SBN Doug

A roundhouse to the head will only be effective if you're quick enough to keep your foot from being caught. Due to the area you're kicking, a shoe won't diminish the damage much. Due to the nature of the mid section, you do run the risk of not doing as much damage if you have a shoe on, but as leaf said only when you're a beginner. Once you've built speed and power into your kick, a shoe won't slow you down much. As a matter of fact, you should train in your shoes on a regular sidewalk once in a while. You don't want to be caught not knowing how the terrain changes your techniques.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Now, to your question. I think originally you were looking for suggestions other that what you have listed. If you're looking for "practical" options, I've been training in rope (or belt) and cane that could come in handy. Hopfully I won't need the cane for quite a few years yet. Since most of the rest you listed are close to something we train in, and you don't want the sword, the only other ones would be throwing knives and archery. The knives are fun to do, and not difficult to train in as you can set up a target in your yard. Archery takes a little more time and commitment. I've seen pictures of our Grandmaster using a 3 sectional staff, something I've alway wanted to learn. However, I'm a couple grades away from learning, I believe.

Well, since I'm not of Japanese decent, and train in the Korean arts, my first question would be what the heck are those less well known weapons you just listed (in English)?

Ours is pretty much by school owner. My last dojang, they had discounts for instructors that taught at least two classes a week. At my current one, I don't pay anything.

Thanks guys. G95, I could always add it to my signature. Nah!

Everyone likes to quote Bruce when discussing kata/hyung. However, not every martial art's forms are used the way he was referencing. He was right to say that the forms of kung fu where you followed specific patterns while fighting were not efficient. However, in most Korean arts, they are not used this way. As stated before, we use them to teach balance, power, control, and to show how different techniques can be used in combinations. We by no means expect a practicioner to perform a form while in a fight, that would be silly. We also spar, so that the student can practice using the different techniques in a fight situation. Moving in circles, keeping their guard up, and striking with combinations of at least three techniques are only a few of what this teaches them. Forms are not usless, but they should not be used as a substitute for sparring either. Who will win? The better fighter will win. Not because he/she does or does not train with forms.

Welcome

Woo hoo! I'm really movin' up in the ranks now.

There ya go! That would ROCK!

Congradulations XpOiSoN FrEeX Hey G95, I still haven't seen mine, either way.

Currently, my favorite is my reverse sword form. Yuk gum hyung

I've always practiced the simple slide step and step behind. I don't wait to use them, though. I'm constantly moving, so they have to keep up with me. Just remember not to go in a circle in the same direction for any set number of steps. And, be ready to reverse direction when they try to anticipate where you'll be.

Nice. I was looking at Kenpo when I was starting out, but there wasn't any schools near by. I liked the higher percentage of hand techniques, and the low kicks. I'll be hooked on Kuk Sool Won for a long time .

People that take, and stick with, the martial arts may have similarities as you mention. However, I think everyone can learn some of the traits you speak of if they too were to study MAs for a while. Remember, you're dealing with a wide variety of maturity levels when you're still in school. Some people, even the ones with lower grades, are completely comfortable and confident in themselves, and will not be threatened by the success of others. While some, even the most popular and making the highest grades, are not confident in themselves yet. These are the ones that will feel threatened if they think somone is gaining on them, since that is how they "stand out" in your current mico-society. It's my belief that the martial arts can teach the kind of confidence and self worth that will allow people to see that the success of others does not hinder your own personal growth and success. Few, I think that's the longest note I've written since being here.

Welcome. It's always encouraging to see such dedication & enthusiasm.

Chief Chemist at a chemical plant in the Quality department. Escaping in two months to corporate headquarters, once the plant shuts down for good.

I feel more comfortable using the back leg. However, I'm trying to develop the use of my front one for when I need to keep someone back.

No sweat, just had to stand up for the origin of my art. The other problem, at least in tracking Korean lineage, is how badly it's been distorted over the years to suit those in power at the time. One book I had read detailed how the northern Chinese styles had adopted the hard/linear style due to the flat hard terrain of the arid north, while the sorthern styles went more soft and circular because of the forrests of the south. It then claimed that the migration over to Korea and Japan of the northern "hard" style explained why TKD and Karate were hard in general. No telling how respectable the source of this info was, though. I seem to see more emphasis on the internal arts in China. Not that they are abscent from the others, there just seems to be more styles that are purely internal in China compared to the others.

I first find exception with your exclution of Korea. They've been able to develop their own MAs as well, and had to keep most of the true ones alive in secret throughout the Japanese occupation. I cannot speak much on either those of China or Japan with any amount of authority.

And without hesitation, the Link Queen strikes with lightning fast precision!

When I was in a full time school in Houston, the kids classes were 45 min. and adults were all 1 hour. Now that I go to a part time school an hour away, and only make it there once a week, I'm there from about 6:30 to 9:30 every Friday night.

Excellent point. We practice many of the same holds/throws as hapkido. A big guy (that I did know) was looking for a MA to study. When he found out I was a 2nd dan, he asked something along the lines of, "Would that stuff really work on somebody my size?" I started to show him some of the basic principals, however he purposely resisted trying to show his strength would not allow it. I asked if we could move to a softer area of ground, loosened him up with a pressure point strike, started one direction then pivoted to take him the other way. He and I laughed at the yell that came out of his mouth, while in mid air, for days.

In KSW, we allow kicks and hand strikes to the side of the head, and forehead. However, we do not encourage it until they get more experienced at sparring. If you're in a black belt class, count on getting a wake up "tap" if you don't keep your guard up. There are controlled "taps" of course.

As I just corrected myself on the other bo thread, the best material for a staff is rattan. You can get them with the skin on or off. In either case, it requires little to no maintanence. Bamboo, being hollow, will not hold up against the strikes of a solid staff. Makes a good blow gun though.

I can't believe I wrote that. You don't want bamboo, you want rattan. Bamboo is hollow, much like my head when I suggested bamboo.