tommarker

Well said.

Yes. When dealing with a sharp blade attached to a stick, it's best to spend a few extra dollars. Anything that rattles should be thrown on the junk heap

Jlee, unfortunately, I have no idea where you are, so I have no idea if you're close to Ellenwood or not I think it is close to Columbus, GA, but that's all I know. Look around at your local Y and see if they offer classes. A lot of good schools don't advertise much, and you won't find them in the yellow pages or in retail areas. Look at local colleges and see if they have rec clubs as well. College kids are a blast to train with!

I admire different people's karate for different reasons. Some people I admire for their amazing intensity, they look as if they really are trying to kill someone with their every move. Other people just move with such an effortless, yet powerful grace... I admire some athletic tournament fighters who are just so friggin fast, but I have equal admiration for a tough as nails guy in his 50s who has worked as a cop or Marine. Other people, with a staff or a sword are so damn fluid that it just makes you want to stay up all night practicing. Some people do things so incredibly different that it makes me sit back and wonder about what I'm doing. Others perform it exactly the way I strive to. I've shared the floor with some famous men and women and some not-so-famous men and women who could be legends in their own right. There are plenty of people out there practicing out in the middle of nowhere, who never write a book, get a tv show, make the cover of BB, get inducted in a hall of fame, etc who make amazing contributions everyday. So, I guess I'm saying that I can't name one.

Jlee, I know a guy in GA who is very good but he is in Ellenwood. I have no idea if that is close to you or not. If he is, I would recommend trying his school out. If you are nearby, let me know..

you go ahead and stand out in the open, i'm going to hide inside this underground bunker while you get caught in the middle of uninformed opinions and flames

I wouldn't worry about it. It'll eventually shrink. Or you'll eventually grow into it

it is a weird kick, but once you can do it, it is awesome. Like I said, Master Khan does an excellent one, but he is an amazing technician.

Bit Cha Ki. http://community.webshots.com/photo/10686334/10686588qrxpCWzuXx or http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=11742&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=diagonal+kick&start=20 page down a little.

'sin chong' in the Korean arts.

Steve, I know it sounds like a dodge when I say something like "you just need to practice more!" but it is in fact true. Hang a plastic ball (do they have whiffle balls in the UK?) from a string and practice your kicks with it. Start with a level a little lower than your ability and work all of your kicks at that level until you can hit the ball 10 out of 10 times. You don't have to clobber the ball every time. Try just being able to touch it, etc. Try to emulate Master Khan's diagonal kick! You sounds like you're on the verge that many green belts are at. You either improve, seemingly overnight, and continue, or you give up. One day, something in class will click and you'll be surprised. Cheers, Tom

Steve, I think we all have these thoughts from time to time. But at times, you just have to stop worrying about others and what standard they are being judged at and worry about your OWN training. At green belt, you stop seeing as many new things (you've seen just about everything) and you have to make the decision to keep training, or try to find something new. Keeping in mind that after 6 months, it won't be new anymore either. You know what I mean? I'm not saying your school doesn't have any problems, or that your teacher is going easy on some people, etc because I'm not there. I think what I'm saying is that you're just at one of those levels in training where you start to wonder about what you've been doing so far. Everything you need is out there, you might not get it at the rate you want or think you need. A lot of people think that they "get it" when they clearly don't. I get lots of gup students who seem to say "yeah, yeah, I know... you told me already." and I say "ok, SHOW me you know." Now you might be tempted to go out and try something new to add to what you're already learning. And it might help you connect the dots faster, just hearing it from someone else. Who knows.... You're learning things now that will take years to really GET. I'm done rambling now...

That's actually CHEAPER than most places where you would buy Shureido brand! The other prices are a little excessive... true.

Has anyone ever used a pair of Koei Budogu sai? I've never heard of the company before, but it turns out that they do a lot of kendo supplies. http://www.bogubag.com/Weapons/weapons.html Just curious...

dang!

Sho-ju, Do you have this DVD? I saw it on Amazon recently and was wondering about it. There is one guy on Ebay, Doug Perrine, I think, who sells a couple DVD on nunchaku. They are not for beginners, and really only if you're into doing flashy stuff. It's fun, but like I said, way above a beginner.

Are you talking about the Volume 6 tape? Stick against other weapons?

Tang Soo Do traditionally is taught as an empty-hand art, btw. Weapons have probably entered the curriculum through instructors that have cross-studied, or switched arts. Some have made a certain weapon their specialty and have studied it intensely over the years.

I have learned a few Nunchaku forms over the years, but they aren't part of an official curriculum. Like any good Korean art, people who practice Tang Soo Do tend to borrow things from other arts and make it their own

One bias I can think of right off the top of my head. Take two men, one white one asian. Have them both train for about 50 years. At age 70, which is the one with superhuman powers and an unlimited knowledge of the arts? And which one is the "dinosaur?"

Flexibility will come with work. Some people come in with previous athletic experience that gives them great flexibility, but plenty of people come in who can barely touch their toes. Don't sweat it

not much in the close-range, but it is interesting.

I too am curious as to exactly what you are hitting, and with which part of the foot.

I hear what you're saying. At my high school, we had to do "pay to play" which meant paying an activity fee for every sport. Then you've got to buy gear and all that stuff, too. Is it really cheaper to study Judo than Wrestling? Don't get me wrong, I like both, and you should do the one that is most affordable, I think. Wrestling is the one sport I regret not doing in HS...

I would highly reccommend this site. Actually, the entire site, but there are the on-topic articles. http://www.donrearic.com/yawara.html http://www.donrearic.com/koppostick.html http://www.donrearic.com/koppostick2.html http://www.donrearic.com/fistload.html http://www.donrearic.com/modernmetsubushi.html A classic text: http://www.yawara.com/Yawast1.html http://www.4-site.co.uk/goshin/kubohtm.htm This guy is a bit of a flake, but has some interesting info. http://www.saunders999.fsnet.co.uk/kubotan/pages/index.htm