ninjanurse

TJA has good advice, this is the way I teach them also. As far as getting over the fear of falling...every student has their own time. I have done this with some success: Stand behind student, have them close their eyes and cross there hands over chest, then have them fall backwards. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET to catch student as this will undermine the whole process ! When they are comfortable with this, you can have them do the same thing standing on a bench or chair, with several students catching them. Another thing I do is when we are padded up for sparring I do a drill where I push them down, they fall and roll backwards, and come up with a kick or punch into a kicking shield. They usually don't relate it to falling drills so they are more relaxed and not thinking about "falling". I then remind them of this drill when we do a falling class and it becomes "no big deal".

Sitting stretches, seated calf raises, ankle flexion, etc. would be good. If you can get up frequently and stretch it would be good too.

At present, judo and TKD are the only Olympic martial arts. As far as having to hold a TKD Black Belt to be on the team I do not know, as a lot of different styles have competed at Olympic Style Sparring events-you just have to follow the rules.

So what if you are small!!! You can use it to your advantage on the ground if you learn how. It all comes down to using your center of gravity to counter every ground technique, just like you use it to counter throws. GO WITH THE FLOW and be patient!!! I have been in classes where we have gone for 30-40 minutes straight only changing guards a few times. It's not the size of the dog that counts!

My 9 year old daughter threw a playground bully with a simple shoulder throw as he attacked one of her friends. He didn't bother the girls again !!!

Didn't you already post this in another forum? Check for replies there.

I like your thinking Kirves. I was going to post again but you said it better!

Yes, it is easier to learn new techniques if you have years of MA experience, BUT...there is a lot more to a martial art than just physical technique. There is thought, theory, philosophy, action, reaction, reasoning, etc. I am learning a new set of forms after a change in schools and am expected to test in October. I have learned the patterns, but I do not "know" them. That will take years.

A nice bit of history Kirves. I thought the "crane" thing was to illustrate that you can never under-estimate your opponent (even when he/she does something that looks so silly!) and if you do you might get slammed! A excellant way to show just how arrogant the other student was, and also to show that sometimes doing something "outside" the box or that other people may laugh at can have value if we believe in it. Or maybe I am reading way too much into it...not like that ever happened before

Keep 'em coming!!!

I agree, check them both out. I have studied both, and enjoyed both equally. Visit some classes and talk to students, etc. There are some differences but are quite similar overall-depending completely on the individual school of course.

Kung Fu!

You're not alone Grandmaster and Kirves. I understand the question also. Since I am not into glory and fame (no need fo trophies and medals here!) I will have to say that I am more comfortable being a "jack". I have no experience the other way because I have willingly studied other arts.

Oh please please please say it's true!!!!!

How could bunkai be boring !!!!!

Oops! Not at all Hobz!!!! I realize that many styles do it that way. I was just assuming (yes assuming-no jokes please) that Sai was referring to the fact that schools which tie the belt flat in back ususally start to wrap from one hip and go around twice before tieing the knot. Kids usually find this difficult. Sorry!

Thanks!

Good thoughts Kirves! I like the way you explained yourself. I agree that just "going through the motions" is NOT kata training and to truely know and understand karate you must truely know and understand kata. It is true that many schools today do not teach bunkai-I myself went to one such school and after I began teaching kata bunkai to my classes, the rest of the instructors started to ask questions and began to do so also. Up to that point they had only been explaining the "application" of isolated techniques. It really made a difference in the students and their understanding of the art.

I sure do miss Denver!!!

Yes, I too believe there was a mis-quote. Things taken out of context always lead to misconception and misunderstanding. Please be careful about the tone of your posts people . No reason to put others down here. While we would all like to believe we are perfect...we're not.

HMMMM, 2000 calories of fat per day? What on earth could you eat...I shudder to think!!!!

My school has a similar Junior BB ranking's with a slightly different curriculum. When they turn 18 they can test for a regular BB but have to learn the additional curriculum or test into a lower rank.

I personally tie my belt flat in the back , no criss/cross. This way puts the ends in better position to make the knot so that the writing on both ends of the belt face outwards. Sai is right about teaching kids...it is easier to have them put the middle of the belt on their belly button to start, however you can teach them fairly easily to tuck the belt flat after they have criss/crossed it and then tie the knot. The knot is the tricky part in my experience. Some kids just don't get it! Then again, I have had a 4 year old student who could tie a knot that would put most adults to shame !!!

I just meant that some people think that all they have to do is go to class for 3-4 years and that should be enough. Then they get mad because they don't get their BB and quit. About 1 out of 100 actually stick with it.