bushido_man96

I commend your desire to return to the workouts. Many people after that much moving and lay off just end up quitting. Knowing where you are in your training is more important than what everyone else thinks.

This is a very interesting article. I have never heard martial arts advise on defending against dog attacks. Well written. ps...got anything on big cats??? lol

Do you use any spinning kicks to counter? A spin side kick or a spinning heel kick are good counters if you see a lot of back leg round kicks from an open stance position. When you try to combo, you can't hestitate. Throw your side kick (or whatever), and then go directly into the next kick. Don't stop to consider. I like to throw a high round kick and then suck it back in to sidekick to the waist before setting it down.

You make a very good point jaymac. That is well worth consideration. A major problem that even adult students have is retaining their old material throughout the ranks. At our black belt testings, all of the previous forms and one steps must be demonstrated either in a pretest or at the testing itself.

What should we do with the kids who excel towards that rank to keep them interested. It is hard to tell them that they cannot test again for a few years. My school is guilty of having young black belts as much as any. Most organizations run on two month testing cycles. Perhaps 4 months would be better for children.

When there is that kind of a desparity between ranks, then the instructor should be held responsible. Now, everyone has different abilities. Some can spar, some can do forms, others self-defense, and some excel as teachers. However, I feel that some level of competency should be demonstrated in all of these areas.

I have noticed that most styles have a two month testing cycle. So, in most 9 or 10 belt systems, one can earn a black belt in about 2 and a half years. Once kids get there that are under the age of 16, are usually held under the 3rd degree level. In the two organizations that I have been a member of, this has been the case. I think that these kids may have the technical ability to be considered a black belt, but mentally, they are not so well prepared. A black belt should be able to handle teaching duties and other such responsibilities. Most kids cannot. Most of the times they see the color, but don't really understand what it means, deep down. The other problem I see with black belt children is that they think there is no more to learn and get bored and burned out.

It has been about 5 or 6 years since I have been involved with the ATA, but from my experience, they mainly teach weapons forms. Not much that I saw in the way of weapon usage and defense. If I am wrong, let me know. When I left the ATA, they were also beginnig to incorportate weapons requirements into the black belt ranks. 1st dan was the chucks, 2 was the stick I think, 3rd was the staff, and so on. If I am misinformed, let me know.

I have been feeling some burnout as well. You could cut back on the number of classes that you attend in a week. Another good idea would be to get together with some of your classmates on your own time, and work on something fun that you want to do. Maybe some free sparring or some counter drills. Just try to mix it up to stimulate your interest.

I have been in two systems. I am a 2nd degree and certified instructor through the ATA. When I moved to go to college, I joined a different school and organization. The instructor made me start all over from white belt. I didn't complain about it though, because the forms and one-steps where different from my previous system. However, by recognizing my previous training, he allowed me to skip some ranks a few times. I got to 1st degree in his system in about a year. My motivation was that the belt I was wearing did not matter; I knew whay my capabilities were. I kind of have a mental perception of what "rank" I am. I see some of the students around me and say to myself "I've been there." Then I look at some other students and say "That's where I need to be." Even reaching 2nd degree in two different organizations, I realize that I still have a lot to learn.

I do notice that a lot of TKD fighters don't keep their hands up. The tournament rules are what I think are the major cause of this practice. Everyone would rather counter than block. In class, I like to get close and punch the crap out of the bigger guys who would rather not be in close.