Dont call me Sir

Of course not, I'm 35 and been studying martial arts since 1981 (ITF TKD 1991 - 2003. Freestyle TKD 2003 - present).

I was British Demolition/Destruction Champion for 3 years and continued to do breaking demos and seminars for over 12 years. Last year I was diagnosed with arthritis in my two knuckles and have partially lost mobility in both joints and lost feeling across the back of my hand. I will also have to take medication for the rest of my life for my condition. I'm in the process of phasing out Breaking from my Syllabus, simply because of the long term effects and to honest, I really don't see the point to it any more. DCMS.

Nothing! I regularly visit half a dozen MA forums and this is one of the better ones. What's with the 'we'? DCMS.

I don't know of any 'outwardly homosexuals' in my Academy, but then I really don't care. We're there to train, not get hung-up on peoples personal lives. Everyone is different, everyone else should respect that and be tolerable of those around them. From a personal point of view, I'm comfortable with who I am, so I'm comfortable around others that want to be what they want to be. Each to their own. It really shouldn't be an issue, in the dojo/dojang or anywhere else for that matter. DCMS.

Most of my spare time - when not running my Academy - is taken up by Private Lessons. 90% of those taking Private Lessons aren't my regular students, they are 'ordinary - off the street' people who wish to learn certain aspects, modules, parts, techniques, strategies, etc, etc, but mainly Self-Defence. These sort of people range from school teachers to Security Guards, Door Supervisors (Bouncers) to Police Officers, etc, etc. They come from all walks of life, some experienced (already do another MA), some not. Also, I have a number of Police Officers, Paramedics, Fire-fighters, Nurses, etc, who do shift work and cannot attend classes on regular basis. Most of them have Private Lessons to maintain their momentum within my Acadamys Grding Syllabus. If they're willing to pay (and I don't come cheap!), then I'm willing to give up my spare time (whatever that is!) and offer Private Lessons. It works both ways. I think I'll skip on that idea though! DCMS.

Unlike many other pastimes and hobbies, martial arts teaches and encourages you to confront personal issues rather than help you forget about them and smooth over the cracks. In confronting personal issues, they are dealt with more effectively and efficiently, leading to a better way of life. DCMS.

Interesting point, could you go into more detail? DCMS.

Surely the best form of defence is attack! DCMS.

I've been training for 25 years and now only train/teach/instruct for two things, sport/enjoyment and Reality Based Self defence (RBSD). Since channeling most of my personal training time into RBSD (and having a background of a Door Supervisor (Bouncer) and as a 'Minder') my levels of awareness are tip-top. because if this I can see things before they even happen. Only last weekend, in a mobile (cell) phone shop, I ushured my kids to one side as I sensed something was about to happen. Sure enough, the guy next to me stole a mobile phone from a shop and then physically assaulted the shop security guard, knocking him unconcious, before escaping. I administered First Aid before the authorities took over. I hate quoting from films, but "besto block, no be there", is sooooo on-the-money. Awareness is the key, but being able to handle yourself, in any given situation, is your personal responsibility, in my opinion. DCMS.

Guys, guys, guys, at the risk of making yourselves look silly, why not do your research first? https://www.geoffthompson.com Geoff is the real deal, that's for sure. DCMS.

The clip is a very small part of and intro for a RBSD video/DVD. Don't read too much into it, or take it out of context, it's a clip for goodness sake! Don't judge a book by it's cover. The video/DVD is very good as it happens,. DCMS.

Incidentaly, the material (DVD's, Vids, etc) from both Geoff Thompson and Peter Consterdine are worth their weight in gold. DCMS.

Just for the record; The clip is part of the introduction to "The Pavement Arena". It was the first video made by Geoff Thompson, who is one of, if not the, top Reality Based self Defence (RBSD) Instructors in the world. Also in the clip is Peter Consterdine, who partners Geoff to lead the British Combat Association. I've had the pleasure of training under both men who are true gentlemen and pioneers in their field of expertise. DCMS.

That is so very true. If you train with 'pulled' kicks you fight with 'pulled' kicks, whether in the ring or on the street. For a start, the body mechanics are different between a controlled kick and a full contact kick. If you only use controled kicks then you will use, train and condition muscles for a reflexive 'pull', leading to muscle memory. So, sub-consciously you will 'pull' your kicks in the ring and on the street, which is not a good thing if you rely on kicks for self-defence. Then there's the phychological aspect. If you train fully committed kicks, then you will use them effectively, if you don't, then you won't. DCMS.

Guys, n gals, lets not get too hung-up on the art itself. It's not the art that wins the fight, it's the person using it, or as Dave Turton says; "It's the fight in the dog, not the dog in the fight!". Having said that; TKD, as an art, does contain the tools for the job, however they are rarely trained as such, but then that is the case of many TKD (and most MA) clubs and academys. The correct tools must be taught, drilled and pressure tested using the 'Aliveness' principle. This can only be done under the correct instruction. Even knowing how to use such tools isn't enough. The student must understand Adrenaline Management and have the correct mindset to stand any chance of winning a physical confrontation. This may sound strange, but I've been involved in 100's of fights, mainly as a Door Supervisor (Bouncer) and would rather fight an experienced martial artist any day, rather than fighting an experienced street fighter. DCMS.

In the dark I look like Jason Stratham! DCMS.

My journey started in 1981. Whilst I've loved every minute of it and meeting some great characters along the way, I really wish I hadn't wasted a lot of my time with 'flowery' stuff in the belief it would benefit me in a self-defence situation. Though I don't regret anything, is there any long-termer's here that have any regrets? DCMS.

That's a ridiculous statement if you think about it. I know some good 1st Dan teachers and some really crap 6th Dan Instructors! I certainly wouldn't have a problem with being taught by a 1st Dan, providing he had the right credentials (Insurance, First Aid Training, CRB check, etc) and I felt that I was getting what I want/should out of the art. And then, if the art meant he was to be addressed as a Sabumnim, Sir or whatever, then so-be-it. Multi_Talent, pull your Instructor and ask him stright. He should be approachable and honest, giving you the answer you require. As an Instructor myself (starting as a 1st Dan!), I certainly wouldn't mind being approached. As an aside, I prefer to be called by my first name (hence: Don't call Me Sir), but that's just me. My students respect me for my experience, knowledge and ability, so I'm not fussed, nor do I demand it for respect reasons. DCMS.

Don't forget Mark 'The Wizard' Weir, who is a very successfull mma fighter. http://www.range-fighting.com I was lucky enough to train/spar with him in the mid 90's when he was a member of the GTI Taekwondo organisation. DCMS

Ninjanurse, that is very true and it was wrong of me to come out with such a sweeping/generalising statement. You're right, there are instructors out there that do drill these techniques, but in my experience there aren't many. DCMS.

That is so very true. The Thai Roundhouse, or the 'Pivot Kick' as it's known in the Combative world, is an awesome way to deliver a formidable strike, more commonly delivered to low section (between knee and hip). I've used the low section Turning kick numerous times for 'real' and it's never let me down. With regards to the Korean arts, the 'Turning' Kick, or Roundhouse as it's also known, can, and should be practiced/drilled at low section (which it rarely is!) as well as the mid and high sections that you see all too often. Ok, the Thai kick has slightly different body mechanics, in particular the pre-delivery 'wind up' and also the execution using the in-step and shin. Even so, a practitioner of Korean Arts could still use the low section Turning Kick to great effect. I sometimes feel that instructors/practitioners of the Korean Arts (myself included) were (are) often short sighted in the application of the striking techniques in terms of Self Defence. For instance, in the Combative world the use of Hammer Fists are quite common, yet rarely seen being drilled on a pad in TKD, etc. Intead we only see TKD techniques like this in 'dead' patterns. Knees are another technique that is rarely drilled on pads. I could go on and on listing Straight Palms, Elbows, ect, etc. You've started me off now!! Another observation; In many Korean patterns you see the knee strike delivered with the hands reaching out and pulling the opponent onto the knee. How does this differ from the awesome Thai Clinch and Knee combination?.....put simply, it doesn't, yet how often is the Thai Clinch and Knee combination drilled (pad work) in the Korean Arts? I (we) drill these techniques, this way (using the 'Aliveness' principle), all the time in my Academy Perhaps I should start another thread on 'forgotten' or 'hidden' street/self defence techniques within the Korean Arts, maybe? DCMS.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again........ There are only two reasons why you would want to fight when the have the choice/opportunity of walking away and/or forgetting it: 1. Ego and/or 2. Peer Pressure DCMS.

Ooooooo, fighting talk! Good job you're the other side of the big pond! You got it! DCMS.

For a good drill you will need: 1x Ping Pong Ball 1x Thumb Tack (or Drawing Pin, as they're called over in the UK) 1x Scotch Tape (or Sellotape, as it's called over in the UK) 1x Length of cotton/string 1x Chair 1. Tape cotton/string to Ping Pong Ball. 2. Push thumb Tack into ceiling, beam, roof, etc. 3. Tie other end of cotton/string to Thumb Tack making sure the Ping Pong Ball hangs at your eye level. Using the back of the chair for support, lean back and raise your kicking leg into the 'chambered' position. In the 'chambered' position, without moving the position of the 'chambered' knee, execute multiple turning kicks, hooking kicks, etc, in a slow and deliberate motion, using the Ping Pong Ball as a target. There's no need, or benefit, of kicking the hell out of the Ping Pong Ball, it's simply a focus point for slow and deliberate focus and strength building. This will build important leg strength and help with focus, and of course help with the stability of the standing leg. Once done, repeat on other leg. It's a great drill that can even be done in the comfort of your bedroom. Good kickers work on stretching and leg strength. The stretch allows you to get the kick there, the strength gets the kick there with power and keeps it there allowing for another delivery from an already 'chambered' leg. Leg strength is often over looked. DCMS.

When you walk, naturally, the level of your head will rise and fall as you walk. The rise and fall will look like the Sine Wave (shown below). http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~angela/sine.jpg In TKD you will rise as your feet come together (or pass when in Walking Stance) and drop as you execute the technique (feet apart). The downward part, as you execute the technique, is a way of utilising the body's weight. As the body drops the weight is distributed into the technique, say a middle section punch in walking stance. I hope that makes sense? The problem is; the body mechanics, in terms of weight distribution and force delivered, is floored. The body mechanics just don't work. The maths (science) just don't add up! The Sine Wave is inefficient and ineffective, compared to other ways of delivering power using body weight. I hope that makes sense. DCMS.