Belasko

moving back to the initial point of this discussion... I practice Chung Do Kwan TKD and have a small amount of experience w/ ATA. IMO the Chung Do Kwan styles are much more applicable in a real life situation and as mentioned before better for teaching how to generate destructive force. As for ATA it is very good for more aerobatic applications which I find to be excellent for a cardiovascular workout. The also can be very impressive in a tournament setting. However I find they usually open you up to a simple counter unless done very well and the person executing the move is very adept at following it up. They also are more demanding of balance. So overall they both have pluses and minuses, it just depends on what you are wanting to achieve.

The break of the video clip was impressive. That definately could be a good one.

I can't completely agree that they are all true, at least not all of the time, but most of them are and they all have very good points to ponder.

Some breaks I've seen were a 6 board powerbreak. This was executed w/ a back cross side kick. In the same test I saw a combination break. The person testing started out between 2 sets of boards (all sites were 2 board breaks) on either side of him. These were broken by hammerfists simultaneously, then he did a spinning knife hand strike to boards behind and on the right side. This rotation was continued into a roundhouse kick on the same plane further along a line. They then did a back cross side kick going to the right. There were two other breaks after that but I can't remember them off hand. I know one was a heel palm strike. Another one I have done that was not near as complicated was a heel palm, into a spin kick at 90 degrees to the right, followed by a right handed chop on the horizontal at temple height. The only other one that comes to mind was one I saw a grandmaster do. 3 bricks on either side of him. He broke all six w/ heel palm strikes at the same time. not bad for an 83 yr old

The loud kihap I have found doesn't usually intimidate but may startle someone into dropping their guard briefly. However I also find it rarely works w/ those that have a fair amount of experience. Size definately can be intimidating, especially when a person is just starting in MA or does not know the opponent. Probably the most intimidating thing to me though is the very calm, collected person that is relaxed and still in a stance ready to explode at the right time.

My instructor is a 7th Dan in Chung Do Kwan TKD which is primarily what he teaches. He does also hold 3rd Dan in Olympic TKD, and a 1st degree in jujitsu.

Unfortunately this isn't necesarily a black and white answer. Many arts are traditional and sport/modern. Even modern ones are generally based on more traditional styles. Same w/ mixed/streetfighting. Those usually take what a person has decided works best from many different styles. If you check out different classes in your area you will probably notice after a while that the basic components are often the same. Where you will see differences is more along the lines of soft vs. hard styles, and linear vs. circular styles

I have to agree, choosing footwear almost soley on maybe getting into a fight is a poor reason, unless you work or live where it's higher in the probability scale. Not to mention, even steel toe shoes look funny w/ shorts . My recomendation for an effective shoe for self defense and also not drawing attention in most situations would be the Sketchers dress shoes. bit more weight, good sole, plus stylish. Another option, depending on your wardrobe, cowboy boots. The toe on those concentrate a lot of energy and that is one solid heel. As for the neigborhood kid, forget him. Avoid the fight. If he's trying to pick one it's not likely that he's just going to try stomping you. He's probly just trying to put air into a deflated ego.

Definately a lot of opinions have been expressed. To touch on a few... Why get rid of TKD in the Olympics? It promotes the art/sport (don't argue which it is, it boils down to semantics ). It also brings some of the best practitioners together in one place. IMO at least it doesn't make it entirely about money like boxing matches or UFC fights often do (although they are fill w/ great fighters). As for getting rid of certain forms I can't understand why you would want to do that either. They are a part of the style. If you remove them from the style it's like chopping off a finger or some other part. As for when TKD began or didn't begin I'm not even going to go there. To many thoughts about when it began, and all of them are to some degree correct. It just depends on which point you want to pick it up from to say it started. After all, isn't it believed MA are descended from the teachings of Bodi Darma? The one thing I think I would actually change is try to make the art more open to outside influence from other styles. Willing to accept pieces and techniques from other styles and not just say, "you can't do that! It's not TKD." I guess there is one other thing I would want to change some, the majority opinion that TKD is primarily high kicks.

I get the impression that some instructors just enjoy torturing their students. I think I'll stick to what we do... Current forms plus 3 of the earlier forms chosen at random, 3 step and 1 step sparring, self defense, instant sparring, free sparring (usually 5 different people your rank or higher), and a 3 board break w/ a hand technique and again w/ a foot technique.

Probably the #1 recomendation I have for anyone trying any MA, yet I rarely hear, regardless of experience... Keep an open mind. You are moving into a different style of fighting. As you probably know this will mean different movements, stances and even execution of what otherwise is a similar technique. I wouldn't forget what you have learned, just add to it what you are going to learn. If you go in with the idea that you have experience and know what the instructor wants and expects of you chances are good that you will be dissapointed. Stay open to constructive criticisms and advice and you will probably find it more interesting than you thought.

I would say that you handled it very well with the exception of 2 points. 1) yelling is probly a bit overboard. It can send the message that you are losing control yourself (or so I'm told =). Otherwise it was completely appropriate. It got the kids attention and brought the situation back under control. 2) You didn't talk to the child after the punishment so that they knew why they had been punished and why the behavior was unacceptable, whether on purpose or in the heat of the moment. For a first time offense (as this sounds to be) expulsion would be overdoing it. However if it were to happen again or was a repeat thing expulsion would be highly reasonable, if not preferable.

My personal thoughts, and I've heard them mentioned by many in this forum, are that anything under at least 2 yrs to get your BB is something that should be questioned. It took me 3 1/2 yrs, and that was progressing about as fast as possible in our style. Many styles I have heard take as long as 10-15 yrs. It does depend on the school and several other factors, but I find it hard to imagine having a truly solid grasp of the wide range of basics in less than 2 years, minimum. I know I didn't

My experiences while training with those from both countries are pretty much the same as expressed by Scott'nShelly. Depends on the school and the students level of dedication and personal ability.

Helicopter ski trip to Blue River British Columbia

D/T the foot injury I would lean towards one of the water filled bags. At least the one I tried out at a school gave quite a bit more than the sand one's I've used. On the other hand I've preffered the vinyl Everlast heavybags. Have to agree, canvas is hard on the skin

I recently learned that I am to be tested for 3rd Dan in May. This gives me plenty of time to practice and put in some extra time. The basic going through forms, self defense tactics, etc. more often I know and plan to do. What I would like to hear is some other ideas or ways people prep before a big test that will cover the above plus 3:1 sparring, free sparring, 1 and 3 step, board breaking and random form demonstrations (a form name given to a testee but not until they have to perform it). Specifically when at home or other places outside of class.

Congrats!!! Great new category btw

I have to go with Judo, primarily d/t having some experience with it and not w/ aikido. From a practical standpoint though they are so different that they cover many of each others weaker points. As for the theory that they are "sport oriented" and therefore not as easily applicable, they are both "Martial Arts". They were designed to hurt people in a combative role. Even sport based arts can do severe damage when applied properly.

1) If their arm isn't too much longer than yours I would recomend a punch to the collarbone of the arm holding you down. It doesn't take much to break it. It would definately get their attention. Another option is you could reach for the throat, eyes, groin, ears, or nose and rip off or poke out any of these items if you can reach them. For longer armed opponents a punch to the inner part of their restraining arm right between the bicep/tricep muscles should hit the nerve and cause them pain and or to collapse that arm giving you more options. 2) get your chin down eiter into the crook of their elbow, or better in the opposite side allowing you to maintain airway and blood flow to the brain. next, as suggested, start grabbing parts. If you are still balanced you can step your leg behind them and then very easily throw them backwards over your leg. Most will let go at this point, if not go with them and land hard on them. Try getting in some elbow strikes on landing or just afterwards.

Based on your physical description of yourself Tae Kwon Do or other art w/ a strong emphasis on kicking would be a good choice. As for the personality description you're going to have to just do a change within before a martial art will fully give you discipline. After all, if you don't go you don't achieve what you are trying for. Otherwise the primary recomendation is find a class that at least holds your attention and you find interesting. You'll probly hear from many on the board that TKD is a bad choice, and even more so ATA TKD. I have found that there are good schools there, and bad schools, but it also applies to all styles. Just shop around and try a few out before commiting. The other thing I would recomend is to give it a good year to year and a half before calling it quits. Many hit a slump before then, but regain interest once they're past it.

Chung Do Kwan TKD. We have formal tests a couple of times a year for those that are ready to be tested. For 1st dan there are 15 forms we must know, several one steps and 3 steps. Then we have to do free sparring, self defense, kicks, and a 3 board break w/ a hand technique and same w/ a foot technique.

I feel personally that I should resist certain crimes w/ force as I am able to. However, I don't feel that being a martial artist means that I have a "responsibility" to intervene. It only makes me better equipped to deal with the situation than another person.

The major concensus is to be completely forthcoming. For the most part I agree with this. When I have gone to other schools to work out occasionally I haven't come right out and told them I have experience in another style, however I haven't tried to keep it from them so it usually is noted very quickly and comes out if they haven't asked by the time class starts. As for worrying about being pared with higher ranks, I personally would prefer that. Generally the higher ranks are the ones that have developed control and are less likely to hurt you by accident. Plus as you mentioned, working with those above you pushes you to improve.

both replies are good so far in relation to forms. For these and most other discrepencies that you may come across I find that it's not usually what you are questioning, it's how you present it. Telling someone "You're wrong, I think you're being stupid," is a good way to tick off the upper ranks and get a bad rep. Be respectful and honest and usually it works out just fine.