koreantiger81

The price is reasonable. HOwever, make sure you know if he's officially certified in kum do and hap ki do. (I mean how many people do you know that have a black belt in all 3 martial arts?) I'm always skeptical. Also don't be suckered in by fancy demonstrations. Sure cutting a ping pong ball blind folded is impressive but being a good martial artist is different than being a good martial arts teacher. Unfortunately,since this is the only martial arts school near you, you have no choices of schools to pick from...Since it's cheap, i say go and join it....

I"M studying korean right now. IN fact I'll go to korea next year to study korean and to further my tae kwon do trainning

I have experience in hap ki do and tae kwon do I've devoted most of my martial arts life to upright fighting. I know joint jocks, but I don't know what do to do when i'm on the ground. I don't know anything about jiu-jitsu or any grappling martial arts. Based on my experience, which martial art would you recommend? My intention is to still do up right fighting but also learn how to fight on the ground. A simple question for you grapplists, huh? help me!

I started off with hap ki do and now i'm in tae kwon do. I switched because i didn't enjoy learning a lot of "joint lock" techniques. I wanted to kick and be more offensive. That's my own personal preference. When choosing a martial art, know what your purpose is in trainning and what you expect to learn. Sure you can jump around from each martial arts and learn bits and pieces from each. I've been cross-trainning in different styles for a long time. However, i've come to the point that i have to commit to one art and grow in that art. It takes a life time to truly experience the fruits of one martial art. Based on what you've said, it seems to me you want a more defensive style with some kicks. MIght as well do Hap Ki do now instead of tae kwon do, if you're going to do hap ki do in the future. If you still want to do TKD, join an International Tae kwon do Federation club since they are more defensive compared to the World federation club. [ This Message was edited by: koreantiger81 on 2002-04-21 06:08 ]

I was wondering about maturity in TKD. There's always more to learn even if you've reached the black belt level. I'll share my growth in TKD. Beginner--->learned balance, coordination, form Intermediate--->learned to control my power and speed, timing, distance, flexibility, accuracy Advanced---->learned how to fight smart, fake, learned purpose behind techniques Beyond black-belt--->learned respect and to be humble, learned to be very technical and to analyaze in detail of every movement i execute in forms/patterns and sparring, made up my own forms and techniques. My growth in TkD went on a plateau for a while when I got my black belt. However, when I discovered to be more technical and analytical in my techniques, I regainned my interest in TKD. I'm still learning! there's so much more to learn. The learning never stops no matter what level you are at.. Please share your learning in TKD no matter what level you're at. [ This Message was edited by: koreantiger81 on 2002-04-21 05:56 ]

My master has always taught me to cross my legs when I do a step in side kick. I've discovered a better way to execute a step in side kick. I know this is a technical question, but I'm trying to examine the advantages and disadvantages of crossing your legs compared to not crossing your legs when you do a step in side kick. When I mean not crossing your legs, I mean that you step forward with your front foot, then let your back foot shift in but you don't let your back leg cross with your front leg.. INstead your back foot just touches the heel of your front leg, and then you throw out a side-kick. (confusing, heh?I wish i could show u!) Well I think if you cross your legs when doing a step in side kick, you have more range and distance. HOwever, I think it telegraphs to your opponent in sparring. (once you cross your legs, it signals to your opponent that a step in side kick is coming.) Also, it takes time to step in, cross your legs, and throw out the kick. ON the other hand, if you don't cross your legs, you can disguise your kick. YOu can step in, but turn it into a front kick. Do you know what i'm saying? [ This Message was edited by: koreantiger81 on 2002-04-21 05:36 ]

your right. for the advance they can keep their hands down on purpose in order to draw a kick in. HOwever, generally speaking, some W.T.F stylists keep their hands down even in close range...

It's probably wise to let your body heal when you're sick. HOwever, if you train while you're sick, you'll learn to strengthen your mind..It shows heart^^ My master was at a General choi's seminar the other month. General choi is very sick and was literally on his death bed. Although he was not physically fit, he showed heart and came to teach the seminar. It was just inspiring to see him come in on a wheel chair with an I.V attached to him. he got up and taught all the black belts that came to see him. wow. NOw this is commitment!

hmm...I'm not sure if your information is correct...Perhaps u went to a tournament without W.T.F rules...Well, give me a link to a web page on th new W.T.F rules..

huh? i thought punches were always allowed in W.T.F but are rarely scored. To my knowledge you have to make your opponent shift back an inch when you punch him; in order to score a point with a punch. are you saying you can score with a punch without pushing him/her back an inch??

Well, breaking wood is better than breaking bones. It's a test of your strength. I"m sure your fellow tkd classmate wouldn't want u to test your kick on him/her. That's why you use wood!

Remember TKD has many different styles: W.T.F, I.T.F, and Jhoon rhee's system of TKD. (each style is vastly different from each other. )I can't say that one style will fit you better because you 're 6'1. You pretty much have a good advantage in any up right fighting, since you have a long range. Well, it looks like you want a martial art with "equal stand, and equal ground". jui-jit su? try that.

Where do you live? If you want to go to a good free style martial arts competition, I recommend tournaments by the National Black Belt league. It's open style league for all martial arts styles. (Kyungfu, hap ki do, tae kwon do, jui jit su, karate, you name it!) The categories are very competitive for the black belt level, so you will be fighting against skilled fighters. Go to these links, to find out more.. http://www.nblskil.com/ http://www.karatetournaments.com

I"m sure there are W.T.F stylists who keep their hands up. Overall many do not, compared to the I.T.f. I personally think W.T.F stylists don't keep their hands up because there's too much emphasis on attacking. Also it's harder to move around in the TKD vests. Thus, it's easier to move when you drop your hands. HOwever, it really wouldn't hurt to keep your hands up! I understand blocking is not also done by many because of the fear of breaking your arm by a full contact kick. I just think some blocking is possible in W.T.F and it would be beneficial for a W.T.F fighter to keep their hands up. It has certainly benefited me to keep my hands up when fighting in W.T.F. [ This Message was edited by: koreantiger81 on 2002-04-10 12:23 ]

yeah. You shouldn't judge someone by just their dan. HOwever, if you're new in town and looking for a new martial arts school, i'm sure most people will first visit instructors with higher dans.

Would any of you guys join a school run by a first dan? HOw about second dan? Third dan? I ask this question, because of my similar thread on "I lost my black-belt." I was dissappointed at losing my black-belt when I had to join another school, because of my dream of opening up my own school and teaching TKD had to be put on hold. Although learning more and growing as a martial artist is more important than a belt around your waist, credentials are needed to run a martial arts school. A 2nd dan instructor may have many years of experience and be highly skilled, but honestly speaking how many of you would join a school run by a 2nd dan? My goal is to teach others about TKD. However, realistically speaking you need a certain number of students to financially run a school. I think it would be hard to get enough students if you're only a 1st dan or 2nd dan instructor. So what are your thoughts? [ This Message was edited by: koreantiger81 on 2002-04-10 01:19 ]

I started Tae kwon do, 'cause it was near my house. I'm glad I chose it, 'cause I love the fancy high kicks and sparring in TKD.

Dragonstyle 18: W.T.F=World Tae kwon do Federation (Olympic style) Go to to find out more. I.T.F=International Tae kwon do Federation Go to Well, training in both federations simultaneously was hard at first. Coming mainly from an I.T.F back ground, I had to get used to the full contact aspect of W.T.F. I also had to get used to not doing my favorite technique, the "Blitz" to the head in W.T.F. Before each class, I meditate, telling myself not to punch to the head when I fight in W.T.F and not to use too much power when I fight in I.T.F. It requires much discipline to adapt each time I fight in W.T.F and I.T.F. Although the fundamentals of sparring are the same(speed, timing, distance, power etc) the tactics are different. Fast hard snappy kicks are used in W.T.F, while in I.T.F you can double up with your kicks and follow up with your hands. I find W.T.F exhilarating. I love the high adrenaline rush I get from fighting full contact in W.T.F. HOwever, I feel frustrated that I can't punch to the face. Although punches don't score, I still punch to the body in W.T.F to cause a distraction. Personally, I find I.T.F more interesting and challenging because you have four weapons to use. (2 hands and two feet). As a result there are two fighting distances in I.T.F you have to worry about-kicking range and punching range. In W.T.F, it's mainly all kicks. I find it advantageous for me to learn both styles. From I.T.F I have learned to keep my hands up, which has benefited me greatly in W.T.F. (I still don't understand why W.T.F stylists don't block much!) From W.T.F I have learned to use my back leg more in I.T.F, thus being more diverse in my fighting. In addition, the patterns in the two systems are different. Also, the way the patterns are done are different. In I.T.F patterns, the "sine wave" technique is used-spring motion in the legs to develop power.( I think this brings your patterns to another level.) Anyway, I can't say which one is better. It all depends what you prefer. I hope that answers your questions. [ This Message was edited by: koreantiger81 on 2002-04-10 00:47 ]

I'm currently simultaneously training in W.T.F and I.T.F. (Hush! My masters don't know.) My background in martial arts is in mainly the I.T.F. I've only done W.T.F for 8 months now. It's an interesting experience adapting to each art's fighting style. It's pure discipline! Well, there is so much emphasis to keep your hands up and to block in the I.T.F system. I understand the sparring tactics are different in the two systems, but why do W.T.F stylists drop their hands so much and don't attempt to block? It's like they don't care about their hands. I find it much easier to spar in W.T.F, since I have to only worry about two weapons-feet. Also, my opponents have a hard time scoring on me, 'cause I block. Why do W.T.F stylists not block or keep their hands up, all the time? Wouldn't it be to their advantage to do so? [ This Message was edited by: koreantiger81 on 2002-04-08 23:49 ]

I've never used my martial arts on the street. Use it only if you have to. Avoidance is the solution.! HOwever, if you do use it, keep in mind not to brutalize him/her. U might have to deal with legal issues if you break his/her bones! I would block and throw in a side kick, if I had to fight. Also, remember to fight with control and not with a temper. [ This Message was edited by: koreantiger81 on 2002-04-08 21:14 ]

yeah.I like the idea to use the blitz after a kick. This disguishes the blitz. What's a cut kick?

yeah.I like the idea to use the blitz after a kick. This disguishes the blitz. What's a cut kick?

yeah, just like what kick chick said, closing the distance is important. You have to play close attention to distance. When fighting, there are 3 different zones that i came up with. The Safety Zone, the Cautious Zone and the Danger Zone. The Safety Zone is when you're well away from the reach of your opponent's kicks. (Go into this zone, if you do'nt know what to do!) The Cautious zone is when your opponent can get you by shifting in. (Go into this zone, if you have a attack plan) The Danger Zone is when you're well enough into your opponent's kicking range. (When in this zone, make sure you execute your attack plan 100% without hesitation, then get out of the zone quickly after you execute your attack plan. ) You have to be aware of the zone you're in. For the beginning of your match, you figure out these zones by throwing out kicks. YOu measure your kicking range and his kicking range, since every opponent you fight has a different kicking range.

yeah, just like what kick chick said, closing the distance is important. You have to play close attention to distance. When fighting, there are 3 different zones that i came up with. The Safety Zone, the Cautious Zone and the Danger Zone. The Safety Zone is when you're well away from the reach of your opponent's kicks. (Go into this zone, if you do'nt know what to do!) The Cautious zone is when your opponent can get you by shifting in. (Go into this zone, if you have a attack plan) The Danger Zone is when you're well enough into your opponent's kicking range. (When in this zone, make sure you execute your attack plan 100% without hesitation, then get out of the zone quickly after you execute your attack plan. ) You have to be aware of the zone you're in. For the beginning of your match, you figure out these zones by throwing out kicks. YOu measure your kicking range and his kicking range, since every opponent you fight has a different kicking range.

I'm working perfecting this technique. It's used so much at open style tournaments. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's just a simple charging front hand back first .You suddenly shift and lean all your weight to your front foot and charge in with a back fist. For a second, your body is 45 degrees to the ground.(YOur feet are on the ground.) For the advanced ,they follow this back fist with a back punch. Anyway,i'm trying to execute this technique quicker! Also, how far away should you be when you execute the Blitz technique? kicking range? punching range??? [ This Message was edited by: koreantiger81 on 2002-06-01 20:14 ]