tallgeese

I still think you'd be too beat up to work at the same level of intensity as you were the first go around. They should have beaten you to a pulp the first time thru in part to do just that. A second of these so soon wouldn't be a good measure of talent, only the ablity to serve as a punching bag. And agian, you should have done some of that the first time thru.

You've got some good choices given what you're looking for. Here's the thing, a system is only as good as the school that teaches it, no matter how good it's individual movements are. Mindset and training methods vary greatly, so go in and take time looking at each and talking with students and instructors to see where you'll fit in best. Given that disclamer, any of the judo or jujitsu clubs would probibly build on your strengths. Kempo would probibly serve you well also. The hapkido as well. I'd give those a look and pick one after you got a feel for the atmosphere and focus of each. Good luck.

Now we're cooking with fire. As above, a good plyo program will do wonders. Box jumps and the like, weighted routines, ect. Stretching of the groin, hammies, and don't forget the quads will go a long way as well. Strength training can be helpful as well for things like this. I prefer a high intesnity program, one that is focused on functional activity. (I like crossfit.com for an overall program) Once we're past that, focus on skill training. Bushio man posted a "how to" of sorts ealier in the year for front kicks. With some adaptation, I'm sure it would also work for round house improvement. Build power, proficiency, and accuracy low. Then move up. I don't use the hook kick much, but with the round, check your hip rotation thru the kick, make sure it's where it needs to be. Secondarily, make sure you're snapping that extension on the knee when you need to be, just prior to the point of impact. Video taping your exectution of these things for review is helpful for breaking down where you may be losing power. Lastly, work on the heavy bag. Nothing promotes power with form as good bag work. Pound the thing on off days. Work by rounds, not rep to get the most out of your work out. Then, keep throwing them during sparring. Against any and all targets that are allowed by your organization and school. Don't be afraid to mess up, this is where we learn, espicially by pressing the envelope during training. Good luck.

Yeah, the one with the borg...oh, wait there were about two or three after that. I must have forgotten them . Actually, I am a pretty big fan. I like the look they gave everyone, but I've trying to remain skeptical.

No prob, bushido man. Today- 1 mile run long ab workout 4 rounds of: 1/4 mile run 30 back extensions 30 squats 1 mile run Gotta take it easy on the lifting this week. My right shoulder is screaming at me with it's yearly bout of tendonitis (everyone hurry up and buy stock in Advil). No upper body pressing or crossfits that involve the upper body. Might lay off the puching as well. Man this stinks.

Bushido man h it the nail on the head for training for explosive power. Just out of curiosity, which kicks, in english, are those?

I think neither. It's a goal or a concept. It's what many different systems strive and train for but each have different approaches or stragegies. I think that it's training is probibly marked by higher levels of simulatin training and contact oriented "live" methods but it's still not codified as a specific system.

If you perceive a life-thretening attack, then it's not just in your eyes, it's a point of fact. As long as your perception is reasonably accurate. That's the end of the debate for me. As for one's emotional reaction, it's hard to tell. You probibly can't until it actually occurs. However, studies have shown that the more you prepare mentally for that, or accept that it could and does happen, the less effected by it you will be and the less likey you will be to have to deal whit PTSD. Hopeing that it dosn't happen is no defense. It only ensure a higher likelyhood of complications during the encounter and afterwards as well.

Michi, I don't even know what you said prior to that last post . Chalk it up to my complete lack of language skills.

Well, I can't say that I come out of a traditional system, more of a sd focus school from the beginning, but yes- the impimentation of mma into a schools overall training priorities can greatly increase what it has to offer. It's something that I've done since I started competing in the shootfighting/mma arena why back when. I've often talked about utilizing the methodoligies that mma fighters train with- continual movment in training, working in rounds, conditioning, use of drills against "live" opponents, ect. to increase our efficiency as sd'ers. The addition of ground fighting will compliment almost any standing based system. The addition of realistic takedown training and defensive measures will also bring an element to styles that don't incorporate grabbing range contact. Likewise, a good striking element can go along way to imporving arts grounding in standing small joint manipualtion. Everyone wins.

I'm not entirely sure what some of those are, but I'm not a big fan of exotic strikes. I'm assume that the crane one is with the back of the bent wrist? I don't see the need. Most targets can be successfully targeted with punches and/or palm heels, which just seem more intuitive and therefore easier to access during a fight. Eye gouges and such obviously need to be done open-handed, but I don't use a specific movmenment, just open the fingers and bury. As for the spearhand, I just don't know what target you'd match it to that it would be effective at. All the small joints of the finger give just taht muchmore room in the system for energy to escape during impact. Plus it seems like agreat way to injure those little suckers. Any soft tissue target that it might be effective against could just as easily be struck with another, more solid strike. I just think that their application is a bit limited in the role that you mentioned.

I agree with the "soften up" concept. I'd place some sort of stun prior to any type of joint manipuation if at all possible. In fact, I think many are very nearly impossible with out it. Evade, then stun, then move on to unbalance nad control (which in this case means joint manipulation).

today- 4, 2 min rounds on the mitts, hands only 6, 2 min rounds on the mitts, evasion, single parry to trap to takedown 15 min instructional block on escaping the mount 15 min of drills, escaping the mount, move to half-guard. Move on to pull full guard or work sweep depending on position.

As to the Pro Force gear, I've had a pair of kempo gloves from them for years and they've lasted very well under very heavy use. The stuff is built well in my experiance. For the head gear, I'm dubious about every putting that kind of shield near my eyes and letting people poser it full blast. However, I have heard good things about this product, however, it was in the context of protection during knife sparring and live drills with practice blades, not actual sparring.

No doubt, thanks.

Today's crossfit (modified): 3 rounds of- 21 hanging leg lifts 21 dumbbell swings, 35 lbs. 21 push ups 21 box jumps 21 back extensions 21 pull ups 21 walking lunges

If yo do, be nice and bring literature. If it's a single element, it might be better to just let it go. Espicially since everyone's on their own you don't have to do it.

Don't worry, off topic can be a way of life around here . If you're warming up on your own, again we come back to the basic question of "is it safe?" Are people getting injured with their current warm up routine? Are people getting injured due to a lack of warming up? If the answer to both of these is "no" then the issue might not even be worth bringing up. If the answer is yes to both or either then maybe you could apprach it converstionally with the instructor. Put the idea in his head almost as an after thought.

I am not a kung fu guy either, however, I found a dummy like this extremely helpful when I was working on learining trapping. I built one out of a large wooden post that had once been some sort of pole light. We built a base out of 2x4 and 2x2 and maybe a couple of lengths of 4x4 that was designed to be relitively out of the way of foot work, it was moderatly successful. I think I would change the design somewhat if I ever built one again. Now we had a standing pole in one corner of our house. Then we took a spade bit and drilled out several holes around the circumfrance to simulate angles of strikes. These were filled with length of heavy dow. They were glued into place and further duct taped in with enough tape to run a hardware store dry. It worked real well. Additionally, I drew in a pair of eyes up top to throw gouges on. Lastly, I taped thin foam, like camp mats, to several small areas around the trunk to serve as focal points for strikes. I learned alot with that dummy, which we affectionately dubbed the "uke-san". Like I said, I'd do it a bit differently now. Heck, now that I'm sitting around recalling the details it makes me wnat to build another. Maybe when phase two of my basement facility expansion goes off. Oh yeah, the total cost of this guy was well under 50 bucks. Granted the post was a "donated" item. I'd say you could get something similar at a landscaping place and still come in well under 100.

It depends. Some more information about the specific changes you'd like to see and the flaw itself may be helpful. That being said, there are some generalities that we could address. First up, where'd you find the articles? Some sources are better than others. THe more professional the organization that published the findings the better. The NATA and PTA both have highly peer-revied publications that often deal with such things. Also, I think the NSCA has a frequent publication that is primarily about training issues like this. Those woule be good sources. Some random guru's website might require further digging to check his source material. Assuming that it's a good source that's scientifically backed, I'd take it to him in a respectful fashion with the idea of presenting a suggestion based on new research models. We have a tendencey to get stuck in our ways and some people might not strive to keep up with such developments. I'd keep a "what do you think about this" kind of tone rather than pointing out "major flaws", even if they are. Be willing to let him explain his stance. he may be privy to info that you're not. Often, time constraints and/or equipment issues force compromises in training regardless of what would be a best case scenario. Conversly, without knowing the actual issue, maybe there is a perfectly valid reason that the class is run that way that you have not been introduced to yet. Anything is possible. Lastly, it's someone elses class. Don't be afraid to just suck it up and accept it if he dosen't want to chanbe things. As long as it isn't harmful, most of the time it's more hair splitting about effiency in these things than actually doing things wrong. Good luck and keep us posted. If you want, drop more specific info and maybe we could offer more detailed suggestions.

Today- crossfit 20 min, continous running clock of: 1/4 mile run max. pull ups 3,3 min rounds of knife work in the air

I'm hopeful. I'm a pretty big sci fi fan so I want it to be good. Abrams is hit or miss with me so I guess I'll have to just cross my fingers.

I sure don't, but I've taught at places with enrollments of about half of that. I'd still be interested in hearing the question, if from only a hypothetical standpoint.

I do remember being nervous for my first belt test. Just a strong set of butterflies. I also recall getting winded pretty fast do only to the excess tension I was carrying around. It improved greatly from there on out. The next time Iwas really nervous was for black belt, but by then I could control things a bit better. It's a skill, setting on that adrenal dump, that ma-ist develop that has served me just about as well as the actual physical skill set.

Again, depends on the area for prices and what you want out of the art for where you should go. There are a ton of ground fighting schools out there these days, find a quality one and jump in to the one that fits your schedule and personality best. It can be pricey, often over 100 a month for a school under the tutelge of a good competitor or named family member. Also consider an MMA gym. They ofeten have excellent ground fighting instructors and will also have seperate classes in most cases to cater to the intrest of a broader range of people. Japanesse jj is a good art and has good combat tactics when taught properly. Be advised that this will not include much ground fighting per say. It's primarily a standing joint art and not what most people t hink of these days when they hear jj. A good point arises when reading the above post. Make sure that the school matches what you want out of your grappling. Are you wanting to compete in gi only traditional venues- might want to stay out of the mma wing. To round out your sd game- mma might be a good bet with it's heavy work on striking from the ground or the Japaneese jj for standing jhoint manip if you've been a striker for years. What ever it is, make sure what you want and what the school primarily trains for mesh.