bushido_man96

As a LEO, and in your opinion...Are women capable of violence on a man? If so, then in defending myself, I've no problem of doing it without any reservation. Sure they are. Self-defense is not gender-specific. However, that's where use of force comes into play, and observing the totality of the circumstances at hand.

Most western sword traditions practiced today have been “re-established” in modern times by enthusiasts working, in the most part, from historical documents. The Koryu of ancient Japan however (or the ones that are still extant anyway) represent a constant unbroken transmition from living teacher to student - hands on as it were - for 400 - 600 years. There are very few societies on the face of the globe that could boast such a “direct source” in terms of history than that. This is why they became a major center of study for hoplologists like Draeger and Armstrong. K. Yeah, and I think that's all good, too. Unfortunately, the tradition of Western swordsmanship needed to be "rediscovered," but the good thing is that it has caused many to look into what it was really like, and not what the movies would have us believe. We can't get that unbroken line back. But that's ok, because we do have the manuscripts, and we can link ourselves to the past with them.

Its a good hypothetical, too.In my experience, I think its important for the high ranks to be there to teach and help the lower ranks learn. Sparring is an important area to increase learning in, and a high rank/dan rank should be able to teach a lot to a colored belt about sparring. The lower rank should use tact when asking for this, but most of us can tell if its a request to learn or a challenge. High ranks should help low ranks.

The Encyclopedia of Taekwon-do Patterns, volumes 1-3, by Stuart Anslow. Anslow has taken all 25 of the ITF forms created by General Choi, including both Ko Dang and Juche, and also taken in the GTF patterns Jee-Sang, Dhan-Goon, Pyong-Hwa, and Sun-Duk, as well as a weapons form called the Silla Knife Pattern, and layed out each of these forms in these three volumes. The forms are pretty well layed out, with the patterns viewed as they would be by a test examiner, with pictures of the reverse view clarifying those that are looking away from the reader. There are also directional arrows showing the directions of the movements, and stance diagrams below the pictures to show movement. At the bottom of each page, there are pictures that help to relate what is going on between movements. He also includes notes on ITF points of the forms, or GTF points of the forms, to help assist those associated with those organizations. Each book opens with sections regarding a brief history of the Ch'ang On patterns, TKD, highlighting TKD pioneers who were involved in helping Gen. Choi formulate the original patterns of TKD, and why some do Juche, and some do Ko Dang. Next is a section that relates how different organizations may approach different aspects of techniques when chambering for blocks or strikes, and the different movement methods used, like knee spring, sine wave, natural motion, etc. In the appendices of the books, there are studies on the use of sine-wave, and differing motions found in the ITF, like continuous motion, fast motion, etc, and also some charts on kihap points for different organizations. One of the appendices, only in book one, is "A True and More Complete History of Taekwon-do," written by George Vitale, which was just a joy to read. Also, the information involving the pioneering masters of TKD was great information, and how different masters worked on and helped Choi with different forms was good reading. I really thought these volumes were pretty well put together. There were a few hiccups in the pictures and text, but not enough to get really worked up over. I liked the pictures used and the format, and it was pretty easy to keep up with where the forms were going as I read along. I think if I was to try to work my way through a new form using these books, I could probably manage it pretty well. The GTF forms were fun to read about, as it was the first time I had heard of them. Overall, I say it is a good set of books, nicely laid out, and really without any kind of organizational bias, although the ITF templates are used in laying out the patterns. I would recommend them as a TKD reference.

This is great advise. Very well put, tallgeese.

Nope, we are TKD.

I'd guess to substantiate your school as a "koryu." Why is that so important? I don't know if it is so important to everyone. Not every school can be or have a lineage that is 400 years old. My school isn't, but its not a big deal to me, as I'm sure its not a concern of yours, either, Bob.I think there are some who study Western Swordsmanship that could possibly fall under a similar title, like those of the Liechtenauer tradition.

I didn't say it doesn't prepare you for combat. I said it isn't combat training. Due to lack of a partner?

Good job!

4/29/2013 Our organization's tournament is coming up, and most of the students in the class are going to compete, so when doing forms, I tried to focus a few things for them, some hints to tweak things a bit. Orange belts, I mainly hit on the importance of their stances, stretching out the front stance, pointing the front foot in the back stances, and keeping a good center of balance on the turns (Dan Gun and Bo Chung hyungs). Lo green belt, focusing on stretching the front stance out just a bit more, keeping the back leg straight, and on a bit of timing issues going into the wedge blocks (Do San hyung). Lo blue belt, helped shake out some timing and power issues in a section of the form doing back leg side kick, land into front stance and reverse elbow strike into palm, then turn to one-leg stance with hands in double forearm block position, then side kick and into reverse elbow strike to palm. To me, its the make or break section of the form (Yul Gok hyung). Hi blue belt kids, mainly discussed with them the importance of focus on techniques and in the mind, and discipline when standing at attention and being ready. There is a section of the form where stances go from back to front, with back leg side kicks and palm pressing blocks, and made sure they understand the shifting in the stances (Joong Gun hyung). The brown belts did pretty good. I had the hi brown belt work on pacing the form, fast techniques with just enough pause between to separate them. Also, with the flying side kick, focusing on jumping more up and less forward on the kick, which helps the landing (Choong Moo hyung). Lo brown, some help with the mountain blocks (W blocks) and driving the back foot forward on the front stances (Toi Gye hyung). 1st dans, broke down the section of form doing consecutive side kicks to the left (low then high), controlling and landing into a back stance and doing a reverse knife hand strike, then into a circular downward hammer strike, then do the same on the other side (Kwang Gae hyung). After all that, we did a bit of sparring.

4/26/2013 5 pistol draws. 4/28/2013 30 min walk, stretch. Legs are feeling better. 4/29/2013 5 pistol draws. Taught TKD: 6-7pm. Tournament is coming up this weekend, so I got through basics, giving them a good workout and warmup with fewer interruptions of me correcting things, and then went into forms. Focused on some tricky parts for each rank, then finished class with some sparring. 30 min walk, stretch.

I really like the way it starts from the fence, I just think it's quite refreshing to see this sort of thing. I get the diversity of the guard form both a defence and offence point of view, but I don’t get the wrist grabs? It doesn't make sense from a self protection perspective, that an attacker would use both hands to grab both of your wrists - it really doesn't. No one with half a brain would take both their hands/arms out of commission that way. To be honest - I could understand that approach from a Kaisetsu perspective if it promoted good body mechanics but it didn't really do that either imo. As I said, the WT guy had a much better approach - probably because he wasn't trying to reverse engineer movements into kata that aren't really there in the first place. K. Wrist grabs can happen, but I agree with you that they aren't really to common, especially when guys fight. Man on woman, tends to be a different matter, though. But, its a good way to see the movements, and you can work from there, into something without the grab. I think it is combat training. The movements are teaching you to move with a purpose, learning how to put power into movements with your body, etc. I do think oversimplification is a good thing, though. More complex does not equate to being better.

I agree. I don't think there is anything wrong with inserting your own cultural approaches into the style you study or teach. I think it actually makes it easier for students to attain a comfort level in the classes at an early stage. The only argument I ever really hear in regards to using the Japanese, or in my case, Korean, in the style is "in case you ever train with someone from another country/seminar/etc." While that is well and good, if the only language you share are the words of certain physical movements, then your not going to likely have an easy time picking up on the little nuances the person is trying to describe to you in this special training session. The shared languages of the dojo/dojang won't be enough to really overcome a language barrier. Agreed. I couldn't agree with you more here, especially when it comes to the bully aspect. Sounds like a great classroom atmosphere. I'd love to see a class like that. I am curious as to if this is the case or not. A good point to ponder.

Just to throw in my 2 cents here, he may not need to call it Karate, but what's wrong with calling it Karate? Can't Karate evolve?

You didn't, but globally, when the world thinks "Baseball", they think America. When the world thinks "Karate", they think Japan. K. When I think "Karate," I think "it came from Japan," but that's about the extent of it. Or I think "it came from Okinawa." But that's really the extent of it. But anymore, it isn't defined by one person's ideology, or necessarily by the culture of the country it came from, because anyone who digs into it, is bound to do something original with it.

I never considered that before. That's a really, really good idea. I can see that solving a lot of problems. This was used with alot of success when I trained karate. No one every complained about it. Even the kids who thought they were "all that" accepted it with no problems. Usually we just let them wear it until we felt they could test at a level near where they were in the past. Helps them save face and you don't have to seem like a bad guy. Win-Win That is a good idea.

4/22/2013 Taught regular class, working on getting the kids to move a bit faster in basics. Did lots on forms and one-steps, too.

I record my training in a small notebook, weights, cardio, and MA training. I think its helpful for tracking progress, especially with weights. Then, I transfer it to the above mentioned thread here.

4/22/2013 Pre-class: Side kicks on the powerline, doing consecutive kicks, working on the chamber and the pivot. Left leg spin side kicks, as well. All really easy, with the leg muscle still giving me fits. Did Chon Ji, Dan Gun, and Bo Chung hyungs. Taught TKD: 6 - 7pm. 4/24/2013 30 min walk. 4/25/2013 5 reps of drawing pistol 30 min walk.

....glad you clarified that...I was going to ask....

I think Harkon72 makes some good points, but I do think the other side of the coin is just as viable. There is nothing wrong with showing some aggression, and I think anger can be a very motivational emotion. Just because one is angry, doesn't mean one can't think straight and make the right decisions. I'm capable of being angry without being out of control. I would also encourage you to develop an offensive game to go along with your defensive abilities. Action is faster than reaction. Being defensive is well and good, but you won't likely be able to stop everything. Balance is a good thing, so I'd recommend working on that.

I liked their approach here. I think there are some good things to build from. I especially like the starts from the fence position. Thanks for sharing this.

That may be, but in America, it became known as "the national pastime." I don't think I said it was an exclusively American sport, but I did state that if someone wants to play at the highest level of professional baseball, and make the most money they can, the place to do it is in Major League Baseball, which is predominantly American teams, and the Toronto Blue Jays.

We don't do it, but its a good idea. I've been involved in applause concerning seminars with higher ranking black belts or grand masters, but not much in the classroom setting.

Welcome to KF!