bushido_man96

I think this is where the rules of the game start to change the martial art into something else. Seems like the Olympic TKD rule book is a work in progress. Yeah, I think they are always looking for ways to make it better, which is good.

This isn't necessarily the case. There isn't any reason one couldn't start cross training in a grappling style early on, especially since the two styles are totally different in focus. In fact, the sooner the cross training starts in a case like this, the better, in my opinion. You are going to base your opinion of a school on the color of one of the belts? H. U. Lee wanted a 9 belt system for the ATA, based on some Korean traditional and philosophical views, so he had to get another color into his system. He went with camo, and it fits in with his view of how the colors changed going up in the tree growth philosophy he had of the belt system. White Orange Yellow Camo Green Purple Blue Brown Red Black (with red/black as a recommended black belt). What color would you have thrown in there?

Heard and experienced are two different things. The ATA has a lot of good things in the style. I'm an ATA black belt myself, and I can't recall any bad training that I have received. The ATA gets the McDojo reputation because it is a big organization, and it isn't afraid of being a big organization. Yes, its true that they have some kids programs that they cater to. Its also true that the ATA isn't afraid to try to implement new thoughts and ideas into their curriculum to get students interested early on, and to allow black belts to specialize in later. Also, since the mere size of the ATA is what it is, you see a greater disparage in skill levels. I was never a tournament winner, or a top ten contender in the ATA. I'm not much of a tourney competitor at all, for that fact. But I don't think I was ever a bad representation of what the ATA is, or for any of the instructors I had in the ATA.

Good luck!

GM Chae Sun Yi - Master Scott Biskie - Me.

This brings up a somewhat counter intuitive point; don't most of us train in bare feet most of the time? How many schools train in shoes? Other than Boxers and Wrestlers, I think most train barefoot.

Could you elaborate here, Jissen? I'd like to see your rationale.

I think this could be a good thing. But like DWx, I don't really see how grappling can come into play. But, I guess its up to them how they want to market the event. Sounds like a good cause.

This may be my new signature!!! Go for it! I'm glad you like it. It must be my general stubbornness and tendency to be spiteful that brings these things out at times.

Thanks for sharing that video. Lots of movements there. I'd like to see it applied in a two-man drill; it might make more sense that way.

I see this a lot, but I don't think its necessarily a good thing. A black belt should be pretty proficient at what style they are in, and not just having the basics down. A black belt should be a good representation of the style, and although not a master, they should be getting close to having some expertise in their style. A black belt, in my opinion, should necessarily be just a really, really good colored belt.

I disagree here. Lots of styles practice for "tourney" rules. Boxing, Wrestling, even MMA and Thai all train according to the rules they fight for. I think what you are getting at is point sparring. But, just because schools train for point sparring, doesn't make them a McDojo, either. Anymore, that term gets thrown around a bit too much, in my opinion. Go to an MMA gym, or a Thai gym, or a Boxing gym, and I can guarantee you won't see a whole lot of full contact action going on. You lose training partners if you give them all concussions. But, what you will see, is a lot of pad work and sparring with gear on so that certain targets can be struck at higher, yet still controlled levels, of contact, based off the rule set they fight with. Commercial schools also have things to deal with like insurance and the like. That's why ATA schools have added chest protectors and helmets with visors to their sparring requirements. It didn't always used to be that way, but things change from time to time, and in order to have their schools covered by insurance, that's what they have to do. I'm sure that the ATA isn't the only organization that does things like that, either. I guess to sum up, I wouldn't be so harsh as to judge schools that don't do full contact, knockdown, in your face, Cobra Kai Martial Arts. If you want a higher level of contact, then I don't blame you for looking into Kyokushin or something like that. But don't shelve all the other styles for the lack of it, though.

9/13/2012 One afternoon and one evening of home rehab, 25 minutes each. 9/14/2012 Physical therapy at the clinic in the morning for 45 minutes. One session at home for 25 minutes. 9/15/2012 Home sessions, 25 minutes in the am and pm. 9/16/2012 More of the same. Its monotonous.

I think the spiritual side of a Martial Art is more up to the person studying it than anything else. Personally, I have no use for the spiritual aspects of any style, because I already have my own outlook on such things. I'll listen to someones ideals or whatever, and then consider them if I like them, but overall, I'm my own person when it comes to such things and I don't really think I need to change much there. What I want is good self-defense stuff.

I will play devil's advocate here, and say that I think you can train your katas for both. You just have to decide what you are doing that day, and focus on it. Just because someone has a nice competition kata doesn't mean they don't know any self-defense applications for it. That said, look at what the competition does, and scout things out. See what is bringing in the scores, and try to work things that way. Also, talk to judges! I think you'll find that they won't usually keep secrets from you, and will likely give you an idea of what they look for in scoring. Then its all about focused practice.

I've not done it much. Personally, I like the fact that we've evolved and discovered ways to keep ourselves warm in the winter months, so I try not to endure too much more cold than I have to.

Train with this guy once; you won't be considering the weight. I'm the guy on the right, and I'm no lightweight, probably pushing around 260 in that picture. But, I can kick to the head, break 4 boards with a round kick, and do a flying side kick over 3 people. I'll tell you this; its hell getting old. I don't consider myself too old yet, but I've found that when you don't have time to work out 5 days a week, things tend to change on you. Kids take more time, spouses like to have you around, too. Workout time starts to slip away. And if you're like me, you don't miss meals. So, its tough sometimes to keep the weight in check like when you are younger. I'll say this, though; don't judge that book by its cover. I've seen some quick big men before. And the ones that aren't quick, lots of times are very tough, and when they get a hold of you, they are very strong. Instead of seeing their weight, its important to check out what kind of experience they have, and then see how it goes in classes.

Toe walking seems abnormal to us because we have adapted to shoes, and most of us have been wearing shoes our whole lives. I've seen studies that show the difference between the impact the knees take when heel running, and when toe running. Toe running will save the knees in the long run. Also, keep in mind this doesn't mean running on only the ball of the foot. Its just that the ball off the foot hits first, then the rest of the foot comes down. Think about how are Neandrathal kin would have been running through the landscape when hunting; probably more on their toes than on their heels.

Reference the bold, I think one of the main beefs is the lack of taking cutting into account. Although there are some similarities between stick fighting and swords, the differences and nuances that are left out really take alot away. Some of the things like binding, and then grappling, and in sword/shield, the SCA doesn't allow the shield to be used to its potential, either. Many don't realize, but sword and shield really is a two-weapon system; the shield doesn't just hang on the arm. But, for what it is, SCA is great fun, and you get loads of bruises and stories to tell.

I've dealt with small changes between the two TKD styles I have done. It took a bit of time, but I got all the nuances worked out for the way the new school wanted me to do the techniques. Most were minor things, like hand placement in various chambering techniques, and some, like the way they taught the side kick, were way different. I found that I like the way my present school does the side kick better than I had done it. It seems to fit my body type better. My advise is not to sweat it too much, and just keep working on and correcting yourself when you catch it. I would say, though, along the line of what sensei8 mentioned, there is a different between "wrong" and "different." Just because you old way is different, doesn't make it ineffective or wrong.

Do you still use that thing much, tallgeese?

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