Jiffy

Unfotunately, any topic that is controversial always ends up as a discussion topic.

Visualisation. Anyone has anger available to them if they are provided with a motivational scenario. Figure out what scenario would trigger this emotion, then learn to duplicate that emotion.

HAHAHA, Zorbasan, that just caught my attention. You mentioned how it is interesting with the close in fighting of Shotokan. I personally feel that Shotokan is distance fighting, but that's because the other styles I have done are grappling or chinese striking arts, as opposed to you doing TKD. Hmmm, interesting. Anyway, Shotokan is a great style, particularly for people new to MA. I personally don't think it would be a good thing to study simply because it is so similar to TKD, that I think your time would be better spent learning something completely different. I have no doubt that Zorbasan will disagree with me though.

Many people will practise thses in Kata only. It's not uncommon, there are many many techniques that pepole don't include in their training other than Kata. Hiza Geri just happens to be one of them.

Jump kicks are traditional. By I agree, I don't find them of a whole lot of use.

I agree! That's why it so important for people to research the ancient kata and re-discover the missing links! True, but that doesn't mean that the techniques originally designed for Katana can't be used against a bat. You just need to bare in mind the realities of society at that time. Exactly! Nothing wrong with that! We can only simulate as close as possible to street situations.

On your first point, doesn't that conflict with the quote though? If he made the statement that kata was for combat application? Today's generation of soldier (I'm a Marine, not a soldier, but combat trained just the same) practice what I would consider to be kata, its just not called that. We do plenty actually. Before you fire your rifle you snap in, where you practice aiming in on a target and squeezing the trigger, while using breath control. We do bayonet training, where we practice butt strikes, slashs, stabs, etc., we can't practice this on a live opponent for obvious reasons. In my service we have MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program), and we do plenty of drills without a live opponent. Now all these don't sound like kata in the traditional sense, but they are very similar. On the other point I quoted, your correct, I seriously doubt anyone's going to take a swing at you with a katana, however does it swing a lot different from a baseball bat? Sure a baseball bat's significantly clumsier, however, some of the same techinque's may apply. Your also correct in thinking that some drunk in a bar is probably not going to throw a nasty rear leg round kick to your head, however, how different is the actual physics of a high round kick from a haymaker? All I'm saying is that much of the bunkai we learn may not apply in its traditional sense, but much of it apply's to many present day attacks. Also, if bunkai is practiced verse's a skilled opponant, how well is it going to work on a skill less moron? I agree Rick. While we do need to recognise where the Kata came from in the first place and what it's purpose was, I don't think we should discount the effectiveness of Kata as a teaching tool in our modern society.

Yeah, I do this. Only when I'm striving against something really difficult though.

Bruce Lee used to talk about visualisation in a different way. Rather than visualising an attacker, he would visualise the whole situation from a third person perspective as if he were someone watching. This is something that most can't do, but he believed it was one of the ultimate keys to being an ultimate warrior.

It's very unfair to class all TKD practitioners based on a couple of video's where inexperienced TKD guys go head to head full contact with MT practitioners and lose. We had a 6 year veteren MT practitioner come into our school who kept making coments about how our methods were wimpy, and he missed his MT school. However when it came time for sparring they matched him with a 4 year brown belt and he got his butt kicked, and I mean really kicked. We're TKD people. LOL You're right. As always, it depends on the person, not the art.

I (one of Zorbasan's instructors) believe that cross training has some great benefits, but I also think that people enjoy trianing in set out traditional arts, so we have what I think is a great balance. Instead of mixing, we offer several different Martial Arts. That way, people can learn all of the four facets of fighting (I really should hurry up and publish that article) while still gaining gradings and traditions from the individual arts. Not the best way for everyone, but I think it's a great setup.

This is a fantastic story. It's great to see people being able to save their lives with the Martial Arts. Sad it happened, Glad it worked out.

Hmmm, that's an unusual way of explaining it. Aikido generally tends to deal a lot with multiple striking attackers. Hapkido doesn't so much. Hapkido also deals more with grabs, particularly Combat Hapkido. Primary difference..... Japanese vs Korean

KK was fantastic for quotes. Daniel - "Can you do that?!?" Miyagi - "Don't Know. Never been attacked by tree" Anyway, so we don't hijack the thread, look here... http://www.fast-rewind.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=1;hardset=0;start_point=0;DaysPrune=0

It also deoesn't mention about the execution of a punch. So by your theory, I cold hold my fists half an inch from the pad and tap the pad in a druming like manner at rapid speed and still qualify. But the question is, is a punch a punch if there is no force. I would like to suggest that it's not. A thrust is a thrusting movement. You cannot thrust without power. It all depends on definition. I don't think there should be a minimum on anything too high, just sufficient to prove it's a good punch. Or maybe, get the person to do a strength test. Get them to punch full force, then maybe set the limit at 25% of their maximum or something.

Very admirable. I don't think a lot of instructors would do this. You clearly had the student's interest in mind. all instructors should have their students best interests in mind. in fact, if an instructor allowed a student to train knowing that their course could aggravate and worsen an existing condition that the instructor is aware of, they will actually leave themselves open to a civil action. That's dependant on the situation. In some cases you are right, but it is possible for the instructor to place responsibility on the student to manage their own injury if it is discussed and agreed in writing as such.

While this is obviously advantageous, it's not realistic. If I required each new student to see a doc first, I'd never get anyone on the floor. It comes down to a little self regulation. If you have a medical problem, speak to a doctor first, but if you have no reason to suspect a problem, don't worry about it.

You are also correct. While there are many elements that are added to Martial Arts, the primary orginal purpose was the art of war.

Martial Arts and Sporting events are two different things.

Huh?? I have trained with Royce Gracey. He is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. As for Tito, he's a pig. Might be a good fighter, but in my view, he's not a Martial Artist.

These people in football etc that you describe are great athletes, but they are not good sportsmen. We often talk about good sportsmanship. The applies to boxing etc. Some of them are great fighters. Some are great fighters AND good martial artists. Can't argue with that! Parents should be teaching these values right from the get-go. Problem is, the majority don't.

I'm sorry, but the answer is really quite simple.... courage. For a long time, I had the same problem. Even now, I tend to have it a little. You lack courage. This is usually due to a lack in self confidence. When sparring, try completely letting go of all fear and just absoloutly go for it. Don't worry to much about scoring, just go in and go in hard. The idea is not to score the point, but to improve your ability to attack. I completely know how you feel, but unfortunately, there is no easy way. So liberate yourself from all thoughts of fear and just go for it. Let me know how you go!

It also doesn't stink!! HAHAHAHA

Yeah, but a lot do charge based on how many lessons you are doing with them. If you are doing two styles with them, they get more money. They would rather you do that then give them half your money and give the other half to someone else.

What do you mean? You mean telling yourself stuff or somethin'?