Kicks

MMACHAMP wrote: Yes, and no. If someone bigger, stronger, younger, uglier than me was to attack me I'd sure want to have a bo, a sai, nunchaku, etc to equalize the playing field. But since those weapons are rarely found laying around I'd like to know that if I grab that broom handle over there, or my keys, or my belt (to replace the aforementioned weapons) I could use them in my defense. Also, martial arts training is not only intended to teach self defense, discipline, fitness, and all the other benefits we could list out, it also passes on the history and culture of it's founders. Remember, many of these weapons were developed and used long ago by people to protect themselves from occupying forces. The history and tradition of this practice is passed on to today's martial artist. It's more a cultural thing than it is an expected way to defend oneself on the streets. Everyone has their own preference what they want to persue for education, recreation, and health. You want to grapple, I like to compete in sport TKD, some folks want to learn weapons, some like to box. It's all martial arts and has its place. There will always be as many varieties of the art as long as there are people with a variety of interest. The very best to you and your training!

I'm going to cross my fingers for you. liotsw of gopodluck. (see what happens when you cross your fingers and try to type at the same time )

whippet, Wow, you did some digging to find this old thread. But thanks for taking the time to view the videos and your comments. Same goes to you NN (ninjanurse). Thanks! The kid doing the bo on the forms and the bo routine is my son, know here on the forum as "The_One". He's added to the form since then. The girl is my daughter Shannon. I've recently posted photos of us at a tournament last month (when The_One beat me in a tie breaker!).

As far as sparring...some TKD organizations allow sparring as early as you want to start, some require you wait until your 3rd or 4th belt promotion. If you want to lose weight, get that 6-pack, etc, TKD alone will not do it. Sorry, but I know from years of seeing people think that they just have to go to class a few times a week, throw some punches and kicks, and in a month they'll look like me...oops, I mean Mr Universe. For a overview of a well rounded fitness plan check out this website...http://www.livaudaisnet.com/mafit/mafit.htm Good luck, and let us know what TKD organization you will be under (ATA, ITF, WTF, etc)

good job greenbelt_girl15!!!

Is anybody graduating from school this year? Is it High school? If so, what's your summer plans? Is it college? What now? My oldest son just graduated from high school and is starting college during the summer session. He's taking algebra, he tested out of the two english courses.

Hey Sam, I'm not going, having a BBQ at my house Sunday, but good luck, take photos, and let us know how you do (the pressure's on!).

CONGRATS!!! Sounds like a very successful day...especially since it was your first tournament. My first tournament I placed 2nd in forms and 3rd in sparring, so you're off to a better start than me. It took me 6 years to win a National Championship, so hang in there!

I attend a WTF TKD school and every year we host an Open tournament, but spar under WTF rules. However, you can do any style form. Last year, in the 14 - 17 year old division (of about 10) there were 3 competitors who knew Kung Fu forms. Two did a Kung Fu form and the other guy did a WTF form. The guy who did the WTF form didn't place. The 2 who did their Kung Fu forms placed first and second. So it all depends how honest the judges are. Best advice given is to check it out throughly before paying your entry fee.

Armstrong is definately in the top three. Then there's Bruce Jenner who won Olympic gold when he broke the world record by scoring 8,634 points in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympic games in Montreal and earned the title, “World’s Greatest Athlete.” The years since his athletic achievements made him world famous, Bruce has become a highly respected motivational speaker, sports commentator, entrepreneur, commercial spokesperson, television personality, actor, producer and author. A devoted father and husband, Bruce is also a loyal supporter of many non profit and charitable organizations and serves on numerous advisory boards such as the Special Olympics, where he serves on the Council of Champions, The National Dyslexia Research Foundation, and an avid supporter of Athletes and Entertainers for Kids. Bruce and his wife Kris serve on the board of The Dream Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to terminally ill adults, and C.O.A.C.H. for Kids, a mobile medical unit providing quality health care to under privileged families throughout Los Angeles.

Check the Physical Fitness link on my website at http://www.livaudaisnet.com/mafit/mafit.htm. There are sample meal plans there that may give you an idea of what you are looking for. Hope it helps.

ramymensa, I hope, and pray, that all goes well with you. With any luck, your activity in MA has made your body physically stronger and better able to cope with any problems. Keep a positive attitude.

If the tournament is advertised as an OPEN tournament (all styles accepted), then you can do whatever patter you want. If you compete in sparring, make sure you know the rules of competition ahead of time and prctise by them. If the tournament is not open, then find out from the sponsors what patters are accepted. Ask the sponsor if you's will either be disqualified or get low scores because it's not within the scope of the tournament guidelines.

This link has audio clips of Korean terminology: http://www.itatkd.com/terminology.html#command%20terms

Phil, This link has the terminology with audio clips on the pronumciation: http://www.itatkd.com/terminology.html#command%20terms I'm also going to add this to the Terminology Stickey.

Arrrrrrgggggghhhhhh!

Patrick, no, you're just GOOD! I played my whole lunch hour yesterday trying to beat your score and only got up to 81. I humbly bow in respect for your skills.

Well, if that's your intent, then the only advice I can give is to wear protection. And don't bother with a news report about it. I'm not interested.

I usually take my truck to tournaments, But as far as equipment, everyone hit on the essientials. Good job guys. Let me just emphasis that since you are bringing your kids to compete focus on what their needs might be. A tournament can be a long drawn out thing for kids, who by nature have short attention span and want to stay active, So the extra gui (dobak, uniform) would be nice in case the kids go around sliding on the floor or climbing the bleechers and get their uniform dirty or torn. You might want to bring something to occupy their time and attention. I've brought coloring books, gameboys, or what ever I knew would keep them out of trouble. But remember, the other kids will want what ever you bring your kids, so if possible bring extras. Bring a sense of humor, good sportmanship, patience, and encouragement. Enjoy!

I have the same situation as some have already mentioned, but since you asked... We have a black belt's only class on Wednesday night where we learn our forms, hapkido and sparring techniques. Then we free spar (WTF Olympic style) the last 30 minutes of class. On Friday nights I teach a junior's sparring class that is open to all ranks. We do footwork and pad drills. Then they put their pads on and we do partner drills based on what footwork and pad drills we just did. Then I let them free spar. I try to make sure that everyone gets to spar everyone else in class no matter what rank. My son and daughter assist me and help keep an eye on things. I do not tolerate any higher skilled person taking advantage of a lesser skilled person. Right after my class is another sparring class that is open to all students no matter what age or rank. This is led by our head instructor. The higher ranks are not supposed to beat up on the lower ranks, but it does happen at times. We do have several 'hot dogs' in the class. I try not to play politics and instead help the lower ranks. They like to spar me because they get to hit me. What they don't know is that I'm allowing them to hit me so they can get used to distancing, not pulling their kicks and punches, and gain confidence. Now, when I fight the hot dogs, well let's just say I make hamburgers out of them.

Patrick Me thinks someone has too much time on his hands.

Then you must be using duct tape instead of electric tape.

That's like saying "Sam I am". So, Sam I am, would you eat green eggs and ham?

Cool video, thanks.....but I don't know about it. Did that look staged to you? I mean, the flip was a nice move from a headlock position, but why would the girl grab the guy like that and put herself in a vulnerable position instead of fighting him off at a distance?