bushido_man96

I recently finished reading Sang H. Kim's book, Complete Kicking. The book starts with a few chapters on the basics of kicking in general, the aspects that apply to all kicks, and on the importance of warming up and properly training the legs for good kicking. After that, the book gets into kicking proper. He has a section on fundamental kicks, which basically covers all kicks that are done while standing, with either the front or back leg. This includes front, side, and round kicks, but also more advanced kicks like whip, twist, and crescent kicks. So, the fundamentals are basically the kicks done standing, but not spinning, jumping, or hopping. Each chapter starts with the basics involved for performing the kick (the 'how-to'), attacking tools and target areas for the kick, and then some trouble-shooting and points to avoid to maximize the kick. There are also tidbits sprinkled throughout on different exercises to do to improve various kicks. After covering the fundamentals, there are chapters on augmenting the above kicks, covering hop-kicks, jump kicks, spinning kicks, and multiple kicking. In the chapters, he also provides various applications for the kicks for sport, self-defense, and 'martial art' applications (like for demonstrations, board breaking, or one-step training) for each kicks. Each of the chapters are pretty succinct, and get right to the points of how-to, then some tips, some applications, and some do's and don'ts to be successful. Kim also shamelessly plugs some of his other works for ideas on training and stretching (which is really a good idea for him...why cover what he has already dedicated an individual volume to?). Many of the photos are also photos that I've seen that popped up in other works of his, including Complete Poomsae that he authored with Kyu Hyung Lee, who he has photos of in the book, as well. Overall, a good book on kicking that is worth looking into. Kim states that the book isn't written with only the TKD practitioner in mind, but anyone who wants to improve their kicking ability. I believe there is an accompanying DVD that would further enhance the training experience.

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Cool, info, Patrick. Thanks for those links. Its got to be tough for those GMs and owners that have to keep an eye on that stuff, and then listen to fans who get upset because their favorite players leave or get released. But, the NFL is a business, and I've learned to not become overly attached to players, because things can change so much from one year to the next. I was surprised the Saints moved Graham, but signed Mark Ingram. I don't think Brees will be moving, though. I also saw on that site, Patrick, that the Eagles picked up Sam Bradford. That's very interesting. If he can stay healthy for a season, then who knows what he does in Chip Kelly's system? I will be interested to see how Chip's system works throughout next year.

That is awesome! Best of luck to him!

Haha. Awwww. It's ok. I have a cousin who was born on February 29th. Talk about getting hosed!

Sounds like it would have been a fun one!3/10/2015 TKD Forms: 8th gup stuff Dan Gun x2 Bo Chung x2 Songham 2 x2 Palgwe 2 x6

Thanks for sharing the video, and the info on how the WKF kind of works. I thought the form was solid. Some very quick moves in there!

Neither Chon Ji nor Dan Gun hyungs of the ITF form set have any kicks in them. Palgwe 1 of the older WTF forms does not have any kicks in it. Poe Eun, an ITF 1st dan form, only has two kicks in it, side kicks to the knee.

I agree that it does offer both, but its important to find a teacher that teaches the applications. There is a string of Tai Chi out there that focus solely on the exercise and therapeutic aspects of the style, so finding the right teacher is important to learn the applications.

The football season is over, but the "silly season" of free agency is in full swing. It looks like Suh is going to get paid by the Dolphins, Revis is looking to make some money somewhere, and Hoyer is going to visit the Houston Texans. The Chiefs have been somewhat active; Tamba Hali had agreed to restructure his contract, Juston Houston has been franchised for this year, and it appears that Jeremy Maclin will be reunited with Andy Reid as he will reportedly sign with KC this week. I do like this signing, as Dwayne Bowe has really been disappointing in his performance. I don't think Alex Smith is as limited as many others think he is, and with the addition of Maclin to the WR corps, I think he will play even better next season.

Yep, spring training is in full swing. I'm looking forward to see how the Royals follow up last season. I don't expect a WS run, necessarily, but I'd love to see them continue to compete for the division.

Welcome to KF! I'm sure you will find the "kumite" here most enjoyable.

2/26/2015 Wrestling: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Kenneth worked on running half-Nelsons on me, then worked on his shots and stand-ups before practice got started. During practice, there was lots of live Wrestling, some work on stand-ups, and I did some jogging with some of the kids. 2/27/2015 TKD Workout: 40 min, Chon Ji, Palgwe 1, Taegeuk 1, Songham 1, 5 times each, and TTA/ATA one-steps, 5 times each. Stretch. 3/3/2015 TKD Forms: Dan Gun & Bo Chung x5 each. 3/4/2015 DT Club: 1:30 - 3:00 pm. Brought the kicking shields and did some kicking. We worked on low-level , back leg, 45 degree round kicks to the leg level, and also on some more traditional style of round kicks, off the back and front leg. 3/9/2015 TKD Forms: Chon Ji, Palgwe 1, Taegeuk 1, Songham 1, just 1 time each for review and warm-up. Dan Gun, Bo Chung, 1 time each. Then spent around 30 - 40 minutes learning Palgwe 2. It was a nice day outside, so I did forms while the kids were playing, and I got good and warm, and was getting good height on front kicks.

I am working on Palgwe 2 now, and spent quite a bit of time yesterday (3/9/2015) learning it. While learning it, I kept focusing on my front stance width, and I am definitely getting better with it. However, I am not ending on the same spot with either of the Palgwe forms that I've done so far. But, I am ending off of the start point on a consistent basis, if that makes sense. I'm not sure where the inconsistencies are coming from, but it must be in the length of some of my steps forward in stances. Perhaps I have some shifting issues when I pivot on 270 degree rotations, as well. I don't know, but I will try to get videos up of the next rank of forms I am doing when I get the chance. But, I am thinking that, with the consistency that I miss the starting mark with, perhaps this is just how these forms are? But, I will keep working at it. I did do Taegeuk 1 again, and I was still off the starting mark, but I was much closer to the finish than previously. Thank you, Danielle, for the help with that! As I was learning and performing Palgwe 2, I've discovered that in no other TKD forms that I've done, have I ever done a high block after a 270 degree turn. That doesn't mean much, but as I was turning to do the high blocks in this form, I was struck by the unfamiliarity of the movement in turning and chambering the high blocks. This could also have something to do with the way I chamber them; in the ATA, we did more of a crossed-arm chamber motion, whereas in the TTA, I've chambered the block with the blocking arm straight down, from the midline of the body. I'm sure a video will help explain that. But that could be part of the issue in why the movements feel weird.

I really liked that video. That is not a concept I would have thought of. I shared it to our DT club page, so maybe we'll put some work in on it. Thanks, Alex!

Thanks bushido_man96 for watching my video. I hope more then you to watch my videos The shifting to generate force is very important. The power always starts in the legs. Someday I will do complete video on force generation,but have to leave the best for last..I have not even gotten into weapons training yet... Thank you for sharing these videos with us. I really enjoy them. I'm curious, do you have a school that you teach out of, or do you train outside for the most part, with just a few students?

Welcome to KF!

I know I've been slacking a bit in here, but we are getting ready to make the state run now, so I hope to get things fully updated here soon, so stay tuned!

I've seen these dobok before. It just seems odd to have one rule normally then to ignore it for competition. There must be a reason surely? Wrestling is so much easier; the club usually provides the singlet. Thank you, Heidi and Iceman, for laying out some of the nuances of WTF competitions. I was not aware of them, and had not ever seen those rules explained in any of the books I've read on WTF TKD. I couldn't imagine an ATA black belt having to learn all those forms for competition purposes! So, Iceman, what do you do for the students that you have that want to compete? Do you mainly go to open style tournaments, or AAU events? If I recall, I think the AAU accepts WTF, ITF, and ATA forms now for TKD forms competitions, but I don't know if they only do rank-specific forms, or not. Do you have some students that go to compete at the elite-level tournaments? Also, once you become an instructor level black belt, are you required to learn the remaining black belt forms in order to provide the knowledge to pass on to those that do go to elite-level competition?

I agree. That sounds odd.I think that 1-on-1 training is a great thing, especially early on in the journey. However, being able to train in a group has several advantages, as well. Training with other people can be motivational, giving your someone to push yourself against. Also, its good to be able to work with various partners of different body sizes and gender in order to learn how to augment techniques or strategies against them. Working in a group also helps to build camaraderie, which is great for training. Enjoy the personal attention while you have the opportunity, but also try to seek out others to train together with, as well.

Simple, correct explanation.

Thanks for showing these applications. It seem so simple the way you demonstrate them, but I'm sure that there are a lot of little details I'm missing out on. I try to watch your hips move, and in this video I could hear your feet shifting on the ground, as well. That helps me to "see" where the power is coming from.

You are making valid points, chiliphil1. Many TKD schools have programs that they gear towards younger students. If our school didn't have a program for younger students, and the gym business that the school is run out of, then it probably wouldn't be around. We just don't have enough adult students. I wish we did, but we just don't, and I don't know how to fix that. So, many schools need those kids programs to keep the doors open for the few adults that take classes.

Thank you, Bob. It really is written with the beginner in mind, providing good information for a TKD practitioner that is just starting out, or for someone searching for a style to study, and looking for information on WTF TKD.

Of note: WTF Black Belts 1st Dan and up who choose to compete in Sport Poomsae must learn all Black Belt Patterns through Unsu...it is a daunting task for a new Shodan. I will agree that the patterns are short but the details are challenging. I didn't realize that, and it seems a bit daunting, indeed. If that is the case, then why have the forms assigned to ranks?