bushido_man96

Here is the problem that I find with trying to react quickly: Reaction is always dependent on action. The person acting has the advantage of time on his side, because you must wait for action in order to react (redundant, I know). And if your reaction time is slow, then you are screwed. You can work on your reaction time, but you also must have good initiation speed; ie, you not only have to react quickly, but must be able to start your action quickly. These are two very different abilities, and must both be trained extensively to be used well together.

Why not defend it with offense? If you can't get out of the way, and blocking that many techniques is failing you, just start hitting back. Essentially, begin your own straight blast, and intercept him. Remember, the best defense is a good offense.

Very good article. It helps answer some questions of my own. One of the best articles I have ever read. Congratualtions on your accomplishment!!

I am stringing this thread off of an idea from the "2 year black belts?" thread in the Korean Arts forum. My question is, how long does it take to become a "master?" In my current association, you become a Jr. Master upon reaching 4th dan, and you become a Master upon reaching 5th dan. In the ATA, it used to be that one wasn't eligible for master until 6th dan, and even then only 3 were taken each year. In the ATA, there are requirements above and beyond that must be met, and a special test and ceremony taken. In my current association, there is only a testing, with forms, one-steps, sparring, breaking, and the writing of a paper. So, what does it take? How much time? How old should one be? At what rank should it be attained? Just one note: I don't think that Bruce Lee ever carried the title of Master.

Why do you have to branch away? Stick with it. Supplement your training with the judo, but I would not forsake it. As far as the next school you go to, you will be starting at the beginning, no matter what belt you wear.

I know that I have mentioned this before, but here it is again: I am so jealous of those of you that have the oppurtunity to study multiple styles. All I have here is TKD and one karate school. No grappling. So I say, enjoy yourself. But, as Sohan said, stick to a base stlyle as well.

Describe the Thai Roundhouse, I may need to revote! Like the hook, though.

There are so many different cases we could look at. There is Heather Smyth, who took 5 years, along with some others. Heather Smyth has a good case, where her instructor held her out once. This is definetly the sign of a good instructor. Then, there are those who take 5 years because they don't advance as fast as some others. Then there are those who are extremly talented, and get there a little sooner, like the two year BB's; which I am (2-2.5 years). I don't claim that I am super sharp, or super talented, but I did learn something at each rank that I had. Even as a black belt, I am still learning. Now, why don't we extend this discussion beyond the rank of 1st degree? In my style, I must wait 1.5 years before I can test for 2nd degree, and then 2.5 years after that to test for 3rd degree. Now, does a 1st dan learn enough in 1.5 years to gain the knowledge of a 2nd dan? Even as 2nd dan, working toward 3rd dan, I am still learning things about myself that need improvement. So, when am I going to be ready? I guess what I am getting at is this: How do you know when? Why is 5 years so much better than 2? Wouldn't 8 years be better than 5? Honestly, I think it depends on the person and their ability. Just because a person gets a BB in 2 years, does not mean that they are not comprable to a student who gets one in 5 years.

Sparring is not necessarily the end all, be all of judgements. Just because someone cannot spar well, does not mean that they cannot defend themselves. There are some things that sparring won't show you, because of the rules involved. Point sparring may not demonstrate toughness, or the ability to take a shot. Even if it is not point sparring, you still may not get a good idea of what the person is capable of when his or her life is on the line, and all they are concerned with is survival.

I have heard that sometimes whether or not you can do the splits has to do with genetics. Not for sure, though. I heard that Van Damme had some part of his leg muscles or tendons removed so that he could do his splits. I have not been able to do it in 13 years. Been close, but usually when the adrenaline is running at tourneys.

The Shamelessly Unofficial Taekwondo Hyungs page has a lot to offer. Try it out. Type that in; it should be easy to find.

You make a good point. However, a boxer has fewer skills to master, and then these are repeated over and over again. Even the most basic martial arts style has many more forms and techniques to perform. Few people that I've met can fight after two years of traditional martial arts training as well as a boxer after the same period. The reason is the volume of training material. It just takes longer to really master and understand the principles for most people. IMHO, of course. With respect, Sohan I kind of agree with you, Sohan, but kind of don't. In a way I do because it is a lot of material to absorb, with the forms and all. But a Thai Boxer focuses on punching and kicking and movement, more than a boxer, and still can be prepared to fight in 2 years. It seems that perhaps our traditional styles (which teach self-defense, right?) get in their own way of becoming more efficient in the fight game. Now, I know that we aren't training people to fight so much as training them to defend themselves, but in the end the result is the same....you win or you lose.

I didn't think about the grappling aspect in my original post. It changes things a bit.....I don't how comfortable I would feel. I would like to think I could deal with it, but I don't know, honestly. With TKD its different. There is no grappling. I guess you don't spend as much time in their "personal space" as grapplers do.

At my school, there is a little bit of an age gap. I am 28, and there are some 20-23 age range from our college class students. Then we have a few older adults. Some are in their 40s. I think that the age gaps happen in smaller demographic areas, where population is smaller. Where you see less of an age gap is in children's program classes (which we also have, and the gap is less noticable), and in programs like the AAU promoted programs where there are age groups that train together in a team atmosphere.

This is not a bad idea at all. However, I would not yet overlook the value of peers and seniors. Having an experienced master or instructor to work with is always a valuable resource. At the same time, its the masters and instructors who can become a roadblock to this kind of evolution. Sometimes these seniors can be stubborn to their way of doing things. Tell me some of your theories and philosophies. I am sure we would all like to hear them.

Patusai, you're speaking of people who have had previous martial or fighting experience, which is the exception, not the norm. I'm referring to someone who receives a BB in 2 yrs or less from ground 0, which is more likely the majority of the quick-rise BBs. Regardless, there's no way most people could master 30, 20, or even 10 kata in 18 months with BB-worthy form unless their name is Bruce Lee. The Okinawans say it takes 1000 reps to be ready to master a kata, so just 10 kata would require 10,000 reps. At ten reps per day, that's a minimum of just less than three years. And that's ten reps every single day, plus all the other techniques one is required to know, for only ten kata. Heck, we have more than 30 in our system. That's a lot of reps. I'm proud to say it takes my school 5+ years to reach blackbelt. Respectfully, Sohan You are talking about developing muscle memory here, which is something that can be developed over any extended period of time with any activity. I am not so sure it necessary to ingrain everything like that. Free thinking is important, too. Ater so many reps, everything starts to seem monotonous. I am not saying that developing muscle memory is bad, but is it required?

I don't have any chi power, and have been in for 13 years.

I don't see anything wrong with 2 year black belts. If the person can demonstrate knowledge of the forms, one-steps, self-defense techniques, and other requirements of the system, then why not? Lets play devil's advocate. Let's say that you enter into a non-ranking fighting system, like boxing. Now, if you practice for two years, should you be able to go fight? Because if you do, then you are going to gain some recognition; moreso if you win. Then people will begin to recognize you as having some skill and ability. Is this any different than what a black belt in 2 years gains? Let me know what youall think.

Congrats....power poster....master of the forum.....guru of the phonetic dojo.... Seriously. You info is always positive and informative, that I have seen. Good stuff.

Interesting question...never considered it before. I would hope that if they did, they would just not tell me. "Don't ask, don't tell." Really, though, it should not matter, as long as people mind their own business.

You could take hapkido, or jujitsu of some sort. Also, could try boxing....great hands AND great feet!!

This is a very good point that you make. Black belts need more in order to keep them interested. Our traditional classes are always the same thing, and even our kicking classes are open to all students, and it is always everyone working on the same thing. They are still good workouts, but I need a little more.

I agree; I feel that I get more power out of the moves in the Chun do kwan style than I did the ATA forms. However, I felt that some of the ATA forms flowed a little better from move to move. I also like how they advance with the kicks in the ATA forms. I know that they may not all be practical, but it is nice to get to do something besides side kick or a front kick.

Yes I know. I'd still like to see someone try and kick me off a horse, though, of any height. I'm not the greatest rider in the world, but I bet that it would be nigh-on impossible for anyone to unseat me with a flying kick. With today's saddles, sure. However, most of the modern saddles and the stirrups were not around at that time. Plus, add on the fact that you are wearing a lot of armor which was very very top heavy, and it might not be that hard. Now, just from jumping next to the horse, probably not. Coming off of a height, very possible. Aodhan Wow, my thread on forms systems turned into an eqestrian arguement

Yes I know. I'd still like to see someone try and kick me off a horse, though, of any height. I'm not the greatest rider in the world, but I bet that it would be nigh-on impossible for anyone to unseat me with a flying kick. With today's saddles, sure. However, most of the modern saddles and the stirrups were not around at that time. Plus, add on the fact that you are wearing a lot of armor which was very very top heavy, and it might not be that hard. Now, just from jumping next to the horse, probably not. Coming off of a height, very possible. Aodhan Actually, I think the Mongols invented stirrups.