monkeygirl

Sidekick: http://www.angelfire.com/ma/imaf/images/sidekick.jpg See how the toes are pulled back? The striking point for this kick is the bottom of the foot/heel. This kick goes straight out, so if two opponents are facing each other in a sideways fighting stance, this kick will go straight for the opponent's rib. It's hard to explain online, but the kick is chambered straight back and thrown straight out...the bottom of his foot should always be facing his target! Roundhouse kick: http://www.fullcontact.com.au/seido/Images/Michelle%20Roundhouse%20kick.jpg See how her toes are pointed? The striking point for this kick is the top of the foot..the toes MUST be pointed so they aren't broken. If two fighters are facing each other in a sideways fighting stance, this kick will be aimed for their torso/back. A roundhouse kick will hit the left or right side of a target, (depending on whether you kick with the left or right foot, respectively) but never the front or back of the target. I hope that helps YOU understand the kick...one-on-one instructor time will be the best solution. If you stay and watch your son's classes, really focus on the techniques and try to learn with him so you can help him later on.

You gotta love it when he steals that lady's food

All that over a SHOE? Sure, I've wrestled with my dojo buds for taking my stuff (hair scrunchie, shoes, or something silly like that), but that's all in good fun..."fisticuffs" never come into the situation! You have violent friends

If he just keeps backing away from you, the fight will be pretty easy Start doing a fake little "check" where you fake advancing into him so that he reacts. If you keep doing that, he might get a little paranoid about backing up. With any luck, he might even stop backing up! Even if he doesn't, he'll have a harder time of knowing when you're actually attacking, and when you're checking. The only way a fake will work though, is if you set it up first. So, block his kicks a few times, let him think that this will go the same way your other recent matches have gone...let him think he has the upper hand. After about three or four times of blocking his kick, FAKE the block, let his body react, and take advantage of the situation. I don't really have an idea of what you could counter with since I've never fought this person, but I'm sure you'll know what to do Good luck!

the dirty old man...

I think I understand where you're coming from, Warp Spider, BUT... Even if his intentions aren't hostile, there's still the fact that he's talking to these kids about worshipping the devil. I can't speak for their mothers, but I know my mother wouldn't be too pleased about that...that's some pretty scary stuff! I'm 16 and I wouldn't want anybody talking to me about that. Obviously he can't be arrested for that because this is America and he is free to practice his religion. But parents are also free to protect their children.

It's a long story but it basically boils down to some very messy dojo politics. My family had a disagreement with the owners and after a while I felt it would be best for me to leave. It was a very hard decision to make...I had to choose the lesser of two evils: 1. Turn my back on my family and keep training or 2. Give up something I love very much, but remain loyal to my family. It's been a painful process, but my family, dojo friends (who weren't involved in the politics at all, nor do I want them to be) and KF have helped me through it. To get back on topic... Wow, you guys lead some dangerous lives!

Well, regardless of how much it may hurt, it still puts you at risk for impotency and possibly cancer, so I wouldn't mess around with it if I were a guy. Ahhh it's times like these that I'm glad I'm NOT a guy

Ah, I see. OK I had never thought about it like that.

Welcome to the forums!

OK guys, calm down. Everyone's opinion and points can be presented and recognized, as long as they are presented and recognized in a respectful manner. Please keep the discussion respectful.

Sure, I'll critique! I'm sure we would all enjoy reading it. I don't really think there's such a thing as "bad" haiku just as long as it's truthful. I think I was feeling pretty frustrated when I wrote Captain Me, but now it's just funny. I'm glad you like it

What is "sensitivity to intent"?

Pretty cute. I've had some pretty deep discussions on another forum about love and what it means. So of course, the heartbroken people just yell at us hopeless romantics every time. What I find to be rather interesting: the opposite of love is NOT hate...the opposite of love is selfishness. Therefore, a large part of love is selfLESSness.

NUH-UH!!!!! I'm tellin' MOMMY!!!!

Seabiscuit was a really good movie! My dad's a fan of horse racing, so we decided to go. My great-grandfather used to own race horses so it kinda runs in the family. Anyway, Seabiscuit is based on the book by Laura Hillenbrand. I've never read the book, but I've heard that it's excellent...you don't have to be a horse fan to enjoy it, it's just plain a classic. I think the same goes for this movie. It was a little weird seeing Tobey Maguire as a redhead, but he did an awesome job in this role. When I watched Spiderman, I kept seeing Lou, the puppy from Cats & Dogs that Tobey lent his voice to. In Seabiscuit though, I just saw Tobey's character...not Lou, not Spiderman...just Red. That's a good thing...it meant that he really captured my attention.

Haiku are great! I love them...they're really fun to write. Just make sure it comes from within. Generally, because haiku are so short, they are meant to capture a single moment. One of my favorites: The form is inaccurate since it's been translated from Japanese, but the meaning and feeling remain the same. That haiku touches me deeply for reasons I can't begin to explain or understand. Haiku are very personal so not everyone will like a certain one...but usually everyone will understand it on some level. Modern haiku should be written in 17 syllables in 3 lines: Line 1: 5 syllables Line 2: 7 syllables Line 3: 5 syllables. This is pretty flexible, though. Here's one I wrote as an example: I like funny/sarcastic haiku, too. That one isn't in the "capture the moment" style, but it's a good example of syllable use. Check out this website for more info: http://www.toyomasu.com/haiku/ Strangely enough, there is an entire website dedicated to haiku written about...SPAM! http://www.spamhaiku.com

I still haven't seen the first two American Pie movies, although my parents just saw them recently...my dad is against me watching them, but I think my mom disagrees with him (but what else is new ). They both loved the movies and I'd like to see them, but oh well. In a year and a half I'll be 18 and can rent them for myself. I've never heard of Brother but I might check it out, thanks. I've never been a big fan of eminem...I laughed at the thought of him making a "serious" film. I mean, c'mon...he paraded around in a Robin costume for one of his videos!

Closed now that this week's is up.

Talk to the children's parents and warn them about this man who is talking to their children, and they'll probably want to take action. This is something your whole neighborhood should be on the alert about. Since he's mentally deranged, you may want to get him some psychological help, if at all possible. He sounds like he could be a danger to himself and others. You may not be able to stop him right away, but putting the neighborhood on alert should definitely help.

I think I see your point on that issue, Treebranch. Sure, certain words are loaded, but I don't think "style" is one of them. Regardless of what I think, though, what do YOU think "style" is loaded with, exactly? There are styles of cars, there are styles of music, there are styles of painting, architecture, clothing, writing, you name it...practically everything in our society can be divided into styles. Why should martial arts be any different? Treebranch, I'm a little confused: do you feel that the term "style" is in some way derogatory? How can a word mislead people? Styles of martial arts aren't so very different from each other. Telling someone that Shito-Ryu and Goju-Ryu are two different "styles" of karate helps them understand that they are similar, yet different, just as punk and metal are two different "styles" of rock music. I'm not trying to get you to change your ways or anything...just trying to understand what's so bad about the word "style".

nice pic!

There's no shame in forgetting to breathe! It's just another training hurdle you'll have to overcome. Get a patient partner to monitor your breathing, since you seem to have troubles remembering to do it yourself. It'll feel awkward at first, but you need to force yourself to breathe until it becomes habit. Exhale as you lift into the crunch, inhale as you come back down. Same for push-ups: exhale as you lift with the push-up, inhale as you come back down. Also, make sure you have proper form in your crunches: lifting with your stomach and not your neck, keeping your jaw facing the ceiling. If your chin is tucked into your chest, you'll have difficulties breathing, which may be why you're forgetting to breathe. When concentrating on proper breathing, I've found that I can do twice the amount of push-ups than when I don't focus on my breathing.

What is a "Top-Heavy Hookjaw"? Apparently it's me!

:lol: ROTFL!!!!!! :lol: