Sam

Ben: Imperial College

I guess within your own school every knows what rank everyone else it. However displaying rank does have its upside - it allows you to see who is your senior and who you should be able to seek advice from (i.e. at a meeting between several schools, at a tournament or demo). But other than that i dont really see any reason to wear stripes

Its not ALL down to the practitioner though... although all arts have the capability to be deadly when applied as such by a capable practitioner - some arts are going to be more so than others i.e. i wouldnt but TKD [as a practitioner (and i hope a capable one)] any where near the top of the list. I guess if you actually meant ability to apply training to wandering round and killing people - a martial art concentrating on weapons would probably be at the top but there are a lot of these and im no expert so i wouldnt be able to say which one of these is the most potent (as they say - no one's really going out all day and killing people so it would be difficult to say for definite).

I know the feeling - when i first started sparring alot i used to get really annoyed when i got beaten about a bit, but now even if my instructor completely thrashes me still dont get angry - just learned whenever i got angry made more mistakes and got beaten more....

I think Venrix hit the nail on the head - you have completely different aims and limitations when defending your self as a citizen and when trying to apprehend / arrest someone - so of course the approach and moves are goign to be completely different. To that end most MA would have ot be adapted any way - also [in UK at least] you tend to send 2+ [up to 6 or 8] sorting out fights, rather than just the one, so i guess in that situation at least you always have another guy.

Just a little back tracking - even as a TKD student and practitioner I would definitely say its not the way to go for self defense, you would be easily better off with either of the other two [whether traditional or sport tkd]. the prob with TKD for self defense it that it needs you to concentrate on the application of techniques you learn and be a bit more creative about how you look at your techniques [we do all those kicks -high and jumping,etc. ; but you need to realise you dont use them that much, they're only a training method to gain kicking strength speed, etc.] Anyway back on topic - if you're that concerned about learning self defense TKD is probably not the way to go - but then again depends ont he instructor and his / her experience and what they teach [may just be TKD based, with some extra self defense, etc. thrown in for good measure].

Traditional TKD here as well. Do a lot more technical work, with hands than most TKD schools, rather than just concentrating on ranged and flashy jumping kicks. generally encouraged low kicks, etc. Do some VERY basic grappling and ground work drills every so often, but mainly as a way of showing students other things they can go away and train in....

happy bday - bit late now but still...

Or just beat them into a pile of mush and laugh maniacally..... oh, i mean ask them to try harder.... We dont do much grappling and most of our sparring (sport) work is ranged cos we do ITF tkd - so its a lot of kicking [no grabs] and guys and girls get paired up just as regularly as any other combination. Whenever we do self defense we try and use the bigger people as the attackers and they tend to be guys, but thats really it

Wow im definitely keeping a copy of that too - im off to find a new club and MA school soon so thats definitely a little check list to complete - tHanks.

The wonders of a google search... Im actually moving to london this september for uni - but i do TKD so i guess we're not really looking for the same thing!

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said. Anaerobic fitness is vital to sparring / tournament situations, but if you're saying you've already developed this - then like its already been said its mostly down to nerves : high adrenaline, your lose your control over your breathing rate, heart rate increases, you start moving in a different way and not using your muscles as efficiently; just expereience helps you get over this - not much help i guess considering you got the nationals so soon. All i would say is when you get in there try andtake a moment to calm yourself and just take it as it comes - try not to put any expectations on it.

I guess its down to what your art teaches.... some teach to walk away no matter what - some say always stand up for yourself unless your in serious danger . but then again thats pretty difficult to define. I'd agree about walking away to any situation, but there's always gonna be a situation you cant walk away from so i guess MA helps you keep your head in this sort of position.

Yeah heavy bag is a good way of practicing strengthening your kicks on your own. The problem with kicking with ankle weights is if you kick to hard it can put a huge amount of pressure on the knee joint, and can hyperextend it.... ouchies. Destruction if any of your instructors recommend this can be used to help focus and power - but looking at your styles non of them seems destruction oriented. I'd list to Muaythaiboxer - as you guys seems to share a style!.

I agree - but if people are constantly rewarded for "progress" and attain """""Mastery""""" (heavy use of quotation marks) quicker - or feel they are advancing quicker - tehy are more likely to wnat ot continue. But i do agree -a could marketing plan can put you on even footing with a McDojo - and then all its down to is knowing that you provide a better service...lol.

'I have to back MMAChamp here.... I wouldnt say there is a BEST style.... but there are better styles. You would need a rounded fighter who can strike, but doesnt have to hold back from getting too close when striking for fear of being taken to ground - so someone who also studdies a grappling art. I do disagree with saying someone standing up against a muay thai / boxer / wing chun master could fight on instincts and survive - i think its pretty even on how easily theyd lose standing with a striker, or on ground with a grappler..... All in all - you need to have both skills - you cant rely on the fight finishing with you on your feet, but on the other side - you cant rely on being able to take the fight to the ground as not ALL fights end up there - so the person who would come out on top mst would be someone who was accomplished in both striking and grappling. More in line with the topic of discussion - there are better martial arts as we all know, im not saying there is a best - but some striking arts concentrate around practical application and actually test there moves, whereas some more TMA dont ever test their moves in a real situation - so this training is unlikely to bear you in as good stead in an all out fight. The advantage grappling training has (why alot of grappling arts could be considered equally as good) is that its impossible to practice grappling without actually doing it - so you know whether it works or not when you practice it.... I would say - that yes alot of the better arts are equal and the winner would then depend on the practitioner, but there definitely are more effective arts. To prevent anyone getting all aggrevated about my post im not going to list what everyone will tell me is just "my opinion" of what those better arts are - i think we all know once you've trained around a bit.

Ive always found it interesting (academically) the explanations people come up with for things they cant explain within the normal realms of understanding... Whats the weirdest belief / explanation you've heard (not to try and hijack the thread - just if you are experienced with the paranormal).

glad you enjoyed yourself

YEah people just want quick results something you cnat promise them without compromising on skill....

Depending on your organisation yes you can spar quite early on.... About the weight loss, etc. Most active martial arts will help you get fitter, but its really about putting the effort in training hard, and training outside of the dojang and your lessons. Good luck with the training, and most of all enjoy!!!

depends on grade - bluebelt and up [yellow, green blue red black] is continuous.... that nad below is point stop Cadet, Junior and "pee wee" leagues are all point stop regardless of grade.

i would say if you're talking about machine gun kicking in sequence of the same kick - mostly bout stopping and starting power in the appropriate leg muscles.... but other than that iagree with whats been said in general.

Right on ours just because everything is done on the right for some reason - generally because it signifies strength [but weirdly enough also aggression]..... i think.

i would advise stretching in the morning if you plan on cold kicking or non warm up flexibility. also just generally go through what you remember having to do, seeing if you cna keep up.. Good luck, hope you enjoy being back at training.

Thatd be cool if it all goes welll.... thanks for well wishes kicks, ill take a camera and try and get some pics uploaded - or just make some interesting avatars!!! Get some of Liam as well if he doesnt object.... he he