bushido_man96

Welcome aboard!

If it really comes down to self-defense, like the my life is in danger kind of self-defense, then it is important that the only thing we see in front of us is an enemy, regardless of the gender. You start being concerned for the fact that the person trying to kill you is a woman, then you start messing with the reactions you have trained yourself to do.

The basic difference between Karate and Tae Kwon Do is country of origin.Karate was originated in Japan and Okinawa while Tae Kwon Do was originated in Korea and people use hands more in karate but Tae Kwon Do players do the use of foot more than hands otherwise there is no difference between them. Solid post...[ten times better than what babbled about]!! Actually, TKD's beginnings are in Shotokan Karate. So, while TKD is said to be indigenous to Korea, it really began with the Korean masters that learned Karate first, and then began to make changes in training manners, and emphasizing the kicking more, a la the old Taek Kyon game.

Thanks, Bob. I enjoyed working with him. He's got a bit of the whines still, but they are working out. 7/24/2013 Mainly worked on forms and one-steps review for testing. I still need to get some of the kids to work on pivoting their base leg more for kicking.

7/23/2013 Simunitions: 8:00 - 10:30. Simunitions training in car stop scenarios. We did some solo scenarios, and some multi-person scenarios. Sims is always a good time, but I get so wound up for them, and this time around, I got a bit trigger-happy. But, I wasn't aware of some of my options in the scenarios, either. But overall, a good time, and always great training. 7/24/2013 Solo work: Dynamic stretches (front and side), then some basics, and a few kicks. Taught TKD: 6-7pm. Testing is tomorrow, so after basics, it was testing review, doing forms and one-steps. Everyone testing was looking pretty good.

I have to say of all the greats I've seen out there, the only one I've really got to work with was Royce Gracie. The guy was so smooth and made everything look so easy. So much skill there.

I see what you are saying now. Sometimes its tough to get across what we mean. The difference between the written and spoken word..... So if I follow you now, you would rather start rolling either mounted or in guard, and then work from there, with a purpose, correct? To either improve a weak area or work on a certain set of skills for the day?

I liked that drill. That's the problem with what we do in our TKD class, we don't explore things like this for these different blocks and strikes. Its all just seen as face value in the forms, which doesn't always add up until you start digging a little. Now, if the knife hand is done in the "blocking" way, like a middle block with an open hand, then don't we need to start looking at why that hand is open on one block, and not on another? Is it so we can slide down to grab? That is my guess, but I'm just throwing stabs out here.

A few things here. 1. There are arts out there that wouldn't be deemed "traditional," but are instead rooted in the type of techniques and training tactics used by LEOs and armed forces. There needn't be any kind of traditional background to begin with. 2. I don't think I need to totally come to a complete understanding of my TKD training or my Hapkido training to realize if it is going to suit my needs in combat. Lets take same very basic points of emphasis from my TKD class. a) no shoes allowed in class b) bowing c) 90% of the class is done in a solo manner, i.e., basics with no partner, forms with no partner. Then we get into the problem with sparring and one-steps: one attack, and then a pre-planned defense for one-steps, and sparring is rules based, semi-contact, no kicks below the belt, no hand techniques to the head. So, in my years of TKD training, I can see holes that aren't helping me become a better fighter when it comes to self-defense. Which will benefit me more at this point in my training, continuing to refine my stepping punch in a front stance, or working some jabs and crosses with a moving partner holding pads, who also throws out a punch I have to defend? Or, a pre-planned one-step defense against a stepping punch thrown from a "bad guy" standing in a front stance and down block, rather than a scenario based "one-step" in which the "bad guy" is talking crap, getting animated, and then attacks or is deterred by some verbal judo? So, as you can see, it isn't too difficult to find issues in traditional styles. These are just examples from my TKD training, and will not be conducive to all traditional styles. All I'm saying is that if you analyze what you are doing, you can take a good honest look and see what and where a shift in training will be beneficial to students.

7/22/2013 Today, my son came to the gym to hold kicking paddles for me, and when I sat down to stretch, I had him work on his kicks on the Kid Kick standing bag at our school. First, we did back leg round kicks. He has a really good right leg kick off the back leg, and he was wailing on the bag pretty well. I had him work on the pivot, and also had him pause with the knee high upon rechamber, so he wasn't dropping it right after kicking. Then we did the left leg. The left leg took some more work, and some whining came along with it. I got to the point where I just had him go at the bag repeatedly with the back leg, making comments on his movements and foot position throughout. The pivot foot was a point of emphasis, so I kept making a point that he pivoted. The chamber was next, so that he was getting it up a bit higher, and then keeping it high on rechamber. This helped a bit, and his left side did show improvement. After the round kicks, I taught him a side kick. I had him do it from a side on stance, using the front leg with no stepping motions. We started with his left leg, and it didn't go well at first. It was pretty chunky to start, but we worked on pivot and kicking foot position, and turning the foot to get the hips to turn. After some reps there, we moved to the right foot. This went much better. By the time we were through, his right leg side kick was looking really good. So after some reps there, we went back to the left leg, and I think the thought process and feeling of what a good kick felt like on the right side helped with his left side.

You can do a search of dynamic stretching, which seems to be the preferred way of warming up these days. A dynamic stretching session prior to the work session, and then a good static stretching session at the end will serve you well.

7/22/2013 Pad work BL round kicks and FL round kicks, 10 each leg. FL hook kicks, 10 each leg. Combo BL round kick, reverse hook kick, up and down the floor several times. Worked on BL round kicks with my son on the heavy bag, and also taught him side kicks.

I do little things every day to try to keep different skills up. I try to observe more than the obvious things to help with awareness, and things like that.

I'm planning to test for 4th degree in October.

Specialization has been going on in the Martial Arts for many years. I do see the value of what you are seeing, though. If I am reading you right, you are talking about grappling from stand-up, and working in the takedown, and not circumventing it for the sake of rolling, correct? However, I think it would depend on what the focus of the session is. If you are wanting to work a session on collar chokes, spending 10 to 15 minutes trying to work a takedown is going to kill your training time.

Yes, contact the Shukokai org, and see if they have anything on file. Barring that, if they feel comfortable enough to ask, then they should be able to come up with something for him. I do agree with what was said above about guilting him into teaching for his son's sake. Will everyone else be required the same?

I think it really is up to the individual as to what they feel comfortable wearing. I do often wonder what it would be like to train without the typical MA uniforms. I can move much better in a pair of shorts and t-shirt than I can my dobak. I have trouble finding doboks that fit my legs well enough to allow free movement. However, I can see the value of wearing a gi for rolling in BJJ or Judo, so I think each style has its reasons.

I think the Arts should evolve. We discover new ways to do things better all the time in many facets of our lives. The training of Martial Arts shouldn't be treated any different. I don't mind tradition, but to remain stagnant in adherence to tradition doesn't really benefit anyone.

I didn't realize there were that many ways of learning. I don't sing in my classes, so that one is pretty well out. However, I do try to keep a read on my students, and try to figure out what works best for them. Usually, I'll try to present the same idea in a few different ways, so that hopefully I cover everyone in a way they can understand. Barring that, its a roaming activity after the explanation so I can figure how best to get each student to understand.

7/10/2013 Did a quicker set of basics so we could review forms for the high ranks, then one-steps and sparring. For the white belts, I had them work on some countering drills to get used to some timing and give them some ideas of countering in sparring. I had them do an open sparring stance drill to counter a back leg round kick with a spin side kick, and then a closed stance drill to counter a front leg round kick with a block and return round kick.

Have fun! Sounds like it will be a leg-killer of a run.

7/10/2013 Taught TKD class: 6-7pm. Did abbreviated basics, then went into forms review, one-steps, and sparring. Working the lovely night shift has put a serious crimp into my training schedule.

The ATA does testings at the two National tournaments and at the World's tournament. I imagine that the STF and WTTU have their own "national" tournaments that they test at, as well. So yes, the sheer number of students involved in the ATA make for some large testings.

If he doesn't mind that you work in that other style, then he shouldn't mind if you test for black belt in that style.

Congrats, and good luck in your pursuit of shodan level!