ninjanurse

I too felt as you when I started martial arts and I was quite frustrated until I was given one piece of advice: "Stop trying to be the first to score, just concentrate on blocking and countering for now". In addition to changing my mindset it also helped me to learn how not to get hit . After a while, the openings just started to appear right in front of me and I became more and more comfortable and confident . Now, this advice may not work for everyone, nor may it be appropriate for some styles but it worked for me and I have been able to help other students in the same way. Try out the suggestions you get here and hopefully you'll find one that clicks for you. In the meantime, keep practicing!

Good advice PacificShore! Practicing footwork drills A LOT will help you feel more comfortable on the balls of your feet and as time goes by your speed will increase. Balance is something that a student develops over time so be patient...your journey has only just begun!

Great question !!! It's not what you learn after 1st Dan, it's how you learn it. Physical skills develop rapidly at this point as the learning process has been refined and internalized so much that time will not be apparent and learning will come automatically. Techniques are done with an inherent intensity unlike ever before so that muscle memory takes place very quickly and speed increases rapidly. Of course, in most systems/schools 1st Dan requires that you teach...and this begins a process of personal development that intwines itself into everything you do in life. You will change the way you approach almost everything. The expectations that others(students and seniors) hold for you will influence how you look, act, and train. There is no better teacher than being a teacher!

I like your list of pro's, especially the last one !!! I guess that I have been fortunate to train at a WTF affiliated school that trained with an ITF "mindset", developed well balanced fighters, and only encouraged Olympic Style sparring if you were interested in pursing it. And I never heard a word about ITF v WTF, etc...which goes to show you that schools can exist without getting wrapped up in the politics of things.

Repetative injury to the thumb can result in arthritis which can be devasting to a martial artist (I know from personal experience). See an orthopedist to have it evaluated and treated properly. You'll be better off in the long run!

The only move that requires you know a backflip is a backflip as far as I know. You should find a gymnastics coach to teach it to you porperly. In the meantime add some moves to your kata that don't involve backflips and add it later. There are plenty of flashy techniques out there!

I think you should respect your sparring partner and stick to whatever rules yo decide on before hand. Sparring is used to learn and practice...not dominate and defeat. If you want to spar at a higher skill level find someone who feels likewise.Then use the opportunity with your friend to bring his skill level and confidence up by coaching and encouraging. Also keep in mind that WTF rules do not allow punching to the head.

It really does depend on the individual school as far as where their emphasis lays. Some WTF schools lean toward tradional MA "values" while others are simply into the "sport of it". It is unfair to generalize just becasue of affiliation with a particular association. Might I suggest the article posted by Kirves under General Martial Arts as some good reading for everyone here.

I concur. The goal in training is "mindless" repetition....the muscles do before the mind can think about it.

You see...no worries!!!!

Great article. Stinkin' thinkin' will always bring you down!!!!!

You're not strange Sai! I feel the same way. In fact I get a little nervous when I don't get picked apart about something...anything...please!!!! You'll do fine Gloi!!!

The only way to tell if you have it is by xray. A trip to the Emergency Room can be pricey so you might call your regular doctor and see if they have any suggestions for you.

Try http://www.bilang.com/wcdt/main.shtml

Welcome to the forums. Hang around, have fun!!!

I will sat that they are not my favorites and do tend to go against some things that I have learned in the past, but when in Rome... !!! I too like the Palgwes very much Hobbitbob-my old TKD school used them.

I don't know of any dog forums but "Breed All About It" is a great show to watch. That is the show that I saw the "Chinook" on and now I have one! Don't worry, the perfect dog will find you! Be patient!!!

Doesn't sound like liver (but then I'm not a doctor), more like pleuresy caused by fluid in the plural space due to trauma. If you develop shortness of breath or cough up blood you should see a doctor ASAP!

I started TKD to make my kicks faster. I had no intention of switching styles but I fell in love with the art and have studied for 12 years now. I am still faithful to my roots however and am grateful to all my teachers for the arts they have intrusted me with. My "style" is influenced by all of them and you can probably see them coming through when I train.

Sometimes a grading is all about your mental skills and not your physical skills. And sometimes, Senseis are harder on the students they see the most potential in.

Boxing can serve as a great teaching tool. It is a good way to delevlop the timing, speed, and hip rotation that sometimes escapes a new student when trying to learn to punch while moving forward in a front stance,etc. We encorporated it into the curriculum very early on...and continue to develop these skills throughout the belt levels.

$100 dollars a month for a minimum of 3 1 hour classes per week breaks down to about $8 dollars per hour for instruction. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me! Think about what you pay to go see a movie these days...geez!!!!

Hobz, notice the laughing smiley face? Ha,ha....get it? I like a sensitive man but....don't read into my post something that is not intended to be said. Likewise, I did not read into yours and conclude that you were saying that women sucked. The comment was addressing the fact that an orange belt has less experience than a brown belt and had nothing to do with the fact that they were both "girls". Sorry you took offense...none intended.

Only applies to styles which want to keep the weak side forward. Lots of styles prefer strong side forward. True-there are many different styles and ways to spar and each school and teacher has a different way of doing things. Balancing both sides through practice will be to your advantage both in the ring and on the street. Razor says "Just do what your instructor says"....trust your instructor and your art, if you don't you may need to find a place where you are more comfortable.