fatehollow.ataraxia

The backfist is actually probably a better option, since if you close distance using a crescent kick and place your descending foot forward, you can easily get sweeped or worse (particularly if you spar against kick boxers, etc.).

You need to know how to both kick explosively with full power and follow-through (snap from the hips, or full swing, or snap from the legs) and to kick at full power while controlling the trajectory and target. Practicing this range of motion and strength will train your body to react to different situations that you may encounter in sparring. At times one may face scenarios where, although one can see and register what an opponent may be doing in response to a kick, one's body just cannot adjust accordingly. Exploring the full abilities -- and limitations -- of one's kicks will help. I've seen many people overswing on kicks; fantastic power and aim, but no control. Same goes for stopping short, which results in a weak kick. Heck, I've even tried over/underswinging on all types of kicks just to see what kind of counterattack comes my way -- it's quite amusing how off-balance it can put you.

As far as I know, kendo is quite prolific in California, with the club in Torrance producing many excellent kendo-ka. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with California, so I'm not sure where the local clubs are in relation to your home. But, continue looking and I'm sure you'll find something reasonable! Japanese bushi-do actually translates to "warrior-way" or "samurai-way" and essentially refers to the lifestyle of the samurai. Kenjutsu (not jitsu, which means truth or reality) literally means "sword art" or "sword technique", and is the basis of the more training-oriented kendo. If you can find a good club with a decent instructor, kendo will likely be a rewarding martial art for you in the same way that many bare-handed styles can be. Kendo focuses a lot on technique and form, traditionally, with a separate emphasis on tournament competition depending on the club and the instructor. It is also a decent workout that builds many of the skills that karate, gungfu, and other popular martial arts do; namely: awareness, reaction time, body speed, and coordination. You'll likely start out with learning all the kihon (basics) before acquiring your bogu (armour equipment) and getting into actual contact, so if you can concentrate and stick with it, you'll become a good kendoist. Basics are extremely important in kendo, perhaps even more so than in other martial arts where you don't wield a weapon. My brother is a sho-dan in kendo, and has been practicing for at least 12-13 years now... he enjoys it greatly and it is one of the main focuses of his athletic life.

I'm not sure what kind of sports equipment stores there are in your area, but EverLast handwraps are typically pretty cheap, about 5-6 dollars for a pair. I bought a pair long time ago for $7 Canadian up here in Vancouver. If you search on eBay, you'll find some for sure... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30103&item=7147716737&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Well, common sense tells us to respect the instructor's wishes and the rules of the class (but that's for all sports). But stretching now will help if you're not already quite flexible! G'luck with your new art!

Not impressed with Wing Chun? Check that out when someone's well trained in it: http://www.fightauthority.com/movies/accion3.wmv I'm not sure what that video is supposed to prove exactly, but it certainly has low quality going for it. Wing Chun is a good striking art, but if you want to learn it properly and use the actual forms for combat, you're gonna have to have a lotta patience... this applies to most gungfu styles. Pick-up boxing if you have little to no striking experience --it will help if you're concerned about street fights.

Just try grabbing your forearm/lower wrist (of the hand that's doing the pulling) with your free hand. That should add some stability for you. That's what I do... I can do about 8 with my right arm (stronger arm), but only about 5 with my left. Normal chin-ups or pull-ups, 3x10 with +10 lbs leg weights (but this is at the gym combined with inclined bench, curls, shoulders lol, but I'm still weak... and short... and small... lol).

That made me laugh... and cry. Those must've been short matches; jumping techniques take way too much energy to perform, especially in succession.

How's that injured arm for blocking? You can try some MT or kickboxing to develop some striking against the legs, which should at least keep people at a distance or setup for a good frontal kick that'll stop people who like to charge or flurry. Combined with good flexibility, it'll keep people guessing if you decide to kick.