bushido_man96

I don't really like the idea of relegating most of the Martial Arts practitioners in the world to merely "hobbyist," but based off the definitions filling in here, that is how most of the practitioners in the world would end up being labeled. But I don't think it has to be a career in order for it to be considered more than a hobby, either.

What a challenge that would present! I would experiment with different options on each technique, and see where it takes you. Have you thought about doing the techniques without the prosthetic, as well?

Truly mastering teaching is learning how to teach the same thing in different ways, so you can hopefully make a broader range of students understand the same concept. Its about taking different roads to arrive at the same destination. Sometimes, you have to really make them just work lots of reps to get something down. Other times, its breaking a technique down into component parts and finding where the issue is, and working that component. And other times, you may need to have another teacher or peer take a look at what they are doing, explain to them that you know what they need to fix, and ask them how they would do it. Each of these can help you nail down what it is that helps the student "get it." Last of all, it just takes longer sometimes for one than it does for another, and we, as instructors, have to be patient with them to really help them out.

Welcome back, Hawkmoon! 1/22/2016 Strength Training: 3x5 week. Deadlifts: warm-ups: 135x5, 165x5, 195x5; work sets: 208x5, 240x5, 272x7. Busy day, had to get in and out of the gym.

I wouldn't lay off classes to work on increased flexibility. Your body will gain flexibility with work and training over time, and its going to be best for you body to gain flexibility by doing what you want your body to do, like trying to kick higher. Know your limits, and work to the extent you can with them. Then, know how to push it just a bit more to improve.

Yes, check out both schools. Watch a class or several of each, and try to speak with the instructors about their classes, what they teach, what their goals are, etc. Do your best to gather as much info to determine which school lines up better with what your MA goals are, that way you can make an informed decision. Welcome to KF! Let us know which one you decide to go with.

Here is the 4th form, I believe, Pyong Ahn Chodan: ITSDF: Looks like 22 moves, and comes from Heian Shodan: I noticed the difference in the knife hand middle blocks in Heian Shodan, and they are done as low blocks in the TSD forms. Another noticeable difference in all three here is in how move number 4, the hammer fist, is done. Some have a longer hitch, some exaggerate the circular chambering motion. But the simlilarities are striking.

I learned back stance weight distribution as 70%/30% back to front leg, and the front foot approximately three foot lengths from the back foot, in an L shape. We also do a "rear stance" or "cat stance," where the front foot is one and a half foot lengths from the rear foot, and the front foot is up on the toes. I'm not sure that the "knee slapping" is supposed to be taking place. In the book I have, it just states to "raise the knee" before stepping, nothing about slapping the other knee. Perhaps someone showed him this, and he kept doing it. I don't like it.

You can also feint with that backfist and run in a belt level side kick. Its a nice pair to work in together.

When you say you haven't done any kumite, do you mean at all, or just in competition?

Thank you, Bob. Kenneth has been doing some good things in practices lately, and I really think that next year he will start putting things together a bit more. Kendall was helping with his double-leg takedowns, which are getting better, and breaking down the opponent from the referee's position is getting better, too. This past weekend, 1/23/16, we took the boys to the Norton Invitational. Kenneth had a rough go, going 0-2, but not without going after the boys he was competing against. The main thing for him is really getting the takedowns worked on. From there, some things will come together. Kendall had a good day, going 3-0 and placing first. We saw some different competition, and so now we are starting to get a good idea of what subdistricts is going to shake out like. All three of the kids he wrestled were taller than him, and only one was lighter, being a 110 pounder. And he did a totally different move, too, using an arm throw to take all three of his opponents down. In his first match, he hit it pretty good, basically stepping behind and doing a sweep and using his hips to take them down. He almost got a pin in the first period, but it went into the second, where he did get a pin. In his second match, he hit the throw again (but this time not as clean), got some back points, but the kid got off his back, but Kendall got to the front and ran an Iowa twist into a pin. His third match started with the ugliest of his 4 arm throws, but he managed to muscle the bigger kid to the ground, where he got a pin. It was a good meet for Kendall, but we talked about the throw he was doing, and Vicky mentioned that after the last match, she saw one of the opposing coaches talking to his assistant, and saying "three times," referring to the throws. So, Kendall knows these wrestlers will probably be ready for it next time, so we have to clean it up, drill it well, and also work on some alternatives for takedowns.

I would use the funds to travel around and train at different seminars and such. I would just go to everything I possibly could, and try to get a sampling of everything that is out there. Included in the travelling, I'd stop off at various of posters here at KF, and try to visit their schools and do some training, if possible.

Life will throw all kinds of challenges at us. It sounds like your daughter has taken the bull by the horns, and is really fighting hard. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks, Bob. I was able to get to practice with Kenneth on Monday, and tried to help him figure a few things out. He did some good things in practice, and I hope they start clicking for him more and more.

I was just about to post this! When I was at university, the tkd instructor there suggested this as an application for moves 2-3 in Toi Gye. Would work if you were fighting Spartan style!

1/15/2016 Strength Training: 5/3/1 week Deadlifts: warm-ups: 135x5, 165x5, 195x5, 215x3; work sets: 232.5x5, 256x3, 295x6. Squats: 152x10, 152x10, 152x10, 152x10, 152x10. 1/19/2016 Strength Training: new cycle starts. Adjusted training maxes up 10 lbs on squat (315) and deadlift (320), up 5 lbs on press (140). 3x5 week. Squats: warm-ups: 45x5x2, 135x5, 165x5; work sets: 205x5, 236.5x5, 268x7. Assisted chin-ups: 135x10, 7, 7 (supersetted with squats). Deadlifts: 160x10, 160x10, 160x10, 160x10, 160x10. Press: warm-ups: 45x5x3, 65x5, 85x5; work sets: 91x5, 105x5, 119x6; assistance sets: 70x10, 70x10, 70x10, 70x10, 70x10.

Here is TSD form #3, Kicho Sam Bu (Kicho 3): ITSDF version: 20 moves again, along the same floor pattern. This time, we get sitting or middle stances with long punches, and a back stance. The back stance is different from my experience doing it, as we put the front foot flat on the floor.

Thank you for the explanations.When I used to point spar in the ATA, that flicking back fist strike was a popular one.

I think for many of us, its not something we start to realize on our own, but others probably see it manifest in us before we realize it.We are our own worst critics, after all.

Great idea! Any way to keep on training is a good thing!

A defensive set of techniques a Kung Fu stylist once showed us was called "the crotch rip." Quite entertaining.

I view them as a mark of sportsmanship. I prefer to shake hands before and after a match (along with a bow). If I lose, its not me necessarily congratulating them on beating me, but merely a gesture of gratitude for allowing two competitors to come together, give it their all, and then appreciate the experience.

Thanks for the insight, and the videos, Luther. I do recall hearing of SBD, and I guess when I hear Moo Duk Kwan, that is the branch it is affiliated with, correct? Also, in the video of the form, I noticed he slid quite a bit with his techniques. But, the way he did his form, with the exhalation on technique execution, is very similar to how we do our forms. We don't have quite as long a pause between techniques, but his may have been for demonstration purposes, too.

And what would be the English translation of those two techniques?

Kenneth competed on Sunday, 1/17/2016, at the Ellis Novice. He lost his first two matches, against some kids with some more experience. He won his third match, with a pin. He did a good job of doing his stand-ups, but we have to work on the finish of getting loose and turned around. Also, keeping his hips lower. He ended up getting third place.