sk0t

I will say that I have been doing the TaeGueks for a long time and when I do them all (exept yuk-Jang) I end in the same spot....

Question: Being that this is the Korean Martial Arts section I was wondering 2 things. How many of your school teach TKD and a form of Hapkido? Or how many just teach TKD? Hapkido? At my school we teach WTF TKD and Chon-Tu Kwan Hapkido (Combat Hapkido).

Is it enough to know that you can 'kick the butts of these Black Belts"? I mean...I have trained my whole life...since I was a wee little boy...and I have recieved a few Black Belts, (I use Black Belt in capitals because I respect what I have done), but it is not the actual belt that I have been working. I too, along with others, have been raised with the colored belt system. I set an ultimate goal of getting the Black Belt, and I set minor goals of passing each kyu/guep grading. And I succeeded...now if I had a brown belt or a blue belt, I worked my butt off... I know that some people think that others might not deserve their belt. Should you be able to do it, or should you just know it... (both is not an answer) Where does the grading lie?

At my school we do...all of the TaeGuek Forms Including for the Black belts, Koryo KeumGang TaeBaek Sipjin

You know I hear people post about McDojos, and such, when in fact I dont think you guys really know what I McDojo is...you might know the definition of a McDojo. I think that a McDojo is school that teaches only one style with no mixing and no open mind. I think that some of the styles that take 6-15 years just to get your BlackBelt is preposterous. Development is something that people want...they dont want to sit around for years learning useless techniques that will never work...or perfecting that perfect sidekick just do they look good. I think that using the Term MCDOJO for a school that doesnt fit your curriculum is totally arrogant and not open minded at all.... I know allot of instructors that will give a Black Belt to a worthy student in 2 years. As a matter of fact I would also...if the student was dedicated and did what was required. The black belt is not something to achieve and then stop... I agree with the statement a couple posts back... Black is like the true white belt. Now it is time to begin. Just like going to kindergarden you learn the numbers before you learn to add...

I think that rebreakable boards are invaluable to the martial arts practioner...other than the obvious mess and other things that can make purchasing pine a monstrocity, I think that the rebreakable boards initiate more training, more focus (to hit the board in the middle, depending on what technique you are using) and it makes you use more power...because they are a bit harder to break than real boards (as long as they are brand new)

they would have to limit vital targets do to the fact that he can comprehend the question

I think that as long as a person can focus and show an aptitude for training with the 'big dawgs", they will be fine in the adult class... Another question is: Is it fair to let a 12 year old that is as big as a house train with other 12 year olds that are small as a mouse.

I believe that beginning the martial arts is the most important step...because as far as I am concerned and I know that other people will agree... There is not a style on the planet that hasnt borrowed from another style. And there is not a martial artists on the planet that teaches his ART or STYLE in the exact manner than it was meant...for the simple reason that no one knows what is was meant for... All of the arts that we do and research are all intertwined... So taking more than one style is not the question... The question is what STYLEs do you wish to take.

Something sounds a little fishy from the beginning of this thread...

There was a good article about this in the latest issue of Black Belt Mag... Test-Check-Hit Strategy... Check It Out!

I do not mean to be rude by that in any means...I just would like to know

if I may ask Ryu...what type of instructor are you at blue belt?

I dont think that Mike Tyson would fair as well as some of you think. For instance he might be a fighter...but that is boxer. He uses only his fists. (Biting is not allowed). I agree with some of the concensus that he does pack a wallop. But people who train in the MA know that when your opponent gets mad it is prime to to lay the whoop down. And if Mike Tyson flipped out...he would flip out with his fists...because that is what he does... He wouldnt stand a chance. IMHO!

I think that you need to mention this to the instructor. I dont agree with 5 year olds sparring in the first place. Let alone a 37 year old sparring a 5 year old. As for monkeygirls "sparring children can help you exercise control in sparring" I think that there are a million other ways to learn control. Drills, and pads and sparring older people. The probability for injury is greater and the legal issues if you were to hurt the younger person would be tremendous. You should talk to the instructor and then make a decision on leaving the school.

I am 20 years old...and have my 4th dan...I do not have a Kukkiwon 4th tho...so I may have mis stated that and I apologize. I cannot get a Kukkiwon 4th until I am a bit old as I am sure that you know... Thanks for letting me know my mistake Scott

<<< I hear you. Just keep practicing and using your natural advantages. They're most likely saying that because of some underlying shortcoming in their own training and just can't fathom why they can't get you. >>> I dont think that they are saying that for that reason at all... I myself am pretty tall (relative to the people I train with) and training in TKD...and other things I have come to realize that the longer the legs the more of an advantage that you have. Of course the head kicks will be less because they cannot reach and of course you will have the advantage... I dont think that people are persecuting you because you are tall...I just think you have an advantage that they cant overcome. All you can do is use your natural advantage to your personal advantage and not let it get to you... And when it comes to wanting some credit for your talent...it sounds to me like you want to hear something about skill when it doesnt have anything to do with skill... A 4th Degree Black Belt who isnt half as tall as you might not get any points on you cause you are tall....and you might win cause you are tall... So wait until you are about 1 year into it and you will hear about your talent cause you will blow everyone out of the water (especially if you are tall and have talent) As they always say... TIME WILL TELL!

I think that anyone who has answered this post exept for one person who feels the same way) has missed something in their martial arts training...anyone who was trained with only one instructor or at only one school is missing something. You are all biased... ITF is no better than WTF and WTF is no better than ITF...they are all TKD no matter how you wanna look at it... Can a Chinese person speak English...(sure if he learned it)...it works the same way with the martial arts. WTF people can teach a traditional style...if that is what they wanna teach... ITF can spar with full contact and with the rules denoted by the WTF and USTU if they so choose. So this whole argument means that the martial arts are becoming an "I am better than you" type of deal..and that disgusts me... I wish we could just go back to the days when it wasnt "my style or your style"... Then the martial arts will mean something again...

I agree with Martial_Artist. You either know your stuff or you dont. Legitimacy issues should only concern you if you feel you are losing something because you are not affiliated with someone. If you are looking for the satisfaction of knowing that your instructor runs with a bigger crowd then I think you should start playing Little League or something. The martial arts isnt about system legitimacy it is about training legit...

You know I think that regarding TKD in low esteem shows that people have a lack of respect for the martial arts. BJJ stylists feel that their art is the best...and while I do not want to get into the age of battle of what art is better I would like to say that people who hold TKD on a lower level then anyone else have not taken a good round kick to the face and felt the effect, or they have not take a nice punch (yes TKD involves punching) following by a lightning fast side kick... Tis better to be thought a fool, then to open your mouth and remove any doubt...

I am a 4th Dan WTF TKD along with 3rd DAN Combat Hapkido.

I am not too keen on the philisophical part of the martial arts, because i am more of a scientist (BS in BIOCHEM, working toward PhD) but whatever you are into is cool. Hapkido if you are interested I would recommend finding a school that deals with Combat Hapkido, (http://www.ichf.com) because they are practioners of a modern art that doesnt involve philosophy or ancient training, they are for practical application only...very nice system.

you know this question is like comparing apples and oranges. There is no "ONE" best martial art. It is personal and individual on a level that most cannot even grasp. TKD is the most physical art. Not physical in the fighting sense, but physical in the body sense. It requires that you be in fantastic shape, and flexibility is important as well... Dont get me wrong that other arts are physical as well, but the requirements for the kicks and such are incredible. It you are looking to get into shape then TKD is the way to go. If you are looking for a technical art that is realistic and philisophical and then I think you are looking in the wrong direction, although you can find a TKD school that is technical and prolly one that is religious or mystical or anything if you look really hard.

CONGRATULATIONS! With a T!

You guys are nuts... Scott knows Kung Fu Jim knows TKD Scott sucks at Kung Fu Jim is good at TKD... does style mean anything? NO! It is the fighter! Style doesnt mean anything Jim doesnt know anything...but can throw a punch, Pete knows TKD, but sucks Jim whoops Scott with a punch, that pete couldnt block cause he sucks... Did Jims art lose it for him or did Jim lose it for himself... DO YOU GUYS JUST TYPE TO TYPE?