SBN Doug

Whoa!! Mahopac!??? I used to train at the KSW dojang there when I lived in Connecticut. IMO flexibility is more important in certain art than others. TKD needs good flexibility to effectively use all the high, fast kicks. While something like Muay Thai would not require it (but most are still pretty flexible). I'm personally not very flexible in the legs. I continue to try and improve, but I'll never do a full split (or want to ). I keep most of my kicks waist level and below, but being 6', I can still cresent kick most people's heads without the flexibility.

Kuk Sool Won grants black belts to juniors, but its labelled as such and they are not required to learn the full curriculum to get it. If they are still young enough to get it at time of promotion, they must then learn the remainder of the adult material before being granted a "full" black belt status. Another thought that came to mind in the original scenario was the liability of the tourneyment officials. I can see them letting her compete in forms, but I would never have let a minor spar with adults no matter how talented she was (or how many papers her parent's signed). That legal stuff can just get nasty.

I'm sure they'll find some way to trace it back to ancient Korean techniques, but as long as I get the practice...who cares. ROTFLMAO

I didn't get as much from the TKD as I did from the BJJ (since we have a lot of the same kicks in Kuk Sool Won). I did find out that a number of my standing grappling techniques worked on the ground as well, and the other guys found out it was harder to take a standing grappler to the ground than a striker. At the time I was always saying that the ground work was the only aspect I wish KSW had more of, but now (either by adaptation of the WKSA or my escalation of belt level) we are actually rolling in class together about once a month.

We had that a little at my school up North, but it was TKD and a BJJ. I definately picked up some good info, but I still liked the position I was in with KSW.

I train in the dojang barefoot. Firstly because my Master says so , and second I feel more stable and can learn the new material easier you can turn an ankle real easy in some shoes). After I'm comfortable with the moves, I train outside in MA shoes, which are flat soled and very close to the same feel as barefoot. Last, I train in sneakers, loafer, boots, etc. on cement, dirt, uneven yard, hill side, etc. As was said, you never know where you'll be when you need to defend yourself. Fate favors the well prepared (or something like that ).

Are you talking full contact with pads or without? I wouldn't have an issue with pads, but going all out without pads is beyond what I could do as well. I've got a day job that I'd rather not show up looking like the guy from Fight Club.

Excellent job. I esspecially liked: You captured the key reason I was looking for an art that was mainly stand up grappling. I didn't want to have to bludgeon someone anytime I was in need of defending myself. Fortunately, I found KSW which does work all four facets.

2 for me. A McDojo while in high school, and then Kuk Sool Won for the rest of my life.

That does sound good. I used to train at a dojang where some former students would come back from their JJ school and try out what they'd learned with some friendly sparring. I picked up some good experience from those.

I think you misunderstand the boxing suggestion. Some of the hardest guys to fight in a street situation are experienced boxers. You learn the techniques, and in the necessary situations you ignore the rules.

I agree with boxing or Muy Thai. Also, you may find some generic "Self Defense" place that will show you the quickest ways to slow someone down. Don't look at grappling cause you have no time to learn it well. Depending on the sentance, you could find yourself lucky enough to where your biggest worry is what's playing on the big screen today. Not every prison is maximum security style, some are more like country clubs. Good luck.

I've been fotunate in my Kuk Sool Won training to not only train at a couple of the best schools in America, but I've had the oportunity to visit other dojangs while traveling on buisness. Even though KSW is very standardized, it's very interesting to see what differences still develop when a school is farther removed from the headquarters. While this is probably more pertinant to KSW and other large organizations, I'm interested in hearing anyone's experiences in visting other dojangs on a temporary basis.

Hmmm, practices multiple martial arts, including medieval combat, and goes to work at 11. Are you Blade?

Sounds familiar . Let me dust off this article as my reply : http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=14047 Now my schedule has changed over time, kids don't need as much help, job hours changed, etc., but the pricipals I use still work. Good luck, we're all fighting similar battles.

I drove past it every day. But I thought it was Tae Kwon Do, and I didn't really want that. I was looking for Hapkido, but couldn't find one nearby. They were offering a really good intro deal, so I figured I'd start getting my cardio up and work on my flexibility until I found what I wanted. After a couple classes I realized it was exactly what I wanted.

Excellent point. We had a woman in our dojang that has since gone off and started her own school a couple towns over. However, when she was still practicing with us, and was a Sheriff's Deputy, if you held back on her she'd clean your clock in short order.

I guess you could say I'm still in the "taking a while" stage, since I don't feel comfortable staying in as close and "snaking" up the body for position. I'm pretty much 4 points on the floor.

Oh yeah, I had forgotten.

Life is finally settling down and allowing me to come back home to KF for the wonderful discussions and sharing. Hats off to you as well Patrick, for providing the leadership and vision. Your baby is just about old enough to start school.

I don't treat female martial artists any differently when stand up sparring, but I can't help using a different strategy when rolling and grappling against them.

540 round? Playing with that one in my head and I'm not sure of the technique on that one. I've worked on 540 spinning heel kicks, but not roundhouse.

We don't start sparring until yellow (the second promotion & about after 6 months of practice). We begin focusing on 1)posture (i.e. keeping the guard up) 2) 3 or more techniques in a combination 3) moving in circles. For beginners we typically start with one partner doing all offense with the other all defense for 1 minute, swap for the 2 minute, then utilizing both in the third. (pausing for instruction between each).

If you want heavy striking, then the Muay Thai you list in your styles should cover you pretty well. Are you unable to continue with that? The amount of strikes in Hapkido will vary based on where you learn it. Watch a class or two and see how much focus is at the school you're considering.

Congratulations to all.