ZR440

I'd rather not enter the sparring either. But it's not because of any health problems, rather it's because I will probably be new belt color only a few weeks before. In KSW we really don't do much sparring anyway, and to go against someone who has been at a certain level makes me reconsider. However, my instructor recently took first in sparring at an open tournament, so I guess he can give me some tips. As far as forms go, I look great one week and the next week look like @$#&. It doesn't matter how much I practice. And since this is a closed tournament it makes it even more difficult mentally. Oh joy.

Like KickChick, I also would like to know how to prepare for competition, knowing that the Grandmaster will be watching in my particular case. It's about 6 weeks away and already I'm as nervous as a prostitute at Sunday mass. My instructor says our group will do fine, but would like to know what others have done to prepare. Any thoughts KSN Doug? [ This Message was edited by: zr440 on 2002-02-12 13:35 ]

I can only imagine what it's going to feel like when that booze hits the broken tooth area.

It's amazing how one comment can really stir up the pot, eh? But I guess that's how it goes when debating politics and religion. I really wasn't offended by Zaknafein's lucky statement either. In fact, I am lucky. Damn lucky to live in a country where my father served on a destroyer in WWII and Korea, where my best friend is an Army Ranger ready to defend his homeland anywhere in the world within a few hours notice, where I can express my political and religious views in a public forum, etc. In turn, I try to respect other cultures and philosophies. I am a very tolerant person for being such a redneck. (Redneck- a person who is normally associated with having a gun rack in the back window of their pickup truck and beer cans on the floorboards. Modernized versions of the redneck are more educated, and frequently have a compact handgun stored in the center console of their Chevy Silverado 4x4.) But, there is a fine line that I draw with respect to anyone who threatens the Constitution of the United States, and so does our Secretary of War. Some so-called individual rights are going to be ignored. That's they way we take care of business. Our treatment still outweighs how they treated their own. Case closed.

I participated in a similar situation during my last test when a female black belt was chosen to run the show. She was hard to understand and not very confident, but we did what she instructed because we all know that any disrespect would mean dismissal from the class. Perhaps instructors need to make this more clear to their students.

Without a doubt...curling. The skills, physical and mental toughness that these people possess are beyond my realm of reasoning. Oops, I really meant hockey. And this is who is going to win, in order: Canada, Russia, Sweden.

Very true. As the old saying goes...never bring a knife to a gun fight.

The hockey dad got 6 to 10 in the pen for hitting a guy three or four times after being assaulted initially. Doctors said it was a fluke that one of the hits killed him. People in America will have to be extremely careful who they try to defend against. Don't think this can't happen to you, especially since you are trained in MA. That can be a big negative in the eyes of the jury. What a justice system we have.

http://espn.go.com/boxing/index.html This is one of the best sites for sports.

Those prisoners should thank Allah that they weren't shot in the land where they overthrew the government years ago. Who cares about beards. They are PRISONERS!

I heard there is some group in Canada that wants the term "dropout" banned from use. Some people have too much time on their hands. I have a substitute for dropout...it's "QUITTER".

I know this won't make some happy, but the teachers should only get raises when they can prove the kids are getting smarter. Here in Northern Michigan some school districts are getting new schools (from voter approved tax increases) and having all the latest technology but still can't improve test scores or even balance thier own budgets. If they had jobs in any other sector of the working world most would have been fired long ago (if it weren't for the teachers union). I, as a taxpayer, am sick of hearing how they need more money. Quit buying so many damn computers and give the kids a pencil and paper! Analytical thinking is a thing of the past. I have close friends that are teachers and none agree with me. Am I that far off base? Am I extremist, or just telling the hurtful truth?

Doug, Our KSW school/club meets at a small community college. You may want to ask the director of phys ed at one near you if they would consider a new class. I can also give you the contact number or email of PSBN Kelly if you want to ask him how he did it.

Very true. The balance, coordination, mobility, flexability, reaction timing, etc., gained from MA can benefit most any activity. And having to defend hockey, it is probably one of the most demanding sports in the world today.

Hey BlueDragon, maybe you can suggest how MA can improve hockey skills to the Canadiens! Oops, sorry. I know how you guys up there are about hockey. They should have the best chance of winning the Olympics. Sincerely, Loyal Red Wings fan

Yes, the follow through is very important when punching (tranferring energy to) an object. However, the technique is of equal importance because the same two punches delivered at different angles will not yield the same results. The problem with this topic is that it's a rather complex union between human physiology and physics. Like Piastre said, the physics aspect is somewhat boring to describe. And they would be easier to explain if it was concentrating on just an accelerating mass (like a bullet) being measured at an instant (velocity and energy). But now throw in body mechanics of two individuals (persons delivering and receiving the punch) and everything changes a little.

Handgun training/ownership and martial arts can and are used together. Prime example: my best friend who is an Army Ranger, who has shown me techniques on close quarters combat and similar situations. Police departments practice them also. I think the dicipline of martial arts can help a person analyze a situation. Maybe someone is breaking into a house at night. Unless the person is trying to punch or strangle you why would you go looking around for someone who might be armed anyway? I'd rather unleash the wrath of my .40 cal semi auto at a considerable and safe distance. Handguns aren't for everyone, especially in certain countries that have outlawed them. But, it an advantage that I'd rather have if need be. Hopefully never.

Rodan, if extra time warming up doesn't do the trick, consider a chiropractor that studied Kinesiology. There may be an underlying problem like a twisted disk in the lower back. My flexability and strength of kicking has increased since I have been going to a back-cracker. Most of the muscles and nerves that generate the kick are linked to the lower spine and pelvis in one way or another. Just a thought.

What? Explain that to a Olympic shotput thrower. Them boys (and girls) are big, fast, and know how to concentrate. Some American football players are as big around as a bus, but they are very powerful. The brain and spinal cord is the contolling factor in utilizing power. Big or small, fat or skinny, judging a person's power can be deceptive. [ This Message was edited by: zr440 on 2002-01-02 10:34 ]

Helpful hint: When it takes three kicks to crack the board in half in front of your instructor and others, you can always blame the board not being kiln dried enough from the lumber yard. Doug: that happened at my last test using a side kick. At least PSBN Keith got a laugh out of my excuse.

Breaking boards is a good way to develop and demonstrate one's targeting and power transfer abilities. I'm not saying five boards or concrete is what it takes to show how good a person is. A person can safely use just one 12" square board to practice with and have fun at the same time.

Being a student of Kuk Sool Won, I would also like to know what the percentages of kicks, hand strikes, and techniques that other Korean forms use. In KSW, the number of basic kicks and hand strikes are around 20 each. These build the foundation for techniques and forms. The number of techniques (clothing, blocking, inside wrist, pressure point, joint lock, etc) is somewhere over 200, but normally broken down into groups of 10-15. I think there are about 6 or 7 (what we call) forms up to first black belt level that must be done. Hope this clarifies the original question of comparing different Korean systems, or any martial arts system in general. I don't think I would ever abandon KSW, but would like to know more about how others are structured. [ This Message was edited by: zr440 on 2001-12-06 10:12 ]

Touchy subject matter Mr. McGee. Those instructors would have been truly wise to not even mention religion. But everyone has thier own opinions. And I don't see why someone can't practice martial arts and be of the Christian faith or even a non-believer. I don't think there is a concrete definition for a martial artist, is there?

This topic reminds me of how the US Army decided to give everyone Black Berets, which were normally reserved for Special Forces.

Great philosophy. In my class, bowing is not an act of subservience, rather it is a symbol of mutual respect. While our titles are important and used, mostly towards the high ranks, everyone uses a little humility because we all know we are just normal people. We know that just because we have the ability to knock someone to the floor doesn't mean we can stop a .40 S&W hollowpoint slug traveling at 1050 feet per second. That's the real world. And the strongest muscle is the brain. [ This Message was edited by: zr440 on 2001-11-27 07:35 ]