White_Tiger

I have a poloroid picture of me on my first day. Solid white uniform, no patches, white belt and doing one of the worst back stances you would ever want to see!!!

I dumped an organization one time, and went independent for a while. I associated myself with the AAU so my students could compete in tournaments if they wanted. I searched until I found an assoicaiton that was not all about money, and could offer something to the students in return for their membership fee. I ended up finding a good one. Good luck to you!

Try the Small Business Association: http://www.sba.gov

In my experience with tournaments you have to know where you were aiming to score the point. Blind technique does not count. I have also referred matches...you can defintely tell when someone has thrown a blind technique. It is also for the safety of the competitors to deter this type of technique.

Good question!!! One that really consists of more than a one line answer. If I had to pick one answer...it would be the humility. Once you get over the "I can kick his butt" attitude, and you realize you can learn from anyone regardless of the rank, and style. Mine kicked in about 2.5 years into training. Like my Instructor likes to say..."Your view is better the higher you get on the mountain." Good luck!

I see you list karate and kickboxing as styles. Maybe they are styles you are interested in...anyway. All schools are different. Figure out what you are looking to gain in the martial arts. For example, are you looking for competitions, are you looking to only learn self defense, etc. Once you know what you are looking for visit your local schools to see if they offer what you want. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Throw a few front kicks. Get your opponent thinking front kick. Then start the motion like a front kick, as the opponents hands drop to block the kick, turn the kick into a high round kick. Good Luck!

I charge $79/month - no contract. $50 to test. $150 for 1st Degree. Matzu - either obviously you don't work 40 hours a week, or have never lived on your own. I work a full time job and run a school because I absolutely love teaching. I have done this for almost 5 years. I guess you don't know what it is like to work 15+ hours a day 5 or 6 days a week. If you can make a living doing what you love...God bless you! I hope one day to work at my school full time, AND make money. If you are a true martial artist you will give a good product at a good price. If not, you will starve because your customers will see right through you! Don't be so closed minded...remember, the higher you get on the mountain the more your view changes. Good luck!

I bought a "heavy vest'. It weighs 15 lbs, and will wear you out while doing drills. Way under $100.

ME!! I won a national title this past summer in San Antonio, TX!!

Lots of stamina work...running, jumping rope. If you want to get in the ring I suggest you find a trainer. I have seen kickboxing matches between guys who are trained by a trainer, and others who bought the "Kickboxing for Dummies" book, and it wasn't pretty! Good luck with your training!

John G...I couldn't have said it better!

Are any of you tested on your weapons...like a belt testing? If so, what are you tested on (a form, proficiency, etc)? What do you receive if you pass the test? Thanks for your input.

I use plyometrics in our warm-up drills. There are a ton of books, and online sites. Good luck!

Grasshopper...jumping rope is an awesome conditioning exercise. That is why it is a basic conditioning workout for all professional boxers.

No, you are not alone...I hear most serial killers have the same feelings!

DO BOTH!!! Cross train. That way you won't get bored. Alternate days, but have a good plan before starting so you are not just haphazardly working out. Good luck!

"If you do not understand the basics you are doing everything else wrong!"

Just to let you guys know...we started our demo team! I put my most creative instructor in charge of the team. He has done a good job. We signed up 3 people after doing our first demo in public. We have another one next month. Thanks for all the advice!

Welcome!!! What style schools are in your area? That may help you narrow the focus. Good luck!

Another way to think about it is this...groin shots work well in the streets becuase you are kicking against an untrained fighter. We are trained to get in a fighting stance which takes the vital targets and turns them away from the opponent. If a person squares up to kick some of the people in my school in the groin they are going to get side kicked into the next room. Just a different view. Good luck!

I am with stl_karateka. It is easy to build your own. If you are familiar with MS products FrontPage makes it easy.

John G is on the right course. It will depend on the Instructor(s). Both arts will serve you well, if you are indeed a dedicated student. But if one school as a bad instructor, and the other a good one you will obviously learn more from the good one regardless of the style. Try some classes first in both schools...see which one you like the best. Good Luck!

Hey John G. We do both Juche' and Kodang.

I really like Hwa-rang up to the first ki-yap in the lower rank forms. I have competed with Choong jang quite a bit. I like the drop down round kick in that form. I like doing forms in general, the trick for me is to totally understand the application for each move.