bushido_man96

This is a valid point. I think for many years it was just assumed that those who came to study the Martial Arts already knew how to get away or avoid things, so the teachers taught what they thought the students came for, the actual self-defense techiques; kicking, punching, joint manipulation, throws, takedowns, grappling, etc. Only relatively recently has the ideas of training avoidance and awareness come more into play, and those tend to follow more along the lines of what Reality Based instructors package into their systems, as opposed to what many more traditional based styles do, or even the sport styles like Boxing, Wrestling, MMA, etc do. The fact of the matter is that those things probably need to be addressed more often than the actually are, and could be dealt with in minor sessions of each class, or a few classes per week.

This is how our classes are in TKD. Its great for teaching, because you don't have to come up with many class ideas; its already laid out for you. The downside is that it doesn't allow for impromptu stuff and changing things up doesn't happen very often. Also, since we kind of follow that kihon/kata/kumite format, it tends to feel like we fall into a rut at times.

Rhadi Ferguson won't let the people he personally trains wear an ipod or anything. He says you need to be self motivated because music won't be there to motivate you when you need it. He feels this is true in all aspects of being successful. I tend to agree. I agree with this. I actually heard a fellow once complaining about not being able to lift (weights) to the music that was currently playing. And it was like he actually let it affect his lifting. I just couldn't understand that. I never really thought about it as a clock before, but I can see what you mean here. It would be interesting to see how it is used, and watch the movement flowing with the the rhythm.

8/3/2011 Aikido: 9-10 am. Finally made it back to a class! My 5 year old son came along, too, and he had a pretty good time, and got to do the throws at the end, as well. Stretch: seated straddle, left and right, cobra stretch, butterfly and back. Technique: worked on irimi, an entering technique, doing some partner stuff to work on movement and tai sabaki. Finished up with doing what they call a "buddy drop" type of throw from the irimi. SL 5x5A Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2; work: 255x5x5 Bench press: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 155x3, 175x2; work: 210x5x5 Barbell rows: warmup: 75x5x2, 95x3, 105x2; work: 135x5x5 Power clean: 135x5 Stretch: front kick bar stretch, standing quads.

Agreed...step behind is the way we do it also. I do agree with you guys here. I think in general crossing the legs is not very sound tactically. Its a good way to get pushed over I think. Any step done needs to be done quickly, and with as little time spent crossed up as possible.

When I was in the ATA, we always did the step behind side kick, even in practice. In my current school, we do the kick the way you describe; set up is stepping in front instead of behind. But, we only do it this way in basics, and the reason for it is to really focus on using the hips to drive the kick out. It also forces you to really chamber the kicking leg up before kicking. When stepping behind, it is more possible to "drag" the kicking leg up, so that the kick has more of a line angling upwards from start to finish, as opposed to going straight out. When I spar and break boards, I do the step behind. It can be good to do both. However, I don't side kick a lot in sparring anyways.

Good question, I was wondering if this is what you mean, as well, Bob. I'm in the same boat as Danielle, here. However, from my readings and the like, I've seen some other possibilities in some of the moves in the forms. I have always fealt that the ATA forms flowed fairly well as being "literal." The moves are put together into combinations for the most part, and there are no bunkai style applications to the ATA form set.

I agree with your comment above, Bob, and wanted to bring attention to the section I highlighted in bold. Remember what it was that made that "feeling" of impending danger pop up, and make sure you can figure out a way to articulate it. This is where most people fail, I think. They get tangled in the adrenaline of the moment, and then when its over, don't think about how they will explain what happened, why they did what they did, and what lead them to believe that if they didn't act first, that they were going to be in danger. A few examples to illustrate: 1. "He called my momma a blankety-blank, so I busted his face!" This, is likely going to get you put in jail. Not a good way to justify striking someone. 2. "It was really loud in the bar, and I saw a friend of mine, so I hollered at him to get his attention. This other gentleman thought I was yelling at him, so he came over to me and started yelling at me. I apologized to him, and told him I was trying to get my friend's attention, but he wouldn't listen to me, and said 'you'd better hope your friend gets here soon.' I was backed against the wall, and he swithced his drink from his right hand to his left. I couldn't get away, so I took action and struck him first, because I was afraid he was going to hit me while I was cornered. After he fell down, I got away from him and then let the bouncers know what happened." Obviously, this is a much better articulation of why you fealt the need to strike someone in self-defense before the other person struck you. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean you won't end up with some kind of reprimand, but, it does paint you in a much better light, and shows indicators of why you took the initiative. After that, finding witnesses that can propogate your side of the events becomes beneficial, as well. But, my point is that if you get that "feeling," take some time to address the why's after the fact.

Your thinking of Chris Jericho, who is the man of 1,004 holds. I was waiting to see if you'd catch that. Although not a Wresltler, Kenny Rogers "knows when to hold 'em..."

I agree with Liver Punch here, and Master Pain above. This is all good advice. Wrestling, aside from being a great Martial Art, is great for conditioning. Running is something I never did, and looking back, probably should have. I have about zero stamina. As far as a general MMA gym training teens goes, you could probably find one if you live in the right area. Make sure it is focused training, though, and not just a bunch of guys who want to get together and slug on each other, a la Fight Club. I'd make sure you've got someone running the show, and has structured training sessions that include sparring.

The more I think about Parkour, the more I liken it to XMA. Although most XMA practitioners are ranked Martial Artists, I know that the majority of those who post here don't refer to XMA as a Martial Art in and of itself. With that in mind, I don't know that I could push Parkour over into being classified as a Martial Art, either. I guess I see it as "fancy running" more than anything else.

I've done my fair share of sticking my foot in my mouth from time to time, too. It happens to the best of us!

Let me guess, he hadn't been kind enough to teach you the combo breaker yet, had he?

Well, you never know what can happen. Maybe in time, you will accomplish that goal. Never say never!

Well, you've got to have one of those guys around you to tee off on every now and then, right Bob?

Thanks, ps1. Patrick, you are welcome.

Yeah, that is true. But like I mentioned, having one can only be a boon to your school, as long as it is professional.

Missed a week in the gym due to family concerns, so when I got back, I backed off on some of my weights. Little sore after working out. 8/1/2011 SL 5x5B Squats: warmup: 45x5x2, 135x5, 205x3, 225x2; work: 250x5x5 Overhead press: warmup: 45x5x2, 65x3, 85x2; work: 125x5x5 Dead lift: warmup: 135x5, 175x5, 210x5; work: 275x5 TKD: 6-7pm Basics: tired out through these Forms: 3 forms, including Yoo Sin. I actually ended exactly where I began for the first time I can really recall. One-steps: blue/brown belt one-steps. Sparring: Instructor allowed me to spar without pads tonight, and it made a world of difference! I can move so much better without that damn chest protector (hogu). Stretch: light stretch, seated straddle, left and right, and stretched hip flexors on the floor, sitting in seiza position. 8/2/2011 Stretch: seated straddle and butterfly.

I agree, thacker, and most times, if you strike to the head with your hands, you should try to do so with open-hand techniques, as opposed to the fist, unless you are really good at it. You likely won't have a cup on for groin protection either. Or be wearing a loose fitting gi to move in. I don't think training without gloves is a bad thing necessarily, but I do think you should protect your body as much as possible in training so that you can keep training for long periods of time.

Welcome to KF, Tim!

Welcome back to the Forums! Don't worry about going to a school and looking like a newbie; we all started that way!

Cool, I didn't know that. Also reading your post above, I do think that word of mouth is one of the most solid forms of advertising one can get. If satisfied customers are talking about you to other potential customers, it can travel fast. In the end, you are more likely to end up with those who are really dedicated, and williing to stick it out for a long time. When I think back to starting the Martial Arts, other than learning with my dad years ago, I got back in when a friend of mine invited me to the local TKD club.

This is a good arguement for "not a Martial Art," as it relates in opposition to the point JusticeZero had earlier. There has really been some good discussion on this topic, with lots of valid points made for either side. Excellent discussion, everyone!

I had a lot of great times in my first TKD school. My instructor from that time is still a person I consider a good friend. I don't feel I am as close to my current instructor, but I don't feel that this experience has been any less than my previous one. I guess I would have to say that some of my best experiences have been in training with my friend here, who is also a city police officer, just doing Combat Hapkido and Defensive Tactics together, 1 on 1. We have lots of good, open-ended conversations about technique, strategy, class ideas, and have also folded each other up into lots of fun positions while we were at it.

I think this has become more the norm now than the challenges of the past. There was a time when those things could be done, but now, most cities have an ordinance in place for those types of things, and who wants to get arrested because they don't like the fact that another MA gym has moved into their demographic area?