datguy

Judobrah: I'm not going to start any fighting, I just mean that I wish that they would stop with the threats and do something already because in my whole life, I've never fought one person more than once. After fights, the people involved usually try to avoid you after word and that's all I want. Believe me I hate fighting out of defense, it hurts! I just want it to be over with already but again I'm not going to be the one who starts anything. I appreciate your concern though.

Thanks for the responses, everyone. Nothing happened as of yet but there's a group of kids who don't like me too much and often threaten me with violence. Talking has done little if anything and as stupid as it may sound, I almost just wish they would already attack me because usually once something like that happens it won't happen again. The problem is these kids are big...I'm not joking when I say they must have at least 80lbs on me but whether or not I win, they probably would just leave me alone from that point on.

Lets say you get into a school scuffle. Nothing serious but rather an after school fight. Do you tell your instructor/sifu/trainer about it or not?

I passed! I've always struggled...nothing serious but I struggled just as much as the next guy would but something "clicked" and I did 10 times better than I would usually do.

Thanks, Patrick! We get our results on Tuesday but everyone seemed pleased so I think I did okay.

It's my first test at my new school and it's going to be rough...wish me luck!

Firstly, welcome aboard MickPD82! Thanks for your service to our country. I plan on enlisting in the Marines after school's done, so it's nice to have someone with your knowledge around. As far as the TKD rant goes, I'm just going to say no one style is better or easier than another. That's like saying a baby learning to walk comes much easier than learning to ride a bike as a toddler...it depends on the individual. My school is not oriented around sparring or Olympic acrobatics. My school teaches the techniques of the art, and lays the task of "developing your style within the style" to oneself. That being said we also focus very much so on real-world self defense. Bottom line, this debate about TKD's practicality will go on forever so long as there isn't a mutual respect for each and every style. I'm sure there's a boxing wizz who could beat a tai chi master and I'm also sure there's a tai chi master who could beat a boxer. It all comes down to respect for ones abilities.

To those who say traditional martial arts are useless, an 11 year old girl defended herself from a large man with nothing more than karate!

Thanks for all the answers! I wasn't sure about Muay Thai though because I know they have that traditional dance (can't name it off the top of my head) and wasn't sure if they had something similar but with a more combative aspect. As far as JKD goes, my question is why would one need to be certified? Say you have an instructor who is a legitimate wrestler, black belt in whatever, and maybe knows basic boxing. Couldn't they just mix things up in an effective way and call it jeet kune do? Sorry If my questions may seem uneducated, I just have almost no insight on the topic.

Just a couple of questions: I know Karate has their katas and Taekwondo their forms but does Muay Thai have anything similar? Also, what are your thoughts on Jeet Kune Do? Lets say there's an instructor who wasn't even a disciple of Bruce Lee or one of Bruce's student's students? Could it still be a legitimate instructor? Thanks for your time.

^^^ Agreed! ^^^

Many martial arts put an emphasis on becoming enlightened and at peace with one's self and the world. How is this possible and how long does it take? So long as there are conflicts, how can one be at peace with anything? Sometimes it seems as though there just isn't enough down time to empty your mind. Which brings up another question: How can one meditate? I know how but how can you empty your mind of everything? I just find it impossible to stop thinking about outside things.

Thanks for the ideas! I'll try them out. The problem is, my parents' knowledge of martial arts is limited to movies and what I try to explain to them. They don't view boxing as a martial art and to be quite honest, I'm not sure they know how easy it is to get the wind knocked out of you if kicked or flipped. I can appreciate their concern for my safety, but they just have the wrong idea.

I want to box. I've always wanted to box since I was around 7 years old. Well, here I am 8 years later and I have yet to do it. My parents are afraid of the so called "negative aspects" of boxing and won't let me. Seeing as I still live under their rules and I'm only 15 I have to respect their rules. But is there anything I could say or do that might change their minds?

Yeah I've looked at a few junkyards kinda loosely but I'll probably look into them more. Thanks!

Okay, so I have quite the task. I'm looking for a basket case camaro for $1500.00 or less. The model years can range from 1967 to 1980 but I'd prefer a 1969. If anyone has any advice on where I can look and/or find one please let me know. I've been looking around a lot and I know it's a tall order but there's lots of hidden treasures out there. Well thanks for your time!

Well I see what you mean but regardless of the rules, those were some pretty well placed kicks.

Good response...it sure is hard work. Takes a strong heart to do tkd. Definitely need cardiovascular fitness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP8Jwgx3tEg Check out some these high kicks! Now that's pretty impressive. Just goes to show that if you can find the right mix of power and speed, high kicks can be used on the street.

Nice ideas and I agree simplicity is the beautiful thing about working out...you don't need fancy equipment. Sometimes I'll do something like do as many barbell and dumbell curls as I can before fatigue takes over. Then I'll go over to core exercises for a while. After that, I'll do some kicks and punches on my bag until I get tired then I go back to weights. Sorta like my version of P90X with other components thrown in

I don't worry about it too much either but it's still a little frustrating. Also about the spinning hook kick, those aren't anything to joke with I caught one right in the solar plexus... not too fun!

Title says it all. At home I usually use a free standing bag to practice kicks, I stretch, and practice forms but surely there's a way I can "mix it up." Well share your ideas and ways of training and maybe get some new ideas from some people.

Hi. Just had a few thoughts on my mind and I thought I'd share and see what comments or debate I could get on the topic. Okay, so if you go to any you tube video where a TKD fighter is fighting a martial artist from a different style, you always see negative comments towards TKD. Doesn't matter if the TKD fighter wins or loses there are always people bashing TKD. Often the comments are about how TKD is all flashy, inneffictive, and more of a dance than a fighting style. Now I realize that tkd has it's fair share of "flashy" moves but did it ever occur to anybody that these kicks aren't for combat but rather for show, to create balance, and control? WTF Olympic sparring does lack power but after all it is a point based fight. Sport tkd is very different than "combat" tkd. The tkd I learn is just as much punches and elbows as it is kicks. Well, that was my rant on tkd downers. Feel free to comment, disagree, and share opinions!

Doesn't matter if you ask me. "Belt just means no need rope to hold ones pants"~ Mr. Myagi (Sensei from karate kid)

Not really. At my first school I had a lot of fun. However, I seldom broke a sweat. After about a year, I got into a fight. I came up on top but I had nearly been choked unconscious. I asked my instructor for advice and he said, "None that I can give you at your rank." I quickly realized that this place wasn't for me. I found a new school relatively quickly. I learn mainly Taekwondo (not under WTF or ITF rules) and I rarely leave the class without being drenched in sweat. We don't do too many of the so called "flashy moves" but rather focus on the core principles of Taekwondo. All in all, I'm very pleased with my new school.