Ironberg

The movie with Jacky Chan - "Who Am I" - a scene where he is on top of a skyscrapper. The first guy is some sort of Chinese fist fighting -no kicks except for a knee or two. The second guy throws no punches whatsoever and is definately TKD. It's an inspiring scene in a way.

Yep! Every time someone's caught my spinning kick (in sparring matches), it was always after the fact that they've already been creamed - and I can't follow through and take their head off because of the law. Then they are always too dazed to really think of what to do with my leg other than push me away.

Lately I've grown to yell more during sparring. However, because of my mouthguard being in the way, I've got the habit of eminating a strange, growling "WHO!" (WHO'S NEXT!)

It's probably best we don't ask who she Was !

I know how you feel. However, if you learn to not let your mind wander - that could be a great achievement in your mental development in the martial arts !

Hmm... 1st in sparring, grand champ in forms, but 3rd in breaking. Ironinc that the only event, that doesn't really require a partner at all to prepare, I did so poorly on. Going to another tourney this weekend that is pure TKD - just testing my luck. I still haven't found a good sparring partner !

Yo, People! A study conducted by James LaFond has some hazy statistics on street violence. According to the study, 75% of women with martial arts training were able to defend themselves. Seems to tell me something...

That was a good movie. I own the VHS of Fist of Legend and can promise you a good thrill ride martial arts wise. It is a remake of a Bruce Lee film called the Chinese Connection. To be honest with you, I liked Jet Li's interpretation better.

Naw, man! First learn how to "ski" (slide) into the splits before jumping into them.

I tried to teach myself martial arts before actually starting martial arts. I would stretch occasionally, teach myself kicks and punches, and even work on calisthenics without an instructor making me. It was kindof funny how I imagined that the jumping crescent kick was actually a roundhouse kick. Now I chuckle when I realize that the kick was suppost to be taught to an intermediate color belt. Those were the days: also the days that I imagined that the spinning hammerfist was the most deadly upper-body technique around.

Howdy, dude! Greetings from a fellow kicker.

My feelings are mutual. I personally think that the best style is the style that the pracitioner gets something out of. That's the best style.

Sounds like I'm missing out on something...

Not to mention: probably high on a bunch of other things (PPC, etc.).

Dang-Gun - it's my yellow-belt kata. It is not simple,. but just simple enough to be a nuisance. I actually feel like the first kata I ever learned (Chung-Gi) is sort of the essence of my beginning. Now I do that form proudly with alot of effort because it is so simple, and I can enjoy feeling the energy from the block-punch steps. Anyone else feel the same about the first kata they learned?

I got a good chuckle out of that. Reminds me: I've got a tournament tomorrow. I don't like point-fighting that much but it's all they have - so well see how I do. I say this because I haven't had a good training partner for a very long time. I guess we'll see how badly I botch this one up.

Hey! We had over two pages of posts on this thread. Did the moderators snip them all off - why?

I remember one week of karate where we did an awful lot of TKD style jumping and jumping spinning kicks (sweat city). The folliwing weekend I could touch the rim of a basketball hoop (something I never could do before).

We bow out of tradition and courtesy - not for any religious reasons. Bowing isn't a religious ritual and is a practice in many eastern cultures. Even in western cultures, bowing was merely a symbol of respect to the king, Bishop, or whatever.

I dissagree... Personally kicking is only 2xs more difficult but has twice the power and twice the amount of satisfaction in landing a strike. Punches have their place, as WWarlock spoke, but it's different for everybody. But, I have a preference for kicks because they complement my body type (tall, compact, long-legged, and flexible). Everyone has a different body type, but every art still has something to offer him/her. I've seen short people excel at kicking because of amazing agility and combo style, but I've seen very few tall legit practitioners who don't prefer to kick.

You try saying that in my gym and you'll end up getting a rather nasty workout TKD style that will leave you having to wring your clothes out.

Unfortunately, I've only personally seen the wall used as a weapon. If you're sparring and backed into a pole or wall, then jump off the wall and send in a nasty blow. Didn't always work for me because the metal pole was kinda slippery !

I think you misunderstand - I have no one that would even be willing to do backyard sparring. I live in a small town where everyone is a wuss of some sort (except for a few outta towners who barely show).

It's simple - you shove the pipe into the ground - get a couple of chains and tie them to your ankles. Then you get your friends jeep and tie the chains to the back bumper. Rest your back against the pipe and hold on while the jeep drives against the garage door (make sure the distance between the door and the pipe is properly alligned for the full splits and no more or you will tears your hip joints out). Best of luck, but I don't recommend you try this .

Welcome! Hope you'll find as I did that TKD will always challenge you in a positive way.