ninjanurse

Congratulations!

I teach my TKD students that kicking high (to the head) is not practical nor is it smart to expose yourself in such a manner during a fight. We practice high kicking on pads/bags to develop balance, flexibility, and strength which complements all striking & kicking. I also think there is a place for both styles of sparring (point or full contact) as each develops different aspects of power and control that just kicking pads does not.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Congratulations!

Cool!

Welcome harper! Why not post an intro of your own so that we can get to know you a bit....looking forward to your contributions!

Give him plenty of time on the mat doing slapping drills and rolls before you have him try a fall from standing. I start all my students this way and move them up with a gradual progression when they are ready. Many students are not ready to fall for several months to a year-it depends on their skill and confidence level.

I am in agreement with sensei8 here. Rechambering (recoiling) your kick when appropriate redirects your energy back into a stable & balanced base and allows for faster "re"kick. Some kicks rely on the recoil timed correctly to produce their maximum effect-such as hook kick, push kick, and turning kick. I liken this to slapping drills (for learning to fall properly)....if you leave you hand on the mat, energy returns to it and creates an undesirable effect in your hand/arm/body however if you slap and quickly remove your hand (recoil), the energy is completely transferred into the target (the mat in this case). A more efficient transfer of energy =more power going into the target.

Yep...

Welcome to KF!

I also require at least 2 classes a week and cap their attendance at 3 x until they have been studying for several months as some students can burn out if they immerse themselves too fast. I feel it is important for the instructor to know the students and recognize the signs of burnout before it is too late and the student quits.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Ok, I admit it...I've got one eye on the computer screen and the other on the TV screen as we speak!!!

Sometimes the student doesn't know he/she is ready...train every day as if it was a test.

Congratulations!

Sometimes I work footwork and knee lift patterns into an extended warm up and then use the same patterns in sparring drills (with the kicks and counters, etc)-that way they are already familiar with the motions and can spend more time with the actual application of it.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF!

Welcome! Keep us posted on their progress!!