Afro.Fighter.

Also, the sharp twist in the block causes more of the energy in the impact to be directed into the opponents attacking arm or leg or whatever rather than your own blocking arm. I too, usually just move back as far as my instructor says is need, which his answer is " Just Enough " So I basicly just evade just out the opponents range and follow with a swift counter, when attacked with a jab. Also I like to keep my hands in a position that makes it so that it requires very little movement to block attacks to the head and midsection. and block the kicks with the shins.

To me, A slightly worn belt (One that you can still tell is black and mostly still is ) is kind of a distinguished look, like salt and pepper hair, Or a streak of gray.

That reminds me of when I had just gotten back into the martial arts last year. My instructor wanted me to enter a tournament like...A week after I got back into it. And I was completely dominated, The peeps in my age group were ( and are ) insane sparrers (<---dunno about that word) They were the type that rush you constantly with backfist, ridgehand combinations and leave their body open but lunge so fast you don't really have time to react ( If you've been away for 3 years, I guess ) I was scared to death. And scored only with a reverse punch that was a reflex action ( As it should be I guess ) I'm just starting to get up to their level now. But that was an experience to remember. Expecially watching them fight each other and their headgear go flying off their heads while their falling over judges chairs while trying to hook kick each other in the back of the head. ( Yes that really happened. )

We have board breaking class at my dojo maybe twice a year. It's pretty fun ( Atleast to me ) but other than that it's not a grade on a test or anything.

LaVergne, Tennessee

How about those Camoflage colored belts and Velcro belts in the Century Catalog? They just keep getting more and more of that kinda thing in there Also, At my school we always wear White gi, But we can have whatever pads we want. I've seen people come in Canary Yellow pads ( One of my friends ) She's looks like a one of these Emoticons when she spars... Except a more blurred dangerous version to whoever is unlucky enough to spar with her. The standard gi our school sells has the school name symbol on the back Encircling the Wado dove and Wa symbol, but we can order heavyweight gi if we want, which is plain. So I guess the only preference is that our gi be white.

Some of my favorite kata are lower belt kata, Like Pinan Nidan, Kushanku is another one of my favorites...Along with Neihanshi

Thank you, In a way I feel bad for not rejoining earlier, but I for some reason feel I chose just the right time to rejoin. Funny though, We had a tournament the week after I got back and my instructor made me compete, and I had just learned/relearned my kata. That was an experience. Kinda makes me keep from being nervous about competing now... Because if I could do it then... When I was disadvantaged having only had a week to practice. Then I should certainly be able to compete under normal circumstances.

Same Here.

That is an amasingly funny sight to see when it happens... What about when a little kid accidently gets a belt that is the wrong size... And it goes down to about their shins.

My sentiments exactly.

I can't stand students who disrespect me because I'm only a little older than them... I have this one particular Orange belt who told me I was stupid when I tried to help him on one of his techniques...Which angered me a bit ( Of course I didn't show it. )

I got my Black belt, 3 and half years ago. And I owuld be 2nd Dan by now except I made the bad decision to quit... ( During puberty my voice changing and I kiai'd like a girl...I was sensitive and couldn't take the pressure of having people seem to look at me weird...I also didn't like to make mistakes...Which I did often ) I got back into it last year and am on my way to getting back on track.

The ranking system at my school goes White Yellow Orange Blue Purple Green Brown Black

Ever seen anyone who did something similar to this... Or did it yourself... -Sensei and older students have frayed and worn belts from years of tieing them.... Brand new black belt sees this....Gets this expression One day later... Brand new black belt...Comes in with Black belt frayed and worn more than anyone elses in the school. - ( I dunno why I just thought about that so I thought I'd post it. )