aefibird

I can't really comment on TKD forms, as I've only been studying a short while and only know the Taeguek forms (I know 1-5 and am learning 6). However, (coming from a karate background), I was surprised at how "karate-ish" the Taeguek patterns are - I would have thought that there would have been much more kicking in them than there actually is.

Yeah, tell me about it. I'm nursing a fractured rib, currently. Don't EVER crack a rib. God forbid I sneeze. Aodhan Yes, I know all about that one. You always get one so-called friend who tries to make you laugh whenever you have a cracked/broken rib! Grrr!! Superfoot - go see the doctor, it is the best way of making sure what is wrong with your leg. Good luck - hope it clears up soon!

That was what I actually meant within my poll.... standardisation WITHIN an organisation, rather than standardisation across the board (of TKD). The latter is never actually gonna happen IMO.

Aodhan, I missed your explanation (can't find it), so could you please post it for me again? I'm genuinely interested in why some schools use camo (and other so-called 'non traditional' belt colours). Thanks!

If anyone knows of any tournaments in the UK then pelase can you let me know. Ta!

I had no idea either - ITF schools number the same as WTF in my local area. I'm WTF, but my Master often does cross training sessions with a couple of ITF and independant TKD clubs/groups. Yes, WTF do fight full contact (no punching to head, though).

Firstly, I think that you have nothing to be ashamed of. You knew that you lost control but you have apologised for it. You know that next time you will behave differently, so don't go worrying about it. Secondly, I think that you should take your next Dan test in Korea. I think that you have a great opportunity there and that you shoudln't pass it up. I can fully understand why you want to test in front of your Master... but., c'mon, this is korea! Not that many TKDers get to study TKD at college in Korea or have an opportunity to test there. Maybe you could see if your Master from the US could go over to Korea to be there for your testing?

My Korean is virtually non-existant, so thank you from me too Laurie for those useful links!

My styles: Past: Aikido - trained for about 12 months, got to 5th kyu. Would most likely still be training in Aikido if the school hadn't closed. Judo - no formal training at a school. Trained with my brother (2nd Dan), who put me through an orange belt grading (I passed! lol), so I have an unofficial Judo orange belt! My bro has moved away, so I no longer train with him Current: Karate - 1st Dan, trained non-stop for about 6 1/2 years. Currently 2nd instructor at my club, hoping to eventually open my own club in about 4-5 years time. Wing Chun/Tai Chi - no real grade (although the instructor does have a sash system), been training about 18 months TKD - 6th kup, been training about 5 months. Graded after 3 weeks worth of lessons and ended up triple grading to 7th kup! Just taken my 6th kup test & passed. Hoping to grade for 5th kup at end of December.

lol, sounds like my diet anyway! I love most food, especially Asian. Mmmmm..... (this thread is making me hungry now!)

Karate: 10 mins in car (but I usually walk) TKD: 5 mins walk Wing Chun/Tai Chi: 1/2 hour drive When I trained in Aikido, the school was 3/4 hour drive away. When I go to train with the Chief Instructor of my karate org its about 1 & 1/2 hours drive away. My TKD Chief Instructor is about 1/2 hout away, but he visits all the clubs in our org regularly, so we don't often go to him to train, he usually comes to us. Chief Instructor at my Wing Chun place is currently in Hong Kong, so I'd have to take a long plane ride to go train with him. I'd travel a couple of hours to train with good instructors - maybe even more. Most I've travelled so far has been 6 hours by car to attend a seminar/weekend camp with a couple of great karate instructors.

Certainly is!

Go to my club website and there's a diagram on there that shows the main types of Japanese and Okinawan karate and how they relate to each other. Click here!

Knuckle push ups and makiwara or heavy bag training would be useful.

I agree. The belts before are preparation for being a beginner. By going through the kup/kuy grading process you're saying that you're comitted to the training and that when you reach BB you're ready for the real earnest training to begin. It's like the coloured belts are a pre-entry test for a school/college. Once you get your BB (get into that college) then the real learning begins. You've shown your dedication, now you're ready for the next level.

I went to a martial arts competition yesterday (came back with some 'bling' too!) and there were some KSW practitioners there. Very nice guys - very friendly! I was on my own, as the other person going with me had to drop out at the last minute (and my instructor is away), but the KSWers came and talked to me so that I wouldn't have to sit on my own - thanks guys, if you're reading this! Anyway, in the forms/patterns/kata categories, the KSWers entered the Korean style categories. Most of the other Korean patterns I recognised, but I was interested to see the KSW guys perform as I've never seen it in action but always heard a lot about it. However, the KSW forms looked very different to the rest of the forms in the Korean category. To me, the KSW forms seemed more 'Chinese-y' - more flowing, not as hard or linear as other Korean (TKD-esque) patterns. I enjoyed watching the KSWers perform - they all did well and most of the students ended up with trophies. Here's my question: Does KSW have any Chinese influences? Is this deliberate (if it does)? Thanks!

The links won't work for me.

Sounds good! Kill Jill, if you could get some pics of it then that would be great - thanks!

Orion, good luck with whatever you choose! The Shorei-Ryu place sounds great, though.

Congratulations Aodhan! Well done!

What do you think about standardisation in TKD? Should all organisations follow the way of ATA and set a standard curriculum within their schools? Or should the TKD orgs focus solely on the business side of TKD (competition standards and the like) and leave teaching and school curriculum up to instructors?

Wouldn't it just be easier to buy a new red belt and put your new black stripe on that??

I've got one of these. I've found that it's been the best thing for improving my balance.

I've trained with instructors from Western countries and from Asian countries. As long as they're a great instructor then it doesn't matter to me. There are good and bad teachers from every country; not all Asian instructors are automatically great, just because they are from the "home" country of their art.

When I was in Comprehensive School (equiv. to High School), we had a self-defence course taught as part of our Year 10 (age 14-15) P.E. curriculum. It was taught by 2 instructors - one from a TKD club and one from a JuJitsu club (a rare example of martial arts clubs coming together to work together! lol) The course was 6 weeks and couvered 'basics' of self-defence. It also encouraged quite a lot of people to join martial arts. I just wish that martial arts had been a P.E. option full time when I was at school, rather than just as a 6 week course. :-/