Alan Armstrong

Often use a quick inside to outside cresent kick to the opponent's face, to see what kind of reaction it gets. With an inexperienced fighter it is usually greeted with a surprised look. As mentioned earlier about In the "Billy Jack" movies that he used cresent kicks. A Billy Jack quote that went something like this "I can put this side of my foot across this side of your face and there isn't a dame thing you can do about it" Then he would kick (the bad man) in the face, just the way he said we would, with a cresent kick.

Hitting a person in the head with bear knuckles can usually exspect only to hit about six to ten good shots. With every punch becoming more painful to the knuckles than the last. This is talking from my personsl experience, that will differ depending on the circumstance of where the knuckles make contact with the skull and how hard both of the surfaces are; of course excluding other unpredictable variables. Makiwara practice consists of one straight punch at a time, whereas boxer use a combination of different punches from different angles. A boxing uppercut on a makiwara wouldn't be practical; that's one small reason of many why boxers practice on a cylindrical bag. The forehead is a far bigger mass of bone than knuckles, therefore some boxers intentionally use their forehead (with this type of logic) to try to damage the opponent's knuckles while in a fight. Makawara training is a way to focus alot of energy in to a small area; as the reverse punch is a favorite karate technique, practicing punches on a makawra board makes perfect sense.

"THE DOJO CINEMA" The idea sounds great for a MA flick night but realistically not sure of the attendance ratings. If the idea was perhaps geared towards appreciating and understanding other MA styles and cultures it might catch on. Or perhaps movies representing the best of the best in your own style might work. Could be part of way to raise money as a local charity event. TV stations often spotlight certain well known martial artists, as this is an on going theme where I live. If people were encouraged to look like the characters in the movie, this could catch on for a laugh; with cult type movies, people dress up for the movie and become part of the theatrical atmosphere.

Does anyone know if there was a remake of the "Seven Samurai"? Or any other similar "Chop Saki" movie?

Very good points Nidan. The hygiene issue could also be a discipline issue for dojos. Militarys need to keep control of health issues with order and discipline as many soldiers can die or fall sick from unhealthy living conditions. Good to keep in mind that there is a military aspect to martial arts, even though sports MAist might forget their MA origins.

That sounds kind of funny. It's so awkward when friends want to play-fight. I feel like when no rules are established ahead of time, it's hard to know what the objective even is. Shizentai you are exactly right.

Yes! MRSA. Thank you! Please Goggle: MRSA-MIXED MARTIAL ARTS' INVISIBLE ENEMY There are other opinions about picking up infections from makiwara boards and punching bags, that contain dried infected blood. Again it comes down to hygiene, prevention and treatment. Personally I have always had skin issues and have managed to treat and cure them, even when skin specialists gave up. Other skin specialists that didn't give up on me and cured me, are truly my heroes.

As you may already know, that the original magnificent seven, was a take, of an earlier movie made in 1954, a Japanese b/w called "Seven Samurai" Highly regarded by Aikidoists.

Staph infections have been traced back to hospitals; this is why health officials play down the seriousness of this highly contagious bacteria.A close friend of mine died from a staph infection, caught while visiting my brother in hospital; she was his partner/girlfriend. People with a low immune system are at risk, also those that have depended too much on using penicillin. Martial artists that do MMA are at a higher risk than most Maists due to being susceptible to getting cuts and scrapes or open wounds, while training or in a bout. Let's admit the fact that gym type locations and wrestling or grappling techniques, without strict hygiene rules or regulations are a breeding ground for bacteria. (Most prehistoric people died at an early age due to infections)

60 or more insect fragments per 100 grams in chocolate is normal. 30 or more insect fragments per 100 grams in peanut butter is normal. All FDA approved, and is actually considered to be good for you. one person's rodent is another person's burger. Rat burgers in China. Also in China, rat meat sold as lamb. In the UK horse meat sold as beef. While in France eating horse meat is acceptable. Zebu steaks from Africa sold in UK pubs as steaks. In Canada road kill is a common practice. An animal gets run over and killed. Not long after it's is converted in to a sausage or barbecue steaks; a little wild tasting for my taste buds. Wikipedia states that humans consume 25 million dogs a year. In Vietnam it is normal to eat cats and dogs. Considered by most Western cultures to be a shocking practice. Pet food sold in stores such as cat food or dog food, has been mistakenly bought and eaten by those that thought that the picture on the outside of a cat or dog represents the meat contained inside. Rabbits are an acceptable food in Mediterranean cultures. One Sunday afternoon as a child happily playing with the bunnies in my grandmother's garden, the next week to my horror I was expected to eat them. This was my first culture shock. Friendly food seems to have many interpretations depending on the country. Fast food has different connotations, might be considered as something that moves very fast and is difficult to catch!

Going to the movies in USA and Canada, there are many toppings to put on your popcorn, being totally spoilt for choice, while in the UK a night out to watch the latest James Bond 007 flick "would you like salt on your popcorn sir?" Beer has changed considerably, now strawberry and lime beer from Sweden and ginger beer from Scotland. Food is most definitely a cultural subject. In the Philippines for instance, children eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In Thailand it is possible to buy ready to eat eggs, with a baby chick inside. Spanish eat fish with the head still attached, something that the Brits consider repulsive. Insects are considered the food of the future. Ironically enough I was given a 50.00 food voucher from a restaurant, because a cockroach was walking about on the table, while I was eating a meal there.

Great response Nidan.Just raising some healthy controversy about food!

Martial art elements if you are unfamiliar with the term are Chinese fighting strategies. Water; for instance, uses ways to flow around an opponent, also to not fight force with force but to use the opposing energy against the opponent. Fire; is confusing strategy, used fast and unpredictable. Wood; is the liner tactic, being that the shortest distance between to points is a straight line, using long reaching strikes. Earth; intent techniques are to bring the opponent to the ground using leg sweeps and arm locks, or any other similar technique that is at hand. Metal; uses gravity, bodyweight, balance and sensitivity principles. Air; is similar to boxing with bobbing and weaving and slipping attacks, while striking the opponent's vulnerable targets while not using any other strategies such as holding or grabbing. Mountain; is similar to a continuous barrage of punches and kicks without stopping or blocking, similar to being caught under a rock slide. Heaven; utilizing techniques that throw the opponent, lifting them off their feet. Thunder; a heavy hand and foot strategy with lightning fast reflexes, intended to overwhelm the opponent without mercy or compromise. These are creative ways to fight or defend. Other attributes can be associated or changed with the elements, it is a way to put theory in to practice. What is your opinion, are these viable strategies or just fantasy concepts?

I once noticed that my TKD instructor was always wearing training footwear, while the rest of us were practicing bear foot. There was a strict hygiene policy in place for keeping toe and fingernails kept clean and trimmed; this was twenty years ago. Now there is a bacteria called "Staphylococcus" also called "Staphs" for short. Feet are prone to picking up bacteria from the floor. As 25% of us carry this bacteria around, catching it is becoming more easier than ever. Cuts on feet can pick up this staphs bacteria. Not unusual for martial artists to do spinning kicks causing calices to twist off the ball of the foot causing exposure to predatory bacterias. I'm raising this issue for martial artists to be more aware of this potentially dangerous bacteria, especially for those that train barefooted. I personally don't train bare footed due to the MA styles that I practice. Now with potencial Staph infection dangers, foot wear for me is a must. The dangers of catching staphs is very real. As it is usally treated with antibiotics, but some staphs are not treatable at this time. As this is only an awareness of Staphylococcus, it is up to you to investigate how you could be infected and how to prevent yourself from it. Remember as a martial artist you should protect yourself at all times; this includes deadly flesh eating bacterias.

Food can be your friend or can be your enemy; which foods do you consider to be good for you or bad for you? Good: Salad. From a Chinese point of view, salads are eaten at the end of a meal, reason is that salads will balance the PH level in the mouth... Bad: Butter. Can cause cholesterol issues for arteries... Good: Cranberry juice. Can remove bacteria's from the body. Bad: Crisps. Contain saturated fats from commercial cooking process that is hazardous to clogging arteries... Good: Cereal. Helps to clean the colon and is a known contributor to help prevent cancer... Bad: Soft Drinks. Contain high levels of sugar and or artificial flavouring that can contribute to diabetic issues... Good: Olive Oil. Contain antioxidants known to help slowing down the ageing process... It is fine to say that fast foods taken in moderation is OK. Do we really have the control to not exceed the junk food feed limit? Salt and sugar are two ingredients that are usually high in manufactured proccesed foods. To prepare our own foods is recommended because then these two tasty enemies can be better controlled or regulated... I'm not a doctor or dietitian and don't hold any qualification on health... I do however consider the body to be maintained responsibly with healthy living habits... I do see many people in the health profession smoking and suffering from obesity. Therefore as a none health professional at least I practice what I preach... There is a great need in our societys, for all of us, to take full responsibility for maintaining a healthy lifestyle... Unlearning can be beneficial especially bad eating habits. Small improvements regarding lifestyle changes is never a waste of time or effort. Every failure will make you stronger; remember the easy way is not an option, never give up trying to improving yourself.

Carrying a knife in many parts of the world is legal and other places they are illegal. Knife self defence sanerios will always be relative to the location, people and situation. Awareness is the first line of defence regarding hostile environments or situations. Practicing low key ineffective knife defence techniques is perpetuating a false sense of security. Practicing with a simulated disturbed person swinging a knife would be more closer to reality than a sober and agreeable participated wearing a GI.

I said "Punches are less effective than palm strikes" and not that punches are ineffective. My statement is related to women in a self defense context. of course there are women that can break boards but do they use their fist or do they use a palm strike?

I didn't attend 'the Jet' seminar because I was just a yellow belt at the time. My sensei attended with some other members of the club.

Cannot speak on behalf of the Ninjitsu club. So far on this thread it's bearly hanging on. There are stealth benefits from learning ninjitsu, that can surprisingly benefit a martial artist. Don't go into ninjitsu with a closed mind, then it's just a waste of time and money. The socks as they have been called earlier are Tabby boots. They are designed like a mitten that cover the feet. The space between the big to and the next toe, is so a ninja can stand on the hilt, with one foot, so as to peer over a wall. Ninjitsu deals with intelligence gathering, so they also learn how to memorize interior and exterior locations for possible entrances and exits. Ninjas learn the art of invisibility, that is camouflage tactics. Ninjitsu is also related to tactical ambushing and assassinations; hopefully just learning it for historical curiosity. Just for fun on the advanced level of ninjitsu, to run along rooftops in the moonlight.

Iron brew is the cheap stuff! It's Irn Bru!! The only country in the world that a soft drink by the coca cola co isn't the top seller? Scotland!! It's been our top seller for over a century. Best hangover cure in the world, a roll on squared sausage and a can of Irn Bru. Mo. Thanks for the "Irn Bru" tip mazzybear.

All this talk about Sumo wrestlers has jogged my memory about a confrontation I had with a huge man. It was at a party and this huge man starts harassing me just for fun. Time after time he continues to try and intimidate me. He wouldn't let up, it was as if I was there for his abusive entertainment. He starts telling me how scared I am of him. Enough is enough, I thought! I told him that "yes you can beat me up very easily because of your size, but one thing is for sure, I will squeeze your testicles so hard that you will want to beat me to death and when I'm dead I will still be holding on to your testicles" He never bothered me after that. Accidentally met him again in the neighborhood, he had a totally different attitude towards me second time around; he treated me as if I was a long lost friend, go figure!

People with knives don't usally carry them in their pocket, unless it is a small pocket knife. Usally a knife will slips down in to the attacker's hand from the sleeve. Also people that attack with knives don't advertise the fact that they are carrying a concealed weapon.

I have been unexpectedly challenged while visiting a friend. My friend's roommate jumped me and started wrestling with me, he was doing OK for the first few seconds then I pinned him down; he submitted. His excuse was that he was curious if I could really defend myself. Lucky for him that I didn't pound him in to the ground.

I also once lived for Nunchku in the early 1970s. Would cut up wooden broom handles and then attache the chain. Would need to pick out the wood slivers from my triceps on a regular basis. Lost count the amount of times I've cracked my head with them. Eventually tried out all the nunchkus available. Wood and foam filled. Settled for rosewood with flat edges attached with rope. Then modified the rope idea for many strands of fishing line; the amout of torque I could produce was unbelievable; chain, rope or nylon would all sooner or later break. Drill some holes near the bottom and it is possible to make them whistle. Won a third place position using two nunchukus at the same time in a Karate tournament; in the early 1980s. Nunchuku is illegal where I live now, so that's that!

I like Don the Dragon Wilson, he seems like such a chilled out guy outside of the ring. I met 'Benny the Jet' in Vancouver, in 1979 he was having an exhibition match. The next day he gave a seminar with his brother.