Ironberg

Holy Cow! That's just nuts. It does serve them right for making them so cheap. After watching it a couple times, however, it doesn't look like the blade made a deep cut or penetration. So much for the sarcastic remark about "emergency surgery".

I know exactly how you feel. I'm one of those who think that there should be more sparring. I remember one day where I had a much younger partner in sparring, so I spent my time initially helping him out and coaching him. Then I had a good sparring partner and we both let each other have it. Then we did kicking a pushup drills and left class feeling pretty good.

Congratulations - your patience will surely pay off in the long run.

The way you were raised, you personal ethics, and the way you've grown accostomed to looking at women are going to effect what you think about marriage. I'm not going to be able to convince you to commit to marriage, etc. It is your job to look for the final answers to this age-old question. Marriage never appears to pay off because of universal fear of commitment because of immaturity in many adults. Also, many younger people have too high an ideal of marriage that will never happen. In addition, the average person's ideas of commitment are so filled with paradox that it doesn't hold true meaning. Because of the reciprocal relationship between man and women - it is first the man's responsibility that a marriage is successful in the long run first, then the woman's responsibility to react to this. Marriage is a bitter sweet journey, sometimes more bitter, but the factor remains that they would have felt incomplete apart, and lesser individuals without each other. Respect for each other also plays a part in the long run - and estabilishing the fact of this respect prematurely in the relationship, I theorize, will wreck it in the long run. Many of these ideas stem from my Christian beliefs, but for some it is also important the similar religion play a part in building a successful home. In retrospect, I'm probably the last person to be giving a lecture about marriage. The fact remains that I've never had a girlfiend (until now, but she is more of a friend, than a "girlfrield"), and am incapable of supporting a wife at this stage of my life. Did I also mention my young age (18 )?

Personally, I agree with school that possess an age limitation for black belt graduation.

Good book!

Or you could wait until they have the maturity and passion for the martial arts.

I told you my beliefs wouldn't be easy to accept. My beliefs don't require people to, however. If all ideas worked, and everything was compatible then society wouldn't be so backwards would it.

Pure striker, but I know a few takedowns and standing submissions, but I'm not sure if basic Karate grappling counts.

To loyalty/commitment or otherwise??

Personally, I rely on the sidekick because I spar in a generally sideways stance, and my sidekick is more powerful than my front. What are your thoughts? Dang - the poll didn't include "Other Kick" option that I added!

Try to buy a good heavy bag. It doesn't matter whether it is standing or swinging they both teach you different but good things. I personally think that for the martial artist, bagwork is more worth your time than running, because your stamina is getting challenged at the same time that you are working of technique, combos, and timing.

Personally - a guy is pretty stupid if he pushes me away - cuz I'm very good at distance fighting. He should have just grabbed my lapels, but then again, that's just asking for a sharp knee.

Agreed! Eloquently stated.

My attitude is if I can't almost do a completely verticle sidekick in my jeans then they aren't worth my time.

At the risk of sounding corny - I too would like to congradulate that kind of news. Even if the news isn't true - I've heard of plenty of stories about women who have successfully defended themselves. Perhaps the joke is on me as well - just yesterday I was an average joe orange belt - now today I'm an administrator.

You have to judge yourself if you want to do that kind of activity. If you've had a really bad day and your aggression level is starting to peak - then no, I'd advise one not to do it, as accidents are waiting to happen. Else, if the practitioner has proven himself to be a self-controled and accurate then it could be a good idea. I'm nowhere near the final say on this issue as I haven't had enough training with the "one versus many" issue - or the anarchy sparring for that matter.

I practice a relatively new style of Karate called American Karate. It takes the best out of TKD, Karate, and kickboxing and a bit of Aikido. Sparring is light to moderate contact, but it mostly depends on the two practitioners. Kata is emphasized. One step self defense and sparring is done. Lots of heavy bagwork is done. We also do the regular kicking and punching drill necessary to demonstrate proficiency at certain ranks. We are encouraged to compete in as many tournaments as possible.

Both are foot fighting. Savate is the lesser known art that originated completely in France. This comparison is meant to reveal more about the arts, not stroke the egos of either style. I know little about Savate.

Now that I can agree with. And that's comming from a Karate freak here.

Here here - but then again, you're talking to the cheapskate here.

Or you could simply drop to the floor and do a spinning sweep. It'll probably hurt his leg or bruise his foot badly but at least you got your point across.

I agree with SevenStar. They don't call it fight or flight for nothing. Reality training can't even guarentee this synthesis because you are expecting "reality" in your dojo. The key word is expecting. Possibly the only thing that would help you control your reactions better is constantly going over "reality" situations in your mind (as long as you are staying simple and real to your training).

Aren't you the odd one. I fail to believe that a sane, normal human being would do that. I think you're pulling my leg.

My nickname was given to me a long time ago after a friend watched me diligently rep out the remaining clapping pushups we were suppost to do in class. It was one of the first times I had done 30+ clapping pushups, but I was doing them in proper form (the arms lauch your sholders further than your arm reach is). These combined facts led me to be the last one done. Therefore, he called my by my last name with Iron tacked on.