foreveryoung001

Ouch!

If you are "knot" (sorry couldn't resist) taking part in it, than why worry. This topic wasa tounge-in-cheek complaint to begin with... in the "general chat" thread, so where is the harm in everyone acting a little goofy with it?

Those "saps"... they were most likely just trying to get to the "root" of the problem though. They were just hoping you "wood" "branch" out in different directions.

Intersting article. I'm glad he has found a way to use his abilities to glorify God. The only thing I thought they could have covered more was his MA history. Early in the article, when he was quoted as saying he was 10th dan, little buzzers started going off in my head. I don't know anything about him, so I can't say he is or isn't, but there are so many... um let's call them "false prophets" out there, I wish the article would have taken a paragraph or two to expand on that claim. Such as what organization gave him his rank. I think that may have added to the credibility of the article... but maybe it's just me.

This same excersise is one of my favorite stretches. We make it a class excercise every couple of weeks.

Is your sensei aware of this problem? He/she would be the first one that I would approach. If I had a distracting parent in class, I wouldn't blink an eye before I asked them to wait outside, and then speak with them after class. I have some very strict rules governing behavior of students AND spectators. Those rules don't chnage at the tournaments either. See if that may help the problem.

I think I've got another lifetime before I can call any technique perfect. I can always find something to improve upon. I think when you find someone who says, "Yeah, I throw perfect techniques", then they are either full of something, or.... well there is no "or". The greatest masters in the MAs will tell you that even they don't know it all... perfection is a goal to aim for, but I'm not sure it is ever reached. Keep practicing. Build your leg strength to help get your jump stronger. and practice. Work with your instrucotr, since he is right there. Show him your technique, and ask him for guidance. and practice. FYI-still far from perfect, I started training in 1984... 1st dan in 88... a few years off... seriously training again for the last two years... I still do not like my technique on most of my jump spins. I do not use them often, except for the jump reverse which I find somewhat effective in sparring when I can lead my opponent right, but other than that, I find no true use for them except for flash, and I'm not into flash all that much.

Welcome Karate Kid! My signature is a true story about my instructors first master who was so scared during an encounter at a tavern, that he hit the guy with a chair rather than relying on what he knew. There are two lessons that I tried to learn from that. One: Practice like it is the real thing, so that when the real things comes, you may be able to control the fear better... and TWO: if it comes down to fighting fair, or hitting aguy with a chair, I'll hit the guy with a chair. The Master was so freaked out that he told his students that had all gone out for a drink together that he couldn't remember how to throw a punch or kick, and grabbed the chair without thinking. Practice until you don't have to think. Practice until your techniques are a natural movement... I believe it's called muscle memory, but someone can correct me if I am wrong.

I think everyone's opinions on this topic would be different. THe most important thing, IMHO , is that you feel like you are getting a good MA education. Figure out what you want to get out of your training... if your instructor is teaching in a way that is helping you learn what you would like to learn, then it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. If you figure out that you would like to be getting something out of your training that your instructor doesn't focus on, then try talking to him/her about it. If he won't or can't teach you what you would like to know, then it might be time to try and find someone who can. Being so new to the MAs, you might want to train for a while and see if this school is meeting all (or most) of your expectations. I think a lot of it comes down to the student as well. What is the students attitude? There could be someone who "everyone" feels is a quality instructor, but if the student is not taking his training seriously, then I think that may reflect on the student as much or more than the instructor. And, vice-versa, a student who is committed to learning, at all costs, even with a "poor" instructor, would find a way to improve his abilities. I'm sure there will be other opinions, but that is my two cents.

I've never been in a situation where I actually had to strike someone... But, I would think that the best technique would any one that you can land.

We generally do not use them in our sparring. We do a couple of excercises that incorperate them, and then there are the few times where we spar with sweeps, groin strikes (gotta be careful on that one), some grappeling... We find that some of the tournaments in our area will let you use sweeps, so we don't want our students going in completely unprepared, but for the most part we don't use them in sparring.

My Apologeze AngelaG, I had no idea that things were that hard for you right now. I wish I could do something to help, but I have very little free time here. In fact, before I can test tonight, I have to go wax my Super Deluxe Grand Master's Mercedes... The black one... his silver one is in the shop, and he doesn't like to drive the BMW after Labor Day. I guess I just don't have what it takes to run a school... he tells me that he is struggeling too. He puts so much money back into our club though... we just got a new soda pop machine. Maybe someday, if I work hard.... ahhhhh to dream.....

I agree with everyone here about having a plan. I was in a similar situation... small town, teaching part time. My school came about as a favor to a dance studio that my family is involved with, and I went in expecting to teach for few eeks until they could find a permanet program. They enjoyed my teaching style, and asked me to build my own program... next thing I know, I go from a handful of students that I'm teaching twonights a week, to a huge time commitment. I don't want that to scare you, but like everyone else said... HAVE A PLAN! Have it before you start anything, and stick to it!

Lagging a bit aren't you? Hey, did you have to join the plaid, triple stripped, 7 star, polyester belt club in order to test? What does your school charge for that? I thought my school was pretty resonable... after I got the second mortgage, and picked up a second job it was a piece of cake...

I don't In fact, if I wasn't typing this message right now, Iwould be hiding under the covers, sucking my thumb, and most likely whimpering over the fact that I'm late for work.... gotta go!

I see you received some answers to the Mcdojang question on the other thread. I do believe you that Korea has a lot to offer. I have heard that from several others, including my Grand Master who goes to Korea quite often to train. As a husband, and father of four, it just hasn't worked out for me to get over there, but I do envy those that have the chance to take advantage of that heritage.

I'm not a doctor, but I play one on the radio. Your high school guidance counselor might be able to help you if no one here has any info for you.

So will I continue to press my case? Ummmmm, no not tonight. You win

Although, skipping down the street may be a good way to cross-train. Get some sparring into it, when all the "tough" guys in your area show up to beat on the "sissy" who is skipping down the street. Seriously though, I've heard that skipping can be a very good cardio work-out. I had some charts at one time that gave comparisons with running. It compared the time spent skipping to the length of a run... ie, 10 mintues of skipping is comparable to 1 mile of running, for calories burned... or something close to that.

I know, just razzing you. I have never had an opportunity to work with a club that train or sparred Olympic, but always thought it would be fun to have that experience. My style is very traditional, based on traditions that were around long before Korea named TKD as a national sport. I'm sure if I still lived in the Detroit area my choices in training would be greater, but I live in the boonies, and we are very limited in our selection. Besides my own school, there are only two other MA schools in the area, and one TKD club that will hold classes for a couple of months, then the instructor will take a couple of months off. No Olympic style Dojangs within 200 miles.

You know, it may take some searching, but I think you could find whatever kind of training you are after. The problem, IMHO, is that most Americans are in it for the quick fix, quick rank, quick whatever, and that has led to a lot of the "McDojo" mentality. The quality schools are out there, as well as schools that focus on the sport aspect, the traditional aspect... whatever you want... Maybe not in your back yard, but again, you can't lump every TKD into one catagory.

Interesting topic. I would tend to disagree to a point. I think the basic premise, that "traditional" Martial Artists are out of shape, lazy, etc... points to the what has already been said... a lot of McDojos. I tend to think, though, that you can't classify them as "Traditional" Martial Artists. They may be learning an art with very traditional roots, but I would not classify them as Traditional in their training. I would agree with those that have said it all comes down to training methods, and the goals that one has while they are training.

Child of the 80's... well sort of... let's not get into age. Alphaville, Depeche Mode, The Cure (before they sold out), Ultravox

Bills

Cool! Will we be seeing you fight in China? That is where the next Olympics are right?????? Guess I should have paid more attention this summer.