delta1

Does the school teach all this as an integrated system, or does it teach these systems seperately? Also, there are a LOT of different FMA's. Which style or styles are taught there? In general, the FMA's are good for the things you listed. And they are one of the more fun arts to learn and do. Of course, it depends a lot on the school. If that is what interests you, give it a try. There is one primarily FMA system that teaches all the things you listed, plus grappling, in a very well thought out and well integrated system. The system is called Kali Jukune Do. If it is one of their schools, don't even hesitate- sign up as soon as possible! I've worked some with them. They are tough. Modern Arnis incorporates several regional FMA systems into one very good system. It is pure FMA, though its' founder (Remy Presas) had an incredible ammount of experience in several arts. There are many other styles and systems out there, some good and some not so good. Try it out. If nothing else, it is a good place to start in the martial arts.

Pretty good! I used to date a girl that had the most uncoordinated Siamese cat in the world. It allways fell over when it cleaned its hard to reach places. My girlfriend was soaking in the tub one day, and the cat was sitting on the rim by her feet cleaning itself. You guessed it- the cat fell in, and pannicked. Left claw marks the length of her body!

Sorry bou' tha'. I don' ge' down 'ere t' th' eumor forum much, so I didn' catch th' probl'm. Thanks, MMoudry, fer fix'n i'. Glad yer all enjoyd i', tho.

Well, I just got back from the doctor. It looks like I'm going to have to re-evaluate my training plan and tone things down a bit (a lot, actually). Arthritus, old injuries, and generally just getting older. He says that keeping active is good, and doing martial arts is ok, but I just can't keep going at it like I am without doing some major, permanent dammage. So, all you that are still young enough to really get in there and work and learn yopur arts, don't waste this time. And take care of yourself also. There will probably come a time when you won't be able to train as much as you want. But he did say I'm in far better shape than most people my age, other than the obviouse problems. So by all means, stay with the arts. Oh, most of the problems are from things not related to my training, but doing some things aggravates them.

Th' Monk gave some good advice (as usual). That's good, but remember that in drills you still want to work on good form, structure, etc. Not really, but the longer you train the better you get, true enough. AK gets away from the block then counter method as you go on. Gets really good at about purple and blue. But your foundation is laid at yellow and orange, so keep working it hard. Another thing you'll find is that some of the self defense techniques might not be clear why they were done the way they are. It's ok to question them, and even rework them yourself (I'd say it's a good thing, but not every one in AK agrees with me there). But learn them as taught. Remember, they are giving you a dictionary of motion, as well as laying the foundation for later techniques. Questions are fine, but never throw out things just because they don't make sense right now. Adjust kicks and strikes, adjust your footwork (as DM pointed out), or adjust her reaction (practice craneing or other contact manipulation, don't rough up the womens too much until they get some experience). You can also work with her to get her used to standing in and doing the drills. These can be intimidating for new people, and sometimes downright painful! That doesn't sound like any of the AK schools I've visited. The instructor should be on them for this, as long as it isn't you getting too rough when they are in a compromised position due to the drill (doesn't sound like this is the case). Are you working with mostly newer students? I don't know, maybe you should have a polite chat with your instructor. But you might get more than you bargain for there if he pairs you with some senior students. I've been paired with some black belts for drills, and when I came away, everything I could still feel hurt like the devil! And, if you back up, they know how to maintain the distance and finish the drill. ANy how, sounds like you are on the right track. Keep at it, it only gets better (at least for me so far).

Relax. Actual speed is primarily a function of how relaxed you are. You should not tense until flesh meets flesh. Apparent speed occurs when you eliminate wasted movement. The most obviouse example of this is eliminating chambers, strike or block from point of origin. Converting a block to a strike or a strike to a block is another way to gain apparent speed. Hidden moves are another. Response speed comes with practice- recognizing and exploiting openings, dealing with attacks, etc. But you can immediately improve this situation by starting to think about and work angles. Get to his side and you effectively momentarily neutralize halfe his defense and offense. There's lots more, but I'm not sure what your school stresses. I'm sure they will give you some tips along the way, like proper form and structure- things that require on the spot adjustments. The above hints might get you started, though.

I have arthritus, and I've found that the activity of practicing the martial arts helps, except when I overdo it or do something stupid. Sadly, that is way too often the case. I love shin kicks and knees (saves the toes and really more effective any how), forearm and elbow strikes. I'm fortunate that I can still use fists, but I don't major in fist strikes. If you can find an American Kenpo school, I'd look into it. The style is highly adaptable to the practitioner,and easily acomodates most disabilities. It has one of the most complete arsenals of natural weapons you'll find anywhere, so you are not limmited to a small number of strikes that may not be suited to you. It stresses technique and body mechanics, instead of brute strength, so that it is very effective for women as well as men. AK also teaches understanding of principles and concepts, which developes the mind as well as the body. AK ballances upper and lower body strikes, and stresses foot maneuvers and use of stances. Everything works together to add power and effectiveness. It also ballances hard and soft, linear and circular movements. AK is one of the more effective styles for self defense and street applications. It has offensive applications, but is mostly known for its self defense techniques. It is extremely fast, powerful, and deceptive. It teaches all ranges of fighting, including stand up grappling. And it teaches you to work under the force of an assault. It works off body reaction, and makes use of your opponents action to defeat himself. Good luck in your efforts. And you should go to the articles section of this forum and read SaiFightsMS article about her journey. A lot of hope and inspiration in one short piece. ( sorry to embarass you sai- but tis true...).

Mine was mostly black, but originally had a little red and yellow in it. The red did fade first. All that's left is grey now, which is ok with me. Tattoos, like their owners, should age gracefully but never mellow.

Well, it isn't fair. And most managers get to where they are through politics, which means they have no balls or brains either. I think I'd have went along the lines of Shoto's advice and droped a hint to the HR eunuch that since the supervisors present didn't intervene untill after he'd assaulted you and you had the situation controled, without excessive force, they are LEGALLY responsible. Don't threaten, but let them know where they stand, and that you know what's what. Altrnatively, use the three days to look for another job.

I just got my American Rifleman magazine, May 2004 issue. For those who don't know, it is published by the National Rifle Association. Starting on page 64 is an excellent article, sort of an intro or familiarization to shooting with a tactical flashlight. The author is Derek McDonald of SureFire, a low light tactics instructor. I want to give some excerpts that are germain to the discussion here. These statements could have come out of any number of books by Ed Parker, or from any of a whole host of proficient martial arts instructors today- or for that matter, straight out of any of the Emergency Services training classes I've given. And the third paragraph could have come straight out of Bruce Lee's mouth. As I've said, any aspect of firearms training exactly parallels martial arts training. As martial artists, we try to develope not only better technique, but a better understanding of technique. We want to know how to do a move, and also why it works and when to use it. That goes for empty hands as well as the "traditional" martial arts weapons. Why not then apply this same reasoning or philosophy to firearms, should you choose to own or carry one? What is it about a gun that would make it exempt from the same dedicated training we devote to a sword, knife, stick, or empty hand? I'd say nothing- there is no difference. If you choose to train to use a stick because you might pick one up and use it to defend yourself, then certainly you should give equal training to any weapon you choose to carry for the purpose of self defense. The statements by Mr. McDonald given here are very similar to advice given all over this board concerning the martial arts. Any one can swing a fist or pull a trigger. Not everyone can do it effectively, and fewer still take it to the level of understang and tactical proficiency that make it both an art and a "way", an elevation of both skill and consciousness.

mrphoenix, welcome aboard! What style karate do you do?

Welcome, Chang. My base is American Kenpo, and it is an excellent style. Schools do their childrens programs differently, so I'd be interested in how your sons class is done. Do they do the full program, just selected techniques, or a serries of drills similar to one steps? And, go ahead and ask us any questions you want. Someone will usually tell you something, whether we really know the answer or not! Just kidding. There are actually some pretty knowlegable people here, and a wide range of experience. Good to have you here.

Fighting someone larger, I'd have to say speed and footwork. Move to their side to neutralize half their weapons and get out of the way of their attack. Don't let them push you around, lead them around. Be where they don't want you, do your dammage and get out before they get turned. Don't wear yourself out running, move outside on an oblique, strike, and move out. If you can use elbows and heel palms in a tournament, work these for when they get on you close. And a well applied shoulder can jam their attack, or be used as a weapon in its own rite. Also, in close, learn to check and work their base. It's hard to generate an effective attack when someone elses stances are manipulating yours. Just some thoughts- I don't know much about Kyokushin. Hope they help some.

Depends on what your purpose is in doing it. If for posterity, then yes, it would take many years to perfect. But it can also be a great learning tool, as it forces you to think about and practice all the things you mentioned and more.

What's more effective? The one that connects solidly with a vital spot. But the other probably set that shot up, so who's to say? Do both. Why limmit yourself?

I'd look at the Kenpo/Kempo styles, if I were you. They blend the hard style you are used to very effectively with the softer styles. They also focus more on footwork and letting stance changes do the work, as opposed to the harder, more muscular approach of TKD.

Different schools and styles do it differently. Some are really picky, others could care less. Some don't even care if you wear it. Ask your instructor, since we don't have any idea how your school does it. We can only tell you how we do it, or have seen it done. AK- knot straight, worn on left side for men and right for women, center for an instructor. Ends even. Arnis- knot centered, cookie left, ends even. FSTKD- long as you got it on, you're ok.

In the US, registering your hands is a myth. In a court of law, they will consider your skill level, your potential to do harm, and the threat you were responding to when you used force. Hands, shoes, your butt- anything can be considered a deadly weapon if it had the potential to kill and was forcefully used. Question is, was it intentional and was it justified.

Who'd have thought this was such an issue???

I don't know. The more I am exposed to other martial arts, the less inclined I am to discount ant art as useless until I've seen it at work. Drunken style would be interesting to see, though. And I wouldn't assume they don't have speed or power, either. Don't know 'till you try it (or someone trrys it on you).

The closest thing I can think of with the Chinese were the Tongs.

Somehow, I allways suspected that.

We show our butts on here all the time! Butt, ok, here you are again... ( ! )-Butt (!)-Narrow butt ( ! )-Fat butt ( o )-Don't want to go there...

Most boxers should be able to avoid this in any number of ways. Maybe they should, but they don't allways. Try it. Like everything else, sometimes it is there and sometimes it isn't. When it is, though, it's good. I agree about targeting his base and lower body. But it was already brought up. I'm just throwing another tactic into the mix. And just like everything else as well, you can't depend on a particular boxer being poor in a clinch or not knowing how to protect his base. If low doesn't work, go high and open the low targets up. If he wants in close, try to create a little distance. If he wants to stay at medium range, and you are confident of your grappling skills, move in to clinch. I try to be where he doesn't want me to be, no matter who I'm fighting. Don't let him play his game, and trading head shots is definately a boxers game. I like to pick targets that he doesn't think about defending and strikes he's not used to, and use them to open up something else. Don't sit outside and try to keep hitting the same thing either, as he'll probably figure that out pretty fast. You don't do that with any one you fight.

Well, if no one else is going to reply, I'll post another. For weapons practice I use two dummies. One is five old tires stacked and bolted together flat. A sixth tire is bolted on top, edgewise. This is a pretty common dummy for FMA's. The other is an old fire hose doubled over and hung in my garage. I duct-taped some sponges at head height. I also taped the hoses together at groin height and put grommets in the bottoms. I use round bunjee chord through the grommets to anchor sandbag feet so I can put the legs in a stance. Works great for stick work, practice swords or knives, staff, ... whatever you want to hit him with. I'm looking for some really heavy rope, like they use in school gymns to climb. I figure that I can tie a few knots in it for targets and hang it from my tree outside. I have some 1" rope, but it wraps around the staff with a heavy strike. It does work with the sticks because it forces you to hit with the tip so it doesn't wrap or start swaying around too much. Now it's you guys turn...