egarlock

I'm going to be travelling to Johannesburg, South Africa the first week of September for work and would like to get togther with someone from the area and do whatever: workout, spar, even just chat. At this point I don't know the specific dates, but it's looking like I'll be leaving the USA Sept 6th and will leave the 11th or 12th. I've been studying TKD, Kenpo, Kali, and Silat for the past 12 years, but any style would be fine. Thank you, Erin Garlock egarlock2@netscape.net

If you're thinking about something like what is used in the Xena, TV show, the answer is that it can NOT be done. However, you can make a "boomerang" with more than just two fins (Nerf makes an excellent three finned "boomerang"). You could also make a multi finned 'rang with a circular core but it still needs the fangled fins.

For many of the southeast asian styles the question is not "which eventually teach weapons", but rather "when do they focus on empty hand". Kali, Silat, Arnis, Escrima and their derivatives all start day one with weapons. Historically weapons were taught first, for expediency. They were taught to the villagers en-masse just before the invaders arrived. Practice of these styles in peace-time was socially frowned upon, and those who did practice were prejudicely labled as "pirates" or insane.

Using the blade is only one aspect of the balisong. The closed weapon is also quite useful, like using a kubton. Also, to have the knife in hand and flip it open for combat is pretty trivial. Fancy opening generally have real combat weaknesses or limited applicability. Once you have gotten familiar with the opening and closing, try doing so while doing your other training activities, like during forms practice, or shadow boxing. If you really want to try combat applications, replace the blade with a blunted alluminum dummy and spar with it (as always be extra careful with thrusts).

Your head.

Normal mundane things are more interesting. Hose (Garden), rope, scarf (for those of you in colder climates). Ever tried a takedown with a trackball or keyboard, how about a pair of PC speakers?

If you want to know what "real" sparring is all about, check out DogBrothers inc. http://www.dogbrothers.com/index1.htm These guys, and crazy friends, go at it full steam with both weapons and empty hands and with just enough protection to be "sane". Disclaimer - I am not affiliated with these guys...yet.

Range, range, range. Without knowing this, everything is pretty much useless. As for kicking, don't ever pull the kick and in effect, change the mechanics. You get hit, alot. To pull this off without killing your training partner you need to learn range. By doing this you learn two things, how to throw the kick, not pull it, and range. As a secondary, you learn what the heck to do when your opponent evades the whole thing. Take a look at the MuayThai round kick and see how it's practiced. I feel there is only one time to pull a kick and that is to tag your partner to say "hey" you missed this. Useful for teaching, but not much else.

I have only read the kumite rules (23 pages is a bit much). I believe the new rules are designed to allow better scoring for more difficult techniques. It also will make bouts a bit longer (statistically speaking), with the possibility of 5 single point scores instead of 4 halves. I also like the 3 points for tsuki (punch). Many competitors seem to have placed an emphasis on kicks. Perhaps because you don't have to enter the range of all four weapons. Now good blocking or countering is essential for the big points.

Instead of are belts good, bad, something else, I have a related question. How many of you have changed styles or just schools and gone back to being a "beginner" again? I've changed schools three times and I find a respect level frequently missing from those who currently outrank me. Yes, true respect must be earned, but just general social etiquette kind of respect. Has anyone else experienced this.

It's getting busy is here so I'm going to bow out and be silent now, but remember: You like pepsi, I like coke. If you are studying a style/system and you don't agree with something or don't like it, good. Question, observe, learn. Now, find out why it's in the system...then decide what's your personal take going to be. G'night

thaiboxerken, heving trained with Guro Dan, how many time have you done sumbrada drills? Siniwali 6 count? Hubad? Are they not a form of kata? Are you discounting Guro's knowledge?

Do you feel the same way about mathematics? "If this happens then do this other thing to solve it". It's not meant to be rote regurgitation of my position to your position. It really is meant to be an awareness development tool. How many times have you done outside middle block, upper block, straight punch in a form? Well lo and behold I happened upon that very same combination the last time I sparred. It worked and worked well. What makes it really interesting is that is the very first combination that was taught to me in my first kempo kata. Would I have "found" that combination with out the kata? Maybe, but probably not because upper block feels unnatural to me when practicing it.

I might be interested in moderating. I can supply info on knives, sticks, short-sword, staff, and sarong/"rope like things". Most of it would have a southeast asian flavor as most of experience with weapons has been in kali and silat.

I once saw a guy drop his sword in a form's competition. It nearly slid into the crowd. As far as empty hand goes, just about everything has happened so far except a competitor attacking the crowd, but I'm sure that has happened too.