Superfoot

If you are looking for solid information with respects to flexibility training and kicking, I would recommend any materials (e.g. books, video etc) from Bill "Superfoot" Wallace (He's also an experience lecturer in Kinesiology), Marco Lala (has a series of videos dedicated to flexibility and kicking) and Thomas Kurz, perhaps one of the worlds foremost exponents on effective training protocols for kicking. Here's a useful video you may be interested in: http://www.stadion.com/power_high_kicks.html Superfoot.

Bob Sapp is notorious for having terrible cardiovascular conditioning (vs Nogueira being a good example) as well has being susceptible to body punches (When he fought hoost, he went down instantly with a body hook). Possibly the best strategy is to just circle, keep him at a distance, and throw body kicks and punches, ala Crocop.

Lol, that elevator scene....(calm music).....SMACK!

Congrats on your offer Drag'n. Aside from the sparring, shadowboxing and bag/pad works, how does the rest of your training plan look like for this new endeavour?

One guy said I looked like Keith Cooke from MK: http://www.mortalkombat.ch/movies/mk2/casting/subzero.jpg Probably because we both have black hair, like blue and have a preference for aerial kicks even in sparring heh.

Sambo is a modern martial arts developed in the USSR, which incorporates techniques from traditional Russian folkstyle wrestling, in addition to maneuveurs from Judo and Jiu Jitsu. Many people contributed to the artform's development, but the most noted were Vasili Oshchepkov and Victor Spiridonov, the former possessing a Nidan in Judo (trained under Kano Jigoro) and who also trained the Red Army. He also taught Karate (not sure what style). http://molasar.blackmagic.com/ses/wrest/archive/1998/98jasso1.jpg http://molasar.blackmagic.com/ses/sombo/WCMatch.jpg Sambo Competition heavily resembles a close combination of Freestyle Wrestling and Judo, where practitioners wear a Jacket (Kurtka, similar to a Gi, but with slits to place the belt/obi), Shorts, and Wrestling boot, or Traditional Sambo Boots. Unlike Judo, Sambo competition allows Leg Locks, but does not allow the use of Choking or Strangulation technique. However, in Sambo, one can also win a match via a clean, powerful throw, much like those that gain Ippon in Judo. Personally, I think it would mix well with Kyokushin and Taekwondo. Mas Oyama himself was also an exponent of Judo. With regards to TKD, I see no reason why it would not sit well. I myself study both TKD, Judo and Jiu Jitsu, and so far no problems. As Sambo also includes Leglocks, you could possibly incorporate this knowledge with your knowledge of Taekwondo and Kyokushin kicking techniques to be able to intercept kicks and defending against them using leglocks. Some MMA fighters do this, such as Mazukazu Imanari, who is capable of catching his opponents legs after kicking, and trap them in a Leglock.

The Jinga in a Kudo bout?! Wish I could have seen that. Just goes to show that behind that Gi could be any number of stance or weapons you might not have seen or be ready for. I re-read your posts, as I found them a good learning resource, especially as I also want to enter competition. To be honest, I am always nervous when sparring, or even non-related MA practices, such as rock-climbing. However, I force myself to do these things to overcome my fear. In practise, one cannot really realise bravery if they have no fear to contend against, so you really do deserve a great amount of respect. Many people never admit to times in fights when they just want to quit, but part of them refuses to give up. It's funny how these traits will only reveal themselves in the heart of combat. When I first started Jiu Jitsu, the sparring was very ground orientated, and as because I was a novice, I was only allowed to use pinning techniques (Osaekomi Waza) against my opponents, and vice versa. On my second lesson, we had an In-class tournament, where all the Jitsuka would come out and grapple. I had to participate in three bouts that night, and I managed to win all three, however, the second bout was no real win on my part, as my opponent accidently chipped his tooth on my shoulder whilst we were rolling. I had one final bout, but time ran out. I remember that being new, all the other students would cheer on their friends against me, but as I continued to participate, they begain to cheer mine. Unfortunately, no one knew my name, so they cheered "GO NOVICE!" From the moment I stepped onto the matt I was nervous, and throughout the fights I fought to my best. However, it was during the long pauses in the match (reset position, pause so ref can see what moves are being used) that I felt nervous. At one stage I too also felt like giving up, which was actually quite early in the tournament. However, I decided to continue, because if I didn't, I would never know how far I could have taken myself, nor learned from the experience that would result from giving up, which as you have also stated, is vital, to learn from the experience, especially a plentiful one that results from competition. In summary, I think you should be very proud of yourself, not only because of your accomplishments, but also because of your honesty into admitting the times you wished to give up. Many of us, including myself have been there. Also, you are right on the money, where people swing for the KO, because they want to finish the fight quickly, because as time goes by, not only to you get exhausted, but your opponent becomes more accustomed to your moves and your techniques. Which is why, as I have learned that patience is vital when executing your gameplan. It's even harder to remain so under adrenaline. But again, this is where perserverance comes in: to stick at what you intend to do, rather than going off on a tangent. Once again, thanks for posting this topic, Im sure many other aspiring athletes can learn from this. Superfoot.

In addition to what has already been said, the speed of a kick, and its replacement back to the floor, not only requires you to be able to throw the kick, but also to be able to retract it successfully. The hamstrings are largely responsible for retraction, so running is a good place to start. - Also practise Hook Kicks whilst wearing ankle weights, gradually increasing speed, to get used to the motion of bringing your foot back -Perform Hindu squats, to develop your quadriceps and hamstrings. The development if these muscles together without the use of weight will gradually develop muscle and also help maintain the well being of your knees. The development of the quadriceps will aid the extension of the kick, and the hamstring the retraction. -It is also a good idea to invest in a rope ladder, and perform various exercises whereby you can run through each individual rung with various footwork patterns. This will help develop agility, and is also covered in greater detail at many athletic gyms. Titleboxing.com even has two videos out on "Getting Faster" and "Getting Quicker" to help develop the dynamic speed and thrust needed to improve your bodies abilty to shift muscles to move in many directions quicker (e.g. punch, then kick, then punch again) -Ab exercises. The rectus abdomminus plays a key role in being able to raise that leg quickly, and pull it away from the target. Also, your obliques are important too, as these facilitate the twisting motion presented in the roundhouse kicks, and will aid you in again, bringing that leg away from your target and back to the floor. Superfoot.

Thanks for sharing that Drag'n, I can relate to the circumstance where one needs to muster up (controlled) aggression and develop the fighting spirit. That's one of the hallmarks of DaidoJuku, Kyokushin, and many other martial arts, true achievement lies not only in supplementing what facets of combat you already have, but finding the perseverance to develop and actualise more as a martial artist through determination, drive, grit, and as you so rightly put it, hard work. Im glad you had a great time, and performed well. I was recently watching a Daido Juku movie, and abrigded addition of all the best knockouts and tapouts. Are those rushing punches taught explictly in Daido-Juku and do you guys sometimes prefer palm strikes, I saw those being used on the video as well. Also, how is the art of Kudo developing these days? Last I heard, MT and BJJ were being incorporated, and Sensei T. Azuma himself made mention of "Pankration and Sambo". Did you get to met Sensei T. Azuma? Again, that was a great post, it's comforting sometimes to know we all strive to get through the same things. Thats why we return to class eh? Superfoot.

It really depends what your looking for. My advice to you is to try out, if possible, and research the following: Savate TKD Kyokushin Karate Muay Thai Yaw Yan (extensive kicking curriculum) (http://www.yawyan.com/kicks.htm Kum Gek Do Savate is commonly overlooked. Savate is a French martial art, that is a combination of old street fighting methods, e.g. those used by the French Apache ("A-pash") gang, and the incorporation of Asian kicking methods observed by sailors, from arts such as Muay Thai and Karate. The two historical figures implicated in the development of the art are Michael Casseaux and Charles Lecour (who would incorporate a boxing curriculum as a result of him losing a fight to an Englishman who used punching alone). Kun Gek Do is a hybrid art comprising the punches of western boxing and the kicks of Muay Thai and Taekwondo. http://www.concentric.net/~sdseong/kmar.vid.kgd.htm Click the link for more on KGD.

I love Superfoot. His approach to multiple kicking and stretching are gems to anyone wishing to improve their kicking. I think part of his success as a fighter was his unpredictability even when using his left leg. He chambered his side, round and hook kick in the same position, and when he flicked that leg out it could have been any of those three kicks. To date, he is the only person I have heard of to KO people with hook kicks. He teaches Kinesiology now at (I think) the University of Minnesota. He'd be a great teacher, with his knowledge of anatomy and movement coupled with his in-ring experience. And he's holiding seminars? I'm so envious.

Personally, I love: Manowar, Kamelot, Rhapsody, Children of Bodom, Sepultura, Metallica, Bush, Nirvana and Dragon Force along with Ronnie James Dio, Pantera, Slayer, Cradle of Filth, Damageplan, Disturbed and Rob Zombie.

I'm not sure of the style of Ju Jitsu, but the tournament is run by an organisation called the JJIF, which allows striking, throwing and groundwork. As a result, these tournaments are open to a lot of styles, including some TKD and BJJ. http://www.jjifweb.com/ The JJIF aims to allow the continuation of sport Ju Jitsu. Normally, since Ju Jitsu maintains the philosophy of being able to use any move to win in a fight, it became relatively hard to determine a system of competition, until the IJJF (now called the JJIF) formulated a set of rules to satisfy the needs of a Jitsuka to complete successfully. My roomate who is from Poland, trained in this type of Ju Jitsu. Basically, all schools in Poland train in this manner, full contact, irrespective of style. Sparring is hard, and the competition is very open in terms of rules, so competition seems to be more about competiting within the rules than conforming to a certain way of fighting. For this reason, Boxing is incorporated into training as well as other systems such as Muay Thai. Much of Europes Ju Jitsu schools also incorporate BJJ. I think this all started with Remco Pardoel (UFC I competitor) in Holland, and carried on from there as BJJ grew in popularity.

True. Which is why, despite having the capacity to knock an opponent out, Lead Kicks are mostly used for obtaining distance or testing the range.

Thanks. I assume all the ingredients can be found in a local supermarket, and the Daikon and sauces @ Oriental markets? I'll find them all soon. Once again thanx for the recipes.