parkerlineage

I weight train for an hour and a half or so every other day, go to class for an hour and a half every other day, run sword drills for a half hour or so randomly throughout the week, and teach 20 hours a week.

I wouldn't reccommend beginning from videos. You can't tell what you're doing wrong, and without an instructor, you'll probably just learn to get yoruself hurt.

Got a new nickname: Straightsword, or Jin (sp?) is the Gentleman of Weapons.

That's what I was thinking; mine's about seven feet long.

Yeah, me, too. I hate fighting those people, because they jam up my long arms. Understood. Yeah, ain't that the truth!

I'm looking for a video (preferably online) of a hardstyle bo kata that I could learn even a fragment of, so that I can better show when I do demos the difference between the Chinese and Japanese bo kata. Thanks for your help.

I use this metaphor all the time.

I've created some weapons kata, as have my instructor, because our system lacks in weapons, but no new empty hand stuff.

I think "lapel" grabs would be a little more likely to occur. But it would be more like grabbing your shirt to setup for a big right hand to the face. Exactly! Coming from the security industry, I have seen plenty of fights start with a lapel grap. Left Hand Grab = Right head punch coming. Both Hands Grab = Headbutt coming. I couldn't agree more. No experience with security, but I agree anyway. As for a wrist grab - go against the thumb. The end. Probably not likely to come, but easy to escape.

Tigerclaw is my usual route.

I don't think the Chinese threw their spears, much, but I could be mistaken.

I fight primarily left side forward, which is where we start in American Kenpo. The reasoning behind that is that if you're right handed, you're going to want to use your right hand more. If you stand in a left-leading stance, you're continually reminded that your left hand is in front of you, and much much much more apt to use it. To fight on the other side requires a lot of training and conditioning yourself to throw that left hand reverse punch, or whatever you've got planned. And man, does it mess with or martial artists' - especially those that fight right lead (I'm thinking TKD, because that's what I have experience fighting) - minds! At least in my experience, which was only up through junior black level, I'd start leading right hand, bow, go back to right lead, and as soon as they said go, spinning back kick and land left lead, then dodge around to their back and chew them up with my hands. I could do the switch thing two or three times before they finally started ignoring it, and by that time, it was usually too late.

While I agree with your methods of identification, DancingSteve, I think that limiting one's self to say, "I am a linear fighter," will have negative results. The best fighter is one that can transition easily between all different categories, not just one.

I'll ask my instructor about it...

I would think that the owner of the dojo should get to name it. What does the head of the organization care? It's not his school, and he doesn't teach there, so why should it matter?

If they get their hands up and ready, and yours are still down, you're going to have to be really fast to hit them first. Just a thought.

That's very interesting...

It's sad to see that martial artists make so little money that they can only afford to buy half a gi. Very sad.

I try to think catlike - light on my feet, able to hop quickly to find a new angle whenever I feel necessary, whether it be for attack or defense.

I respect them both very much. If you want good info, talk to bushidoman96 - maybe pm him, if he doesn't post soon.

Long Form 3 for open hand, Double Dao Wushu for weapons.

That's cool! I'd love to learn to use those sometimes.

One handed?!?! That's ridiculous! I don't think I'm strong enough to do that...but I can see how that would make things very hard to fight.

Yeah. Wushu and Hung gar, in my experience.

Awesome. Thanks for sharing! Battle axe...sweet. I'd probably hack my leg off.