SBN Doug

You're UP THERE in the Woodlands for me. I remember having to hold horse stance "down in the valley of pain", for KJN Sims quite often, while still training up North. He would usually start off the tests with 5 minutes of that, for warm ups . I won't be able to make the Korea trip. I hope to at some point in the future.

I'll have to agree with you on the point sparring training. That's one aspect of being up North that I liked. They sparred with throws and take-downs allowed (carefully of course). If they can't afford the gear, then you can break out the blocking pads (or punching bags would be better) and have them practice combinations on moving targets. We would normally go a minute straight, no breaks, and work their way up to 3 minutes straight after a couple months.

Your brother is right. (AHHHH KSN, did you say that!!!!!) Yes I said your MT brother is right......for the level you are at. MT is a very quick art to become effective. They are used to being taght the technique and BOOM, they can use it effectively in the street. You are learning techniques that you will not be able to use immediately. At least not if they are taught they way we are taught. As the others have said, a joint lock is not something you just walk up and put on someone. They tend not to want to let you for some reason . There are pressure points to hit, or redirection of force to apply, and lets not forget the ability to judge by their appearance which joints can even be attacked! (You wouldn't attempt a wrist lock on a guy with huge wrists). However, when you have ALL the knowledge of how to not only execute them, but how to apply the execution to the circumstance, then they are extremely effective. Don't forget, there is only a couple pounds difference between a joint lock and a joint BREAK. Practice and use them carefully!

taiji fajin, Are you teaching at the same dojang you learned KSW? I ask because giving a choice is not always a good thing. As we are taught, we need ballance. Just because someone like techniques better (like me) doesn't mean I should be allowed to choose working on that and not my forms, or basic kicks & punches, etc. Esspecially when we are under black level, and might not see the need to work on it all. Everywhere near headquarters (meaning most of Texas and surrounding area) they stay pretty consistant to what krzychicanno wrote. If you go 2-3 times a week, you are supposed to choose Mon./Wed. or Tue./Thur. The Monday and Tuesday classes focus on forms and sparring. Wednesday and Thursday are techniques and kicking/punching. KJN always throws in different stuff to keep up the variety, but those are the focus. When I was in CT, driving an hour on Fridays t train, I would stay for 3 hrs and go from A-Z on all my material. If I was due to learn more, my instructor would teach it when I was in the general material area (i.e. forms, techniques, etc.)

Moved to Karate forum.

At least I stayed with it. Unlike someone I know.

I've lost count how many years I've been in it. I think it's up to around 12. I was due to start testing for PSBN last summer, which was already 6 months behind when counting from my 1st degree (because we could only test in the summers up North when Kuk Sa Nim came around). I'm finally beginning my testing this month. I'm not totally sure that this is a good thing.

That, and the fact that he was allowed to return.

I've "pruned" a number of off topic comments. Please keep the discussion positive.

I've been training in Kuk Sool Won for about 12 years now. I'll begin testing for 3rd degree next month (should have started last summer, but I moved). I've only competed in KSW sponsored tourneyments, which means I don't really like the sparring competition. It's all point sparring (score a point, stop, start over). I really liked the sparring I competed in at West Point, when KSW was still being taught there. It was 1- 3min round, no stopping, three judges keeping track of points landed, and take downs were allowed. That was fun, tiring but fun. KSW is EXTREMELY closed as an art. Only the Grandmaster can change/ add material. I like that, as I can go to any other dojang in the world and see the same material being practiced. Personally I am a little more open. I don't change what I've learned, but I seek to learn new ways to apply it than how I learned it. For instance, most of our techniques are taught standing up. However, I have sparred numerous times with some BJJ friends to develop ways to apply my techniques on the ground, in a wrestling hold, etc.

It was either that, or change arts. And I really didn't want to do that. Closest one was Hapkido, but it would have taken a 2-3 hour drive to make me consider changing.

You know, I had succesfully purged that from my memory. Then you have to bring it ALL BACK UP!!!!!!!!!

Shhhhhhh! I'm not THAT Doug.

You've come to the right place for an answer, but you're moving to the wrong place for a school. I just spent 6 yrs in Southington, CT, and there isn't a single school or club in all of CT. Unfortunately, ever since Master Sims moved South, 2-3 schools close to the border have shut down too. The closest legitamate KSW school to you will be the one I drove an hour to every Friday for 3 hrs of training. It is in Mahopac, NY. About 15 min. West of Danbury. The other schools are all in upstate NY. I think there is a disavowed instructor somewhere on Long Island, but I never looked into that. I wanted to stay with legitamate KSW schools. The instructor/ owner in Mahopac in PSBN Ed Binns. If you would like to know more, just PM me and I'd be happ to assist. Regards, KSN Doug

If you begin your black belt testing well before you turn 12, you first promote to a "junior" black belt. You're then expected to learn the rest of the material the adults learn, and get promoted to a "full" black belt. If you don't start testing until you are almost, or after, 12 then you must learn all the material for an adult black belt.

Kuk Sool Won I started it because I was just looking to find a deal on something I could use to get in shape, while I looked for a Hapkido or Aikido school. I didn't know what KSW was (thought it was the Granmaster's name or something), but when I realized how comprehensive it was I never left.

The Grandmaster in KSW is 10th, but he originated the system. Everyone else is 9th and below.

Well, an official hello and welcome, then.

Welcome

Wow, that's a long list. Welcome to KF.

Welcome. Sounds like me when I started.

Welcome Jo Kyo Nym. I may see you at testing, since I'm testing for 3rd. Thinking of switching? Well, if you're looking for fast hand techniques, you're looking at the right one. Just remember, there's a lot you haven't seen in KSW too.

Welcome to KF

Welcome