bushido_man96

Thanks for the description here, Iceman. I had read somewhere in one of my books that the insides of the heels were supposed to be on the same line. Either way, I was doing the stance about shoulder width apart, which was way too much, although much more comfortable to me. I did a session of forms work last week focusing on Taegeuk 1 only, and narrowed the stance considerably, and that really helped me out with the form line. I was getting much closer to ending on my starting spot. This is kind of a funny point for me, seeing what the ITF calls a walking stance, and what the WTF calls a walking stance, and in my styles of practice, I've never used a stance referred to as a walking stance. The ITF walking stance is what I've always called a front stance. I think with Chon Ji, I'm losing something in the turns, like you mention. Perhaps my pivot foot is slipping some. It ends pretty close, but I can't seem to get it to land right on.

Thanks for the tips, guys. I was trying to get him to bump with the hips more to help him through it. I will keep this in mind the next time we work it.

I'm sorry to hear about your sister, Bob, and I'll be praying for her recovery. I think its a good thing that you have the ability to go help her, and I think your students understand that this is what defines you. A student couldn't really ask for a better example.

Thanks for this review. I know that nutrition is a point in my life that I fall short in, as I'm sure many others do. This sounds like a good read for the serious Martial Artist.

I think that finding a different school might be the way to go. You can try to approach him and let him know that you have no interest in anything outside of a professional relationship, but in the end, this may make things uncomfortable, especially if he doesn't let up. I think the best idea is to walk away, and find a different place to train.

I agree with this, 100%. I learned from an early age from my dad, but, not for very long. I eventually joined a school, and it went from there. If my kids ever decide they want do TKD with me, I'll bring them in. But I won't make them do it. I have both of my boys in Wrestling, and I help them there as much as possible (probably too much at times), but its their thing, while TKD is my thing.

Great advise here so far. Keep things moving, keep it fun, and I wouldn't go for an hour with that young an age. Around 30 - 45 minutes is where you will see good attention out of that age group. This gives you enough time to do around 3 drills that focus on the topic of the day.

That's a good point, Bob. Also important to stance training is the transitioning from stance to stance. Make sure not to just sit in stances and work them. Move from stance to stance to get the feel for how to do so smoothly and comfortably.

Aha...Thanks, Brian. I'll look for that much closer!! Thanks, Bob. This weekend, we will be in Dodge City for Gun Smoke Nationals. It looks like Kendall only has 3 in his bracket, and one is a national placer. But Kenneth is in a novice division with 7 wrestlers. So it should be a fun day!Ok, here is Kenneth's next tournament, the Ellis Novice, 01/18/2015. Match 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nrsvD1xfag I think Kenneth wrestled this kid once before, but lost. He opens up with a tackle for a takedown, but once down, he has trouble keeping his weight on top and holding them down, so they tend to get up rather easy. You will have to excuse the shaky video, Kendall was the filmographer on this expedition. You can here is coaching commentary, as well. I wonder who he gets that from, anyway. Anyway, he rolls around most of the first period, but keeps fighting through it, and manages to do some rolling to keep from getting pinned. He starts the 2nd period with a takedown attempt, but instead of shooting, he bends over and grabs for the knee, which doesn't work out well for him. He fights off another pin attempt, and does eventually reverse, but he keeps a funny hold on the kid, and doesn't really get into good position. He starts 3rd period on bottom, and his stand-up attempt gets stifled, but the kid pulls him down onto him, and if he would turn into him, he would probably start getting some points, but he's still figuring it all out. He does eventually get free, but gets into just grabbing and pulling the kid, onto him, instead of pushing and driving. Towards the very end of the match, he gets pinned. The upside, though, is that he did score some points, and kept moving for the most part. Score was 9-13 before the pin. Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjE8Hh6ni5w He gets taken down early, and fights off a pin. He bellied out some off the takedown, but not enough, and gave up the back points. After he got rolled over with the half-Nelson, I don't know how he wasn't pinned sooner, but it took a while for them to call it. Still learning. Match 3: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dusBC9t8QJc Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9bN6KYRQUQ This one was pretty quick, but this little guy was pretty darn good. Aggressive, and pretty good with his body positioning, too. Once on his back, he didn't try to fight it off at all. After the pin, they started again, with pretty much the same result. But, after all said and done, they did give him a 4th place medal.

It would be like training wall sits for an extended period of time. If you do that, guage it off that. Some stances will be more taxing, as well. A sitting stance will hit both legs well, where a back stance will focus on one leg more. Play with a timer and see how you do.

NOTE: if you go back to page 3, I've added Jee Sang to the list of forms for 4th gup discussion, if you are interested in see that form. I also added in Taegeuk 2 on the 2nd gup discussion...I didn't realize I had left it out... So, just an update here, I've been spending the last month or so practicing all 4 of the white belt forms here, Chon Ji, Taegeuk and Palgwe 1, and Songham 1 (and reviewing the one-steps). Here are some observations I have so far.... 1. Very few of my forms end on the same spot. Songham 1 is very close. Palgwe 1 gets close, but Chon Ji is off some, but I don't do any footwork adjustment; I just step from stance to stance. Taegeuk 1 doesn't even get close to being on the same spot. I think it must have something to do with the walking stances. I think I make them too long and too wide. 2. I don't like the walking stances. I think I make them too long and wide, and if I narrow them up, I don't feel like I have a very comfortable base. But I am going to try to focus on this more now.

I think I recall reading about this in Gillis' book, A Killing Art. So much going on there, its really too bad that some forms actually got caught up in that mess. But, it gives more forms for me to look at, so I'm the winner! I thought the kick looked pretty good, Danielle. You made good contact to break both boards, so kudos to you! Yours looked like a good split, too. Mine won't look near that good. It will look more like a side kick to one side, with a trail leg to the other. Can you do full side splits to get that extension?

Everyone's got different ideas on bunkai, so it just depends on the practitioner and instructors. If you are looking for some resources to start with, here are a few I like: Bunkai-Jutsu: The Practical Application of Karate Kata, by Iain Abernethy: http://www.amazon.com/Bunkai-Jutsu-Practical-Application-Karate-Kata-ebook/dp/B00A79N8OO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423767286&sr=1-1&keywords=bunkai+jutsu The Way of Kata: A Comprehensive Guide to Deciphering Martial Arts Applications, by Lawrence A. Kane and Kris Wilder: http://www.amazon.com/Way-Kata-Comprehensive-Deciphering-Applications/dp/1594390584/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423767407&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Way+Of+Kata Abernethy's work is more specific, showing particular applications to particular moves that he teaches from the kata's he practices. Kane and Wilder's work is more of a book on guiding principles to follow to help you "find" the best applications you can to the moves in your kata's, whatever they may be.

Bob, I post up the bracket of the tournament the boys are doing that day. It just depends on which one you saw, I guess. I take a picture of the bracket and post it, and then give updates throughout the day.

We were working this the other day, and a guy I was working with kept getting his feet wrapped up underneath me when he would reverse, like he was still in a guard or something. I wasn't sure what he was doing wrong. Any thoughts on that? I didn't seem to be having that problem.

Looks like a good book, Danielle. I do enjoy reading Kane and Wilder, and none of their works have disappointed me yet. I will keep this one in mind, as well. Sounds like a must-read for any instructor. I recently finished the book Taekwondo Poomsae: The Fighting Scrolls, by Kingsley Umoh. This book was a bit, different, for my tastes. Its published by Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Co, which is one I've not heard of, but, I don't mind trying something out that looks a bit different. I caught wind of this book after reading an article in TotallyTKD Magazine by this same author, and thought I would check out his book. He uses some different writing styles throughout the book, some in a story telling mode, others in a more factual and research type mode, so it can seem kind of random at times. He starts out with chapters on Yin and Yang (Um/Yang in Korean) philosophies, and relates this into the way the applications of the Taegeuk and Palgwe forms work, according to his study. Chapters 3-5 focus on Taegeuk and Palgwe forms applications, with interesting comparison and contrasts for the opposing Taegeuks or Palgwe forms. For example, chapter 3 poses the self-defense question, "Response to an attack from the front," and then presents applications. If he uses applications from Taegeuk Il Jang, he poses an application for the opposite form on the Taegeuk, Taegeuk Pal Jang. One application he refers to as Um/Yin, and the other as Yang. Its an interesting take on the approach. After these initial chapters, things get different, at least to me. Chapters 6 and 7 are on Taoist Ki Energy Theory, and Modern Ki Energy Theory, respectively. From there, he goes into the black belt forms, and delves even more deeply into Ki energy, talking about drawing it in, storing it, etc. Kingsley is a medical doctor, and it appears that in this book, he tries to use his medical knowledge to justify the existence of ki energy, and how it is used, stored, and strengthened. When he gets into the black belt forms, each chapter seems to have a different approach and subject in the matter of ki energy usage, and I have to admit that it got tough for me to keep reading through it. I just don't buy into the ki energy thought process he presents in the book, but I am sure there are some practitioners out there that would really like to delve into it. The author has various drawings throughout the work, but I see no sources for them, so I think they are his own work. He does draw up quite a bit of anatomy along with his ki discussions, but I know so little about it that I don't know what to think about them, let alone offer an opinion. Now, the applications themselves, are interesting studies. It will be interesting to work with some of them. They take a different approach than the application of the Taegeuk forms undertaken by Simon O'Neill in The Taegeuk Cipher, so if you would like a different take on some applications, its a good source to look into for variety. He also includes Palgwe applications, the first of which I've seen in any book. Unfortunately, the pictures are small, like they are in O'Neill's work, making interpretation a bit difficult. The descriptions of the applications can be somewhat vague at times, as well, but the move count he uses for the forms matches those I've seen in manuals I have, such as Lee/Kim's Complete Taekwondo Poomsae. If you are not a WTF student, then having a resource such as this to refer the forms can be helpful when deciphering what the pictures are getting at. This book is a toss-up. I guess it depends on what you like to read about. If you are looking for a source that really gets into some of the Taegeuk philosophy, and the channeling of ki energy, then you may enjoy this book. If you want some application ideas to work with, then this will help get you started. If you don't like what you see in the book, it will at least get you thinking about how and what you would do differently, which is a good thing, for sure, for anyone's training. I think the quality of the book could have been a bit better, and the obscure publishing company name may raise some eyebrows as to the quality of the work. I say, check it out for yourself, and make your own judgments about it. http://www.amazon.com/Taekwondo-Poomsae-Fighting-Philosophy-Applications/dp/1612048013/ref=sr_1_sc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1423766140&sr=8-3-spell&keywords=The+Taeguek+Cipher

02/09/2015 TKD Workout: Chon Ji, Palgwe 1, Taeguek 1, Songham 1, in that order, 6x each. Wrestling: 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Worked on taking shots with double leg takedowns. Used holding the wrist to shoot, and also holding the wrists and circling to get an angle, then shoot. Mainly, holding the wrists is to stay close and shoot in close. After some reps, worked live Wrestling once the designated Wrestler shot his takedown. Then worked on stand-ups, then added in quick circling steps to takedown after stand-up.

Thanks for sharing that clip. Some of those I like, and some I wonder, but they are all worth exploring. That guy is quick! Some quick notes here for all you members that are so graciously following my ramblings in this thread... First, thanks for reading and coming along so far! I'm really enjoying it, even though it seems a bit out of order at times. I'm loving the feedback, and want as much as you can throw in here! Second, I plan to fill in on the other GTF color belt patterns, Jee Sang and Dhan Goon, when I get time to read them over a bit to go along with the videos. I'll let you know when that happens, and will go back to edit the appropriate threads. Third, this is mainly to kind of clear up the rank order that my current association uses, and perhaps a bit of a reason why. In appendix ii of Stuart Anslow's The Encyclopedia of Taekwon-do Patterns, there is a chart that shows the pattern orders of various TKD organizations. Our association parallels that of GM Hee, Il Cho's AIMAA: AIMAA TTA Chon Ji Chon Ji Dan Gun Dan Gun Do San Bo Chung Won Hyo Do San Yul Gok Won Hyo Joong Gun Yul Gok Toi Gye Joong Gun Hwa Rang Toi Gye Choong Moo Hwa Rang Kwang Gae Choong Moo That ends the gup order for each of ours. Then starts black belt. Po Eun Kwang Gae.....1st dan Ge Baek Poe Eun..........2nd dan (recommended for TTA) Yoo Sin Ge Baek.........3rd dan (2nd dan for TTA) Choong Jang, Ul Ji Se Jong.........4th dan (3rd recommended for TTA) Ko Dang, Sam Il Yoo Sin.........5th dan (3rd dan for TTA) This is not the exhaustive list, but goes up close to my level. I do Choong Jang at 4th dan, and I think 5th dan form is Choi Yong. Thanks so far, everyone!

When I did TKD this was the highest form...once 2nd Dan we did Gae Bek, Choong Jang, and Se Jong. I'd put it at or near the top for difficulty in the ITF forms set. I'd have to agree. Very tough. Between that one and Jook Am, I'm not sure I will survive 2nd dan forms practice!

I don't think there is an official order. Just that you have to learn all 3 before you grade. In the Encyclopedia it gives the order as Kwang Gae, Po Eun then Ge Baek but we generally don't follow this order. Usually we tend to do Kwang Gae first as it's nice and symmetrical, then Ge Baek, then Po Eun. I wouldn't spend months getting it down, I think it's better to just learn the diagram then work on the technicalities of all three together as there is a lot of crossover. The other consideration we have, is that in ITF pattern competition you typically perform a choice form (chosen from the 3 from your grade) then get designated one which can be anything up to and including your grade. So if you want to compete you gave to at least be able to get through the pattern. I see. I didn't think about the competition aspect of it, but that makes sense. If the students are going to compete, they have to be on their game with all their forms, which is a good thing. Did you learn them in that order, or did you do bits of pieces of each? I didn't realize the amount of time that was expected to stay in the crane stance. When it comes time to focus on this form, I will keep it in mind. I find it an interesting coincidence that this 2nd dan form and the ATA's 2nd dan form have these similar balancing moves in common.

Having competed at the equivalent level in ITF, and having friends that also do, if we've ever wanted to make the Olympic team we had to swap styles. For London 2012 Team GB ran a programme to take ITF fighters (and kick boxers etc.), train them up, give them a blackbelt and put them on the squad. I had a few friends go through the process. Think they're doing the same for Rio next year. To me, its seems foolish to have to do this with the ITF stylists. If they will start accepting their rank, then this should make the transition easier for them to compete. This is just good for TKD in general.

Kendall's third tourney of 2014/2015 season, the Ellis Open at Ellis, KS, 01/17/2015. Match 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASgIRkb_cyQ Not much to this one. This was a kid in our club that doesn't have a lot of experience yet. I told Kendall that if he wanted to try to work with him a bit, that he could do so, but he really isn't quite sure how to "work" with someone in a match. He did let the kid roll to his stomach once, and I thought he might just work with him during the match, but he pinned him the second time he got him over. I'm not sure what he was doing on that takedown attempt.... Match 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUxkzEVe2Sk Coach wanted Kendall to try to work some different things with this match, and mentioned to him that he wanted him to try to work some cradles so he could start getting the feel of them in the match. Kendall wasn't sure how to really try to do that, either, though. His takedowns start from too far away sometimes, and he also has a bad habit of diving instead of keeping good posture and getting his hips in with his head up at their hip or side, so he ends up getting sprawled on a lot. Fortunately, he has since learned some moves that can help him turn that situation around for him, if he can start applying them. He reversed his position, though, and got the kid turned over, but had trouble holding him down. He starts 2nd period on bottom, and runs a switch, which he is really good at, accept when he reaches over the top instead of under to the leg. It nearly got him caught here, too. What bugs the crap out of me is that he knows that, but just lets himself get sloppy at times. You see him do some kind of elbow roll on the kid to reverse, which he has been doing a lot of lately, but it seems to me like he won't be able to hit that against more skilled opponents, and it worries me because it just will put himself on his back. At right around 2:00, he was in a position that he could have tried to set an inside cradle, but he just wasn't seeing it, and kept trying to bull the kid over. He finally did solidify his positioning to get the pin. Match 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj0yiXFORtU This was a tough one. These last two opponents were both kids Kendall had competed against before, so he had some familiarity with them. This kid, for some reason, Kendall seemed to go more animalistic on, instead of being technical. For some reason, he could hold this kid down, either. I think he is not keeping good pressure once he starts riding, for some reason. He could get a takedown, but then couldn't seem to hold it. He also kept trying to run a half-Nelson when the kid would stand up, and it just doesn't work. He starts period 2 on the bottom....and does that elbow roll instead of a switch or stand-up. He got away with it, but it looked sloppy, and like it nearly put him on his back. He is also reaching over WAT too much, and I think we've cleaned it up some since then. He is leading going into the 3rd period, 8-2, and starts on bottom again. He hits that roll again, a little cleaner this time, and gets the reversal. You also see here where his conditioning is a bit lacking, cause he complains of being tired and out of air. He finally gets the kid over on his back, and gets a pin just before time runs out. But, this was a pretty sloppy match for him, and coach told him he got so tired because he was trying to muscle everything, instead of being technical. He learned a lesson from it, for sure. He finished up 3-0, and got first place.

I agree. I find getting up to the hand to be the hard part. I think I just need to make sure to take things slow and smooth when I transition, and not worry about having to get there right away.

Very cool stuff. Not that its the same thing, but I see some parallels there to some Wrestling techniques my oldest son has been doing lately, the chicken wing/single wrist, and the double chicken wing. They aren't chokes, and they start with the opponent laying on their belly. But, once he sets the technique, he turns his body in that same circular motion, and winds up with his body in that same north/south position, pinning the opponent: Different moves, but similar positional ideas. The way the coach taught at practice the other night, the kids were ending pretty much north/south, not as far over the other arm like this guy did. I enjoyed the recap, especially seeing the two ideas. Your friend's method of really messing up the gi is a cool approach, and one I didn't really think of as being done intentionally. Great recap!

I've experienced kakie with sensei8, and I think it has merits. I haven't really done it since, but, I have done some drills very similar to the idea of it, but from different start points, so to speak. One example is what we used to do in Combat Hapkido when we would work trapping drills. We would do straight line hi/low drills, where the hand is thrust straight out as a strike, and the other thrusts the hand straight towards it to defend, at the wrists, while using head movement for defense as well. There are also some circular attack and flow versions, shown here: Its a brush/trap/strike drill, and it can be done with flowing back and forth with the partner, so both get lots of reps. It can also be fairly free-flowing, making your defenses in various portions of the movements. My old DT partner that uses the Close Quarters Combatives system also has a drill similar to that in it, called the block/pass/pin drill: It can be done with straight attacks or circular attacks, and you can do "inserts" at any point along the chain as counters. Those are a few different ideas of how I've used the drill.