shown, I've never taken the time to probe deeper into history. By the way. My school is part of a big chain simply called: American States Karate (ASK). We seem to be stationed primarily in Northern America; dotting Wisconsin, Southern Minnesota, and the like. If I had to guess: I'd say that American Karate is a mix of these styles - Tae Kwon Do, kung-fu, American kempo, Aikido, Boxing, and kickboxing, and a tiny bit of juijutsu (thanks to some of our takedowns).

Did you need a kata? I must have over 35 empty handed kata on video on my hard drive not to mention weapons kata, and kung fu forms. sj Smooth! It'd be kinda cool to see a clip of an empty hand Kung Fu form. I also am curious about ones a number of kicks in them, as it would be educational to compare another styles kicks with Tae Kwon Do's (influence of American Karate). Wushu doesn't count (too acrobatic). Perhaps Shaolin, or some northern style would suffice. Don't go out of your way if I'm asking too much. I also realize that alot of Chinese arts have VERY long forms in them.

Really! Personally, I find it intriguing how much doing the advanced techniques have helped my basic ones. My currect roundhouse kick would not be the same without the 360 roundkick (speed and power are up). My basic hook kick wouldn't be the same it is today if I hadn't practiced the jump spin hook kick thousands of times (speed and power are up).

Bruce Lee studied many arts, especially the days before he cooked up Jeet Kune Do. I believe he got black belts in a style of Karate, Tae Kwon Do (maybe, I don't know it that's true). Bruce Lee's primarily influence was his Chinese martial arts training - there are no belt systems in classical Chinese arts. A black belt is just a piece of cloth. It means nothing unless it means something to the person who truely earned it as a symbol of their success, alot of people can't get that idea through their thick scull.

The last tournament I was at the featured demo teams had a ton of teams doing their stuff to trance climaxes. It seems that alot of that techno stuff is rather popular in the NCKA circuit.

Look who's talking, Mr. Project X Specimen.

Thanks for the replies. I'm rusty on Chinese terminology - is Shaolin Kempo another name for Shaolin 5 animal kung fu?

Tuna - me like!

I'm a practitioner of Karate - and though my favorite activity is sparring, I'm actually pretty good at kata. Being curious of all styles, I've grown to like kung-fu-ers at tourneys I go to who show off some pretty darn good forms. The style of Karate I practice is very rigid in the forms. The "iron bar" illustration bruce lee pointed out in a karate punch is very well describing my style of karate's usual punch. IF someone like me was to start learning some kung-fu, how would the power I've developed in kata translate to a kung-fu form? I should also point out, that low deep stances are also intigrated into some of my kata. Would that help with some styles such as "springy legs", etc.

I'm looking for healthy, yet cheap food. Is baked beans and rice any good for someone who wants more energy and also wants to gain weight. Why or why not. Any other kind of low priced foods that are good for an athlete. Things that I'd eat more, but can't afford are: 1. Yogurt. 2. Protein Supplements. 3. Chicken (occasionally, sometimes) 4. Seafood.

One word on isometric kicks (very good, by the way): after doing those for a while, learn to throw the kick as fast and hard as you can and then hold it for a few seconds or longer (more challenging on your balance and form). And yes, the other specifics tommaker mentioned will help as well.

:: EDIT :: (Accidental double post)

At the risk of sounding nosey - where do you get these kata video clips? It's kinda cool to have that kind of access to media of that nature.

Ironically, it's the opposite with me. I've been in quite a few fights in my dreams and sometimes find myself doing spinning kicks, insane boxing combos, and lotsa lotsa other TKD kicks. Everyonce in a while, I'll end up dreaming stuff that is only minorly impossible - like flying knee thrusts that are above my current jumping ability, etc. I find it funny that I've seen all the TKD stuff work only in my dreams, the dojo, sparring, and at tourneys, (never been in a street fight) but for "reality" check it could also mean too much confidence in one's ability.