ninjanurse

Practice, practice, practice.

We include conditioning in every class-some days more that others. Students know they are expected to begin some kind of conditioning program at home as there is Fitness requirement for promotion to advanced levels. I test their conditioning on Free Sparring Days with multiple continuous rounds so I know, and they know, where they are with it.

I know this is an old thread but a recent post on a related subject brought me back here and I thought it warranted a second look. I have definite progression for teaching sparring to my students. White belts are never allowed contact but learn footwork and drills along with the other students. We have pre-set kicking combinations and sparring tactics-much like step sparring-to start patterning them to move and react to a partner. By the time they are promoted and are allowed to spar they have a few solid tactics & techniques they can use. New drills & sets are introduced at each level and we spend a lot of time working those drills with contact so they become comfortable hitting and being hit. We have a Free Sparring Day at least once every 2 weeks but most of the time we drill, drill, drill! We use four levels of contact to teach control: No contact, Touch Contact, Light Contact, and Full Contact Looking forward to reading what others do in their school!

Agree with everyone here so far. When you kick without hitting a target the knee can over extend and stretch ligaments causing the femur and the tibeal plateau to "smack" together when the ligaments un-stretch. The cartilidge in between will eventually thin out or even tear. Students must be careful not the "snap" the kick in this way but learn to use the muscles of the thigh and calf to support the joint at full extension. The "snap" your instructor may be referring to is the speed of recoil which if done fast enough greats a transfer of energy much like when you "snap" a towel.

Welcome to KF!

They have several schools and several sites...there is a lot of info and some prices posted. Their lineage looks good on paper but as you know the individual instructor is just as important for learning regardless of style. You should check it out (time permitting) and post a follow up.

Sorry PoppaD I did not attend but from experience I'll bet it was a great experience. I love to get together with students and instructors from all over and compare notes!

So true.

Welcome..everyone!!

Congratulations!

Congrats!

Congratulations!

Welcome back!

Sometimes you can be told the same thing over and over and you don't hear it until you are ready.

Current WTF Rules (in brief): No hands to the head/face. No direct blows to the spine. Must cause "trembling shock" to score a point. Two or three 90 second rounds with 60 second rest. Two points for spinning kicks, 3 point for head shot, all others 1 point. Stopping is only for penalties or extra points. You may win by knock out as long as the technique was legal. No stepping out of the ring. No pushing. No knee strikes.

Welcome!!

I prefer not to get whipped in the eyeball by the end of my belt while kicking!

Check out some major supply companies such as Tiger Claw or Century. They have products that you should be able to choose from. As far as brands go I prefer "Discipline" shoes for the fit.

To avoid injury you really need a martial arts shoe. Water shoes are too flimsy and slippers are too loose and inflexible. There are many brands out there that offer good support and protection. I would allow a student to wear them provided I was satisfied that they were secure and appropriate for the martial art being taught.

Welcome to KF!

He is just a fighter....nothing more or less.

I agree here-good post. The term can be interpreted in many ways-what it comes down to is legitimacy, not how many belts they have or how much money they charge.

Some schools offer 1, 2, or 3 year contracts-I do myself-however, I put everything in writing....NO EXCEPTIONS! If he is making promises that he won't put in writing then I would strongly advise you to go elsewhere. Never sign unless everything is on the table-integrity should be present in everything the school does/teaches.

If they are all combined into one style isn't it then "one" style? Does taking techniques from a style qualify as studying the style?

You may be exhaling too forcefully so you are in a sense knocking the wind out of yourself on every move-loosing too much residual in your lungs. Try a more controlled exhalation-perhaps through pursed lips to see if it makes a difference.