bushido_man96

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?

Welcome to KF, Gareth!

Welcome, Jay!

Welcome aboard Brigitte!

Welcome to the Forums, Michael!

Welcome to KF!

On 9/5/2012, I went in to the hospital and had shoulder surgery. The operational goal was to scrape 8 mm of bone off the clavicle bone to the left of the right AC joint, and then root around to see if anything else needed repair. Thankfully, the bone scrape was all I needed. However, after surgery, in my anesthitcally-diluted state of mind, I apparently denied any pain control, and may have said some not very nice things to some nurses (that's what I was told, anyway, for which I profusely apologized...). So after an hour of delirious pain, my wife was allowed to come back to the room, at which point pain meds began being dispersed. I'll say this, morphine is BAAAAAD! I got so far behind on the pain that I had to stay a few days in the hospital, halucinating and throwing up thanks to the lovely pain medication. But, I did make it home, and boy, was I in pain. I took the crappy percoset they sent home for a few days, and then switched to Tylenol and Ibuprofen so I could keep a clearer head. On 9/11/2012, I started rehab...oh, joy! 9/11/2012 AM - Rehab at the clinic, 45 minutes. PM Rehab exercises at home. 9/12/2012 Ordered to keep up rehab exercises at home, twice a day on days I don't go to the clinic, and just once on the clinic days. Oh, joy! AM - Rehab at the clinic Home - several sets of 3 rep tension side kicks, both legs. Bag work left jab: 10 left lead hook: 10 left lead uppercut: 10 left cross: 10 left rear hook: 10 left rear uppercut: 10 left upset knifehand strike: 10 left knifehand strike: 10 left ridgehand strike: 10 PM - 40 min painful rehab.

I agree. I think its important to foster a mentality of finishing the fight that way. If all someone does in class is "die" and doesn't learn to finish, then it will be tough to develop confidence when the student needs to fight through something, be it pain or whatever. You aren't out of the fight until you are dead! And even then, fall so you can trip someone...

What is it exactly?

I know what you speak of; it sucks! I think the best you can do is try to free yourself up 15 minutes to half an hour to solo train at home. Bag work, shadow boxing, or whatever. Its a bit tougher for grapplers, I think, but a little imagination my help come up with something.

Rip Joe Lewis. I didn't realize he had cancer. My instructor was lucky enough to meet him, and they have a photo together at the school.

Congrats!