shotochem

Work on your blocking, it is the most important. Protect yourself first then counter. All attack and no defense is not good. When you feel comfortable with and trust your blocking abilty, everything starts to become easier.

When your eyes are in the stars, you will get a fist to the face!!!! It could be a very painful lesson for you. I would keep my mind on training if I were you.

Thats a great article you beat me to the post. I just cant pound on those things anymore, it hurts too much. I happen to enjoy the use of my hands.

If a police officer is disarmed or taken by surprise they are certainly justified in striking quickly and effectivly. If they are unable to draw their weapon, they are just as vulnerable as you or I. MA in conjunction with law enforcement training are a valuble asset to a police officer and the public which they help protect. Hats off to those who do this difficult, dangerous and often thankless job. (Patrick, we need one that takes his hat off!!!!)

You are most fortunate that your wife is that attractive. Even more fortunate that she is your wife and goes home with you after every outing. Try not to be so insecure about it. Unless someone does somthing in a threatening matter you have nothing to worry about. They are just admiring her beauty and are wishing they could be as lucky as you. If you feel someone is staring at her, fell free to give her a kiss or put your arm around her. This gently reinforces the fact that she is taken to any potentially offensive male without being confrontational.

I disagree. The only thing worse than punching a guy in the elbow is.... KICKING him in the elbow!!!! The last time I did that I was limping for a week.

Rage Against the Machine- Killing in the name of.... Linkin' Park- In the End ACDC- TNT And ....anything by Air Supply!!!!! It drives me crazy..... It puts me into a fighting mood.

I agree with Sai, very good excercise. You could mke your own with an old broomstick, piece of rope and a weight or even a small bucket filled with sand or anthing laying around the house. Then just twist the night away. Why spent 30-40 bucks?

I believe we may have been cut from the same cloth..... My sentiments exactly

It is unfair to judge. There could be someone who trained for years and is older and not as flexible or as strong as a 20yr old. Its an individual accomplishment. Ive seen people grossly out of shape and uncoordinated who could not even make it through the stretching and warm ups a couple of years ago. They are some of the best students in the dojo. I know they will make it to BB they made it this far on guts and determination. They are not as fast, as strong or graceful as most people but when they get there they have earned it and deserve the respect for their hard work. To me this is what its all about. Im not big on rankings personally, I enjoy my training and just keep improving and learning. Someone once told me..... "A Belt only covers 2" of your A$$ the rest is up to you" Ya know, he may have been right..........

I train with many religious people in our dojo. Some of them do not bow due to religious objections. They are not any less a karateka than I. When engaged in drills or sparring with each other we exchange a nod of respect then begin. The problem is not the respect it is the humility. They will not bow before any one but their God. I train with Jews, Muslims, Christians and Hindus this is what the religious ones have explained to me. There are some that will also bow to fellow students while standing facing each other but will not kneel and bow. It is a personal choice based upon what they believe. I occasionally feel kind of riddiculous bowing at times but when in Rome I tend to go along with it as I do not have any religious objections. I tend to find the whole bowing thing amusing since I'm not Japanese and I probably look like a fool bowing in my funny white pajamas.

BTW, a little off topic Monkey Girl is retired???? I have clothes older than you what happened??? (If you dont mind me asking?)

I sure picked a great week to go on vacation!!!!!!! I have returned let there be light!!!!!

Suffolk County

I'm from Long Giland....... Home of Amy Fischer and Joey BUT- a- fucco. Ahhh!..... makes me proud.......

Jam him!!! Get him while he starts to chamber the kick before he can release it. When he starts to retreat, pounce on him before the kick gets out. Ive tried blocking or (taking the kick) and try to get inside but he just moves back and keeps throwing. You dont have to take it or block it either you could evade and advance foward. When he keeps stepping back he is vulnerable. You move fowards at a quicker rate than an opponent can move backwards. You could be a little less agressive and do the same to him when he attacks. I have no doubt you will figure him out. Work on it.....

LOL!!! thats because Im still alive!!!

Hi Sansoo, Not everyone who practices Karate or any other MA competes. Different people look for different things in their training. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me UFC is just another sport. It doesn't make me feel any differently about my art or any others. All arts have their strong and weak points. I respect them all. I chose Shotokan and I feel it fits me. I am also interested in other arts as well. I live, I learn, I train. As long as you enjoy what you are doing the art doesn't matter. Its the spirit of the person that really matters. I'll never be as good as a Bruce Lee, but I keep on training. Every class is another step, every punch or kick is an adventure......... I wouldn't have it any other way............

See a doctor ASAP!!!!! This could be somthing serious. Do not take chances. I would not train until after consulting a doctor. This pain is not normal and to have it for 2 weeks is a bad thing.

Cool site. I think Ill keep the one Im using. It just fits.

Light weights will strenghten your arms and quicken your hand speed. I use light weights while punching in slow motion and while working my katas in slow motion. It really makes a difference. Be careful with the amount of weight and do not punch full force and speed you could injure yourself.

I too am vertically challenged. It helps to be fearless and get inside to jam the big guys. Once inside they cant extend their legs. They go from 4 weapons down to 2(thier hands). Remember when you are inside you can and will get hit so keep your guard up. I regularly spar a guy thats literally a foot taller than me. If I do not get inside he will just maul me with his extremly long legs. Use a lot of side to side motion as the big guy will not be as quick as you are.

Thats really not true. I can easily tell if someone is better than me. Its not that difficult to notice if someone has good technique. The gi is popping the form is good, flowing, graceful yet powerful. If a person is clomping around like a horse tripping over thier own feet, looking like their punches couldn't hurt a toddler..........you know its not good.

Mc Dojo = Franchise $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Beware the hidden costs $$$$$$ 5yr old Blackbelts & 11yr old grandmasters Blackbelt in 2yrs or less...... just pay $$$$$$$ Monthly gradings for all....... everyone always passes !!!!! (there are exceptions here, if someone trains 4hrs a day 5 or six days a week I have no problem with it.) Im talking about the 2 30 min classes a week guy. I could think of more but I dont want to start a flame war. A lot of MA schools have a few Mc dojo-like leanings but are still good solid schools. The real test to see if your school is any good, is to go to other dojos and watch a few classes. See how your dojo stacks up against the others. Are your BB as good as theirs? Are their greenbelts better than your brown belts ect.... Appearance and facilities are not as important as overall quality of instruction. Everyone should do this occasionally, it will give you a reasonable standard to compare yourself to.

I've had a few concussions and have lost conciousness 3 or 4 times. (I think ) Funny it's never happened in MA training. I took a couple of nasty head shots over the course of training, the closest I've ever gotten was my knees starting to buckle but I recovered. I wonder if it knocked any sense into me...............