bushido_man96

I see your angle here, but it didn't sound like corrections to me. It sounded just like some friendly coaching. Really nothing to get worked up over, in my opinion. Especially by a friend.

We use "Mr." for everything, unless they are 4th dan and up, at which time they are titled "Jr. Master," and at 5th, titled "Master." When we answer up in school, we use "sir."

I don't compatmentalize TKD, but it really has already been done for me. Its taught in a compartmentalized way, with basics, then forms, then one-steps, and we will at times do "self-defense" techniques that are seperate from the other curriculum. We don't really break the forms down into applications, and the one-steps leave little to be desired in the form of being self-defense applicable. So, any kind of application ideas that I work from the forms and one-steps is purely my own. I think it is unfortunate, too, as the forms and one-steps provide good building blocks to work from; its just that the "next step" in the application process is never taken. Combat Hapkido, on the other hand, was not set up the same way. Everything was pretty much self-defense oriented. I very much enjoyed this constant "application aspect" of Combat Hapkido.

How come Western minds are weak? The rank systems were created and used in the East FIRST, so I don't see how it really has anything to do with "Western" minds. There are thousands of Western athletes that train in Martial Arts without any need or desire for rank; they are Boxers and Wrestlers.

I think this concept was touched on somewhat in a separate thread, as a side tangent, I think. I think you were the one who brought it up, tg. I think its a sound concept, and it makes sense to me. I wish I could expand more, but I don't think I can without sounding like I don't know what I'm talking about. I'll have to look into that book, perhaps.

She spoke to you in this way, and she is your friend? Kind of crazy. Rank is one thing, but I would never use it to remind someone if they are "speaking out of turn" or something like that. It sounds to me like she's had a bit of an ego-bruising. I'd say she's the one who is out of line. Just because someone is lower rank, doesn't mean they can't see where someone can improve. I've had lower ranks watch my forms and such before, and asked for suggestions on anything they've seen. Not a bad way to learn, in my eyes. A few words come to mind here, but I'll be polite and keep those to myself. I'll just say I think it sounds weird that she had to have someone else discuss this with you, while she stood behind nodding about it. As far as how you feel should you have to spar her, just play it by ear. If she brings it, then give it back to her as good as she brings. Its too bad she couldn't just enjoy the idea of an open dojo, where things like rank, school affiliation, and the like, are laid aside so all who participate can learn and share. Sounds like she really missed out.

I think that is a great idea. When learning is fun like that, it makes it more likely to retain information, and it makes students want to come back for more. I also want to add that I think there's a difference between having fun and "learning through play," and goofing off. Goofing off is counter-productive, and can be dangerous. Learning through play, however, would still be a constructive and focused process. Great thread, Master Pain.

Squats have helped my knees to feel better than they use to. There's a lot of misconception out there about squats and the knees.

I'm going to look into those Superfoot vidoes. Thanks, xo-karate. 1/19/2012 Forms: Chon Ji and Dan Gun 1/20/2012 Deffley C Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 225x3, 245x2; work: 290x3x5 Overhead press: 45x5, 95x5, 100x3, 115x2; work: 125x3x5 Incline bench press: 45x5, 95x5, 105x3, 115x2; work: 125x3x5 Front squat: 125x3x5 Stretch: standing/kneeling quads, front/twist/side kick bar stretch, toe touches, chest/tris/bis. Since my squat weight is getting closer to 300 lbs, my form is starting to flush again. I've been working on getting the good mornings out of my squat, but it just won't go away. OHP form is coming along very nicely, though. Watching my technique on my phone is really good for evaluation. 1/23/2012 Deffley A Squats: warmup: 45x5, 135x5, 225x3, 245x2; work: 300x3x5 Bench press: warmup: 45x5, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2; work: 240x3x5 Barbell rows: warmup: 95x5, 115x3, 135x2; work: 180x3x5 Hip thrusts: 3x10 Glute-ham raises: 3x5 Seated good-mornings: 130x3x12 Stretch: standing/kneeling quads, front/twist/side kick bar stretch, toe touches, chest/tris/bis. More good mornings on the squats. Felt like I really broke through on bench, though. We'll see how next Monday goes.

What do you use your sandbags for? Do you strike them, or have large ones you lift like weights?

That is great! The problem with ranged weapons is that when the bad guys finally get close, you have to ditch your ranged weapon, or just retreat because you don't have one. This fixes that problem nicely. And the ejector was a nice touch. I found it kind of disturbing how he said "zombie skull" with such a straight face...

The way your current style does it is how mine also does a single-knife hand block/strike. What about the double knife hand (i.e., when the non-blocking hand is used to cover the solar-plyxus instead of being pulled back to a chambered position). Do you begin with that hand in front and bring it back, or with it behind and swing it forward with the blocking hand? Double blocks, like double knifehand block or double forearm block, start with both hands back, and both come forward. Sorry, I probably didn't explain this too well. Think about the example of crossing the arms. Same idea, but instead of crossing them, the arms still do the "hugging yourself" type of pre-movement, but instead of crossing, one is above the other. It does allow for a deeper stretch of the pre-movement. Sorry for the confusion. Hope that helps.

I'm not a fan of it. I save hugging for those I'm very close to, and not sweaty guys after I've been kicked in the head a few times. If its someone I know well, then maybe one of those back-slapping type hugs. I think this may also tend to be a regional/cultural thing, too. Depending on how one was raised and what not.

Anytime, tg.

I don't, but I've considered adding in some protein to my diet, but I don't want to add too many more calories. I've heard there's a lower calorie protein shake out there at GNC, so I might check it out.

1/17/2012 Forms Naifanchi and Poe-Eun to start the morning. 1/18/2012 Deffley B Dead lift: warmup: 135x5, 225x5, 315x3; work: 330x5x3 Push press: warmup: 45x5, 85x5, 95x3, 115x2; work: 155x5x5 Rack pulls: 375x3x5

Lots of good stuff in your post up there, Justice. I like the idea of using the chair, too. I will have to play with that some. I have done plenty of moving in front of a heavy bag, but I always hit it while moving. That is good, I think, but the chair would take away the drive to hit, and I could just work on movement (and maybe kicking over the chair). Lots of good stuff so far, everyone. Great coverage on this topic by all contributors.

I'm in a more unfortunate spot with forms, where there doesn't tend to be really any application work taught with each. There are some there that I can work with, given a good partner and lots of time, but nothing done in class time. So, we have a form for each rank, as part of curriculum. This isn't bad, necessarily, either. I still have learned good technical aspects of movement from the forms I've done. However, I do think there are times when less is more. When you start to dig into the intricacies to lots of forms, it can be tough to give proper attention to so many. However, what is also nice about having so many forms available, is that each student will likley find a few that tend to work better for him or her, in relation to body size and movement style or combinations. This is where it is good to have more, so you can be sure as an instructor to fill the needs of all your students, hopefully.

Congrats to him! Quite the resume there.

While I was at academy, the guy who would put us through our PT showed me a video of the "ball of the foot" running, and showed a graph of the impact difference on the knees between heel-to-toe running and vise versa. It made lots of sense, but is tough to get used to.

Don't worry, deckerdude. In time, you'll see how the differences pan out in the styles. Hopefully, you'll be able to keep the two seperate enough they won't interfere with each other in practice. If you can, then you'll be solid!

All valid points, tg, and one's I've had in mind, as well. The new head DT guy at our academy has some of the BJJ basics he shows, and he did a class for us a few years back in which the moves were introduced, and after drilling, we did some series rolling, doing different postions, reversals, locks, etc. Really simple stuff that could be good stuff to spend time on, and not terribly complex. Here is the video I was addressing with my DT partner. It was on PoliceOne.com. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.policeone.com%2Fless-lethal%2Farticles%2F4480715-Video-Suspect-wrestles-cop-to-the-ground%2F&h=QAQEnBAnAAQEH7pOU2gDJIKj1fSwW-Wwih64mwwUfv4yBow

In some of the vidoes I've seen of Capeoira, I've noticed this way of moving. I can see the power, too. It'd be tough for me to get used to, I think, after doing it otherwise for so many years, but I see the merit in the way the movements are done.

I don't know about this. Head kicks are pretty popular in movies and that is what a "street fighter" is going to be thinking about. They might expect a head kick more than anything else because they are familiar with TKD as a popular system of martial arts as opposed to some other system that has little to no kicks to the head. I see your point here. I also have heard a lot the arguement that the kick could be caught, and then the kicker would be in a world of trouble. And this would be true. However, how many people that you might go up against, in a "self-defense scenario," will have trained to catch kicks like that? And it is said that "you don't rise to the occassion, you sink to the level of your training." Another example I would bring up is how often do you see kicks caught in MMA matches, performed by experience MAists with lots of training and practice against kickers and kicking. Not many, that I've seen, yet. So, I'll admit that it could happen, and I wouldn't want it to happen to me, so I don't think about kicking high in self-defense. But I don't think the "catch the kick" arguement holds a lot of water, either.

I think what needs to be kept in perspective is that bowing is just a cultural aspect of the east in showing respect; not unlike a handshake. That's how I look at it and explain it, and try to ease the minds of those who question it.