joesteph

Leg stretches Front swing kicks Kicking exercises lying on floor: - roundhouse and side kicks Forms: - Pyung Ahn Cho Dan - Chil Sung E Ro Hyung - Pyung Ahn E Dan

It's amazing what a treasurehouse the past can be. These stories and artwork could only come from another era, the world has changed that much, and there's something captivating about what we call "Comic Books." I loved them when I was a kid in the late fifties and early sixties. I remember finding out that, when Superman was in his early days, he jumped from building rooftop to building rooftop. I even saw a reprint of one of those comics. I also read that he was once knocked out by a hand grenade. The earlier developers of the character were still having him unfold to be "super." Does anyone recall that Frank Frazetta was a regular artist with comics of all kinds? I don't know if you'd call them comic books, but he also drew for Creepy and Eerie. One of these horror covers had a monster/ghoul coming out of a grave and grabbing a man, pushing a large tombstone to one side while doing so. Talk about a morbid sense of humor: If you read the tombstone, it had "Frazetta" and the copyright date on it. (It's available as a reprint on his web site, but it's hard to make out from the thumbnail.)

The vertical fist and the vertical spear hand are similar in doing this. I remember accidentally (I was being too aggressive) getting a spear hand through a sparring partner's guard position. We weren't supposed to use finger techniques, and for good reason; I accidentally touched his eye. He was disoriented for a couple of minutes, but fortunately turned out to be okay. It's a good point, though, about the vertical fist having a better chance at getting through, Kuma.

Class with my sons - Swing and roundhouse kicks (ag. targets) - Roundhouses and knife hands (ag. targets) - Self-defense techniques - Pyung Ahn Cho Dan The boys received a red stripe on their orange belts (that makes five out of the eight they'll need before being allowed to test for green belt), as well as two chocolate chip cookies each. Home Leg stretches Front swing kicks Kicking exercises lying on floor: - roundhouse and side kicks

This is interesting, Ed. I tried this as an alternative to a "true" fist years ago when I took TKD and was cautioned against using an open hand (with fingers curved). I was shown this hand position by one of the black belt instructors, after her husband wanted me to use a fist to block--or not block the kicks at all, but move away. It's actually an effective block, harder than the open hand I was using to redirect kicks, but its real use seemed to be blocking with power, and when my finger joints hit the incoming kick, it hurt the person I sparred with. That's when I went back to open hand with curved fingers, but I always remembered this hand position, as it didn't involve the wrist bone, wasn't actually a hammer fist, and I couldn't smash my thumb against the shin as the thumb was pulled back as you described, touching the side of the index finger.

Leg stretches Front swing kicks Kicking exercises lying on floor: - roundhouse and side kicks Forms:* - Pyung Ahn Cho Dan - Chil Sung E Ro Hyung - Pyung Ahn E Dan *Continuing to do each form twice.

I don't think that we will ever see this; not because some of us feel the idea is bunk, but because those that claim to have such abilities insist that they will not ever use it for anything so trivial as winning a competition. So, the proof that we all desire to see will never be allowed to happen. Brian, do you remember that there was a posting on another forum about a ki master (the "mystical, magic, non-scientific, non-physical energy or ability" that Justice Zero tries to tell others he does not have) who demonstrated on his students first, then fought a mixed-martial artist? I relocated it on YouTube. For anyone interested, the quality's not the best; I think it was better in the past. I found it because I knew what to enter from that past posting. It's mistitled (IMO) "Kiai" instead of "Ki" Master, but when you watch it, you'll know what it's about.

When I was tutored in fighting by an Isshinryu friend, we went through all the blocks, and they were closed fist. But he'd progressed to the point in which he'd learned to use open hand to grab, such as an opponent's overextended fist, as well as to block by slapping down or away, particularly kicks. When I took Tae Kwon Do, the emphasis was on the closed hand, but I felt I was pounding when I blocked. The only time we were to use open hand was when we soft-blocked (as I call it), and that was against punches, the back of the wrist connecting to block. When I used open hand against kicks, I was cautioned that I'd break my fingers. As closed hand was hurting my sparring partners, and since it was non-contact (people who didn't expect such impact), I used open hand anyway. Back with my Isshinryu friend, we both took Taiji, but in different schools. He was more advanced than I was, meaning that our sparring was really learning how to smother or trap, and when sparring came to a halt as we worked on forms, including a two-man form, we utilized applications that were all open hand blocking, particularly in the form of redirects. I've been admonished in the past for using open hand in my present school, but I'm just not going to use a closed hand and my wrist bone (which can fracture) to block a kick, favoring an open hand against what I can slap down or redirect. The former assistant instructor, who is a certified instructor himself now, has told me that I can, if not directly slap, keep in place with open hand the opponent's fist in order to deliver a punch. What I've experienced in my school is that, as a lower belt, I've been, with other lower belts, directed to use closed hand, but higher belts have been permitted to use open hand. This reminds me of a Peyton Quinn video, "Self-Defense Against the Sucker Puncher," in which he disagreed with those who used force against force, demonstrating the force clash with closed hand, and presented favoring redirects, which he demonstrated with open hand. He even made it a point at the end of his video to say that what he was showing was nothing new, that it was used (in his experience) by higher belts. I do keep a "guard up" position with my fists, but since the non-contact punches land away from me, they're pseudo-blocking, so I can't comment on if I'm "really" blocking with closed hands and forearms or not. In the sparring that I did during testing, my first move was to use open hand against the shin and knee of my opponent to block the roundhouse he'd telegraphed. With kicks, I'm on more solid ground that I use open hand (and raised lower leg). I wish I could do more with open hand, particularly to redirect, smother, and trap. When we do required one-step sparring exercises, the first set of blocks is knife hand; the two sets that follow use the closed hand. Yet some sparring combos that are not required have used open hand. Our newest forms have knife hands in them, but also retain the closed hand as well. What's funny is that, as I've seen bunkai within the newer forms, those fists sometimes represent blocking and grabbing. To be fair to my teacher, perhaps the way the art expects students to be trained is in a certain order, and more open hand will be introduced. In the self-defense JuJitsu course I'm taking, Sensei has block after block be with open hand.

Absolutely beautiful. I sent the link on to some friends.

I don't know your rank/belt level, Sushi, but is it a lower one? Mine is, just having taken my test on Friday, and I wasn't nervous (like my first test), but I still needed to have certain commands repeated (especially "Ki Cho," when the next two-three moves are called out in Korean for a line of us to do all at once). An error I made in one-step sparring was a simple, dopey one, performing the last move, a crescent kick, with the wrong leg against my partner. I winced as soon as I completed it, and the judge simply asked me if I knew what I'd done wrong. I bowed, said what my error was, and she just said it was fine, not to redo the exercise. Your sensei told you after class that you did a good job? Believe in what your sensei tells you. I think that when we're tested, we want it to be perfect, and the judges first want to see that we know what we're doing, then they decide if what you're doing is of acceptable quality. Sure, I know I'll have to grow in proficiency by the time I take my next test, but at least I know that the judge isn't looking for the moon. Don't beat yourself up. And if you need an emotional boost, eat chocolate.

Different members have stated their viewpoints. I, for one, am going by what I believe to be best for the average martial artist (which includes me), someone who is not a dan member, but who has invested the amount of time and training that would make him or her proficient in the simple and straightforward efficient and effective. We aren't going to change each other's viewpoints and, in the end, it's not who's "right," but "To each his own."

For adults who attend regularly (at least twice a week), every three-four months there is a test for promotion from 10th Gup through to 6th Gup, if my teacher believes the person to be ready. This means white belt, white belt with blue stripe, orange belt, orange belt with blue stripe, and green belt. After reaching green belt, it remains important for the adult that s/he continues with regular attendance (hopefully a third time a week regularly, but it's hard when you're an adult), and has enough months of training--perhaps six in the case of someone like me--before she feels you are ready to test for promotion. The Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation's rules will permit the three months minimum to remain, though, until the student reaches 3rd Gup; then it must be six months from 3rd to 2nd, 2nd to 1st, and a full year before testing for 1st Dan. One of the adult students comes from a martial art background in Europe, and he is able to attend four times a week, so I'm not surprised when I see that he's at each testing time minimum. He did wonderfully at testing on Friday, so I'm sure he made 4th Gup--green belt with two stripes. Just for completion, the Federation's manual gives minimum times at dan levels to be permitted to test for promotion: 1st Dan--42 months; 2nd Dan--2 years; 3rd Dan--3 years; 4th Dan--4 years; 5th Dan--5 years; 6th Dan--6 years; 7th Dan--7 years There is only one 9th Dan in the Federation, and that is Grandmaster H. C. Hwang.

Home Leg stretches Front swing kicks Kicking exercises lying on floor: - roundhouse and side kicks Class--Self-defense JuJitsu - Preventing being taken down, counterattacking (including arm bar) - If down, counterattacking - Anti-knife, back against the wall: ~ two-arm blocks ~ one-arm blocks, with redirect and shove ~ knife against throat; joint manipulation, counter (including takedown)

I don't even believe this. It's so simple, but until you pointed it out, Tallgeese, I kept with what was in my background from two decades ago. If there's an actual altercation, or if it's contact sparring, why not grab the other guy's clothing (whether uniform or street clothes) to stabilize, and still have the option to strike as you press down on that foot? I think what it is is that my background has been all striking arts, and though my teacher has incorporated some introductory grappling, it's not until I started self-defense JuJitsu that "hands on" comes more naturally.

A friend of mine did this to me in the past, hopping forward and executing a punch, but we were point-sparring (no judges, just doing it on our own). We practiced this a bit afterwards. When a white belt grabbed a couple of my non-contact kicks last week, I found I could hop forward just enough that he let go. The whole thing is, of course, to act quickly enough, or else your opponent will capitalize on the grab.

We have a dan member who's asthmatic, and two lower belts (one an adult, the other still in school) who are the same. Firm rule by our teacher: have the inhaler where she can get it, such as right on her desk. I take medications that rob me of my aerobic ability. I also have positional vertigo (so I'm more conservative with the spinning kicks). So long as my teacher knows, there's nothing held against me. Other students sometimes see me take a breather to continue, or not do as many reps of an exercise, and think nothing of it. Today I had self-defense JuJitsu. Sensei mixes cardio and other exercises in with the techniques. I was up front with him and he just told me it was no problem, just do what I can. Just today, I excused myself to the rest room and sat for a bit to catch my breath. Sensei called to me if I were all right, I answered that I was, and a moment later was back on the floor. I even joked about it after class with a couple of fellow students, that so long as I was able to answer, they knew I wasn't dead. I think your question about the air conditioning is a good one to double-check with your doctor, Nocturnal Rapport. If you take medication for these conditions, make sure your instructor knows. He has the right to know because, as your teacher, he's responsible for you as his student. Just think to yourself that everybody has something that's an issue. Some are more apparent than others, but it may be due to the environment that they are made apparent.

Some techniques may be very effective, but a crap shoot that they'll be executed with precision ("if you make it"). I remember a short discussion I had with another student, that with some people the wrist lock may or may not be successful when you execute it in real life, but you've got your adversary's hand off you, and you've set him up (in the technique we were working on as my example) for two elbow strikes. That jab can take a smaller toll, but it's got an impact to it, can be repeated easily, and lends itself to setting up the adversary for stronger strikes. I find it more logical to use what has a greater chance of success, and go for follow-ups, than use riskier moves in a real life situation.

Home--in preparation for testing at night, going for green belt Leg stretches Front swing kicks Kicking exercises lying on floor: - roundhouse and side kicks Forms: - Pyung Ahn Cho Dan - Chil Sung E Ro Hyung - Pyung Ahn E Dan* *An optional form to be tested on if going for green belt; mandatory for green belts seeking promotion. Decision by test examiner not to test the option if not already a green belt. Class--test for promotion, my test for green belt (from 7th gup [orange belt with blue stripe] to 6th gup [first of three green belt levels]) Warmed up on our own. Practiced one-step sparring with BOB; practiced self-defense techniques with two friends. Test: - Block and punch exercises as martial warm-up - Forms: ~ Ki Cho Hyungs (Il, E, Sam Bu) ~ Pyung Ahn Cho Dan ~ Chil Sung E Ro Hyung - Ki Cho: block and strike combos called out to us to perform, moving as a line - One-step sparring - Self-defense techniques - Free sparring - Board breaking using a side kick "with step" No major errors made; minor ones that were permitted to be redone for correction; did need to ask to have the Korean commands repeated an extra time now and then to process them; have a head start on green belt requirements by having been studying Pyung Ahn E Dan

I just went for my test to be promoted from 7th gup (orange belt with stripe) to 6th gup (green belt) in Soo Bahk Do. I was far from perfect, but I feel good about the experience. I did a lot of stretching before I went down for the test, and I feel it helped me relax. When the test started, I was in good spirits. I guess doing something physical but light is a good starter. Good luck!

It's fortunate that security was right on the spot, Cross, and perhaps your knowledge of martial arts, which I'm sure is more advanced than mine, gave you a size-up of the situation that you felt you could hold off, but I must admit I strongly believe that I would have reacted immediately upon his push. I couldn't chance him striking me. I do understand what you mean by examining the three feet rule as a guide, but it's more for someone approaching you, not that the adversary was right next to you all along, apparently friendly, then suddenly turning belligerent. But did you have your hands in any particular position of defense while he ranted? It's likely he was loud enough to catch security's attention, but did you say anything in particular, Cross, loud enough that security knew you weren't looking for a fight?

Leg stretches Front swing kicks Kicking exercises lying on floor: - roundhouse and side kicks One-step sparring exercises; Self-defense techniques Forms: - Ki Cho Hyungs (Il, E, Sam Bu) - Pyung Ahn Cho Dan - Chil Sung E Ro Hyung - Pyung Ahn E Dan

My sensei for self-defense JuJitsu is a believer in the "palms up" (as opposed to "fists up") position, seeing it as a self-defense guard. He's a police officer, and when there are altercations, he looks for witnesses. Witnesses to your fists up immediately will conclude you're agreeing to a fight, rather than trying to prevent one, which is what "hands up" signifies. He also suggests that the individual can rave and rant all he wants, but don't let him move in on you, say within three feet. If he moves in, you defend yourself immediately, with "self-defense" including that your adversary hasn't yet thrown a punch or kick. You don't have to have your coat grabbed or your teeth knocked in to start defending yourself.

I realize you'd trained for half a year, Shiv, but going once a week, which happened to me all summer and sometimes again since, isn't as advantageous as twice steadily. I try to go twice a week when the dojang schedule permits (and twice I'm with my sons, but I'm helping, not training), and of course I've found that it's not equal to the three times that others do. That's life. Going twice steadily and supplementing with home practice should be a boost. Good luck with your training.

15,000! Congratulations, Brian!

I think we have to remember that the OP was defense against a punch to the face, particularly "the old one-two." Before there can be a counter of any kind, such as clawing the face to get the eyes, there has to be a blocking action, from a hand or forearm raised to a sidestep or a combo of these. Then anything from a punch to a kick to clawing can be your next move, perhaps the first in a chain of strikes you could let loose.