SBN Doug

Same here. We are trained in long staff first. The reason being, many of the movements you learn are then applied to other weapons, like the long sword.

Don't hold you breath. I have to wait another 2 1/2 yrs before I'm allowed to begin testing for third degree. I will let you know, however.

My first choice would be side or back step just out of range. Not flashy or fancy, but it allows their uncontrolled (wild) energy to over-extend. This opens them up for when you ask what (if any) my counter-attack would be.

I agree, you don't obtain it. You already have it. You can learn to focus/control it, much as you learned to control your muscle movement as a child to allow you to walk.

Personally, I wouldn't want to expose myself that much. Round kick to inner thigh, stomp kick to knee or ankle, or front kick to lower abdomen would be my first choice. Which one would depend on the stance of my opponent.

I think the reason behind them being reserved for after 3rd degree is that you must have obtained enough ambidextrous (sp?) skills before starting. We train in a number of other weapons leading up to it. Yes, there are extremely interesting to watch. Very deceptive as to their potency.

Wecome to the board. I didn't have a chance to start training until after college either. Hang in there, and find what's right for you.

He swings.....ooooo strike three. You're outa there.

I do some palm and knife hand conditiong on a bag filled with ball bearings or like sized pebbles. We also condition our internal organs through controlled falling practice, and some sparring.

Actually, there is more than one "right" way to throw a kick. Look closer at some of these other posts. On Angus's response to my question on a Thai round kick, he says they strike with the "hard part of the shin bone." While we in Kuk Sool Won strike with the top of the foot. Another would be bent leg kicks. Some arts snap the knee. We are taught to explode through, not snap back. These are the subtle differences that interest me.

Actually, no. I study Kuk Sool Won (Korean). But I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it migrated over from a Wing Chung influence.

Since we have a decent number of different Korean systems here now, is anyone else interested in comparing them? NOT their effectiveness, but the content & technique used in each. (i.e. picking apart the percentage of kicks, types, and technique for delivery in each system)

O.k., it's not the most macho weapon we learn, to say the least. However, they are part of our system. Has anyone done any work with fans? I'll start on them after I get my 3rd degree (~3 more yrs). We also will learn double short sword durring that same level, so it kind of off sets the fans.

More important than the sound would be that you train yourself to use the lower abdomen do to the job. I tend to use a Ha or He-ah the most.

I'm not sure you would be happy with the outcome. If he pivots at the wrong time, you'll end up doing more damage to your own foot. I would think the thigh would be a better target for a round kick. (Hey Muay Thai guys, where do you usually target your round kicks? Is it the side of the calf or thigh?) Anyway, side, stomp, or hooks would probably be safer to attack the knee with. Opinion only, of course. [ This Message was edited by: KSN Doug on 2001-11-29 11:28 ]

18 to 1st degree!!?? Wow, that is alot. We learn 1 for each belt rank. So that make 5 to black. I appreciate them in this small amount just because when I do them in a really low stance, they are a really good workout. I like to do them on different surfaces, and contouring land so I can practice my technique and balance under different circumstances.

I agree that you should spar against different levels, but the school owner? A multiple black belt against a beginner? That should only be done for instructional purposes, and the black belt should be able to show a lot more control than what Valn has described.

When I was blk/brwn, the head instructor (a legitimate master in our art) always gave us limited exposure to instructing portions of class. He wanted to make sure that before he promoted us to black (the minimum requirement in our art to open your own sactioned school) we had experience at instructing others. It was really a good system.

I keep 'em waist level and below. Front, round, stomp, and maybe side kicks on unarmed opponents. Perhapse a jump front or step behind side (as previously described) if he's keeping a distance. However, this would only be against a boxer or other type of "trained" fighter. Your average thug I would want to draw in because of my grappling techniques.

Right on. The only time an advanced belt should spar with a lower belt is to make it even easier on the lower belt to practice technique. When I spar a lower belt, he has the freedom to practice combinations, etc., without worrying about an uncontolled partner tagging him in the face. I coach as we spar, and then he has some pointers when he goes against his own level. The class length you mention is about our kids class. Maybe because you have so many kids? Anyway, our adult class goes a little over an our for lower belts, and sometimes up to 3 for the advanced. Nothing wrong with the lower BBs teaching class, though. We need th practice in explaining what we learned.

Start posting!!?? Your making me dizzy from all the postings. Good to see your going to be an active member, though.

Alas, no. I practice Kuk Sool Won. But the origins are similar, and I love to compare and contrast the Korean styles.

My daughter started a year after me (when she was 7). But she laid off for a couple years when we moved up to where there were no schools near by. Now she's back in it (12). My son just started (9), and my wife has a problem with her joints that won't allow her to. It's even more fun now that we finished the room over our garage. We have "family" classes during the week, and go to formal class on Friday nights.

I only used a video once. And, only because there is no higher ranking belt in my art within a days drive. I used it to pick up a double short stick form. However, that was after I already had my first degree, and a solid knowledge of all the basics. I would never use videos to learn from scratch. Oh yeh, and I still had to fix a lot of mistakes when a master did come through for a seminar. [ This Message was edited by: KSN Doug on 2001-11-27 13:05 ]

Ouch!! We always focus our front kick (hold it) for a split second to avoid that very problem. My last competition, about a year ago, found me rusty and allowed a guy to get in too close. He was able to get me into a hip throw, and I put my arm too far back for a side fall. Almost dislocated the shoulder. It took about 4 months before I got full mobility back.