SBN Doug

Yes, I've been in his presence many times. Whether listening to his seminar, testing or competing in front of him, or just talking with him. One time I was taking a make-up test as a DBN at headquarters, and as I was lightly jogging around the dojang to warm up (I was the only one that showed for the make-up ), he was asking me about my jeep and if I was interested in selling it.

Not personally. I've seen him around tourneyment before, though.

Very interesting. Unless you are testing for black belt, you are typically not required to test in front of anyone other than your instructor. I'm wondering why you were required to do this? Was your instructor a licensed BB in KSW, or was he teaching it as fast as he was learning it himself? This will be a multi-purpose answer, but varies based on the school you're in. First, jool bong are not a "mandatory" part of the curriculum. In other words, you are not graded on them for any belt level throughout the art. This is similar to the knife throwing and archery. (IMO however, they should not be telling you not to spin them on your own either. That's up to you, and I don't see any significantly bad habits you might develop if you did. Perhaps it's just one of those "typical" answers the Master has instructed them all to say.) Second, take a look at the curriculum you DO have to learn for black belt. The stand up grappling alone is significant, so my guess is that Kuk Sa Nim decided to give us a firm grasp of all the empty hand basics before moving on to weapons (which of course is in contradiction to some other arts that start with weapons and move to empty hand later.) Spin kicks are a tricky animal. If you don't have all you basic kicks down pat, you can seriously injure yourself with a spin kick (or leave yourself wide open for a counter). Most schools will typically work in the more advanced kicks and hand strikes as they are required for the form. So, I actually miss-spoke earlier as you do learn some basic jump kicks early on in the forms, but the advanced ones do come later. Mid level spin kicks are in Joong Geup Hyung for blue so you actually get those closer to a year, then the low spin kicks with the following form after you're red. A turning back side kick actually comes much sooner, but is not technically a spin kick. (And again, these times are estimated based on 6 months per belt level, and can very with your speed of advancement.) So, here's my opinion (because as I said every school will be different). Go ahead and spin your chucks at home, and if they offer some advanced classes (like the BB Club) you can join in and be ahead of the game. However, they are NOT a major part of the training. When you get to Dan Bo Nim you should begin staff spinning and sword cutting as I believe Master Gary sticks pretty close to Master Harmon's schedule. However, if you're at one of the other NY schools, as I said, teaching practices can vary.

I have had a little experience in Kuk Sool Won. It sounds like KarateEd was getting some "less than formal" training in the art. I've never done a hook kick from a front stance (back leg straight with foot at about a 45 degree angle forward). Also, when I came up through the ranks we didn't learn anything more than the 7 basic kicks until we were about red belt (~18 months). After that we began mid level and low spin kicks. Jump kicks didn't start until well into brown. As to the weapons, The BB of C, you should actually start jung bong spinning once you're a Dan Bo Nim (black/brown). Depending on your instructor, you may also start the 5 basic sword cutting techniques with a wooden sword shortly before black.

In Kuk Sool Won I have yet to touch a weapon because only black belts are the ones who are allowed to practice weapons. Not true. You'll begin jung bong spinning and moving techniques as well as the basic sword cutting techniques with a wooden sword after you've reached Dan Bo Nim (2nd black stripe). Earlier if your school offers the extra "Black Belt Club" classes.

Sword (including cutting with a live blade now) Short Double Sword Long Staff Short Double Staff Rope Staff (jool bong) Korean Archery Throwing knives Rope Cane Fan I think I pick up spear and long double sword at 4th degree.

$75/month with a contract, $85 without. Even less if you sign up for an entire belt level, but the Master is really fair about letting you out if you more, get injured, etc. He's just trying to gauge how many full-timers he has from month to month. I think it was about $10 less for under BB.

While I'm not the kind of guy to yell "law suite" at the drop of a hat, I'd certainly start thretening it if those 2 aren't severly punished for that. I'm not sure how these things are handled over there, but most schools here (well where I've lived anyway) have taken a zero tollerance to physical violence. My son was actually put on a 1 day suspension in elementary school a few years back because he wasn't looking where he was going, bumped into a girl an knocked her down. She claimed he pushed her down, and he got suspended.

I've been hesitant to switch to satellite. We have digital cable now, and I packaged it with the internent and phone for the initial deal. But now that the deal expired, I'm looking to go back to AT&T at least.

Well, I've been a Cowboys fan since I was 7 watching Staubach. But while living in CT (and the Cowboys were in a gutter) my son and I got attached to the Patriots. So, even though they lost half their team over the off-season, and I didn't figure they'd get it back together enough to make it this far, I still have a little bitterness toward the Colts (even though I was routing for them in previous games). I'd like to see the Chicago defense just give him anxiety all day long, but I won't be upset if he finally gets a ring.

Sorry, double post.

Personally, I went straight at the guy I perceived as weakest (we had to start surrounded). I attacked at an angle so as to pass by him as we exchanged blows. Once I was past, I kept landing blows while shifting back and forth to keep him in between me and the others. If they began to encircle me again, I would trap my "shield" and force him to the side of the most attackers while using kicks to keep the other side away, and essentially turn 180 degrees to get him between them an me again. It seemed to work most of the time. I did have to change "shields" a couple times, but I almost never had to deal with strikes from more that one person at a time. Of course is a real life situation, when I trapped my shield I would have put him down rather than simple using him to improve my position.

Well. I'm not TKD but I'll chime in. Sparring is not a required part of testing, but after 1st degree you can expect them to throw some in every couple of tests. My 4th test toward 3rd degree we had 1 minutes rounds, no pads (and supposed to be no contact) with multiple attackers. First time around was 2, then 3, then 4. It was more a testing of your technique in moving around multiple attackers than actual sparring.

One guy at work made a punch motion toward my face one time (but stopped). He said I was supposed to have faster reflexes, I told him I didn't perceive a threat.

Somewhere around 28-30. I'd have to check the certificate to remember exactly.

I think you already answered the question. You say you're primarily a striker. Well, everyone has to start somewhere and usually have a favored style. If you watch any of the MMA events, you'll rarely see someone who is "truly" balanced across all styles. They will be primariy a striker or a grappler, and will learn enough of the other to defend themselves. I agree

Sometimes my smart aleck mouth stops fights , and sometime it starts them. It's that whole yin/yang thing.

Sounds identical our our "technique" nights. But since KSW has forms, we have to alternate with forms nights also (and then weapons usually on the weekends).

We're listening....so talk. Tons of similarities in Kuk Sool Won. I was originally looking for either Hapkido or Aikido, but there were no classes nearby. Fotunately I found KSW, which I stayed with. What does a typcial Hapido class consist of??

Oh brother is that ever a fact! I metioned it in another post I just made, so it may be redundant. Usually is someone asks me to show them some MA stuff, I say "Okay" and walk away smiling over my shoulder. They usually laugh, get the message, ad don't ask again. Now when I was a few years younger, I was at a pool hall with a bunch of co-workers, and one was a Vietnamese guy whos dad was a high level Master in a Viet MA. He hadn't trained is a few years, but got drunk and when I tried to calm him down about some readnecks in the bar he got ticked at me and started boasting how he could kick me 10 times before I got him once. I slid my foot across and just bumped his shin, then said "you loose". He fell on the floor laughing and we all left and sobered up.

Excellent, I loved that. I've learned to appreciate the questions that come from the general public when someone finds out I train in the MAs. They'll say "Really? Show me some martial arts stuff." So I say "Okay", turn, and walk away (smiling over my shoulder of course so they know I'm not trying to tick them off). I usually get a laugh out of everyone, and they don't ask again.

Okay, first I misinterpreted "chuffed" to be like we use "chafed" and thought you were upset. As I read through your lead in, it looked like you were about to tell us "they had the nerve to charge me for it" or something. Good news then, great! Take full advantage of the opportunity, and be sure to show the appropriate appreciation and respect.

If you're a 2nd degree in TKD, then we shouldn't be the ones to tell you what you should do to continue training. You are at a level where you should be able to judge for yourself what's best for you. I also have been using Youtube to learn moves that are not "officially" taught in my art, but I believe are good moves to know (as well as the defense of those moves). I look at the internet and Youtube as the new "MA manual" that some students would sometimes learn from hundreds of years ago after they were taught the basics, and were able to understand the principals in the manual. My art is already very comprehensive, so I have not had to add as many as you have. But if you're like me (psychotic ) you can sometimes envision where possible attacks will come from, and how you will counter. If you find a variable where you do NOT have a defense, then I say find one anywhere you can.

Another option on books is Stretching Scientifically. It has had a positive responce from everyone I've talked to (including myself when I remember to do it ) You can find a lot more information on stretching in the Health and Fitness forum. Here's a thread on this exact topic with some of the same books referenced: http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=29412&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Since the likelyhood of them being attacked by an adult shodan on the street is relatively small, then in my opinion the answer is yes! (Actually, my answer is yes regardless of who the attacker is )