Doug

hmmm, interesting, i live in australia, no semi automatic firearms allowed unless you have like a special license and stuff, out in the sticks every man and his dog still have a rifle for pest control. First thing id do if i went to america is either goto jerry springer or a shooting range

just learning empi before my 1st kyu grading next week, (not being graded on it just want to know all four of the black belt kata before i go up)

i think tommy p has cleared that right up for us all, i find the side snap kick very effective in multiple opponent training, as the pivoting form a natural front stance in kumite seems unneccessary when you can just do front kick. But when your opponent is to your side i find it easy to lift either the front or back leg to kick to either side or the back as in heian sandan and kanku dai (followed by elbows). Also very handy to snap to knock someones guard down (or up under their chin) and follow up with another technique, tudan/gedan kekomi or punch combo just my 2 cents

I inherited a punching bag from a relative a few months before i began training, and until then it was largely untouched. I don't know what weight it is, but it was filled with rags and was pretty useless trying to do more than one powerful punch or kick before it swung wildly away. Not having the benefit of discoveriing this site i found some hardcore group on the net that advised it to be filled with saw dust. So i did this, it has been a great help as I can't punch it wrongly full power without my hand knowing it. However it still swings wildly after 1 or 2 punches and comes back at me with more momentum than ever. The lower area has become super hard with gravity compacted saw dust and only chudan and jodan levels remain punchable. I was wondering whether i should refill it with something else, maybe attach a cord to the bottom to the floor to help stop the swinging. And the reason this isn't in the equipment section; I don't feel the bag is any real sub to kumite practise in the dojo, all the strikes in the world aren't going to block opponents punches. I know hitting the moving bag is also good for aim and timing, i just need some more blocking practise at home. (Sorry bout the big post,once i got started...)

focus mits yeah, but thai pads? what are they? and how can you practise with stuff like that out of class, i dunno bout you guys but i dont really have a willing partner at home.