KickChick

... just like I said, "there are many many more" we could be here all day just listing them all !! Now TKD has "leagues" forming such as the WTL whose events are WTF and USTU sanctioned.

Unlike most of the other martial arts, TKD is made up of many clubs, associations unions, organizations... and politics. Yes there are two "factions" of Tae Kwon Do which is the World Tae Kwon Do Federation, and the International Tae Kwon Do Federation. The WTF was born and based in South Korea, in Kukkiwon (Seoul), while the ITF was born from North Korea and is now based in Canada (still I believe). One the many differences between these 2 factions is in the structure of the politics. The International Olympic Committee recognizes the World Tae Kwon Do Federation as the governing body for Tae Kwon Do. To this end, the WTF has established a headquarters or national governing body, for each country. These nations which are part of this hierarchy are called Member Nations. In the United States, for example, we have the United States Tae Kwon Do Union (USTU). Each member organization further designates chartered organizations (schools only, not individuals) - in the case of the United States, for example, each state has a chartered member organization, while other countries (being smaller in populations) do not get so elaborate. Nations are then geographically clustered under another hierarchy, of which there are four: Asian Tae Kwon Do Union - ATU (48 member nations), African Tae Kwon Do Union - AFTU (30 member nations), European Tae Kwon Do Union - ETU (47 member nations), and Pan American Tae Kwon Do Union - PATU (42 member nations). So when a school indicates that they are an official WTF member school, what they are really saying is that they are a school member of the state they reside in, and, so the state is a member of the USTU, who is a governing member body of the WTF. In the International Tae Kwon Do Federation, there are similar structures, but they are simpler, and there is no Olympic connections. Here, schools belong to a region (rather than a state), and the region belongs to the governing body (e.g., in the United States, it's the United States Tae Kwon Do Federation, a.k.a. USTF). You will find less emphasis on the "sport" of TKD ... and in most cases a more "traditional" -style of TKD. The ITF-schools concentrate on the forms developed by General Choi, while the WTF concentrate on the Palgwe's. Later the WTF abandoned the Palgwe's and started concentrating on Taeguks. The WTF emphasizes sparring. This is the reason why a lot of people call (WTF) Taekwondo a martial sport. Then of course there are others which refuse to be entangled in the politics such as the ITU International Tae Kwon Do Union (which our school is a member of) ot the International TaeKwon- Do Association (ITA). Again, I'm sure there are many many more. The benefits of being a member of one of these "organizations" is that they supply your school with present information to instructors and students and offer instructor training and rank certification.

...nonononono ... I refuse to go there! Really Gehrig.... it was hard .... in fact "difficult" even!

For more good advice on handling fear, intimidation and other mental aspects of possible confrontations read through the Strategies/Tactics http://www.karateforums.com/viewforum.php?f=32 ..... although (like I said) this forum is really for discussion of the spiritual and philisophical aspects of the martial arts. I don't find intimidation as either one .... but oh well, Good link Jerry ...

Well, not intentionally that is.... Let me clarify the "no gear" rule for black belts. (only in black belt only classes) although may be quite interesting in the lower belt division classes!!!!

.. http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/party/beerchug.gif

Here is another I have from my class notes: You will need a bench or you could use two chairs with your butt on one chair and the heel of your foot on the other. The bench should be long enough to fit the full length of your leg. Sit on a bench and have your leg comfortably extended out in front of you (your heel should still be on the bench) and the other leg hanging out to the side with the leg bent and the foot flat on the ground. With your leg straight out in front, try to hold on to your outstretched leg with both hands on either side as close as possible to your heel. Keep your back straight, slowly exhale and try to bring your chest to the knee of your outstretched leg. You will feel a real good stretch in your hamstring. Hold this stretch for about 20-30 seconds. Now to incorporate some isometrics into this stretch.... when you get your chest as close as you can to your knee, try and put both hands under the bench by your heel. Now grab on tight with both hands and try to push your heel (keeping your leg straight) down and through the bench. The bench here will provide the resistance, and should isolate the leg and prevent it from moving.

.... personally, I believe 13 previous pages in a thread "Kata is a Waste of Time" .... is plenty discussion. http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2406 This thread should have been closed 2 pages ago! (I mean after all that thread could have been 16 pages now!! )

.... presently under 2 feet of snow!!! http://smilies.networkessence.net/s/contrib/Bizkit/frosty.gif

.... an office chair for the workaholic (... hey Jack how are u??? )

All very good replys but I will add some tips that will bear more toward exercise and sidekick drills to "work" the technique (I mean you should already know how to execute the basic kick ... what you need to perfect is the "power" and "snap"in your sidekick technique. More on technique here in this thread http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=4279 The best way to develop the specific muscle groups that are involved in executing a good sidekick, it is important to use the exact body movements that are used while performing the kick, and then to apply resistance. Using a heavy bag as a target (as G95 posted) is the best way to accomplish this. Strengthening the specific muscles that are used in this kick to further increase its effect is very important and standard leg strengthening exercises although helpful, really don't work the exact muscle groups that are involved in this kick. If you have a partner you can also use a target bag and partner will supply the resistance. Fully extendyour sidekick against the target held by the partner. Try and push the partner back by thrusting the hips and not by fully extending the leg. With kicks that require power to be developed with the hips, this type of two person resistance drill will isolate the hip movement allowing you to make corrections to increase the power of your kick. Hope these tips help you out!

Question is.... "what took you soooo long??????" ...hey I guess Adam had "better" things to do then stop by here

This is a real good stretch you can do while watching TV or reading a book. Not sure whether it would be considered isometric per se but uses gravity for resistance. Lie on your back with your legs up against a wall and scooch your butt close to the wall touching the wall. Let your legs relax into a "V" (like the classic V-stretch done on the floor, letting gravity pull the legs apart. Releax into stretch and don't contract leg muscles! Gravity supplies the force, increasing the stretch of the inside of the legs. Spread legs apart further with a gentle pull from both your hands. You will need to in order to overcome some of the friction between the legs and the wall. Who needs expensive leg stretching machines!!! .

I made an educated guess on two ... I found the quiz fairly easy ... (I had some experience in researching and submitting MA quizes with the first Survivor game so I have quite an advantage!!! ) No need for apologies Ken! ...

Maybe if you had just informed the "rest of us" on what Dihydrogen Monoxide is.... rather than setting your post up as a poll... we all wouldn't be confused as to the purpose of Dihydrogen Monoxide and this thread..... http://www.circus.com/~no_dhmo/ I see that shaolinprincess is out on the West Coast where there are big coalitions organized to ban its use.

Full contact sparring with full gear at gold belt level/rank. No gear sparring 'allowed' at black belt rank.

OK let's be "real" .... punch a face! Everyone is looking for "reality" lately! I think enough threads on board breaking are active .... and their are many views on the pros and cons as with kata. It's been said that board breaking is like a jealous woman .... it can become all consuming .... "Don't knock it until you try it.... that is if you can!!!"

I have enjoyed his SD articles too ..... You can read more here http://www.geoffthompson.com/articles/articles.htm You can also read "the Formula" (online book) http://www.geoffthompson.com/formula/the_formula.htm .... (here lies the true Mr. Thompson I believe)

In Connecticut an hour from New York City.... (but I think this thread should be moved to General Chat) Forum is for topics concerning Martial Arts Instruction)

Maybe if this thread were "moved" to the Chinese Forum.... or if you repost there, you may get more responses. This forum is for newbie info.

Thanks Mike .... how nice of you (considering you are an opposing team member!) Hey we are a TEAM!!! Good going Seoul Survivors!!!!!!! :up: I only got a congrats from one team member!! (let's keep in mind what it means to be team members ok?? ) ... (aside from "games" and intros" I posted with more than a couple sentences!)

Thanks LeaF!! I'm on fire!!! C'mon the rest of you Seoul Survivors .... I don't want to make you look too bad now .... do I???

Oh, the "balloons" .... ..... yeah he enjoyed them too!

no, not in step sparring but that is all covered in free sparring (which students begin to do 3-4 mos. into instruction)