Bretty101

It's a nightmare isn't it. I'm sat at a desk 8 hours a day that's when i'm not sat in my car commuting. I'm slowly turning into a fat man. I do exercise my hands looking at Karateforums on the Net. As well I like to jog my memory, jump to conclusions and skip the country! On the good side, training gives me something to look forward to at the end of each day, love it! Bretty

The bounce... If you mean the up and downward movement of the hips this happens when you drop down into a long stance. Long stances give you power and stability for strong blocks and strikes. If you mean the silly sine-wave up and down stuff well i don't get that either. It's something the 'official' ITF people developed to further themselves from us 'non-official' types. I think it all detracts from Taekwondo's hard roots in shotokan by trying to flow and be a soft martial art. I think theres a theory of increased power in there somewhere but give me a brick to break and you won't see me bouncing around. Bretty

Thats so funny. What's the price of cardboard per tonne in the US? I suppose you do get people who pay over $100 for a BB grading and only get a cheap belt and certificate to show for it! Bargain, i'll take 2 Bretty

Does any one know a defence from a rear bear hug which works everytime? Mainly on an opponent who is being difficult!! I used to throw my head back into their face, stamp on their feet then step one leg behind them and stand up to sweep them back over my leg. The result is usually an effective takedown. Unfortunately when my friend dave attacks he's a nightmare. He doesn't behave like an ordinary attacker would, So this may be a bit of a silly question... He tucks his head in between my shoulder blades, he has a grip i can't break and he also digs his knees into the back of mine so i can't stand up straight. I can usually get him off balance onto the floor but ideally i want to break free and run away as soon as possible from such an attack. And he doesn't stand still either! How do you get out of a rear bear hug (with their arms around your body AND arms)? Help?! Bretty

This sounds about normal to me! Assuming the classes advance with you and you don't do basics forever. Generally if your enjoying your training and not paying huge amounts for it your in the right club! Bretty

Our hardest session is our saturday squad training session it always starts with (after a warm up) Sparring: 3*2minute rounds hands only 3*2minute rounds legs only 3*2minute rounds hands and legs With 3 minute break between each round to do 1 minute of pressups, 1 minute of sit-ups and 1 minute of squat thrusts. Then the second hour is circuit training or pad work. I used to think i was dying, but now i've got used to it. Bretty

...D'oh double post...

ANKLE WEIGHTS ARE THE QUICKEST WAY TO DEVELOPE KICKING STRENGTH. getting ankle weights was the best thing i ever did and they cost next to nothing. DO NOT... 1)...kick at full speed 1/2 and 1/4 speed kicks are a great work out, even slower if you can and try and pause with the kick at it's maximum height and hold it there for half a second. 2) ...Lock out your kicks I prefer to do my ankle weight work all with a straight leg anyway, concentrating on my hip flexor and hip aBductor muscles. I would really not recommend ankle weights for ballistic exercises, the weight will generally cause injury due to hyper-extension. but slow speeds should be fine. Slow motion exercises are a real killer and can greatly improve your strength and coordination. Look after your knees!! Bretty

LS, I'm from the UK, were are you? I think the local liesure centre/school martial arts clubs are much better then the big academy clubs. Theirs less overheads so the instructors a little less keen to sting you for all your money! As well the clubs are generally smaller, which results in better tuition. Bretty

I got my black belt when i was 16, after 5 years training. To put things into perspective i was 6foot1 and 200pounds and knocking people out at tournaments who were twice my age. I honestly think i was better when i was 16 then i am now (22) Then i trained 2 hours every day because i had the time and the energy. Unfortunatel now i'm working i have other commitments. Maybe i couldn't talk the talk (instruct) at 16 but i could sure walk the walk. I think 16 is about right for a black belt judged on their merits. I must admit i really don't like seeing 7 or 8 years old blackbelts. Bretty

I got my black belt when i was 16, after 5 years training. To put things into perspective i was 6foot1 and 200pounds and knocking people out at tournaments who were twice my age. I honestly think i was better when i was 16 then i am now (22) Then i trained 2 hours every day because i had the time and the energy. Unfortunatel now i'm working i have other commitments. Maybe i couldn't talk the talk (instruct) at 16 but i could sure walk the walk. I think 16 is about right for a black belt judged on their merits. I must admit i really don't like seeing 7 or 8 years old blackbelts. Bretty

I assume you both passed the grading then..? Congratulations, unfortunately i don't have sound, though i'm sure the video will be a good reference for you when you look back over your martial arts 10years from now. Bretty

I've just finished university, but as i was captain of the university club i can still train with them. The instructor also runs a public class which i can also attend. During summer and the holidays i go back home and visit all my local club. Its a great chance to fight my friends who went to other universities. It's always good to visit as many different clubs as possible. Some instructor try and brain wash you that there way is the right and only way. training at other clubs will open your mind. Bretty

That's pretty funny considering WTF is the style used in the Olympics and (in my experience) has the least emphasis of effective defence. I've done 2 years of WTF and 10 years of ITF, I'm with Kyle-san on that one. ITF isn't great, but there is a world of difference between 'traditional' (I use that word lightly, maybe 'old skool' TKD would be more appropriate) and the current forms of Mcdojo TKD which seems all too common. Modern TKD lacks all the disapline it used to have. I think the problem with TKD is it's trying too hard to get away from it's shotokan origins, and is evolving into a soft flowing art (ie fancy freeform kicks, sine-wave and flickiness). Too much soft stuff!!! Just my opinion. Bretty

From a TKD Vs Boxing point of veiw. (i know this isn't the point just a note) I fight a lot of boxers and have noticed one disadvantage they have against kickers. The are wicked at bobbing and weaving with their head and are really hard to hit, but their Centre of gravity hardly moves it's always in the centre of their squarer 50/50 stance. So they are very vulnerable to mid section push kicks such as the front kick!! just a note Bretty

An interesting, original and refreshing subject... I think i could knock somene out on the street with a high kick i've got a big axe kick and hook kick which seem to catch out even experienced fighters. I've also got a full range of punches all from my training in TKD. I'm not much of a grappler but then in a street fight i'd rather hit and run. I'd say that was effective!!! Hope that wasn't too biased for you. Bretty (ITF TKD)

Sounds like your hip flexor. A very common problem with kickers. It's annoying but the only thing you can do is rest and make sure your getting a balanced diet to help it recover. Glucosamine can't hurt it, if the pain was right inside the joint i'd recommend glucosamine but as it is probably on the front of your joint (hip/leg) i'd say you've probably pulled a hip flexor (which doesn't feel like a muscular pain, you'll 'feel' it nearer the joint in the tendon) If it was more on the inside or on the outside that would be your hip aBductor or aDductor depending on which side. Again very common injuries with kickers. Take it easy! Bretty

What you need are EXPLOSIVE exercises. Type plyometric exercises or plyometrics into a search engine and you'll find loads of info. Really it's all about jumping off and onto stuff. Like you say jumping up and down very boring. A realistic training plan which i use and is very effective is... Find a big flight of steps and run up to the top as fast as you can walk back down and repeat. Near me there are 2 sets of 40 steps. it's ideal, I run up to the top as fast as i can 5 times everyday during my morning jog. Great for explosive training the gluteus. For side splits i'm afraid it's just a case of practice. I achieved the sidesplits by just doing static stretches sat in front of the TV every evening. Sat legs apart stretch to left, right, centre (hold each 30 seconds) then spread legs a bit further and repeat. Good Luck Bretty

I do boxing and TKD (itf). I find they both go really well together. I love the power and body movement from boxing and the kicks of TKD The only trouble i have ever found is with the footwork. mainly transferring of weigh. When your kicking your weight is obviously all on your rear leg, generally my kicking stance is also slightly more side on. For a punch i want my weight more 50/50 and onto the front leg in squarer stance. I'm yet to find some good drills to get this right other then lots and lots of pad work. Bretty

I'd say about 90% of real fights i've seen have involved the good old Haymaker. Suprisingly most martial arts (mine included) don't involve it that heavily in they're self defence. I would personnally forget knifehand/forearm blocks and use my inpenetrable guard . I'd step inside the punch tucking my head right into my shoulder and covering the whole side of my head with my folded arm. The punch is likely to connect with my elbow/arm. Then while in close i'd try and control the attacked with some nasty close range strikes and sweep/take down. By using a guard, my arms are nice and close to my body and i don't need to judge his punch like i would with a block. Cover up and get in close! Bretty

I've been taking GLucosamine for the last 3 months and have noticed a significant improvement in my joints. Glucosamine is the amino acid needed for your body to rebuild cartilage. Cartilage protects the bones where they rub together in your joints. My worst problem was with my knees (thanks to TKD). Things like sitting/horse stance are really not good for your knees. it's best to keep your feet in line with your legs. Okay the stance is meant to be done with parrallel feet but that is so bad for your knees!! The best thing i have found for my joints (shoulder and knees) is weight training. The extra muscle supports and aligns all my joints and feels great! Hope your knees get better! Bretty

A student should be graded to a set standard reguardless of age or gender (etc). If the 13yr old has attanded this standard which is the same for everyone then fair enough!! If i was training at the club i don't think i would find a 13yr old 3rd dan very inspiring! Each to their own! Bretty (2nd dan, nearly been training 13yrs!)

I would have said... There's 10 of you and 5 of us and your all older then us. So an out and out fight just wouldn't be fair. So what we'll do is i'll fight the hardest one of you lot one on one. At this point you want to try and look a bit psychotic. I bet none of them would volunteer to fight you one on one. But if they did and your as good as you say you are you could give him a good kicking! Thats if they play fair. Bretty

Have a look for Rick moneymaker on the internet, and the Dragin Society. Lots of stuff on pressure points if thats what your looking for. I find that sort of stuff really interesting. Rick Moneymaker also looks at how these strike tie in with Katas and applications of moves. Hope that helps Bretty

I'll agree that concrete is more brittle then bone. But the problem with concrete is it is very hard. Harder then bone and your hand. Bretty