beagstkd

Power, focus and proper technique is why we break boards in our school.

I started at 38 and was the fastest to reach black belt in my schools 20 year history. There are many things I think I could do better if I had started at a younger age...who knows. That's why once you start and are hooked you keep training. No matter what your age is you always want to be better today than you were yesterday.

I'm sure this has been addressed several times in this forum but I've heard several times that to gain height (if flexible) you need to strengthen your supporting leg (not the kicking leg). To clarify, my flexibility is fairly good where I can almost get out into a full split. While sparring I can kick quite high but where my problem comes in is when trying to do a slow kick I can't get my leg much higher than my waist. Any truth to this problem being a strength issue, not flexibility?

I've used them for running. I think for throwing kicks the toes might get caught up a bit when pivoting your foot or during lateral movements.

I went there while on vaction a few years ago. It's a beautiful place!!

I had the same question a few months ago and did just what DWx said and had great energy. I also took a protein shake which worked great instead of trying to down solid food between competing.

Well I had a tournament today and took all your advice. My energy was what I needed...wasn't in THE ZONE as much as I hoped but still placed 3rd. Thanks.

I have a cheaper canvas hanging bag that's lasted 20+ years. It does get a lot of swinging which is a downside. However on the upside the swing does help with aiming and control. For example when doing turning kicks the swing makes you spot your target because the bag could swing a foot or more in every direction (acts more like an apponenet moving around) versus a wavemaster style where it will always be still. Our school has several wavemasters and the only downside I see with that type of bag is the base has the potential for injury if kicked or when it wobbles it could land on your toes. The bag can also tip over with a strong kick.

Our school does not allow head contact until after red belt and no head contact (even if a black belt) with anyone under 18. It seems a little hard core to allow a black belt to punch a beginner in the face.

So... Doesn't that mean that I Shouldn't be polite and try not to kick a guy to his inside Thigh(sorry, I'm not very good at english...) unless I'm actually very sure that I will hit the right place. Now, I could almost agree with you, about the first message anyway..But If we're talking about 90 minutes of sparring (I've never used a chest guard, but I doubt that its totally "proof")It may start getting a little uncomfortable, if every partner you're with doesn't even a little try not to hit you strict to chest?? You may have misinterpreted what I was saying. I do not intentionally hit a women in the chest but if it happens they should not be offended. I have been hit in the groin several times while sparring and I am not offended by it...don't like it...but it happens. Also the chest is a scoring area for point sparring, the groin is not. We occasionally do street sparring and the groin is then a target but I would hope my parnter uses discretion which refers back to what I said about not using your partner as a punching bag.

I have problems with my knees and my doctor said that wearing a GOOD shoe, even while at home after work is important for proper arch support. He said the support a good shoe gives you extends through your knees and hips.

That does sound like a good book.

The zone...THAT'S what I'm looking for. Well said! I see what you mean. I tend to spar to my apponents level if I'm sparring someone I know I can beat and try to turn it up when sparring someone better. Trying to keep that higher level all the time would probably help a lot.

I realize training and conditioning is most imporatant of all. I'm just trying to find the perfect blend of mind and body before a competition that isn't always there when I need it most. I'm sure everyone has had that perfect sparring match where you feel great and move flawlessly...Why or what was different from that match from one where you're just not quite all there?

I plan on going to several sparring tournaments in the near future and have had problems in the past with my energy levels. I find I either eat too much and feel full or eat too little and run out of steam. I take snacks but somethimes it just doesn't work out to eat them or I forget while I'm watching others. Another problem I have is I find myself so pumped up before going that when I get there and if I have to wait to compete I lose that edge. How do you prepare the day of a tournament and what do you eat to keep at top performance levels?

The older I get the more I dislike the cold. The older I get the more I realize why old people and birds go south for the winter.

I feel that it's not just about women, but everyone I spar I try to spar to their ability. There are several women I will spar full out because they are great martial artists. There are also several men I will go easy with because they just arent very good. Don't get me wrong, I still try to win when sparring a lesser person but whats the point if your partner is nothing more than a punching bag. Everyone is there to train, learn and get better. As far as hitting a women anywhere different than where you'd hit a man...if they are offended they shouldn't be in class.

I'm not into the defying gravity type movies so it's hard to find anything new that doesn't have that. Never Back Down was pretty good if you're into MMA. It's somewhat of a Karate Kid but it tries to show he had to do some true training, not the wax-on/wax-off stuff.

You find even proffesional athletes face this dilemma. There are no correct responses because as you said, everyone is different. You'll just have to find the correct balance for you. I will say that everyone needs days off from training to repair their body properly.

round-house and hook kicks into pads and focus targets all class long. (went too hard on jumping round-house and fell flat on my back once)

I agree...disturbing.

Our instructor met his wife in the dojo while she was a student. There are several younger couples not yet married that met in our dojo. I think it's great...what a great place to find someone.

Welcome nighthawk.

I bought a DVD called THE PIT WORKOUT by John Hackleman last week and have done two of the three workouts on the DVD over the weekend. I thought jogging 3-4 miles got me to sweat but these workouts have basics moves that kick my butt!

Our instructor will somtimes mention something to students if their gi's are torn, wrinkled or just plain gross. I personally will wear my gi two or three times for normal classes but I also wear a t-shirt under it to try to make it last a little longer. If its a hard sweating class, once is all I'll wear it...I don't want to be known as the smelly guy.