DLopez

From the website at the posted link: Perhaps they've since added that since, but looks like they mention it to me. As for michigantkd's comments, why do you dismiss this particular program out of hand like that? How do you know that program is as worthless as your prejudice claims? Apparently, your mind is closed to learning about other MA's, and if that's the case, why would you even bother visiting this site? No one is trying to 'convert' you.

KSN Doug, that sounds like it could be a fun competition, but also extremely demanding too! I would like to try that sometime if they ever have one of those here in Houston. You know, I really should have mentioned how well our school did at the tourney, as I believe it was something special. Out of the 40+ schools represented, our school (Kuk Sool Won of Katy, Tx), which has only be open for 1 1/2 years, placed 8th in the Top Points scoring! It was our very first competition, and we only had 18 students competing, so it really says a lot about our instructor and his ability to teach! Our instructor, Kyo Sah Nym Tony Crabtree, won Grand Champion in his class. When they announced KSN Tony had won Grand Champion, and that our school had made the top 10 in total points, you wouldn't believe such a small group could make so much noise cheering! The South Austin school won the most points and won the Flag! I was also pleased to see that another school that I had the opportunity to train at while on a business trip to San Antonio also placed in the top 10 (5th or 4th?). I'm not sure of the exact name of the school, but their instructor is Kyo Sah Nym Pat Braun.

Yes! Kuk Sool is loaded with weapons training, but typically you don't start weapons training until brown belt, sometimes red belt... unless you join Black Belt Club (accelerated training) where you can start as soon as your instructor believes you're ready. (Belts in Kuk Sool are white, yellow, blue, red, brown, and black) Kuk Sool teaches the long and short staff, long and short sword, archery, cane... heck even a fan or a rope can be a weapon! Those are just the few that I know of, I'm sure I have left out many other weapons taught in Kuk Sool. That's what I love about Kuk Sool, there is so much to learn in the curriculum.

Not to try and get anyone to change what they've already started, but if someone is considering beginning martial arts training, the decision of take TKD and/or Hapkido is a moot point with Kuk Sool Won. I don't claim to be an expert in TKD or Hapkido, but it sounds like Hapkido teaches joint locks, throws, falling, and control techniques, while TKD is the punching and kicking aspect. Each of those, plus weapons training, is the standard curriculum in Kuk Sool.

Congratulations on the yellow stripe! That's fantastic! How are you doing with your Ki Cho Hyung? Should be parts 1, 2, and 3, right? Kuk Sool Won forms are really beautiful, especially when you follow the 5 principles in doing them: 1) Eyes bright 2) Mind clear 3) Body low 4) Feet slow 5) Hands fast Do them right and you actually enjoy performing them! (I do anyway!)

It starts off with a skip-step similar to Ki Bon Soo #2, and placing the back of your left hand on the back of your opponent's right hand. You then force your opponents right arm down and rearward. When their arm is pointing downward, you should be able to grab his right wrist with your left hand. At the same time your right hand grabs their right shoulder. Pushing their right arm rearward while pulling their right shoulder forward will force them to bend at the waist. When they are bent over, place their right wrist over your left shoulder, remove your right hand from their right shoulder and with a wide hand, palm facing down, lock their elbow against your chest with the area of your right hand between the back of your thumb and wrist, and squeeze his elbow into your chest. Finish by duplicating the position of your right hand with your left hand on top, and step back with your right leg and turning to control your opponent. Hope that is clear enough.

Yes, Master Simms was there, and he is simply incredible how much body control he has. He would hold his leg extended from a front kick and great elevation... that is so tough to do and he makes it look so easy! He also demonstrated some awesome techniques.

What were your experiences? Boy, I had a blast! It was great meeting other students from other parts of the country, and while I didn't get to meet students from other countries, I know there were quite a few represented. Anyway, I won 1 gold medal for Forms (Jun Geup Hyung), 1 gold medal for techniques (Hue Bahk Soo #13, Ahn San Mahk Soo #2 & #4). I also won a silver medal in sparring. After the competition had completed, the Masters Demonstrations was simply awe inspiring! If anyone else participated in the tournament, I'd love to hear your experiences!

From what I understand about Kuk Sool Won after almost a year and a half of training (currently red belt), the curriculum of each school is monitored, so that it is uniform throughout the world, and the school must adhere to the prescribed curriculum to retain it's accredidation (not sure if that's the correct word). Thus, the requirements for advancement are identical for each school. With just 3-6 months of training, you will barely be scratching the surface of what Kuk Sool has to offer. My guess is that you will be amazed at what you are learning and will want to continue it, even if you have to pay for it. I'd go for it if I were you. You will enjoy the experience.

I understand that you feel that way. But like I said, I will defer to my Grand Master's opinion on whether they are useless or not. I am no where near qualified to disagree with him. As for no black belts in "kata", I cannot earn my black belt unless I know a Hyung for each belt rank in Kuk Sool Won, so I respectfully disagree with that statement.

Interesting observation. Could be, but it looks like his pants leg is more blurry than his foot actually is... wouldn't his foot be the blurriest if he's executing a dora chagi? In any event, I can get my leg higher with dora chagi than with yup chagi (so far).

I am just beginning my journey in martial arts, but I've already come to the realization that some only care about the "fighting" aspect of martial arts. I don't have anything against those that choose to narrow their focus like this, but I find it amusing that my Grand Master with over 40 years experience teaching, (and probably too the Grand Masters of many other Martial Arts) does find Katas (or "Hyungs" in Korean) very beneficial to the martial artist, even in the practical application. No matter how good I think I have become, I will always defer to my Grand Master on whether Hyungs are useless or not, even for just the fighting aspect.

I would echo Telsun's advice. From what I've discovered, delaying a promotion until after a tournament seems to be one of the oldest tricks in the book, so you may be going up against others training the same as yourself. In Kuk Sook Won, we are taught to respect our opponent, as the tournaments are supposed to be for the fun of it. The most important idea in KSW is etiquette. Good luck!

5 to 8 months? I wish!! Perhaps for the younger martial artists, but for us older types (40+), it might take longer. I've been working on my side kick for a year now and still can't reach as high as the guy in that picture. Oh well, a good side kick to someone's knee can be pretty effective, no?

IrishDave, Where in Ireland do you live? I had the pleasure of working in Dublin a couple summers ago, and fell in love with the place! I tried to take weekend trips to other parts of Ireland, like Cork, Kerry, and even Northern Ireland, but found myself returning to Galway and the Connemara more than once! One of the best summers I've had ever! Slainte!

Hello everyone! I just came across this site, and was fascinated to see that so many different martial artists can get together to share experiences and advice! I have been studying Kuk Sool Won for just over a year, and will be testing for my red belt at the end of August! I am also preparing for the World Kuk Sool Won Tournament that will be held here in Houston in October! Needless to say, I will be extremely for the next 5-6 weeks! I look forward to reading about the experiences of others on this board! P.S. - Forgot to add, the DoJang I train at is Kuk Sool Won of Katy, Texas, and my Instructor is Kyo Sa Nim Tony Crabtree! My apologies!