ninjanurse

In my experience, it is rare that you can land a high kick to the head without leaving yourself open-and when you do it is a powerful feeling ! It takes a lot of practice, trial and error, and patience to learn how to use the openings and when to strike. You may also have a greater chance of success if you use them in combination with other kicks that draw your opponent into opening himself up in a way that he will be unable to counter the kick. Second, I have lost many a match from mae geri thrown to the chest ! Throwing it high takes a lot of practice and strength in your quads.More repitition will make you feel more comfortable and confident to throw it with control so you don't have to worry about hurting your partner.

This is just an opinion, not a statement of fact so keep the hackles down! Well first of all Traditional TKD does not have fancy high kicks -except for jump kicks which I beleive were intended to knock soldiers off of horses to "level" the playing field so to speak. All the flashy 360's, 540's, etc. were added later. Secondly, I have found traditional TKD to be as "hard style" as Shotokan with its basic strikes, blocks, stances, kicks. etc. The training just as rigorous and repetitive. "Watered down" or "modernized" TKD is an attempt by some schools to cater to the demands of a society that wants more bang for the buck. HOWEVER, any technique, practiced correctly and repeatedly can be effective in the street regardless of the system it came from when used appropriately. I don't think you can single out any art (as a whole) as better or worse just because there are techniques taught that you wouldn't use in a street fight. Lastly, the goal of martial arts training is peaceful resolution of conflict not streetfighting. You should strive never to put yourself in the position of having to fight but if the situation arises, and you have trained correctly, you will use the appropriate technique-even if it is just to run away !

Laurie, I believe it is Panther Productions that puts out a series of Shotokan Kata by Ken Funakoshi that includes all the applications of each form. I have a set (packed away somewhere) that I would let you borrow if I can find them. As far as other kata sets, I have never seen any videos with the bunkai included. I have had to figure them out myself-which can be a good thing...gets you thinking about more than one application for each move.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the forums. I am looking forward to the warm weather too!!!

Oh the bells are definitely ringing!!! The other day I had the opportunity to observe this gentleman walking around at a baseball game in his gi with his brand new black belt hanging around his neck! Personally I found it offensive. I have no intention of taking up his offer to join his school...my concern is the families who live in our small town. I also have a problem in that I have intended to open a school here since I came but I am not sure if it would be a good idea with him right next door-BAD KARMA!( I wouldn't want a Karate Kid movie situation to occur.) On the other hand,the kids here need something positive and character building as there are very few opportunities and activities here. It is a frustrating situation. Thanks for all the research you guys have done...especially the origin of the name !!!!!

He is of hispanic origin, however I know nothing about his instructor. I don't know what other kinds of stuff they are teaching but I do know that his students are quite confrontational at school are are not learning respect as I define it.

Good job fellas and CONGRATULATIONS!

Started when I was 16, now I'm 41!

Congrats to both of you for surviving to the end!!!

I have lost a lot of my flexibility after a long hiatus. Now I am having trouble with my old hamstrings...aging sucks!

Hobbitbob, I agree with you fully. There are many serious martial arts schools out there that appear on the outside to be "Mc Dojo=ish" but teach solid martial arts. I myself am a product of one such school, Ernie Reyes West Coast TKD. Master Reyes runs one of the most successful "chains" of schools-each one teaches the same curriculum, the same way exactly so that you can go into any of his schools and you will see the same quality, etc. He leads the industry in innovative marketing, including BB CLubs, Masters Clubs, etc. While there is A LOT of flashy kicking and demos he demands a very high quality of technique as well as character and produces some of the finest martial artists around. Schools should be judged by the fruits of their labors, not how much they charge, etc. Just my opinion-but I am biased!!!

I have done both:Started over at white, retained my rank and had to catch up. Both have their merits, both have their challenges. I think the difference is being ready to meet the challenges each way presents. At this point in your training I think you will catch up a lot quicker now than if you had stayed at 4th gup-and you WILL be kickin' butt! Master Kuek was right about one thing: It is better to be good at a few techniques than be so-so at many.

Boy that's a tough one, I guess it depends on what you are looking for in an art. I think all would be excellent teachers.

Old TKD school: 3 months between white, orange, gold, green, purple, blue 4 months between blue, blue1, brown 5 months between bown, brown1, red 6 months between red, red1, black belt candidate 2 years between 1st bb and 2nd bb 3 years between 2nd bb and 3rd bb 4 years between 3rd bb and 4th bb etc. New TKD school: Minimum number of classes required at each gup before testing regardless of time, although it is pretty close to 3 months at each level up to brown, and then 4 months thereafter. Requirements for bb's are dependant on classes and Master's recommendation. Old Skool Rules!!!

I have absolutely no info on its origins, etc. This guy opened a school in town as a brown belt(!) and has been unable to provide clear history. He states they have a circuit of fighters that travel around and he is teaching his students (even little kids) to fight. I am guessing the underlying "style" has japanese origins just by what I have observed. Honestly, the whole things sounds and looks made up.

Now I'm all alone!

Has anyone here ever heard of a system called Ibuki-do? It seems geared towards full contact tourney fighting. I am interested in it's origins, founder, ranking system, etc. Thanks!

What kind of TKD doesn't have punches and hand techniques???

A Black Belt Club is a tool used to motivate and keep students focused on a goal. They usually get unlimited classes at a decreased monthly rate (over 3 years) and have a target date for their BB test. It in no way guarantees you will make that target date-it is up to the student to do the work needed to get there.

I pay $50/month but the main school charges $120! Too much for me!!

welcome!

Welcome!!

Hello!

Welcome!