TangSooGuy

I recently sparred with a talented 4th Dan with a similar build to mine. His tactics were dangerous to a degree, but they worked. Every time I through a spinning wheel kick or hook kick, he would actually duch under the kick and get inside to start pounding me with hand techniques. The key was all about timing. basically, you enter the circle instead of trying to stay out of it or go around it. It definitely made me think, and I'll never spar him the same way again. Another option is to time the kick so that you are moving in at the exact moment the kick is about to be finshed, before the can transition into another kick. difficult, but not at all impossible once you get used to it. actually, after sparring with the individual i mentioned, when i went back to sparring with the colored belts, it felt as if they were moving in slow motion (no offense to colored belt students, but it really was much different) try sparring with one person for months or even years, and you'll begin to develop all kinds of tactics, and your partner will develop counters to your tactics, you will develop counters to the counters, and then counters to counters to counters, etc.... try sparring different people with different sparring styles and different body types too, what works against one person won,t always work against another, even if they have the same body type. basically you just have to keep doing it, and continue to learn. Watching helps, too.I have no doubtthat the master i was training with watched me spar with his students during the class and developed his tactics for fighting me based on what he had seen. Know yourself and you will win half of your battles. Know your enemy and you will win half of your battles. Know yourself and your enemy and you will win all of your battles. - Sun Tzu, paraphrased

Well, i did this for my wife, a friend, and my best friend. My best friend came out as a 1....eerily accurate. My other friend came out to be a 5...since she's very much like me, i guess that could be accurate, but she's really more of a 3 in a lot of ways. My wife came out as a 7...pretty far off there, she's way more of a 4.

I am a member of the World tang Soo Do Association. In tournaments, punches to the head aren't allowed. In individual classes, though, that's another matter...I regularly ptacticed with any technique allowed to the head. I guess the tournament rationale is that it keeps injuries down, and therefore is less a of a liability overall. i've also heard that's it's just plain too easy to score with a punch to the ehad, but i don't know... I agree that if all you ever practice is sparring with no punching to the head, it will hurt you in the long run, but if you can separate tournament sparring from more realistic sparring sessions that allow punching to the head, sweeps, grappling, etc... then the rule can exist without you having to get too caught up in it. My students wouls actually be more likely to make a mistake in a tournament and throw a punch to the head (and get warned for it) than they are to not punchto the head when the situation calles for it. I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing, as long as they aren't flagrantly disobeyinv the rules in a tournament. I'd rather they have the instinct to attack the opening.

10 = 1 + 0 = 1 I am a 5 as well...seems to be several of us. It fits fairly well. although I am actually more of a blend of a 5 and a 7....

not yet.. but it is a future goal... my instructor teaches MA full time...it's great if you can do it, but there's a lot of overhead, especially in getting started, and it comes with headaches same as any other full time job

Well, there doesn't seem to be anything on the website that suggests it's NOT genuine, but then the only way to find out if it IS genuine in that case is to go there and find out, or talk to people who have had direct experience with that school.

I currently have about 25 students, and I just got my 4th dan. My school has been going for a little over a year. My instructor is 5th dan, getting ready to test for 6th, and although for many years he had less than 10 students mostly due to outside factors, he now has over 200.

Cell phone: especially one with an antenna of some kind: makes a great blunt instrument, is very useful in aiding joint locks/manipulation, the antenna is great for pressure points, and when all else fells, you can use it tocall the police and to add to the ashtray: a used one make a good distraction weapon, throwing the ashes in someone's eyes....

Scaling down to 3-4 times a week won't hurt, trust me. i'm lucky if i can actively, physically train 2-3 times a week right now. That said, I'm training mentally all the time. I constantly find myself thinking about and researching new topics to cover in class, new ways of presenting older topics to my students, digging deeper into application of techniques, and mostly, beginning to see the links that exist between all the different aspects of training, and how, in the end, it's basically all the same if you are doing right. I actually probably do more reading, thinking about, and writing about martial arts right now than I do active physical training, but that is just where I am right now, and I'm sure the path will take me back to times of more agressive physical training again. Bottom line: you have to do what is right for you. I'm not saying do what is easiest, or even what is hardest. just take some time to think about what your goals really are, and figure out the best way to accomplish them. As frustrating as it can be, sometimes you have to take a step back in order to move forward.

It does get very difficult sometimes, and I'll admit that recently i've put ona few pounds that shouldn't be there, but you just have to make the time and the training a priority. You have to train on your own when you get a chance, for one. i have classes on Saturday mornings, but once all the students leave, that leaves me with a few hours to get in some training on my own. I am fortunate that another master in my association has a studio nearby that i get to train at once in awhile. My association also offers regular instructor's classes that are taught my senior masters and occassionally by the grandmaster, so that is a big help as well. Mostly it just comes down to making the decision that you're goin to do it. I don't get to train physically as often as i did when i was just a student, but I do train whenever i can. as with anthing else in the martial arts, it comes down to balance. Too much of any one thing either burns you out or makes you complacent.

Cho Dan = 1st degree black belt E Dan = 2nd degree black belt Sam Dan = 3rd degree black belt Sah Dan = 4th degree black belt Oh Dan = 5th degree black belt Yuk Dan = 6th degree black belt Chil Dan = 7th degree black belt Pal Dan = 8th degree black belt Ku Dan = 9th degree black belt

Tom- I hope your test went well and you didn't have any injuries in the process. let us know how it went for you when you get a chance. My own promotion was pretty exciting, I'll have to say that...it's the first time I've worn a new belt in 14 years though, and that is gonna take some getting used to....even though a new belt was sorely needed.

I'd say a flying kick of some kind is merited at your rank, a jump spinning 360 degree back kick is always nice, but if you're not a jumper, there are a number of other things you can try... place a board on the ground on end and speed break with a spinning sweep. side kick breakinga board only supported by someone holding it with their thumb and forefinger. 3-4 board ridge hand is good for power - probably you'll get some swelling in your hand though. if you are a jumper, try something especially high: http://www.homestead.com/nebucron2/files/flyingside.jpg or try breaking with multiple kicks before landing. if you're feeling especially nuts, try spear hand...not as hard as it seems actually, but you have to convince yourself you can do it, first, or you'll never hit the board fast enough, or penetrate far enough.

Congrats, tom! I'm sure you'll do fine...I know your instructor, and he wouldn't let you test if you weren't ready.. I didn't get whacked with the shinai until sam dan, but hey, I feel what's good for one region is good for all...I'm thinking they ought to bring that into the game for you guys, too... didn't hafta do too much real hard stuff for my e dan test, it was just like Cho dan test Plus - more techniques, more forms, harder breaks...been awhile since I tested for E dan, though...1991-92, something like that...the hardest part was the two board ridge hand speed break, and the essay questions. Then again, i was 17 or 18 and in prime physical condition. I'm sure you'll do fine, though. just keep on pushing, no matter what they ask you to do. I'll be sure to send some positive thoughts your way tomorrow...but I'll be caught up in the fact that i get promoted to Sah Dan on saturday

Try all kicks in slow motion without dropping your leg or knee. try doing multiple kicks with same leg w/out losing balance. did this one the other night, all with the same leg without putting foot down, first slow then faster: front kick, side kick, roundhouse kick, hook kick, push kick, axe kick, diagonal kick, inside outside crescent kick, outside inside crescent kick, place your foot back in stance, and repeat.

I agree, the style is nowhere near as important as the instructor, and the school atmosphere. based upon your interests, i'd say Tae kwon Do or tang soo Do are well suited for you, but eaither could be a horribl experience if you have a bad instructor or are exposed to a dojang atmosphere that just isn't right for you. Don't be in a hurry to join up, At 19 you have PLENTY of time. Find all the schools in your area first - check health clubs, YMCAs, community centers, too, although with your schedule, the classes offered at these places may not be offered at a suitable time. Then find out which classes have the right times for you, then visit EVERY single school until you find the one you want. be sure to meet with the instructor, make sure you get to see the instructor that will be teaching your class, as it isn't always the chief instructor everywhere, find out about all fees, contracts, etc, including equipment and testing fees, and then make an informed decision. Rushing into joing the first school you find will work out great sometimes, but i don't recommend it.

I've been training for nearly 19 years now, and I'm really just beginning to see how everything comes together, starting to make new discoveries every time I train, now, so sticking with it has it's rewards...by this time next week I will have received my promotion to 4th Dan, and the fun is only just geginning, so I'd definitely say I plan to be a"lifer"

Well, I've done Pyung Ahn (pinan) E dan with a Staff, and I've done Bassai Dai with Sai....

I've done it quite a few times actually... you can get really fun and do all kinds of things: try doing it backwards, do the last move first and the first move last, moving backward the whole time (generally) try doing it with opposites: everything done with the right side, do with the left, etc... it makes some of the easier forms quite challenging...and themore complex ones I thought I 'knew' far more difficult... as long as you continue to practice them the "right" way, I feel these methods are valuable training tools as well.

Our White belts learn front kick, roundhouse kick, and side kick, generally with the back leg first, then with the front leg. If they look like they have the basics down good, i would move them on to spinning back kick, and maybe crescent kicks or axe kicks, but that's actually unsusual... they really only need to know 3-4 kicks at that level and work on variations of those kicks...

Well, I'd argue that point, actually. Yes, you have to turn as you kick to execute a back leg side kick, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. And it is a much different kick then when done with the front leg, in my experience, primarily due to the amount of momentum that is generated in the process of lifting and thrusting the bak leg forward as well as that generated by pivoting the upper body forward...but I digress. One thing ihate about message boards is not having the ability to demonstrate what I mean, so forgive me if I'm not explaining myself adequately.

I've always done both, as both have avantages Mostly, front leg kicks are much faster and less telegraphed than back leg kicks, while back leg kicks are generally more powerful. Note i say generally- example being my back leg wheel kick is actually a lot faster than some of my front leg kicks, but most of my front leg kicks are faster that their corresponding back leg kicks. As for the issue of power: yes front leg kicks can be powerful, back leg kicks just tend to be more powerful. With a side kick, i could probably break 3 boards with front leg kick, but could probably do five with a back leg side kick. With a stepping side kick (cross over) I've broken six. However, my true feeling on this is that they are best used in combnation, depending on the situation. Every kick has it'sown unique strengths, and by learning both types of kicks and using them, you will begin to develop an instincy for what types of kicks can be used most effectively in what situations. I personally like to use a front leg kick to set up a bag leg kick, and will often use themin tandem. At the same time, you can sometimes throw a back leg kick and then quickly bounce up and kick again using a different kick with the same leg, which is no a front leg kick. Work with both, and you'll become a much more versatile fighter.

based on that picture, I'd agree w/ tommarker say it's either: 1. E dan dwi Tollyo cha ki (360 degree jump spinning back kick- kick is done with what would be the front leg if standing in a standard fighting stance) OR 1. Deah dwi Tollyo cha ki (180 degree jump spinning back kick- kick is done with what would be the back leg if standing in a standard fighting stance) I'd say most TKD and TSD stylists are familiar with these kicks- there ar other jumping spinng kicks as well, but that's what the pictures look like. it wouldn't surprise me in the least to find that other styles do these kicks as well, though. jump spinning kicks can generate a tremendous amount of power when done correctly, but also require almost perfect timing in order to be used successfully in a confrontation. they bring some uniqueness to the art, and are a great challenge to the body, but I'm not going to suggest they are the most practical thing in the world to use in a real situation, because they just plain aren't. as for where sobat came from, the only martial arts reference to it i can find on google is for video game moves....

We do Jion in Tang Soo Do (at least in the Association I'm in), but not until 4th Dan.

I offer my students the opportunity to buy from me if they choose, but would never force them to do so. If they can get a better deal, they should. I have a wholesale account, which usually runs about half of regular list price, but that isn't the be all and end all of what I charge, as i also have to pay bith taxes and shipping, and I'm running a business...so yes, i make a certain margin of profit when my students buy from me. they do it because it's convenient for them, not be cause I force them to. many of them want to get the 'fancy' stuff they see in a catalog. example- any want to get colored or burned staffs, etc...even when i ell parents that they'd do better for a kid to just go to Home depot or Lowe's and get a dowl rod, or even use a brrom handle to start...but they want the stuff from the catalog anyway...go figure. I don't feel an instructor should ever force students to buy equipment from them - i do have certain requirements for the type of equipment they can use/wear, but as long as it fits in the guidelines (mostly for safety, and/or Association standards), I don't care where they get it.