UpTheIrons

I would like to respond to the post stating that KSW forms start off with fancier kicks. As a WTF practitioner, I'll be the first to admit our forms do not contain higher techniques until later on. There is a reason a for that. As a new student, your body is not strong enough or coordinated enough to even attempt fancier techniques. You are asking for an accident if you do. You need to stick with basic techniques, and those are what our forms focus on. So stating that such and such system or organization contains jumping techniques or other fancy techniques right from the start in their forms does not impress me.

I think black belt should be reached in 2-2.5 years. Anything less, and it tends to be rushed. Anything over 4 years, and aside from having a hard time remembering the material, I would also question their dedication. If it takes them over four years to earn a black belt, and the school does not require a four year period, I would doubt they are applying themselves very hard. Now, if the school requires four or more years, I would be suspicious. What exactly do you teach that requires that much time to earn a black belt? All black belt means is you have mastered the basics. That takes four (or more) years? Many schools that teach this way also have 15-20 color belt ranks. Really what that is a way to scam students for more money.

We follow WTF rules and use the following policies: 1. No groin shots. 2. No face punching or side kicks to the head. 3. No kicking to the back 4. No self defense techniques (elbows, knees etc) 5. No groundwork. A couple of reasons for these. First, we differentiate between free fighting and self defense. If you punch them in the head, side kick the face, use elbows or knees, there is probably going to be an accident. Free fighting should feel good and energetic with causing injuries. Second, we are not practicing boxing. Boxers punch the head. We don't. Boxers also tend to have short careers and have the "Ali" syndrome from too much head contact. Third, TKD free fighting should promote beautiful TKD technique (high kicks, jumping, footwork, spin kicks etc.). If you don't want to work on those, don't free spar.

It has been my experience that many students will not accept receiving lessons for free, even in the case of financial hardship. They do not want to be viewed as charity cases. I have offered to let students who had money problems train free of charge, and they refused on the grounds that my expertise was worth paying for. What they will accept is paying what they can afford until they get things straightened out. There is a thing called pride. A lot of students do not want to have to come to class knowing they are not paying the same amount as everybody else. They want to be equal. So would I? Yes. Have I offered? Yes. Have my offers been refused? Yes.

Any church or religion that forced me to choose between them and martial arts would make the decision easy.

I never had formal Instructor training a la the Kukkiwon. I began helping my Instructor after black belt in various areas. He would ask me to lead exercise, basics, basic kicking, forms, etc. He would not let me lead one step or free fighting at first, because he said the head instructor had to be there for those. Afterward, he would offer constructive criticism. After 4th Dan, you are allowed to open your own school within the organization. Before 4th Dan, you are considered an apprentice under your instructor. You may teach and recommend, but not judge or sign testing applications.

Disadvantage of being kicked in the leg: It can cause leg damage and interfere with your ability to fight or walk. Disadvantage of being kicked in the head: It can cause severe damage, including concussion, unconsciousness, and death. All things considered, I rather fight a leg kicker than a head hunter anyday.

I practice traditional Tae Kwon Do, although our organization is Kukkiwon certified and fights WTF style. We still practice traditional TKD. Additionally, I practice Yoshokai Aikido (7th kyu) under Takashi Kushida-sensei. My Tae Kwon Do is a very complete art, emphasizing power, speed, accuracy, basics, manners, and etiquette. I started practicing Aikido because I was fascinated by it for a long time. However, I keep the two arts separate.

I tend to believe in the 80-20 rule for martial arts: 80% of people in martial arts are responsible for the negative information many people receive about it. 20% will present a positive view given the chance. That means 80% of Instructors and black belts are the ones who give martial arts a bad name (outlandish uniforms, bad teaching, bad manners etc.), while 20% embody the good aspects of martial arts. So 20% have to constantly keep fighting against the damage inflicted by the 80%. Keep trying but good luck.

The Moo Duk Kwan TSD/TKD split happened in the early 60's when the Korea Tae Kwon Do Association was getting established. The Korean gov't, influenced by Gen. Choi, essentially told all Korean black belts "join the KTA or lose gov't recognition". The reason was to establish one art instead of 9 Kwans, who were constantly fighting each other. Almost all of them did. However, Hwang Kee wanted Moo Duk Kwan TSD to remain a traditional martial art and refused to join. Hence the split. The Moo Duk Kwan members who joined the KTA became Moo Duk Kwan TKD. The ones who stayed with Hwang remained TSD.

I have never had a conflict with religion and martial arts. At the most, martial arts (and by this I mean traditional martial arts or "Do" arts) teaches you to be a better person to yourself and society. Unless you are practicing with a cult, I can't think of any arts that try to come off as religion. The ones that delve deeper into Oriental philosophy tend to not be as widespread in this country.

Martial arts and martial artists often don't get respect because they don't do a very good job of showing why they should be respected. Respect must be earned. Keep in mind, the average person's view of martial arts is molded by what they see and hear. When their opinion of martial arts is molded by: 1. MMA acting like drug crazed maniacs in a cage 2. Horrible martial arts films 3. Strip mall McDojangs promising the world if you just sign on the dotted line 5. Black belts and Instructors who dress like Power Rangers t's no wonder the average person's view of martial arts is a bit skewed. How do you combat this? By being a living embodiment of all the good aspects of martial arts. You don't even have to tell people you train. I don't. I constantly try to embody the good things about martial arts. I follow the Hwa Rang 5 Point Code in life. I use martial arts constructively instead of using it for personal gain. If people find out I practice, they can at least see that I'm not some stereotype.

I can't comment on the ATA forms because I haven't seen them. I think the ITF color belt forms are nice, but a bit too "Karate-ish" for me. I still remain partial to the Palgue forms and the Koryo forms because of the power, grace, and balance required to execute them. Additionally, the Koryo forms are very beautiful to watch.

I don't see a problem with an Instructor having many students. It depends on WHY he has many students. If he happens to be a great Instructor with a known reputation, more power to him. Obviously, people have recommended him to their friends and families. However, if he has many students because his primary motivation is making money, I have a problem with that. It is perfectly alright to make money from martial arts, but that's not why you should teach. I truly believe that Instructors who teach merely to make money cheapen the martial arts. That's where a lot of the McDojangs come from-Instructors whose primary goal is making money. That's also one of the reasons why I couldn't teach full time. I just don't want to have to spend my time constantly trying to get students in the door to keep the cash flow coming.

The 5 Codes of the Hwa Rang: 1. Loyalty. In the old days it meant loyalty to your King. For Tae Kwon Do it can be translated as loyalty to your country or Instructor. 2. Filial Piety. Respecting and caring for your parents. It can also, I think, be interpreted as taking care of and respecting your Instructor, teachers, and seniors. 3. Integrity among friends. Being known as someone who can be trusted and keeps their word. 4. Courage. Being brave in the face of adversity. 5. Never make an unjust kill. As Tae Kwon Do students, we have developed our bodies into powerful weapons. We must use it against people only when necessary.

However, Won Kuk Lee was the first to teach what he called Tang Soo Do. Hwang Kee and the others followed suit, some using different names. There were originally 5 Kwans. By the time of the founding of the KTA, there were 9 recognized. These 9 became the official KTA kwans. Their joining together became what we call Tae Kwon Do.

I think there are several reasons why TSD/TKD seem to showcase "showy" kicks more: 1. Culturally, as has been mentioned, Koreans have been big on kicking. This is due to a couple of reasons. Koreans walked a lot, which builds up the muscles. Also, I have read that the Koreans reserved the hands for creating arts and crafts. Feet were reserved for combat and defense. True? I don't know. 2. Historically, Koreans have valued difficult activities and skills. As more kicking entered the Korean arts, which really reflects their historical basis, it stands to reason they would be developed and expanded. This is a natural outgrowth of the Korean mindset.

The only Code we really follow is the original Hwa Rang Code, which I try to interpret as it might apply in this modern time. We don't recite it in class, but I make an effort to explain it.

It took almost me almost exactly 2.5 years. I've heard of situations where someone had to wait 10 years to test. I could never wait that long.