bushido_man96

Weight can still be an issue on the ground, but skill plays into is as well. It could be more to do with lack of skill, but not necessarily. When all other things are equal, size will always play some sort of factor. But keep training, and always try to partner with different body styles and skill levels so that you can push yourself.

Your cup might be more than half-full, if you set it down when you do kata....

It could be that he may not want to broach the topic at all. While asking him in private is an option, it could be that he still won't tell you anything, and he may not want to be pestered about it, either. As others have mentioned, if you enjoy his classes, and feel he is doing a good job teaching you, then it may not be worth worrying about. It also might be something he reserves to tell you for when you become higher ranked yourself. When you get to a spot where he says he can't grade you any more, then you'll have your answer.

I think it would be good to be flexible enough to allow both options to work. Maybe a set-up where one testing is at your place, and the next time you need his help, you go to his place. That would make for a nice mix, I think, and you can meet others through the testings he hosts.

Ok, ready for 1st gup material, and at this stage in the game, I'm going to have to do some clean-up to get things kind of consistent in regard to rank and what not. So please, bear with me here. We are fresh out of colored belt Kukki patterns, so I'll pick them up once we get to black belt rank proper. For now, two colored belt forms. ATA red belt form, Choong Jung 2: 46 moves. New blocks are double inner forearm block, knife hand high X-block. New strikes are long upset ridge hand strike, palm heel strike, and reverse upset punch. Kicking includes a reverse hook kick, a #3 jump round kick, and a repeat round kick/side kick combination. This form as a lot of open and techniques and combinations in it, with palm heel strikes and ridge hand strikes, and the open and knife hand square blocks. The kicking techniques are particularly challenging. The round/side kick really challenges balance, and the reverse hook kick requires power yet control necessary to keep from over rotating before returning the kick to the ground. This form is a great challenge to the ATA student approaching the black belt test. TTA middle brown belt form, Hwa Rang hyung: 29 movements by the book, 30-31 techniques in total. New hand techniques include the palm heel strike (we perform this movement in slow motion), reverse upset punch, downward knife hand strike in circular motion, and twin elbow strikes to the rear. We have a high/low scissors type block, and a technique where the student reaches out and grabs his punching and before pulling in and delivering a side kick with the front leg. We also get 2 round kicks in combination in this form. There is a section of 3 reverse punches done in back stance, but we do these punching forward with hip rotation, not to the 45. This form starts out very compact in the beginning, and I get lots of power in the opening sequence. I like the fact that there are more kicks in this form, too. There are lots of little footwork nuances that are not as apparent in this form until you begin to do it. I think this form and Choong Moo really require attention to the footwork to be successful in performing them.

I agree with you, and that was GM Lee's reason for designing the forms the way that he did for the ATA. His idea was that if TKD was to be known for its kicking techniques, then why don't the forms focus more and challenge more with kicking techniques? Later on in this thread, I'll lay out how each rank of the ATA adds more challenging techniques that are basic requirements in order to test. But I agree, this is what the ATA forms do well. Keep in mind, though, that most of the kicking techniques done in the ATA forms are not required to be high section. The recommended targeting for them is middle or high section. The jumping crescent kicks in brown belt form, though, are supposed to be high section, but front/crescent kicks are usually easier for people to get high section than other kicks. I agree, very subtle, and that was how I thought it was supposed to be done, but got confused when I saw how the second kick like his was done in the form. I used to be able to do that more easily, but gravity is working against me more lately.... This helps clarify that for me, thank you. I see your conundrum here, but it is possible. The key is to use that right leg front kick chamber motion to really burst off the ground, and then if you pull you knee up tight like a front kick chamber, its just a matter of flicking that kick out and back fast. While you are still on the rise, the second kick follows, hopefully higher than the first one, because you flicked it out there earlier at the beginning of the jump. I hope that helps out. Really make that first kick fast to make it work. With the shape I'm in now, I might have to do them both like the second one just so I don't make myself look bad...

Ok, working on getting caught up, here is footage of Kenneth's first step into Wrestling competition. He's only 5 years old, so I think he's got some time to really start getting it. This is the Plainville Novice Tournament, 1/10/2015. Match 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5WApBEf4ew&list=PLon1GNgZPzV58U3fAa13-P_7SS9x3uCj5&index=1 Watch and enjoy two kids playing on the mat! Kenneth starts on the right, in the maroon and yellow singlet. He likes to go high to the head, so we are working on that. He gets taken down, but gets up, and hits a takedown of his own, even though its a bit slow. He has trouble still with where he is on the mat, and his balance, especially when working against another force, is still developing. He does understand that he is supposed to get the other on their back, its just figuring out how to keep them there. There is a point in the second period where they get into what looks like a hugging match. Kenneth starts third period on top, but gets reversed. The main thing will be getting his balance and body placement figured out. Kenneth wins this match. Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt5raNB7J1s&list=UUYp41FDmb5wXCSMe_HkoEJw This kid had a bit more experience, and a bit more understanding on how Wrestling works, so Kenneth had his hands full with this one. This kid is really aggressive and works fast, which kind of overwhelmed Kenneth. But, I hope it helps him understand how one is supposed to wrestle. He did a good job of fighting to stay off his back, and kept working to get up. He starts 2nd period on top, but balance gets him in trouble, and he gets reversed and taken down. Funny moment at the end of the 2nd period where they thought they were done, and took their leg bands off. Third period is more of trying not to get rolled over, which he does a good job of, but isn't really able to score much. He doesn't get pinned, but loses this match. Match 3: I think we missed getting this one, but Kenneth lost this match, although he gave it a good fight. He ended up 1-2 in his first tournament, and got 3rd place. He was pretty happy!

Thanks for the tips, tallgeese. I'll try to keep those in mind. I will definitely try to keep my hips more active, too.

Nice. I like the set-up. Guard passing is something I've had issues with, and seeing how you set up helps. I have an unrelated question, in regards to your side control. We have several wrestlers in our DT club, and when they get to side control, they throw their hips and legs towards the head, which makes it really tough to circle around to try to get back to guard. Any recommendations on that? What's your opinion on that side control position versus the one you always show with the knees into the hips and shoulder?

01/21/2015 White Belt Material Chon Ji hyung Palgwe Il Jang Taeguek Il Jang Songham 1 ATA white belt one-steps (3) TTA white belt one-steps (7) Went through each twice. Been practicing Taeguek 1 over the past few days, too.

I'm kind of on the fence in regards to fitness standards and MA ranking. It has pros and cons, the cons mainly being that you will only tend to a younger, more athletic crowd. For the record, though, I hate running, and don't really do it. I think a big part of the MAs is the personal journey, and not everyone has time to put in the extra road work to run every day. Why short them on their journey?

Our gym's slogan is "You Have No Excuse," mainly because its a 24 hour access gym. I could get onto our TKD floor at any time, because I have a key to the room. But the slogan mainly applies to the gym, as not every student has access to the gym 24 hours, or a key to the room.

That's cool.

Here is my current school/gym: https://www.haysgym.com My HQ school's website: http://www.sunyis.com/

That's good. Now you can break it down and focus on the issue. Always check with your instructor, because we have lots of good people here that can offer advise, but he sees what you are doing, and can give real-time feedback, which will help you out so much more.Keep up the good work!

Here is footage from Kendall's second tournament of the 14-15 season, the Roger Richter Memorial at Great Bend, KS, 1/3/2015. Match 1, part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdLFcqcXWi8&index=43&list=PLon1GNgZPzV7auEhp4xObbl6WkFdGZrEQ This is kind of grainy, and broke up into to parts. Sorry about that. Kendall opens with a takedown attempt, and although it isn't very clean, he fights through it and finally gets a takedown. He gets in a bit of trouble where the kid starts to circle, but he clamps onto a leg, keeps it, and turns into a headlock takedown straight to back points..... .....and here is part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45qbgwdePB0&index=44&list=PLon1GNgZPzV7auEhp4xObbl6WkFdGZrEQ He does a decent job of smothering the kids stand-up attempt, and really gets in a good north/south position from where he is able to pin. If he remembers to scoop the head and really get on his toes, he can clean that pin up a little. I don't recall the score of the match, but he's been doing a really good job of scoring points along with working to pins so far this year. This was his first time competing against this kid. Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vVUDN2K1_o&list=PLon1GNgZPzV7auEhp4xObbl6WkFdGZrEQ&index=45 Kendall is on the right, wrestling against a fellow club member, a kid we've wrestled a lot over the past few years. His takedown attempt isn't very clean, and its mainly because he is taking his shots from too far away, and is getting no penetration on his drive step. He tries to circle and keep the leg, but ends up giving up two when its all said and done. But he wrestles himself out of it, and gets a reversal for two. He tries to run his twist here, but isn't able to get it set right. There was a spot where he could have bailed on it and got around to the back to work some control, and we've worked on those options since. He finally gets the twist to work, but the period ends. Kendall starts 2nd period on top, and starts out with a good break down, but then works to the front, which allows the other kid to start standing up and get an escape. They reset neutral, and he works to a takedown, and a pin. Match 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2yuUO0pQRs&list=PLon1GNgZPzV7auEhp4xObbl6WkFdGZrEQ&index=46 This is a new opponent, and from the looks of it, I don't think this kid is still pretty new to wrestling. He didn't seem very aggressive, and Kendall handled him to a pin pretty easily. Kendall went 3-0, and got first place. Practices have been going pretty well so far, and we have a new coach this year that is just a fantastic teacher. He makes me want to come out and learn to wrestle. Kendall's group has been working on front headlock to slide around and take the back, and to a near side cradle last week. They've also worked on a Turk, which he has trouble with, but I can see the merits of running. He's also learned a far side cradle, and last night they worked on some defensive options from the sit-out position, like standing up and what he called the Gizoni (hope that's right). They also worked an inside cradle from the opponent standing to a tripod position.

1/14/2015 Palgwe 1: 30 minutes learning this form. More reps throughout the week, too. 1/19/2015 Wrestling Practice: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. I actually got out on the floor and helped my youngest in practice. We broke the stand-up down into steps and worked reps on it, and added in taking a shot afterwards. We also worked on half-Nelson defense, and then the kids did situational wrestling from the half-Nelson position.

Most of the ones in KS are in the Wichita and KC area. Nothing on the west side of the state, which is where I am. Cool resource, though, thanks for sharing it.

Ok, by my count, we are ready for 2nd gup material, which brings us closer to the black belt levels, where I think things will really become interesting in regards to what forms my school does at those ranks....but, for now, 2nd gup. ATA brown belt form, Choong Jung 1: 44 moves. We see the rear stance (or tiger or cat stance) for the first time in an ATA form. New blocks are palm upset block, a side hi/low knife hand block, hi X-block, low double outer forearm block (or guarding blocks), an upset ridge hand strike, and a palm heel strike. For new kicks in the form, we see a jumping side kick (#1 jump side kick in ATA vernacular), a #3 jump outside crescent kick, and we also see another repeat kick, front/round kick combination. This is a challenging form, with combinations of moves done in a closed stance with hand techniques, and we see some kicking that is done to the rear, which can make for an awkward transition. Slow blocking is done with the knife hand hi/low blocks and slow striking with the reverse punches. TTA 2nd gup, middle brown belt form, Toi Gye: 37 moves. We see the low double guarding blocks in both fist and knife hand form, and the scooping blocks done at the end of the form, but we don't bend down low to perform them. Another new block is the W-shaped blocks (we call them mountain blocks), and we actually try to swing the leg up a bit higher, like a stretching inside crescent kick, as we perform the body twist and the stomp into the block. We see the head grab/knee strike combo, a horizontal spear hand strike, and an upset spear hand strike to the low section. This technique is done with the opposite hand pulled back to the chest/patch area, like the upset knife hand strikes in Won Hyo. There is also a combination hi/low back fist low block technique. There is also a jump into a low, squatting X-block in a cross leg stance that presents a particular challenge to me. This form is tough with the mountain blocks and the jumping X-block to the low section. We start the W-shaped blocks from the forward position in the form, not turning to the side as the one shown does. It makes for a bit tougher of a transition, but allows for good hip twist and power into the stomp. The last three scooping blocks we do without the dipping motion, but we do the shifting of the feet to make stance face one direction and then the other, putting power into the blocks. The front leg front snap kicks also present a challenge in trying to get them up high. Pal Gwe 8 (Pal Jang): I count around 38 moves in this form, and some are very interesting moves. It appears there are several releases in this form, stepping out to the side stance to release before stepping back in to elbow strike. Also, the turning releases we've seen from earlier forms. New stances are the L-stance and close stance in ready position with hands overlapping, which could be another form of release. There is also the elbows out escape posture. I think I shall unofficially call this the "release" form. Lots of little complexities to explore when its time to learn this form. For strikes, there are downward hammer fist with the step back/pull back, lateral and rear elbow strikes, rear punch with an elbow strike, which I don't see until Yoo Sin hyung in style, an outward knife hand strike and an inward knife hand block. There is an outward back fist strike and what is called a hinge block, which I would call a hand-at-hips type of release, although the top hand doesn't rest right at the hip. We also see the twin upset punches. The hinge block I notice comes before side kicks, which would lead me to believe you have seized the opponent, and are pulling them into your side kick. A very interesting form, and one I look forward to experimenting with. Tae Guek 8 (Pal Jang): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVdl68HPaHQ I count 39 techniques. New stance is front cross stance. New blocks are double outer forearm blocks, low and mid section (guarding blocks). There is also what they call a single mountain block, a low/middle block technique. There is a tricky double jumping front kick done twice in this form, which looks like a nice challenge. The upset punch to the face is done with a pulling fist, and in a slow motion. There is a section that starts off double knife hand block in cat stance, front leg front kick, then land forward into front stance and punch, followed by a slip of the front foot back to cat stance and a palm block downwards. A very tight offensive and defensive combination that stays in place. We see a few more combinations like this, too, with several hand techniques coming without much stance transition, forcing the student to develop power in one spot, using smaller stance transitions and less full forward stepping. I have to say, my journey into the Taegueks and Palgwes through this thread has been very enlightening. I used to think that the walking stance of the Taegueks was pretty silly and rather lazy, but I've come to see some of the value in training techniques from that position. I've put some time in learning Palgwe 1, and will be learning Taeguek 1 shortly. And don't worry, this thread is far from being completed!

It is a good resource. I've got several other of Sang H. Kim's books, as well, and he does a good job with his works. I've also turned to referencing Richard Chun's books, Taekwondo and Advancing in Taekwondo. Also very good resources, and I like some of the move terminology a bit better in his books. Danielle, here is another version of Won Hyo that I found where the practitioner does the upset knife hand strikes the way we do it in our school: Keep in mind, we don't do the entire form the way he does it, but the targeting of the knife hand strikes in the back stance is how we target ours. That should give you a visual of what I mentioned.

Wow, I can't express my gratitude to you all enough for these kind words! You have all been such a big part of why I've been able to reach this milestone! Without all the great topics of discussion that get opened up here, I wouldn't have been able to make the posts that I have. Thank you, to all the past and present members of KF, for being an important part of a community that really means a lot to me. You all are what makes this community great! Patrick, I want to also thank you and the staff members at the time I was brought on staff for reaching out to me with what I look at as an honor. Its really been fantastic to be a part of this community, and I thank you for it! Thanks again, to everyone!

3rd Gup forms: ATA blue belt form, In Wha 2: This form has 42 moves. We can see that this form picks up where purple belt form left off in complexity, especially with more consecutive kicking, or what I like to refer to as repeat kicking. We see a hook kick/round kick repeat kick, along with a stepping hook kick. We also see a side kick/stepping hook kick combination, and the side kick starts from a closed stance. We also see a jumping front kick in which the jump is from both feet at the same time. New blocking techniques include X-blocking low, a knife hand hi/low block, and a knife hand square block. For striking, we see an upset knife hand strike, a twin upset punch, and upward elbow strikes. We also see the head grab/knee strike technique. I remember doing this form when I was in the ATA, an I liked the complexity of it, but liked that the repeat kicking was easier for me than in purple belt. Again, we see the increase in difficulty in comparison to lower ranked forms, and those of the other form sets we are evaluating here. Jun Goon hyung: here is one version: and one, ITF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS4YuKNGe8g The first is closer to how I do the form, but with some differences. 32 moves in this form. We see palm pressing blocks, upward elbow strikes, an upward palm block in a rear stance (we do it in a back stance, though), and an upset ridge hand block. Double forearm blocks also make an appearance in this form, along with punching with the front hand from a back stance. Also, the back fist is shown here, with a release technique prior to the strike with some nice applications possible. We also see the new circle punch toward the end, along with the U-shaped open hand strikes. I always found the middle section of the form, starting from the double forearm block, going through the side kicks, and finishing in the double forearm guarding blocks, to be particularly challenging, with the way the footwork lines up and controlling the rechamber and set down after kicking. Palgwe 7 (Chil Jang): The book says 23 moves, but I count more like 29 moves, but that's counting each individual technique. New moves include a low section opening block done in a slow, controlled movement. Also, low and hi section cross blocks (or X-blocks), a single mountain block (which I would call a hi/low block), and a "target kick," which is an inner crescent kick that connects to the palm of the outstretched hand. When I used to watch the form Yoo Sin, I used to think I would love doing that kick. I despise it...but maybe that was due to the consecutive side kick that followed. I see more hand technique combinations that are done without a step forward or back, but more in a shifting in a stance, or into a different stance, which I think is great for developing power in one place, and also demonstrates that in self-defense, you may not have the room to move that you would like, and have to develop power and combinations that remain in place. I also see a low X-block with fists followed by hi open-hand X-block, and then the hands rotate over, showing the application of grab and pull to strike. I've only done this in our 3rd degree from, Yoo Sin, and I think it is a tactic that should be introduced earlier. The last few moves of the form show some interesting turning, and also doing techniques facing forward while the stances retreat in a shuffle-step manner. I like to see it this way, because although I don't like to teach retreating, if you have to, its better to shuffle-step than to cross legs while moving backwards. Overall, I really like what I see out of this form, and can't wait to spend some time on it. Taeguek 7 (Chil Jang): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9tx9bls8TA The book says 25 moves, but I count roughly 33 techniques. We see new stances in tiger stance (or what I call a rear stance, or cat stance), and close stance, with feet together, and the horse stance (sitting or middle stance). For blocks, we have the double knife hand low block, augmented (or what I would call reinforced) inward palm heel block, opening (or wedging) block, scissors blocks, low cross block (X), and single knife hand side block. New strikes include outward back fist strike, side punch from the horse stance, and the double uppercut (or twin upset punch). We also see the head grab/knee strike, the "covered fist" in the closed stance (much like a ready position), and our friend, the "target kick." In the form itself, we see more of the hand technique, back leg kick, then land back into a stance without advancing and doing another hand technique, and use of the tiger stance with this, which shows some close-in applications. I also see interesting single hand combinations, which I would love to explore more of. It appears that the tension spot in the middle of the form shows up again, this time in the closed ready stance with covered fist. Also interesting is the wedging block, knee strike, upset punches in the X-stance, then stepping back to the low X-block. A very interesting section of the form. We don't see any of the retreating steps we saw in Palgwe 7. Overall, I like the nuances of the palgwe and taeguek forms, especially these later ones. I can't wait to get some time in on them.

Welcome to KF, Lisa! Glad to have you here!

Welcome to KF, vaporman!

12/28/2014 Football workout: push-ups, crunches, squats...Pittsburg Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Pitt-7 Cin-7 Cin-10 Pitt-10 Pitt-17 Pitt-20...total of 71 each. Done at half-time. I've got to do a better job of staying consistent here. Stupid work schedule....killing my training time.