Kicks

Nope, I had already done forms and won that division. Also, when my son beat me my 12 yo daughter asked them if they were going to give him a trophy and they said no since it was only an exhibition. So when my son came back from the dressing room I told him that he missed the awards presentation but I had his trophy. I gave him the one I won for forms and said that it was his sparring trophy.

Aodhan, That's an awsome agenda. What age group/rank division are you in? Do you point spar or do Olympic style? Have you ever done the USTU circuit?

I think this is an excellent topic; possible nomination for Best of Year. I had some athletic background when starting TKD at age 35, but it had been over 10 years since I played any organized sports. I was pretty good at most of what I played, but never at the top of the game. When I started TKD I was in the worst shape of my life, having gotten married 11 years earlier and now with three kids. But TKD put me in the BEST shape of my life. My three goals were: 1) To lose weight and get in shape; 2) Get involved in a sport that I could enjoy and do well at; and 3) To earn my black belt. Well, I dropped 35lbs and have more energy then I ever had. I got involved in Olympic style tournaments, winning 12 State championships, 2nd twice at Nationals and 1 National Championship. And just last year earned my 4th dan BB. My son and daughter have track records that are even better than mine. They have won about the same State or Regional championships; my son has a National championship and my daughter has won 3 National Championships and two 2nd place finishes. And they didn't have any prior sporting experience before starting TKD. Oh, they started when they were 4 years old.

Welcome aboard!

Are you sure they weren't just practicing their grappling techniques?

My daughter is 12 (under the age limit to post here, but she does read through post with me) and she is a 2nd degree BB. She started TKD when she was 4. We do not attend a McDojo. She had to earn her belt, and it wasn't easy.

Shorinryu Sensei wrote: That's the problem, there was no adult division and I didn't feel right about competing in the 14 - 17 year old division. But my 17 year old son is the same BB rank as me so I really enjoyed banging it out with him. I'm still nursing the bruses! I posted a photo of us sparring in the Photo Album section. He's in red, I'm in blue. I also have one of my daughter sparring.

CONGRATS !!! A well deserved honor. You're a positive influence on this forum. We're glad you're aboard!

I just returned form a WTF / USTU style tournament. I'm in the 'over 35' division and lately there's not many competitors. So today, before registering and paying the fee, I asked if there would be a division for me. They told me that there was one other person, six years younger than me. So I registered so he would have someone to compete with. We actually had three in the forms division, and I placed first. Then no one wanted to spar. Boy was I PO'd! Had I known that I wouldn't have shelled out my money. So my 17-year-old son suggested that I go ask if I could do an exhibition match. I asked him "but who with?" He said "with me". So I asked and they approved it. My son had gone only to be a spectator so he had to borrow a uniform and pads. The tournament organizers made a big announcement about our match, father vs son. It got everybody cheering, especially for my son. We fought two rounds of continuos sparring. It ended up a tie so the center ref had to make the decision. My son got the win. I think I've just handed over the torch!

Welcome to KF Learner.

Mike, do you have to travel out of state in order to do that many? I know I couldn't find more than six or seven a year in Louisiana. I know some folks around here that travel to Texas or Oklahoma to get more tournaments in. I've only traveled out of state for National Championships. http://www.livaudaisnet.com/mafit/mafit3.htm

How many tournaments a year do you compete in? What type? I compete in WTF TKD, which is Olympic style competition, but we also do forms. From 1997 - 2003 I was doing 4 to 6 a year. Then last year I only did one, and this year I only have two so far. The competition is thinning out in the over 35 division.

I see that you are 15. I know for a fact that The_One just turned 17 this month.

I think italian_guy made some good points here. It got me wondering if you're confusing nerves, anxiety, or excitement with fear. I've been competing since 1997 and I still get butterflies in my stomach and my legs feel like lead before competition. I also just want to do well and not look foolish (which I have done!), but this is how you learn to deal with and perform under stress. It will carry over to your everyday life when you have to deal with stress and anxiety. Keep competing, try to have fun, and learn from every expierence. Good Luck! ps. I'm supposed to compete this weekend, but often there isn't anyone in my division (35 and up). It's hard to get mentally prepared when there's a chance I won't even compete.

DO NOT let him drive you to the woods or any place else! Fight your battle right there on the street where they may be witnesses or help. He wants to take from a location he is uncomfortable to a location where he feels comfortable to do his harm. Police stats show that people abducted and 'taken to the woods' are more often killed. Absolutely correct.

Before we wrap this up, I'd like to add my 2 cents. What defense would you use in close range or at a distance? I do WTF TKD, but we also train in Hapkido. We practice against multiple types of weapons and attacks. This is what I have found I am best at in these situations: In close range, face to face, gun pointed chest level to head level: If the guy just wants money I take wallet out and give it to him. If he wants to take me somewhere else, or if I feel he will shoot me even if I give up the wallet I'll divert his attention to the opposite side of gun (if he's holding gun in right hand I'll distract him to his left). I'll either tell him my money is in that red Mustang over there (nodding to his left, or toss my wallet to his left). When he looks that way I'll first move to my left - out of the line of fire; my right hand swings hard and fast striking the nerves in his wrist holding the gun while at same time my left hand swings across and grabs the gun pushing it through his now opened fingers. My son can do this technique so fast you don't even see it happening. It all comes with practice. If at a distance, I'll toss wallet and run. Remember, most of these thugs don't spend time at the firing range practicing marksmanship. Chances are they'll miss, especially if you are zigzagging. Just don't zig when you're supposed to zag. This is an important thing to remember. If the thug wants you to get in a car...DON"T!!!! Fight your battle right there. Stats show that people who get in the car are most likely going to be killed. The thug wants to take you off the street where other people can see to a secluded area. Fight like your life depends on it, because it does! Why is it that when a bad guys shoots at Superman and the bullets bounce off him, that when they run out of bullets they throw the gun at him and he ducks out the way? Is he afraid of the gun hurting him?

Who is the girl featured in this music video? I think she is from India. http://www.livaudaisnet.com/IndiaMusicVideo.wmv The video is a little jumpy. I found it in bits and pieces mixed in with other videos and I had to string it together.

actually I'm 47.

There's a saying, just like in football, you lose your jitters after getting hit the first time. Being the generous person I am, I always try to help my opponent get over his jitters very early in the match. I've always found that in class I have a lot of fun sparring and can easily do 5 rounds of 3 to 5 minutes and still stay after class for more. But when it comes to competition sometimes my legs feel like concrete and I get cotton mouth. I would get fatigues after just 1 minute into round 1 (rounds are usually 1 1/2 to 2 minutes). In order to get over this I started doing a little 'ritual'. In class I'll line up against my opponent and do a little preparation routine. I clench and open my fist a few times, I set up southpaw even though I'm right handed, I shake my head and give a good kiyup. When I get that euphoria feeling while sparring I'll make the 'OK' sign with my fingers and focus on how I am feeling at that moment. How does this help? At competition I'll just try to imagine that this tournament is just like class. I'll line up against my opponent and do my 'ritual'; it puts me in that class training mood of "this is going to be fun". I'll also make the OK sign and remember that feeling of euphoria. This helps channel the adrenaline into a positive force. That's why earlier I said: "Think about what you would do if you weren't scared? Then do it."

Thanks for the compliments about the article. Venrix was right in that many of these principles apply to all ages. It's a lot easier to keep your shape than to try to get it back. But it's not impossible. It takes time, dedication, and patience. To understand the underlying principles of physical conditioning helps in staying focused and accepting your progress and/or limitations.

Depends on what rum. I like Barbancourt the best, but it cost more. Maybe you ought to use a spiced rum like Mount Gay or Captain Morgan (lol, I'm currently wearing a Capt. Morgan T-shirt). Or, if you perfer, a flavored rum. I like coconut rum, but there is banana and other flavors too. Coconut rum and coke is one of my favorites.

parkerlineage, Think about what you would do if you weren't scared. Then do it.

For USA TKD: Regionals (national qualifiers): http://www.ustu.org/318_960.htm Senior (18 and above) Nationals: http://www.ustu.org/318_1113.htm For AAU: Go to http://www.aautaekwondo.org/ In the left frame click on "Tournaments, Event, Awards" link. Then click on either "National Events" link or the "Qualifying District & Region Championships" link.

I lost count.

Welecome to the uSTU (dba USA Taekwondo). My kids and I have been doing both USTU and AUU since 1997. (see http://www.livaudaisnet.com/mafit/mafit97.htm You asked: 1. the side kick is the most powerful in TKD. Why in sparring do you guys take almost a front facing sparring stance thats completly vunerable to a side kick? Actually, we have been able to determine that the back kick is more powerful. A lot more torque and power originating from the rotation. As far as a 'front stance' posture, do you actually mean an ap kubie stance (most of body weight is on front leg as performed in forms)? The only time a player would do that would be to shift his weight forward so he can use his rear leg to kick with. Since points are given only when the kick delivers 'trembling shock' or 'significant impact', most kicks are with the rear leg in order to derive the power needed to score. I've knocked down opponents with a side kick, but I've knocked them into the next ring with a back kick. I teach my students to fight in an upright, sort of walking stance, evenly distributed weight, knees slightly bent. I do have them open the stance; the body is at a 45-degree angle to opponent instead of a horse riding stance. This is so the rear leg can attack in a fast, straight line and not have to clear the front leg in a circular, slower motion. Why in turn is the side kick never thrown? A rear leg side kick is often too slow. A front leg side kick doesn’t always generate enough power to score. However, my kids and I use the front leg side kick a lot. My son has the fastest I’ve ever seen. We use the front leg side kick under these scenarios: 1. A stop side kick to jam an attacker as he is throwing his kick. 2. Skip side kick to hit the opening in hopes the judges will score it 3. To knock the opponent back, disrupt his rhythm or his set up for his attack. We do use the front leg side kick to setup a second kick that is intended to score: Side kick followed by back kick Side kick followed by rear leg roundhouse Side kick followed by ax kick Side kick followed by spinning kick Side kick followed by same leg hook kick 2. is the rounds 3 min. for all competitions, no matter how many times you fight in one single elimination tourn? This depends on who’s hosting the tournament. Local tournaments sponsored by local schools will either do 1 round of 1 minute or 90 seconds for color belts, and 2 rounds of either 90 seconds or 2 minutes for black belts. AAU Nationals is 2 rounds of 2 minutes each. At USTU nationals I think I’ve done both 3 rounds of 2 minutes and 3 minutes. And yes, its no matter how mant times you fight in a single elimination. In 2003 USTU Nationals I had to fight 3 rounds in the semi finals, rest 2 minutes then immediately fight 3 rounds in the finals. 3.If I kick someone in the face with my bare foot and they bleed or break their nose, will the match continue? Under junior safety rules, this could be a disqualification, but under adult rules the fight will continue if medical says that the injured player is capable of competing. 4. does USTU have weapons and forms creative competitions, or traditional? No weapons at USTU. At senior (adult) nationals they have traditional forms, Olympic sparring, creative forms, and breaking. 5.last one, should I start my competiting at like an AAU tourn or something instead of a National Qualifier? Start with a local tournament sponsored by a local school. AAU requires you qualify at a district tournament before going to nationals. USTU has two divisions at nationals: Open, which has no qualifier; and Elite where you must qualify at a regional tournament. Hope this helps. Good luck with your training and competition.