parkerlineage

I plan on changing organization membership in a few years, but I'll keep my old instructor as my head instructor. And, yes, he's okay with that, because organizations are essentially not important.

That's Kenpoists' favorite move. I've adapted to that, actually.

I would presume there to be some similarity between tonfa and sai, being that you will learn to use two individual weapons simultaneously. However, the sai are generally used for slashing and stabbing motions, whereas the tonfa - I honestly don't know what one does with them. But from what I do know, it would be greatly different to become proficient with both. You could probably switch back and forth on basics. In my limited experience, I have seen one black belt using sai (me), and three other students (all mine).

It certainly wouldn't hurt you, whether or not it got you back into the state of readiness you desire. Of course, that's just me advocating MA.

Doesn't matter when you are the instructor.

I honestly can't speak from experience in terms of a real fight, so I was merely speculating. I would think it would depend on multiple factors, such as if you had really trained to throw them like you mean it, flexibility, and height (I will again reference that I am 6' 6" tall (1.98 meters) and can do the splits).

Hit harder. People see me as the tall, skinny, punk kid that they can run through and just keep pounding, so I...educate them otherwise.

Setup, setup, setup! That's the key. People throw high kicks as a lead in, but you've got to fake, circle, change up your timing, lead with hands or low kicks...I have the biggest problem with my students trying to throw head kicks or spinning kicks straight out of the gate. Setup!

Balance is slightly compromised, at least more than both feet lower; there is likely to be a bit less power than if you kick lower; it takes longer for your leg to get back down after the kick (not a problem if the guy's unconcious); your groin is waaaaaay exposed (dang Kenpoists ). But, risk vs. reward (thank you SGM Parker), I couldn't agree more with ps1.

I've seen a half dozen threads discussing the merits and hazards of kicking high - generally meaning above stomach/groin level. In the tournament I was in last weekend, in the first round, I faked a low roundhouse with my front leg (left), then, after the guy saw it was a fake and was moving his hands back (he had left forward, too), I threw a right spinning heel hook to his head. I had to catch him, because we think he was temporarily knocked unconcious. And he was wearing a helmet. And I had foam foot-gear on. And I wasn't trying to kill him. To me, that says, if you can throw 'em, use 'em, because I'd so much rather end a fight from a leg's length away than up close and personal or *gulp* on the ground. Humbly submitted; Parkerlineage

Or you could try pounding the person in the face a few times until they were falling backward, then sweep. Welcome to Kenpo.

A forearm elbow really should have the same rotation as a tip strike. Start palm up and chambered on your side, then turn it palm down and lift your fist to solar plexus height while you strike with your forearm/elbow. Either way, it hurts.

Thank you all!

haha, sounds like something my gamer friends could tell you more about.

You wouldn't believe how many people that have read my book and said, "Why do you keep calling their swords great?" You are officially awesome.

I believe you are, in actuality, referring to a greatsword. Trust me - I'm writing a book.

Seual harassment, purposely seeking out fights, harrasing younger/lesser ranking students.

I think some of you may have misinterpreted me. I would never dream of wearing my black belt to class - I was just talking about when I first came to class. They do private lessons just you and the instructor before you begin classes - that's what I was wondering about. I'm just going to buy a white belt and make sure the instructor knows I've had previous experience, but that I'm not there to challenge anything.

If it were true that everybody taught by SGM Parker taught like they were taught, there would not be nearly so many associations and branches of American Kenpo. So, I don't know. But the name rings a bell; I'll look into it.

I began the day as center judge for the kata competition, where I got to see all my students that I have been working with do their forms, which was suprisingly rewarding. After that, I did my open hand form, Long Form 6 - which is American Kenpo's most advanced kata. Unfortunately, it wasn't as flashy as three other people's kata in my division, so I ended up with fourth (aka nothing). Shortly after I finished, I went and performed my wushu double broadsword kata, which contains (in this order): Two 360 spinning crescent kicks in a row, a carp kick, three butterfly kicks in a row, an arial, and then three more of two varieties of spinning crescent (inward and outward) kicks. I was very worried I wouldn't be able to pull it off, but I did, only slipping on my last butterfly kick. I ended up with fourth again, however; though most people said I deserved more, I was happy with my performance nonetheless. I then judged the kumite competition for varying age groups as a side judge, which was a very neat experience for me. After I finished judging, I went to my own kumite ring and fought. I was in the 'heavyweight' division (180lbs and over). My first fight was against a twenty something year old guy who is a black belt in Lima Lama and a green belt in American Kenpo, and does a tournament every month. I was awarded one point, though we both agreed that I scored more than that, but that point was a spinning heel hook to the head that nearly put him out. I lost 4-1, but I was happy. The fight for third (which I made it to) was me against a local dojo owner who has been training for 25 years and is a fifth degree black belt in some form of Kempo. It took *forever*, but when it was over, I won 3-1 (the clock ran out). I'm a Seventh Day Adventist, so I don't go to tournaments on Saturdays - therefore, this was like, my eighth tournament. Though I didn't bring home lots of trophies, and I almost threw up from nerves and passed out from exhaustion and dehydration (I couldn't stomach anything all day), I had a really good experience.

Good luck, sir! (Or ma'am!)

Respectfully, and with much humility, I say how much I loathe it when people say that. Please don't stereotype all of us by some of us, sir.

That sounds good to me. I felt really stupid after I asked this question - I suppose I could just ask. Nobody will be offended by that. I guess I'll need to buy a new white belt. Mine's a size 000 - I was six.

In a few weeks or possibly even days, I will begin taking Jiu Jitsu at a Jiu Jitsu academy where I live. There are really only three decent martial arts schools in our city - my instructor's, a kung fu school, and this academy. My question is, when I go to start my lessons, should I wear my black belt, or just go with my gi. Once I get into the actual classes, I certainly plan to wear a white gi and white belt, but until I am in the classes, what should I wear? I realize that this may be better suited for the "Getting Started in the Martial Arts" forum, but what I'm really asking is about instructor to instructor politics. I do not want to insult the Professor at the new school by either wearing or not wearing my belt. PS. My instructor reccomended that I begin taking lessons from the new dojo as a supplement - so that's not an issue.

What I meant by slappy is that we tend to want to go fast, not hard, which can be effective, yes, if properly executed. But, as SGM Parker said, we want accuracy, then power, then speed.