SBN Doug

As long as it's safe to get in close, I'm with G95champ. If he's got a cue, billiard ball, or bottle in his hand, then all bets are off.

O.k. Steve, you're starting to creep me out. I've been in the Quality field since I graduated. Chief Chemist of the QC/QA lab now, along with lead auditor of ISO9000 and a host of other duties. With our plant shutting down in December, I'll be moving out to corporate, and into the environmental field to broaden my base. Finally, I'm free of the Quality nightmare!!!!!!!!!

That's exactly what they did near here, in Waterbury CT a couple years ago. It went to a vote, and got passed. Pretty big city for this area too. Does anyone remember the story from years ago where the kid got killed after school for his "Air Jordans"? Things like that will scare parents into voting for the uniforms. I don't have a strong opinion in either direction. Our kids went to a private elementary for a couple years, and now go to public. We haven't had a problem either way. They sure were cute in their little uniforms, though.

THAT'S IT!!!!!! Grapevine!

So do the Rockettes. The only way I've ever heard of anyone getting FAST flexability is a friend of mine back in Texas. He does KSW now, after seeing me. However, he used to be a wrestler in high school. One day, someone got his legs into some sort of a "chicken wing" hold, and he ripped his groin muscles. It took him a few months to recover, but he has been able to do the full splits ever since. I think I'll stick to the "slow" method.

B.S. in Industrial Chemistry. Numerous training courses, paid for by my company, in administration of a number of different computer systems.

G95, you may be right. But, speaking as a parent of a teenage daughter, uniforms would should save me a load of money!!!!

At this point, you look at both G95's and Angus' comments about "big guys" kicks. That big guy had better have extremely quick legs (as well as hands), because once he throws that leg out there, I've got about 2 dozen counters that will land him on the ground. I'm actually more comfortable fighting a big guy when he does try and use kicks. (Probably won't apply to G95 and his brother though )

I agree with Pacificshore. Use that area for general focus, but not focus too much. Allow your periferal vision to pick up the movements of your opponent's extremeties.

I've been getting by with "relaxed fit". I may have to give these a try.

We do some of what's mentioned, and the exact opposite of others. Multiple attackers aren't really practiced in sparring format until around brown belt (2yrs of training). Before that, we get them started by having multiple attackers coming at them with blocking pads, to just get them used to the mobility required. For lower sparring drills, we actually emphasize the need to mix up punches and kicks. Therefore, we never make them use all of one or the other, as not to develop that habit. We have one on the attack, and the other on the defense for one minute, then switch. The one on the attack is told to focus on getting in all cominations of 3 strikes or more. They are able to focus on this since they don't need to worry about the counter from the opponent. Both are told to focus on keeping their guard up and moving in circles. Finally, they are set to free spar, where they need to get in quick combos lest they be tagged by a counter.

Looks like Bon is hunting some of those "dojo bunnies".

I could argue that certain arts, like Kuk Sool Won (that I take), have integrated most of the different types of styles into a single system. Thus, [color=red]for the most part[/color], eliminating the need to cross train. HOWEVER, there is no getting around the fact it takes a while to learn all of it. Therefore, if your looking for instant results, I can't point to KSW.

Welcome Corey, and thanks for adding the KFs link on your page.

Hi, and welcome. Like Sai said, don't appologise for being able to communicate in more languages than the average person can!!!!!!!!!!!!

That about sums it up G95champ.

O.k. KickChick, you sold me. I'm goin' home and demand some chocolate chip cookies tonight!

BlackI, It's a Korean martial art, pretty comprehensive as far as what you learn. Check out https://www.kuksoolwon.com and the thread in "Korean Arts" about MA lineage. Between the two, you should get a pretty good idea.

You're right, Jack. It does take a while, but saves changing arts to pick up the different aspects that are all covered in one.

This is why I didn't come right out and suggest KSW, ZR440. Since KSW is everything BUT "fast, to the point". However, since KSW usually asks you to resign you black belt in other arts before being promoted to BB in KSW, it might be best to try it sooner.

Hey, welcome to the boards. If that picture is her, I'd highly suggest a facial wax.

Welcome ShotoAnn. Hope you enjoy you stay. Both in the MA and on the boards.

I agree with link Queen...Oops I mean KickCkick Just explain that you had a few different arts in mind when you started, and now that you've experienced TKD, you'd like to experience one of the others before you commit a lifetime of training to either.

I pretty much agree with everything said already. A little cardio warm up would be good. However, if you've got a good instructor, they should be able to work you in slowly, getting you up to speed, without making you over-do it. However, you can never be guaranteed to get THAT good an instructor.

As everyone should be able to see from my posts wayyyy earlier in this topic, I'm one of the ones FOR bowing. That said, I also understand how some "stricter" religions might take offense at a display that (in their religion) signifies some type of praise or worship. For instance, I wouldn't feel comfortable if I was asked to say a prayer at the beginning of class to a big gold cow. However, that would be MY issue. I feel it would be up to me to respectfully leave and find an art that did not require this. There are pleanty of arts out there that don't require bowing in class. Granted, they are not, to my knowledge, olympic sports. Only the most "traditional" form of the arts have become olympic sports. However, these kids (and more importatly, their father that brought the suite) could not have attained the level necessary to qualify for the olympics without knowing that bowing is a necessary aspect of the traditional form of the art. I would be surprised if they were allowed to compete at any of the tourneyments referenced in the article without bowing.