White_Tiger

Here is what I have left: 3 size 0's 4 size 1's 2 size 2's 1 size 3 2 size 5's 1 size 7

Just an FYI...I had a couple people email me about the uniforms. They are trimmed in white. I am out of 6's.

If you are talking about the small square focus pads they are more versatile than the paddle pads. The focus pads have straps on the back so they can be used for punching, as well as kicks. Not to discount what Red J said...I like the thin plastic speed jump ropes. They are much faster than the leather ones. Good luck in your training!

I feel lucky every time I win a trophy!

Great idea! One suggestion I would have is offer an online store. That is a great convenience. Good Luck!

Sure...wait until 4th DAN!!! Of course that is 7 years down the road, and about 3 or 4 other schools will be moved in by then!! Listen...I started running my school as a 1st DAN. I have learned a tremendous amount since then, but I was as good as the other schools in town at the time. Sounds as if the only game in town is not a good one, and you recognize this. Get your 1st DAN, offer solutions to the current schools problems, and you will do fine. GO FOR IT!!! Let me know if I can help!

I have an over stock of v-neck TKD uniforms to get rid of. I only have a limited supply, and limited sizes. I will let these go for $12 (US) plus shipping (this includes the top, pants, and white belt). These are made by TigerClaw, are brand new, and in the original bag. Email me at mike@whitetigeracademy.com, or post me on AIM at mmaysun.

I am not sure why you would be worried about breaking boards after a week of lessons anyway. Concentrate on your basics!!! If you are doing basics wrong you are doing everything else wrong. Don't get ahead of your White Belt. Be the best White Belt possible...worry about breaking when it comes. Good luck!!

Try this...I hope my terminology is not to different from yours. From a fighting stance throw a front punch at the opponents chest, and then a reverse punch right behind it, then immediately follow the reverse punch with a rear inner crescent kick to the head. Don't worry about the punches landing, they are mearly a way to get the hands down, but you do have to 'sell' them. In other words they have to look like you are trying to make them connect. Give it a try...Good luck!

Couldn't have said it better!! Nice job!

Good luck on your testing!!! The first one is always nerve racking, so be ready! Let us know how it goes.

the first time I ever sparred it was against a female. She had been training for a couple of years, and I had been in for a couple of months. I threw a high round kick at her, she threw one at my privates, and hers landed first! Now I wear my cup to class!

I get these sometimes when kneeling as well. I find I get them when I haven't done certain exercises in a while. I hadn't done bjj in a while because of a neck injury, and I was getting cramps in my feet and calves. I find once I get back to the normal excercises the cramps tend to go away.

This could be a VERY long conversation, but I will post a couple of ideas, and let others do the same. KNOW YOUR MATERIAL inside and out. That will help with your confidence. Also make sure you know the applications of the material that way you will be ready for any questions. Don't ever be afraid to say "I am not sure" when asked a question. You can always find out an answer. I have had beginning instructors just make up answers, because they didn't want to look incompetant. They looked worse when they were corrected by me or another instructor. I will check back with you to see how you are doing! Good luck!

MichiganTKD had the best answer. You can excel without the fluffy jump kicks. Solid basics!! It is fun to learn the jump kicks, and it is a great workout to practice them. Know your basics though...if you are doing those wrong then everything else you do is wrong. Of course we have Taezee to ask! According to him he is the expert! How lucky we are! Good luck!

It was my first post in the Combative Martial Arts forum...maybe my comments are out of line for this forum. I apologize.

Are you training to be a fighter, someone who gets in the ring and fights, or are you training to be able to defend yourself? I hope I am never in a fight, but I train all the time. I want to be able to DEFEND myself, not face someone toe-to-toe and fight. That's why I learn self DEFENSE! I am not training in self offense. So, if you want to train to be a fighter...get a coach, and you will get all the real sparring you want. Don't get self defense and fightiing mixed up. Just my opinion.

In my opinion this is to general of a question. We should probably no your age, your eating habits, how much you excercise, etc. Let us know this info, and I am sure you will get some help from the forum.

Maybe if Hulk Hogan came running in the ring with a chair while the ref's back was turned RVD could win a UFC fight!

Tournaments are alot of fun. I have competed locally, at a state level, and at the national level. Practice, practice, practice!!! Go over your form in your mind in bed at nights. Punching and kicking is easy...doing a good form while everyone is watching and judging you can beat you mentally. I am not sure of your rank, but Black Belts at a national level are extremely tough (in my experience). I would suggest going to watch one before competing if that is possible. Good Luck! Let us know how it goes.

I had a similar situation happen at my school. I am the Head Instructor so I had to evaluate this student. Our style is TKD. He had trained for 2 years at his previous school, and had earned a Blue Belt which is one belt below Brown in our system. HE WAS AWFUL! And not by just our standards...by anyone who was honest. I talked to him and his family, and was straight up with them. I left the decision to the student and the family. I told him he could keep his Blue Belt, but it would be a long time before he tested for Brown, or I would move him to an appropriate level. He opted to go to a lower rank. If it is the exact same system, and association. I would say let them stay at the current belt. If it is a different system, and association BUT same style...I feel they need to be evaluated, and placed at an appropriate level.

I sparred a few TSD guys at a national tournament this past summer. They seemed to be more into olympic style sparring. Seemed to be more kickboxer like with their kicks. I am not sure of the major differences, but that was two that I noticed.

I have never heard of this. Not discounting it, but in my years in martial arts, and other sports...I have never heard of it.

I like varying my heavy bag workout. Sometimes just working combinations, sometimes working for power, and sometimes for speed. It is a versatile workout apparatus. I find if I do the same thing all the time I get bored with it, so try mixing things up.

Great question. I think there is a place for the sport aspect, but too many people believe they are learning self defense when they are actually learning how to point spar. I like a school that can provide both aspects, because it is fun to compete in tournaments, but students should know the difference, and know that tournament sparring is not self defense.