baronbvp

My instructor says it's pants when you don't kick below the waist, and shorts when you do, so you can see the opponent's knees - a no-strike area. We wear shorts. Perhaps the pants are a European kickboxing fashion statement.

They also make bags that move back and forth after you punch them, with stretch cords on the top and bottom. You can move away from them as they rebound. That's kind of old school, though. They are something like this: http://www.boxingdepot.com/striking-bags.html

Exactly. There is so much that goes into it. I like Shorin Ryu and find the stances more natural. I also don't like memorizing tons of kata. But the bottom line is if you like the school and how they do things; the people who teach and the way they teach; and the people who train there - then you will find value.

Great points, elbows and knees - posted in Sep 2005, still valid in Feb 2007!

I'm starting to get interested in Tai Chi Chuan. Thanks for the link.

Our snow melted today for the most part. But we're supposed ot get another ice storm tomorrow. Why do they always come on the days of my class?

The best dojos for kids are the ones creative enough to keep them engaged, excited, respectful, and learning. It's a tricky process but very worthwhile. Sounds like you all are part of that.

I don't know enough about them, other than that the scouts know what they're doing. Consequently, the draft stock changes pretty significantly with some guys. You always hear a guy who doesn't do well there talking about how he "performs in games," but I think the combine is important to put everyone on the same footing. I believe guys who do well at the combine have a pretty good track record in the NFL. Now you've piqued my interest, Bushido Man. I'll have to pay closer attention.

Excellent! Sounds as though you have the right guy training you, Cross. I'm excited to hear how it goes.

When you're fatigued, try not to let it show. If you rest for a few seconds, keep your guard up and use the time during your match/fight to plan your next strategy.

Something I learned again tonight: he who slips and ducks punches will not fill his ears with the sound of fists hitting his face.

It might be time to move this subject to a different thread, but on this topic I agree with you. That said, I also think you may live in a rougher areas than some of us. The increasing pressures of tourism on the island locals cause problems that are well documented. I don't know if that was a factor is this case. Your point is valid. You never know where or when danger could arise and must be ready.

Tonight the callus I've been building up on my left foot ripped off during drills in Muay Thai class. The skin under it split open. I hope I don't get an infection. This is exactly why I've been considering MA shoes, though no one else wears them. I washed well when I got home so I should be all right. It didn't distract me while sparring, but I can sure feel it now.

Tonight was my first night of full-contact sparring in Muay Thai. Wow. It's been a long time since I went like that. It was only one round of 2 minutes, but this was at the end of our hour and a half workout session. It was great fun! The rest of the post is under Kickboxing on Cross' "First Night of Boxing" thread.

Tonight was my first night of full-contact sparring in Muay Thai. Wow. It's been a long time since I went like that. It was only one round of 2 minutes, but this was at the end of our hour and a half workout session. I'd say it was a draw, or maybe I won. I forced him to back out about four times. I took some serious punches to the face but threw some wicked ones as well. I had forgotten how LOUD good punches are when they hit your face! I noticed the noise more than the contact, although that certainly gets your attention too. Also, I can't kick worth a damn except for the teep or front snap kick and the occasional low round kick, so I gave up trying. It's just too easy to leave yourself open when you are tired. I was pretty winded when it was over, but so were the other guys. Afterward, the other guys were congratulating us on a fierce round. I am by far the oldest one in my class at 45. The others are almost all 15-19 years old, including the guy I sparred with. I was proud of not having to stop due to fatigue, but we all have some serious conditioning to do. Eventually we will be doing 3 rounds of 2 minutes each with 1 minute breaks. If we have to do it at the end of class again, there will be some hurting puppies. I'm sure we will all grow less wild and more efficient though. I am determined to slip and duck better, to deflect rather than block punches, and to become the teep master. But it was great fun!

Stomping a foot works well, too. Somehow people never see that one coming.

Wow. This kind of behavior would never occur to me. Any ideas what you are going to do about it?

Marie Curie, can you elaborate?

Train when you can, and think about training when you can't.

Breathe from your chi.

Great point. I wish more people realized this. Funny how trained fighters seem to know it best.

Perhaps he should have tried the dreaded noogie.

I know, what a great idea. Evil genius even.

I'd be willing to bet that most street fights resulting in death included a weapon of some sort that caused the death, or a head injury due to contact with a solid surface. Although it happens, I doubt many fighters literally killed another person with their bare hands.

I couldn't agree more. It will be interesting to see if young Lane Kiffin can fix the Raiders, or whether that's hopeless until Al Davis dies. I would hate to be JaMarcus Russell and go to Oakland to languish. We'll also see if Matt Leinart can excel in Arizona.