Kicks

Not a bit, ouch... is there an icon with a black eye?

For now the 18" sai is suiting me just fine since I don't have any immediate plans to block swords with them. I'm just working on some kata and free style demo techniques. And another thing Shorinryu Sensei, at least for this month, I'm always right. I'm member of the month!

WE did USTU Junior Nationals there in 1999 at the Convention Center. It was July...and HOT The center was huge but had many columns that obstructed the view of the rings. We stayed at Circus Circus, nice place for kids with the indoor amusement park. Fairly expensive town for a week's stay for a family of five. I did get to play the slots one night. Spent a whole 6 bucks.

Berry interesting topic. It leaves me wondering if I wood join in or knot. I'm stumped. I think I'll stick like gum to my roots and leaf you nuts alone. You're too squirley for me. Boy Scout: That's a Dogwood tree. Scoutmaster: How can you tell? Boy Scout: By it's bark.

Hmmmm Jerry, and maybe he can attack them with sai. I saw Dare Devil too.

In you opinion, what's the best city and venue to hold a National tournament? Base the city on its: location, climate, transportation, entertainment for youth and adults, etc. Base the venue on its location within the city, accessibility, arena area, seating area, vendor services, etc.

naw... Febreze it. It's That Fresh!

Shorinryu Sensei wrote: basically, a book! The sai I have comes to the elbow, but doesn't extend past unless I bend the wrist a little. I wanted it that way for what I'm doing. They do, however, extend past my son's elbow about an inch or so. As far as overhead blocks....basic white belt stuff. Sorry, no trip to your dojang for that training. And the Bo's, we already have the heavier ones that we've trained with for years. We can strike with those without worring about breaking them. I've only seen one break in the 12 years I've been there. The ones we got last night are lightweight and for flashy twirlie demostrations only. We do not compete in any tournaments that have weapons competitions. All our tournaments are USTU / WTF and only do forms and Olympic sparring. So why the lightweight Bo's? Well, to start a new 'project' with my kids and keep their interest in the Martial Arts. They are having fun learning on our own to do something unique to our dojang. Also, in December we are having three 4th Dans take their final test for 5th Dan. Several Masters in the area and our Grand Master will be invited to attend. All black belts will be required to give a demostration. My kids and I are planning on doing some free-style weapons demo, something not normally done in our dojang but is encouraged. But thanks for the invite. Wish you were here. Maybe if we get good enough we can make a believer out of you. ...or maybe not

Hey gang, after taking in all your suggestions I decided on the proper sai and bo for my son and I. Thanks for your input. I was able to make contact with a man in Okinawa Japan who went directly to the Shureido factory and got me an 18" chrome octaganol sai with black wrappings. I paid $145.00 for his efforts. It's beautiful and handles wonderfully. If you 'eBay' he has an auction at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36281&item=7105998962&rd=1 Like I said, I'm pleased with how it handles, BUT, There is a monor flaw I need help correcting. At the end of the wrapping, at the the 'butt end' of the handle, the wrapping seems to have a coating on it to keep it intact. The end of the wrapping sticks up a little, so when I'm handeling the sai it kind of scratches my wrist. I'm hopeing I can correct this without damaging the wrappings. The BOs I also ordered and received 2 Bo staff from Century. I got the 5'6" Ultra Light White Wood Lotus Bo and the 5'6" Competition Bo as seen at http://www.centuryfitness.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10051&crumb=13501-13524&storeId=10051&categoryId=13653&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=13526 They just came in last night so I haven't played with them yet. I spent most of the evening getting the gum off the wood from the labels stuck on them. But my first impression was WOW, ARE THESE THING LIGHT!!!! It feels like they were going to go flying right out of my hand. I can't wait till we get so good at doing all sorts of flashy tricks so we can post a video in honor of Shorinryu Sensei (just givin' ya 'crap')

Carnage, do you do WTF TKD? Are you a member of USTU? AAU? If so, did you compete in Nationals this year. I took my daughter to the AAU Nationals in FT Lauderdale, FL this year. We didn't do USTU this year.

I don't think my 11 (and soon to be 12) year old daughter would not quit due to peer preassure. Her classmates and friends admire her TKD participation. I have conducted a few domostrations at her school with her and her brother. The school even calls in the local newspaper to do stories about it. You know how kids what to have an 'identity', well she has a TKD identity and her friends respect it. That makes her feel kind of special.

Dean, Once more before the weekend...GOOD LUCK at the tournament! Break a leg! and not yours!

I know that TKD is the national sport of Korea, but I have to ask this question...do they have as many choices as people in the states have? A big problem here is that TKD has to compete with baseball, basketball, gymnastics, Scouting, social groups etc. Some are seasonal, some are year round. They all market their sports or organizations heavely, wheather a school activity or private business. Is there that much competition for involvement in other activities in Korea?

WOW! What a shocker, and only in my second month. And all I had to do was flood the airways with ramblings! No really, all seriousness aside, thanks guys, and gals. I am truly enjoying this forum and have actually benefited from it in the short time I've been here. I made several wise decisions based on your expert opinions and feedback. I truly appreciate everyone's input and courteous, and even constructive criticisms. Thanks again gang!

Shorinryu Sensei wrote LOL Shorinryu Sensei, I know the name of those darn twirlie, stickey things, I just haven't a clue how to spell it!! And, as far as I can tell, this forum doesn't have a splee chcker.

tommarker... Good catch...I've made the correction to my post. Now everybody will think you've been hit in the head one too many times!

tommarker Been there, done.. no, DOING that. My daughter is also 11 years old, turns 12 next month (YIKES!!!). She's been exposed to TKD all her life and has been a student since she was four (informal classes). Her older brother and I had joined a few months after she was born and it's been a big part of her life. I'm like you in that I have a higher set of standards for practicing and interest then all my kids. At least I think I do. My oldest son has quit (a few times). My other son is still active, when he can. He's also in high school band and the Boy Scouts. My daughter is involved in grade school band, cheerleaders, girl scouts, and alter servers. Oh, and they are in school too. I don't want them to burn out on TKD, so I allow them to participate in other activities too. I think they do like TKD even though I sometimes don't think they do. It's hard to get them to tell me what they truely feel. It seems they realize how much I enjoy it and they don't want to hurt my feelings by saying otherwise. That's sweet, but I'd rather they be up front with me. I let them make decisions about what they do when there is a conflict in schedules. For example, this weekend is a tournament. As much as I would like them to participate they have conflicts. They chose to do the other things. I feel if I force them to compete then they might really start to dislike TKD because it interferes with other fun things. Also, I don't want them fighting if they really don't want to be there. It could be dangerous. Meanwhile I try to keep them interested by starting what I call 'side projects'. We'll train on our own to do something that no one else in the school is doing. Sometimes it's coming up with new sparring moves. Right now we are each learning a weapon, Shannon on nunchuks, Ross on Bo and me on sai. Our school isn't too big on weapons, so it will be neat to give a weapons demo at our school's next belt test. That will kind of make the kids feel special. So, aes, there's no Official Parent's Guide to A martial Arts Child' (as far as I Know) so you just have to wing it. See what she likes about your MA and nurture it, encourage it without demanding it. Let her know you support her. Remember, she's almost at that rebellious age where they'll do the opposite of whatever you say, just for the sake of being rebellious and independent. So watch out how demanding you are. Good luck!

OK RockSOLLIDD, it seems you have a game plan. My only suggestion for now is to enter as many TKD Olympic style tournaments as you can. You need to gauge your progress and keep adapted with the rhythm and rules of the game. I don't know if you can get enough tournaments under your belt in just one year, unless you plan to do some traveling. Even then, it's going to be wearing on the body and mind. You may want to start hitting the tournaments earlier. Keep us updated on your progress. Good luck!

I wish you success with the tourny, Jeremy!

What? No knocking stuff out a kid's mouth with chucks?

That's like how they taught us to make a tackle in high school football. Put head in center of body and push while grabbing back of legs and lifting. I never knew football was a martial art.

In sport: Like I said in my previous post...I would, and do. In street fight: Like I said in my previous post... only after I've gotten the advantage, and this is the knock out blow. Remember, you have to respect your opponent. As far as I know, the guy I'm about to fight could be a much more skilled fighter than me. He may be a streetwise thug, or he may be a martial artist with expierence defending head shots. I feel you should gain the advantage before doing risky techniques.

RockSOLLIDD, what OLympic sport are you training for? If its to compete in the Tae Kwon Do competition are you training with a TKD instructor? I see by your profile that you study shotokan. There's quite a difference between the two sports. Either way, good luck with your training and we'll be pulling for you!

thaiboxerken wrote: LOL, you're funny. There's really no punishment involved! For me, it's all just for fun. What I'm doing is giving these guys a chance to get some sparring expierence. They paid for the tournament, so why deprive them of their expierence as well as their money's worth. Also, as an instructor, it's my job to give them encouragement. I spar them at just one notch above their level, so I am kicking and hitting them while allowing them to kick and hit me. This still challeges them without discourageing them. At the end they think to themselves "I almost had him. I can get him next time if I train harder". thaiboxerken, I don't know if you know this, but I'm a 4th degree black belt, multiple times State Champion and National Champion. I'm really not worried about being punished by these lower ranks. I let them hit me, but it's no big deal. But thanks for your concern.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS Same thing happened again today. At the color belt tournament, a 40 yr old man didn't have anyone to spar so I had to step in and be a punching bag for him. That's twice in the past two months!